Cornered

"Come in"

"This is the letter the bird brought from the capital."

"You can go, Tom."

Tom left the letter and went outside.

Madam saw the seal which was the coat of arms of the Augustus family and her frown deepened. The Augustus coat of arms was a black and white in 4 square boxes and a crown at the center of it.

She opened the letter with same expression. She read the letter and her anger deepened.

She laughed in anger.

"This pack of hyenas. My husband worked for this kingdom. I left the East and came with him here and this is what they gave me."

"You know what Bruce. This letter was from the King warning me about the storm that is going to come into my family. Also, he revealed some nasty secrets that even I did not know about....."

Madam talked for a long time. The gist of the monologue was that the King had revealed to them that Napoli Kingdom and Earl of Bilspine were in cahoots and wanted to split up the mother and daughter for their life element.

Yes, Svetlana and Arshaya had life element. It was a secret only known to 4 people, one of which was dead. Dead husband, Svetlana, Arshaya and Rock. Yes, the mole in by the side of Svetlana.

The letter also revealed some very sleazy secrets about Rock's mother. Rock was not the child of Svetlana's husband but of the current Earl of Bilspine. Obviously, Rock knew about it and his mother knew about it.

Rock's mother was killed the current Earl to prevent creating friction between the brothers since dead men tell no tales.

At that time, the younger brother was already a rank 3 mage and heading the alchemy research at Bilspine. It was from this research, the clear glass was made which has no spread to the world and so has the Dunt Chamber of Commerce.

Everything was alright till Rock married Margaret. Margaret had hypnotised and gotten the information about Svetlanas element and sent it to Brussex. It was in Brussex that Augustus spies or soul slaves had gotten hold off the info and relayed it back to the King.

It was a warning to be careful but in reality, it was a threat from the king. The king could not handle the Alchemist husband or the United Bilspine family but now with Svetlana away from Bilspine, he had much power over her.

The king had proposed that Svetlana remarries into the Augustus family to some nephew of the king. It was just a way to control Svetlana. The other option was to marry Arshaya into the Herald family.

Arshaya had been a talented mage among her peers. Becoming a mage before even reaching 15. She was still 16. The little son of the First Queens Brother had a child who was about 20 years old. Yes, the Queen's brother was over 1300 years old and still fathering children. It is just that this kid was really spoilt and had been accused of atrocities against commoners but it was not like anyone could complain to the King.

A large portion of the military was controlled by the Morgan family. It is said that the Queen's father at that time had provided critical help which established the Augustus Dynasty.

Now, this little young master wrecking havoc in the Capital. He had seen Arshaya at an event in the Capital when the nobles gather annually after the summer harvest and before the winters.

It is a festival of sorts but for aristocrats, it is the time when they pay the taxes to their King. From that time, this young master called Jerry Herald had been infatuated with her. Who knew he would use such a way to get her.

"What do you think you should do."

"How long do you have till you for replying."

"I don't know. Depends on what Margaret And the Dunt family is planning."

"The King wants the life mana bottles from you and to get your loyalty, they will use marriage. I believe the first option is worse for you Madam. They might force you for a quick marriage. Instead, You can engage Arshaya to Jerry and send her to the Grand Olden School of Magic for study and delay the marriage. As for the life mana bottles, You can ask him for sometime to deliver the first bottle. But, we need assurance from him that Earl Dunt won't do something to both of you." I said

"Actually, I have a way but I need some money and complete trust." I continued.

I wanted to use Svetlana's weakness and power up quickly. I could not follow the original plan of laying low. I could use the quick surge of money to establish myself and even help Svetlana.

I did not want to believe it but I was charmed by her and not the magical type. She was a caring mother stuck between two giants. Anyone would help her. And the bonus was her body which had been in the youthful stage for last 60 years.

Couldn't blame the Earl Dunt for wanting a piece of that ass to be honest.

Svetlana was thinking something and then I was tears from her eyes. She made up her mind and walked towards me.