V. Marriage and Freedom

At tea parties, noblewomen use their words as weapon. When men plan their schemes, they use the top secrets to either slander or blackmail their targets. In any situations, the bullet to their guns is information. Where could you get that fresh meat? At information guilds. Among the information guilds, the pub that sells cupcakes at night is the best guild, with infinite connections within and outside of the empire. The leader of that guild is the high society playboy, Markus Febrez.

“So what made you visit my dwellings in this time?”

“You have houses at the capital. This aren’t one of them.”

I examined his visage. Sultry lips, deep eyes, and his nose stands proudly on his pinkish skin.

“Would you like to marry me, Markus?”

Markus was red. Ugh, I knew it was stupid. 

“Sorry that was a strange thing to ask.”

“W-What has gotten into you? That was sudden.”

“Mother wants me to get married.”

“So, you proposed to me?”

“I just tried it on you. Well, I guess that was embarrassing.”

“That’s right. Don’t go around proposing to random men. I’ll kill you if you do.”

Markus threatened, pouting his lips slightly. How childish.

“Yeah, father. I’m going to follow you. So stop pouting already.”

“I am not pouting! W-well is that all? Did you really came to annoy me?”

That’s right. I never came here to escape from my mother’s mouth. 

“I came here to find information about a person.”

“Who? And let me remind you, even if we’ve known each other for years--- You don’t tolerate passion paying. I know. I came here with another fresh meat to trade.”

Markus grabbed a pen and paper, and handed them to me.

“It’s not that I don’t trust you. I just needed your sign for inventory.”

“You found a rat bite?”

“Hmmm. And I’m sure the rat’s still nearby. So who was the unlucky man?”

“Give me the list of all the man in the empire with red streaks on their hair.”

Markus was startled. “Do you have some weird fetish with our hair?”

I sighed. “No. But please do it. Whether he was a Febrez or an illegitimate one. I want to know every single one of them.”

“Any distinct features?”

“I haven’t seen his face but...”

His eyes flashed into my memory. That was distinct enough.

“Red eyes. Strikingly red eyes. Those eyes were scary yet somehow warm... Was that enough?”

“In the Febrex population, three out of ten possess such ‘strikingly, scary yet somehow warm red eyes.’ Febrez is an in- demand genes. Many would wish to be impregnated for these red streaks.”

I can’t believe such a trait could be inherited. Was that part of their culture?

“Like father, like son. The saying is indeed true. Speaking of red streaks, Colosas finally publicized his fiancée. If not the guild, no one would dare talk about the engagement of a Febrez. I guess that should be good enough as a payment.”

He heaved a sigh and gently took the contract from my hands. “I’m tired of announcing engagements that doesn’t even last long. Don’t you think I’ve lived such an absurd life for so long?”

“You’re too slow to notice. I can’t believe it took you half of your lifetime to realize. Alas, I’m going home now. I had to settle some financial statements first.”

“Are you a Count? Such hassle...”

“You knew everything. I can’t untie the leash unless I’m married.”

With another heavy sigh, I left the pub.

-

Markus tore the contract his comrade just signed. Even after she left, her voice keeps ringing on his ears and embarrasses him. 

“Asking me for marriage then suddenly saying it’s a joke. How shameless, Cass.”

He gathered all the documents from his table and threw everything to his open cabinet. He grabbed his coat and squeezed the knob beside the cabinet. Aside from him, nobody knows that passage, even his long- time comrade Cassey. 

“What took you long?” A man in his nightwear, wearing specs and leaning on the window, uttered. 

“It’s a client, Tradiskano.”

“That client must be a VIP. To think you would really postpone a meeting with another VIP must mean he is more important than any VIPs in your life.”

“Shut it, Tradiskano. It’s almost like you’re saying I am infatuated to her.” Markus spins on the swivel chair. 

“I’m not one to meddle in your affairs, especially women.” Tradiskano was resting his chin on the table, with eyes drunken from all the work he has done for the day. 

“Whatever, I can never be with her.”

“Are you really hesitating for a girl?”

“She was never in my plan in the first place. Since she has the blood of a Maharlika.”

Markus caressed the picture frame on his table and then covered his eyes with his veiny hands. 

“I’ll take a nap, Tradiskano.”

“You can rest whenever you want, Markus.”

Then the two guys rested peacefully. 

On the other hand, the sun has risen already and the Timmerhaus residence is getting worked. This is the first time the legendary lady- in- waiting, the duchess of Froilan, has came to visit. The sister of the countess is a close kin of the Restitute, the most favored concubine of the emperor, and the servants of the Timmerhaus wanted to leave a good impression on her, to have a brighter future of getting employed at the imperial palace. A recommendation from the emperor’s most beloved consort would surely bring them to higher heights. 

Cassey Timmerhaus, the only one who isn’t excited of her arrival, is busy writing the papers. Her eyes were dark and tired from all the writing. She only slept for a few hours and woke up to finish some papers. She was aware of how the maids of the esteemed daughter peeks at her unfavorable state, and laughs to themselves. She has predicted that the esteemed lady would barge in to her room and act merciful. 

“Greetings, sister! This humble daughter offers her humblest regards and greetings to the elder sister.”

‘Where did you read that greetings? How unnecessarily awkward,’ she mumbled.

