The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 103 : More on Investigation

Rosemary's hologram turned and looked at the fallen chair (and Dusk Hale) and rolled its eyes. If nothing else, Dusk did have a certain amount of entertainment value.

Susco and Catherine came running from the other end of the room to help Dusk up. She was not really hurt... At least it hurt less as compared to what usually happened to her in Military Combat Training. Finally, she was able to stand. She took a few minutes to get her breath back and stand up steadily.

"Excuse me, Lord Gregner, I hope you were joking there, or that I heard something wrong. Did you just name me as a 'Duchess'?" She asked.

"It's all three of you, of course, my dear child."

"Your Highness! Please, this is absolute madness. I cannot be a Duchess, I do not want to be a Duchess! I cannot be! I am not from a Noble Family. I am a common student from a small village in the Arcadian Desert! It would be a mistake." She pleaded.

Gregner frowned at her attitude. He was expecting her to be grateful and elated. "No. It is not a mistake. It is the order of the Emperor, taken after due consideration. And I would have questioned appointing of these two girls (earning a scowl from Catherine), but you are the perfect choice since you are from Arcadia and understand the nature of the land and the people. It will inspire the people to know the rulers understand them.

"The Crown Prince wants things to change. For too long we have been male dominated, resulting in a lot of talent being wasted. Your two friends are perfect examples of that. We have not had enough women leaders in this country. He has chosen the place that is the least developed and allotted it to you. Prove to him that women can rule, make the place better than anyone else could."

Seeing her still not ready to accept the verdict, he said, "If you still wish, you can go and tell the Emperor that you are refusing the honour. But while he has been indulgent with you, I do not think he is a person who likes to be refused, crossed or rejected." Gregner replied.

"But don't you see, Your Highness? Just the fact that you have to even warn me not to cross the Emperor, that it is stupid of me to oppose the order, is the perfect example of why I am unfit for what you are planning. I am not trained. I do not know how to run a city or a government, I am not from a Noble Family!"

"Six months ago, you did not know how to run a company... Anyway, every Noble Family started at some point of time. Before that they were also commoners. So, you will be the first of your line." Sunjune said calmly. "Somehow, I see you're behaving like Catherine now, making any excuse just to make an excuse."

Dusk tried to think of what to say but couldn't say anything. Susco patted her back, indicating that she should calm down and think it through before she said something to offend the Emperor. All told, the Emperor was the ruler of the country.

"If we can return to our seats everyone, we have met for some important purpose and I would like that focus on that." Lord Melster says, looking apologetically at Dusk.

... ...

The man was driving at a high speed along the highway. He knew in less than 4 hours he would cross the land borders of Bravadia. But those 4 hours would probably feel like the longest in his life. He had been driving for 10 hours already. MagLev would be much faster, but it was not an option. Flying was out of the question. His details had been put up on every boarding point for MagLev as well as Airport. Every one of his earlier contacts had shunned him, including his cousin sister and those who had promised him rewards for success.

He could not understand why Henry would give his name. But suddenly, the entire world was looking for him.

He saw a roadblock in front of him, armed Militia guards standing on the side. He pressed the breaks. But stopping there meant imminent arrest. When did they start putting roadblocks on a highway? He took a quick decision turned the car left, catering off the highway into the farmland.