Just Let Me Be The Grand Duchess! (SECOND SEASON)

Episode 52 - Having Another Reason to Fight

“Elijah,” A woman in red sat at the center of the room, “would you mind explaining how you got that bottle?”

The kid knelt down in front of her, his hands were shaking and his beads of sweat trickled down the side of his head, “I’m sorry, Madam Maddison.” He managed to push out, “Miss Anderson granted me this special clue so I assumed it would be—”

“Ahhh—Figures.” She didn't let him finish. “Hesser, how many times has Jamie visited us now?”

“Three.” Hesser, who stood beside her as she sat cross-legged, answered quickly to appease the growing irritation in his master.

“I suppose she is indeed helping us, however, she furthes her own agenda,” The Red haired woman sighed, “so what did you give in return?” She glanced back towards the kneeling boy.

“Excuse me?”

“Don't play stupid with me, Eli.” She slumped down and placed her whole hand on the boy’s head, gently playing with his hair, “That conniving cat doesn't give out information for free,”

Elijah felt dread as he felt her hand trace around the top of his skull, she was gentle, almost admitting she could crush it at any moment. “She asked about the seals, Madam!” He knelt lower, not only to avoid her hand but to showcase his submission

“I see.” Maddison waved her hand and Eli's head was pulled upwards through his hair by an unknown force, “and what did you tell her?”

“What the seals are and the fact that one is already broken—” He grit his teeth, the pain from the hairpull causing him to wince.

Just like that, he was dropped back down to the floor, “Haah~ Next time, don't act on your own. This way you don't have to suffer the consequences of sharing confidential information.” Maddison stood from her seat and pranced around the room.

“Leave and reflect on your actions.” She ordered and the boy knelt and lowered his head before melting into the floor as a shadow.

Maddison kept her eyes out the window and her eyes glanced at the large Azarollan Castle that almost reached the sky.

“Madam?” Hesser asked as the girl found herself blanking out by the window. “Are you disappointed?”

“Why would I be?”

“You didn't catch a glimpse of the Lady back at the Castle.” Hesser assumed. He had immediately expected the Madam to get angry and punish him but she remained silent, perhaps because she couldn't deny his claim, or perhaps she didn't realize it herself. Maddison wasn't so sure about her own conviction when it came to the Lady of Ramirez, she had played with plenty of hearts before (men and women) but this—this was a twist in her chest that she dare not try to face.

“I had heard she had left to join the Hunter's guild in preparation for her training.” Hesser walked forward until he stood beside her, “Would you like to know more, I am more than capable of finding out?”

“No.” Maddison replied without much hesitance, her heart might waver but her will would remain as steadfast as stone. She placed her small hands on the windowsill and let her breathing match the pace of the wind, “it is as you said remember? I must not let mere feelings get in the way of my desire. Her life is now separate from mine—Do not bother yourself with her.”

“I believe a little gentleness goes a long way, Madam.” Hesser seemingly gave in, he had known this girl since Hendrickson had first picked her up and until she had defeated him in a duel. “Maybe having another reason to fight for is not that much of a burden. You deserve another chance at love.”