“Greetings, Ashanti. What brings you here?”

“Auntie was at the dining table. She must be waiting for us, oh! Don’t tell me, mother never told you?” 

‘Pfft, does she think I’m easily pissed by such things? How adorably stupid.’

“I was informed beforehand. But you see, I’m handling the finances right now, which is also important so I am expected to send my greetings to maternal aunt later. I’m sure she would understand.”

Ashanti was taken aback. To think her sister is still so calm despite that.

“Y-yes I’m sure she would be considerate. Then, I shall take my leave.”

The esteemed daughter arrived at the dining area and gracefully greeted the aunt. 

“Greetings to auntie! I am Esteemed Daughter Ashanti Kaia Timmerhaus, and---”

“Of course, I know you already. You don’t need to bother yourself with the long greetings. Well, where’s Cassey?”

Ashanti’s face hardened when she heard her sister’s name.

‘I am here and yet, she’s looking for that dumb thing.’

“It’s because sister claimed that she is busy. I told her that you arrived but...”

“Is that so?”

Ashanti smirked at her aunt’s reaction. 

‘I am terribly sorry, Cassey. But this could ruin your luck.’

“Please don’t misunderstand aunti--- Of course, I won’t misunderstand.”

Ashanti was annoyed. 

‘Why are you not angry at her?’

“If it weren’t for Cassey, those financial statements won’t be achieved by the Timmerhaus. Lira is always busy and pushing her works to Cassey. How would she be able to marry?”

Ashanti gritted her teeth. Cassey is supposed to be hated by the aunt but was praised instead.

“Well, would you like to have a tea with me on the garden, Ashanti?”

Ashanti smiled innocently despite the bitterness she felt. 

“Shall we go auntie?”

“Unfortunately, Cassey had work. Well, it’s fine since we could have tea anytime.”

Ashanti glared at the back of her aunt. She hates how the aunt idolizes her sister. At the back of her mind, she curses her and swears to kill her when she becomes a queen. 

‘Once I become the queen, I’ll get rid of Cassey and everyone who favors her.’

-

“So why are we here? I heard the maternal aunt is at the residence right now, so what are we doing here?” Cassey was wearing pants and is currently on top of a beast. 

“It’s hard keeping this from you. So, I decided to talk to you, personally.”

Cassey jumped off to the ground and spread her umbrella. There were tiny droplets of rain falling on her head but she thinks her mother would not notice. 

“I’m thinking of divorcing the count. We may spent a lot of times together but we still don’t understand each other. We can’t be together forever, right? I want some freedom too.”

“Then who’s the new guy you’ll be marrying?”

“The duke of Morelli.”

Cassey let out a tiny laugh. “I knew it. That’s why you’re gleaming, huh?”

“You might be thinking he’s not any different from my past lovers. But he is. He treats me with respect and he is a capable man. I never plan marrying him right after a divorce but, it just so happen that he confessed to me right after the count and I filed for divorce.”

Cassey was quiet. Her mother noticed how quiet and gloomy she was, so she held the umbrella instead of Cassey. 

“Please don’t be so gloomy. You should know how I’ve been waiting to escape from that house full of war. You shoulf be happy that I’m free right?”

“Mother... Do you really think you could free yourself from that leash with another leash?”

Cassey was slapped. She smiled at her mother painfully, with tears forming at the corner of her eyes. 

“Then, what about me Mother? Where should I go this time? Should I follow you? Or should I go to grandma instead? Must I welcome another stepsibling?”

“With your status now, you can’t just enter the Morelli and expect adoration. If you were the esteemed daughter, you can’t also be with me. But you know that Ashanti is lacking knowledge in the nature of your work, so you should be an aid to her.”

“Then, am I finally imprisoned in that house?”

Her mother caressed the side of her cheek that she slapped. Cassey flinched out of pain and she buried her nails on her legs.

“Then you must marry. That’s the only way you could free yourself. You’ll be free from the responsibilities of a Timmerhaus’ shadow. You’ll be free from all the hassle from your maternal family. You just have to be a good wife, Cassey. I hope that’s not too much for you. You’re almost turning 18. You should be able to take care of yourself.”

“If you marry him, will you really be free?”

Her mother smiled and said, “I promised.”

Her mother left Cassey unshielded from the pouring rain. Cassey went and rode on the beast quickly. She thought of the things her mother just told her. 

“How am I going to believe your promises?”

“She wants me to get married. Does she wants me to experience such distress? Mother must be a sadist.”

She arrived at the capital. She had no intention of going home, since she’s aware her aunt will pressure her more about marrying. 

“Miss what’s your business here?” a vendor asked her. She roamed her eyes on the goods sold by the vendor. The table is full of brooches and hairpins. 

“Why are there so many brooches here?”

“Ladies love them. You know, there’s a festival coming, and a lot of noblemen are gearing for a hunt. It’s the perfect time for noble girls to hunt for their groom.”

A groom? Cassey has never thought of that. She ran swiftly to the registration booth, leaving her beast on the care of  dark skinned teenage girl. 

Unbeknownst to her, a mysterious man hidden in the shadows was closely observing her.

“Looks like we’re going to meet at last, Milady...”

The man disappeared from the crowd.