Hexens Verlassen

The next day.

As soon as sun rose through the transparent glass; he was greeted with a heavy push from Isabella as she gives Richard a gut wrenching hug. He in return wrap his arms around her then withdraws. Checking his surroundings — Richard only notices Isabella was the one that came to him. No sign of Agnes anywhere. She was nowhere to be seen. A sight that was quite dubious. So he asked.

"Isabella, where is your sister?"

"Hrmm... Um... Uh... Hee." She hesitantly muffles nothing but a beams at Richard with a smile. He raised an eyebrow in suspicion.

"What are you two hiding?"

"Well, we weren't snooping something that involves under your desk..." She said secretively, but Richard can already tell what she is referring to. Isabella can't lie, not when it linked to me.

"Alright, heh... I'll let you off the hook unless you tell me what is Agnes doing in my office."

"You say it is called an office but in actuality its named as a study."

"Hey don't change the subject by bantering at what the things I name." Richard karate chop her forehead. Then he catches her pony tail. "Your wearing it again?"

"Huh? Oh, you mean this... Pony tail thing. Well, I am quite fond of it." She plays with it for a while and looks at me with a grin. "You miss tying my hair with it some more, don't you, Richy?" Isabella said as she covers it on her mouth. He rolls my eyes as she conceded.

"Your awfully clingy, aren't you, Isabella?" Right when he uttered it; she embraces him again, but tighter.

"It's because, I can't stand losing you just like father." Isabella meekly said.

"Oh... Right, yes..." Richard mumbles.

Richard let's go before things could drag on. He ordered the maids to escort Isabella back to her quarters. Then washed himself to the accursed place that is the medieval bathrooms. Someday, he will create fully functioning pipes. Although it is strange to just use a buckets straight from my gardens well. At least it was freshly boiled beforehand.

"Yey, my favorite thing." After grooming his growing beard; he immediately dressed my attire, but this time. I ask the tailor to specifically sew me Victorian style clothing.

It took a month to finish, but he was satisfied with how it looked. It had a tight polo shirt with a wingtip collar, bright brown vest and charcoal black pants. As well as a frock coat. Along with black leather gloves, including a wide puff tie.

Now he looks like the Brit from the 19th century. In all honesty — the tailors in the city are quite talented despite the age gap between ancient and medieval Europe. In fact, Richard remembers why many nobles and prominent officials would wear silk-like tunic dresses.

Especially for the men. Who, by my surprise, would wear feminine dress-like clothes. It must be a way to distinct themselves between the people below them. The common-folk.

But it didn't matter when he was only using casual clothes. Although they are considered formal attire in earth. Still, that too won't be a concern, and what's better, he has two more pairs of these. All of whom have are different variations of color and styles.

The only thing that he has to worry about was the little mouse in my office or study if you're with Isabella. Richard then strolled to the mess, holding a brown leathery folder. Within it is the survey that the council of commons sent to him this morning. Daniel gave it to him as soon as Agnes started destroying my office. He'll have a talk to her later, but first. Breakfast.

Right when he was noming on the delicious steak. Jeunesse then appeared in front of me. Sitting next to me on the other side. In her hands; she holds a plate of lasagna that I told Guisardo to bake lasagna. Judging from her jubilant face, Jeunesse seems to enjoy it.

"Oh, by the way. My mentor will talk to you, regarding your sister's future."

This shocked him to a certain degree — even to where he choked on the steak. He never thought about it.

"*Cough Cough* Really?! Didn't you and Agnes made a mutual agreement?" He confusingly inquired.

"Yes, but if you get to know my seniors more, than you'll know why we witches prefer hiding."

"Um..."

"What?"

"Nothing." He waved. Then asks her more questions. "So what is this witch organization that you are so proud to be?" Richard waited for an answer, but she stayed silent. Motionless. Without even lifting the lasagna.

"We are but a dozen witches that are running away from the Nethorus council clutches. We call ourselves the Hexens Verlassen. Abandoned women who people shunned from their communities. The reason I haven't kidnapped your sisters right away was because I can always get them whenever I feel like it." Jeunesse explained with detail. Richard felt a cold sensation at his forehead, upon hearing it.

"Then why would your mentor have a meeting with me?"

"To prove that you can truly protect your sisters."

"*Distress sighing* Oh boy... This will be a tough one." He said while massaging his head. "When will your master be here?"

"Tomorrow..."

"Oh yes, of course- Wait what?!" Before Richard could ask anymore questions on how she could communicate with her colleagues, Jeunesse disappears immediately.

Richard had to make some plans, but how? He was too busy implementing new laws and reforms that could benefit the city. Not only that; he would also have to worry about the nobility opposing his rule again.

Mutiny is the worst kind of problem as it only allows the distrust among your subordinates. Then there's also the infrastructure rebuilding, the restoration of the economy and what's worst is that trade hasn't been doing well.

Richard will have no choice but to resort to any means necessary to meet the desired requirements. Right now; he is at risk, losing his family. Things couldn't get more stressful. Stroking his temples, he slapped himself 3 times and hurriedly finished my meal.

Then strolls to his office right away. He has plenty of work to do, and he'll need every card to pull it off. First, Richard needs to have a meeting with the chief architect again with Linaris. Then restore the trade problem by ordering a new flotilla of trade ships at the docks. I'll have the schedule done as soon as I talked to one of them.

And finally start imposing the domestic laws. Crime rates are quite high on the streets of Isstvan. Occasionally having dozens if not hundreds of acts of felony theft and murder being the norm. Richard would have to create a police force to monitor such offenses.

Usually, the knights are the ones in charge of such duties, but that would mean they would serve as multi-role unit. I prefer using such units in the open field of combat. Besides, 1 knight is very expensive to create. Taking up most of their life-time.

"Haaa~... I have no time for this farse- *Puu!*" When Richard entered his office. He was greeted with a book slapped in his face. The one responsible was none other than Agnes herself.

She destroyed the entire room. Papers were scattered all over the floor. Well-organized documents misplaced. And what's worst of all is that Agnes spilled ink all over his desk where he left the forums for his new bill related to the slave revolt. It pissed him. He didn't even bothered to remove the book in front of him as he can hear Agnes demolishing his works.

"Come on.... There's got to be a reason..." She scrambled and crawled everywhere.

He removed the book on my face and walk towards her. He slowly approaches her with every step harder than the other. Agnes did not even acknowledge Richard's appearance. Though that would soon change for the better. He grab her by the waist and lifted her up in the air. She was flabbergast and shriek a cute squeaked. Then spun her around till she begs to stop.

"Richard! Put me down now!!!"

"Not until you admit why your here!"

"Stop, I think I'll- *Burgh*" He immediately broke the swirling. She breathes heavily and grips my arms while moping.

Seeing this, he put her down. Thought she had given in. Then she punched me in the face the next second. Tumbling down, he hit the floor hard — Butt first. Richard then places a hand on his cheek where she wacked him. He sees's a slightly teary and an upset Agnes.

"You Dalcop! You know I hate being winged around!" She yelled.

Richard was not intimidated. So he stands upright. Brushing his pants and looks her deeply in the eyes. She steps back a little. Quite frightened by Richard's approach until she has nowhere to go.

Stopping at the edge of his desk — without moving. She felt terrified from him for the first time. He puts his hands on the desk frames. Agnes closes her eyes and face at the ground to her right. Then he whispers into her ear. Richard smirks.

"Wanna go again?"

"Huh?" He lifts her again in the waist and spins her around, but this time he won't stop until it satisfies him. She kept on screaming as I swiveled in my office.

15 minutes late.

Richard stopped as soon as Agnes didn't speak. He puts her down on his chair. Fixed her hair a bit and gave her a kiss in the forehead. I smiled at her dizzy face. It made me chuckle a bit. Then she grabbed his cuffs while whispering unconsciously.

"Richard, Don't leave us... We still love you..." Immediately he withdraws. Then stares at her for a good while.

"I know, but I am not him..." He lets go of her grip. Speaking in Spanish.

He knows how it feels to be adopted. Before he was John Akton; people call him Emilio R. Perez. He abandoned that name since it brought in terrible memories. Although, he still misses both families. Herald Akton was the only father figure had left but so were the Perez too.

Throughout his entire childhood; he always lived in the Cuban countryside. Everything was fine. Until a fire destroyed everything that he loved. And that is how he became British citizen. Though, he still perfectly speaks his native tongue.

"Why does this always happen to me..." He looks at the window intentively. Remembering his past vividly. Many of them were not pleasant.

The next day.

Outside in the front door of the Cromwell estate. 3 women with rugged hoods stood at the front gates entrance. There were guards on hold but they did nothing. As if they were expecting them to come. Waiting for someone to open.

Then, Jeunesse appeared behind them — pulls down her hood. The other individuals also removed the hoods that covered their faces. Revealing the beautiful faces that they were holding back. For a moment they just stared at each other but then gave each other hugs.

"It is good to see you well, Jeunesse." The woman with a brown hair said.

"It has only been a week, Malene. How are the other Jungling holding?" Jeunesse replied.

"The other witches are doing fine, lilla du. Erna is doing well as their caretaker." The women with a blond hair teased. Stroking, Jeunesse head.

"Gertrud, I'm not a kid anymore!" She fires back.

"Aww... Now she's rebelling~"

"Ladies, that is quite enough meddling. We are here to pick up the two witches of Cromwell. Master, Melinda didn't send us here just to toy around." Another witch said, who has a deep and soothing voice scolded them. Her hair flushed a green hue. Eyes glowing green.

"///Yes, Aufseher.///" They all spoke in unison. The three juniors all respected their senior overseer.

"*Sigh* Jeunesse, take us to the duke right now."

"Oui, Aufseher, but your in for a surprise and I think you'll might like it." She winked then takes them directly to Richard.

They quickly went into Jeunesse's crystallization process as their bodies vanish. Magic that she herself can manipulate. It can let it user disappear from the human eye by being incorporeal. As a result, it can move through any object with no magical property's or any anti-magic capabilities.

This place where no life can see but her. As a bonus, it can be a faster method of travelling short-distances but not suitable for long-distance. It also can drag other beings. Although, they won't be able to see as much, unlike Jeunesse. To her eyes, there is nothing but dazzling green emeralds that were once wooden walls and chiseled granite floors.

She then guides the three witches to the music room where Richard is currently playing the piano. The witches can hear it, but its tunes are different that what they hear from any operas. It has a feeling of ecstasy and playfulness.

They could even listen to the deep and distinctive voice that Richard displays. Seconds later, they all arrived behind Richard as they manifest their bodies back to corporeal form. Leaving a trace of quartz sparkling in the air. Then saw Cromwell playing.

"Wha! How long were you standing there?" Richard screamed and slams the cover.

"[Oh my~ You were right when I like what I see.]" Gertrud complimented in her native tongue.

"[Hrm... He has an affinity of playing sounds that I never hear before, and he was also singing while playing. How does one do it, I wonder?]" Malene commented on his skills as a pianist. All while Richard rooted his feet. He didn't understand what they were saying.

"Greetings lord of Isstvan, We are the Hexens Verlassen. I am Frieda, senior witch of the Hexens. I believe you already know what we have come here for?" The green-eyed witch said.

"Right, pleasure to be acquainted, Miss Frieda." Richard smiles and gave her a handshake, but to her response was not what he had expected. She looks at dumbfound and awkwardly grabs the hand. Richard then shakes it gently in his leather gloves.

"So, what shall we discuss? I know it concerns about my sisters but..."

"They are not your sisters."

"Oh? My apologies, but I didn't need to hear that. Please, let us skip the prejudice and sit down straight to business."

"Yes." She takes out a seed in a small pouch, then activates her ability.

A tree monster then appeared out of thin air. No fancy circle, no cool portal. It just materialized from a simple seed. The tree giant stood at a height of 13ft (3.96 meters for the metric nerds). Almost as tall as Santarius, but its height easily touched the ceiling. Frieda then glares at me with eyes of distrust. Richard looks back at her with an expressionless face. Then he whistled.

"[AIY AIY AIY AIY AIY!]"

Moments later, the pillar-guardians were now by my side, via smashing all the windows. Guardian-halberts at the ready. Pointing directly at the witches, save for Jeunesse. And there it is again with the random musicians playing the same instruments.

"Richard Cromwell of Isstvan, I Frieda Aufseher of the Hexen Verlassen organization challenge you the right of your sister's custody!" Frieda yelled in assertion. But I smirked back at her whilst my head tilted.

"Then, Amuse me, Frieda. I'm always up for a wonderful game." Richard Declared with his hands behind his back. Scratching his chin.

To be continued.