24 C24 - The Capital

Before sitting in a chair, Anna's stone face looked down at me for a moment.

She spoke brusquely, "I am intrigued to learn how I came to have a brother, especially since Mother was not expecting, I might add."

The Duke winced before revealing, "Damiano was adopted."

Anna looked incredulous and replied, "Even better! Please tell me he is noble born, father? Or at least your bastard?"

The Duchess narrowed her eyes and replied with clenched teeth, "You go too far, Anna!"

Keeping his composure, the Duke responded, "He is neither." Seeing Anna's outraged expression, he quickly added, "But he isn't merely a commoner either! I cannot share the details, but I guarantee he is worthy of being part of this family."

Anna seemed mollified by that and asked, "If you cannot share the details, then I understand. Who is to be the successor?"

The Duchess said, "You, naturally. Had you both been born the same age it would have obviously been little Dam. Circumstances mean that a twelve-year gap in experience is nigh insurmountable in the race for succession."

Interrupting, the Duke added, "We intend to raise him just as we did you, hence it's not impossible that he might outshine you. Merely unlikely."

Anna sighed in relief and said, "Well, if I'm still the successor then all's well that ends well." Her face breaking into a slight smile. Fazio returned around this time and took his place behind Mona. Anna sent a questioning look at her mother.

The Duchess replied, "Due to the circumstances, we settled for someone older for his head butler."

Anna's gaze lingered and said, "Is that wise?"

Dismissing her concern, the Duke asserted, "Whether it's wise or not, is irrelevant. We must deal with the situation as it stands."

Fixated on my valet, Anna raised another question, "What about his enrollment in the academy?"

The Duchess scoffed, "What about it? There's technically no age limit on one's academy valet. And if anyone ridicules him for having an older valet, he simply needs to crush them."

Anna giggled and looked at her mother, saying, "Good plan. Now that the initial shock and anger has worn off, the thought of a second Calo in the world sounds nice."

The Duke said, "See? Whoever doesn't succeed supports the one who does. His job will probably be to support you in your role as Duchess of Calo."

Anna asked, "Will he be soul bound to me?"

The Duchess looked shocked and replied, "Heavens, no! Soul binding a family member is simply not done. You'd be declaring to the rest of the nobility that this family member can't be trusted at all."

The Duke continued, "Furthermore, if something happened to you and you perished before having children. Having the heir die as well because they were soul bound would be asinine."

Anna nodded, moving on she asked, "What do you think his specialties are?"

The Duke looked proud and said, "He's very interested in the sparring matches of his head butler."

The Duchess also grinned widely and added, "He also possesses more mana than you did when you were eight years old, and it's continuing to grow."

With a conflicted expression, Anna queried, "You say it's unlikely he'll outdo me, but it appears he might stand a chance."

Mona asked, "Can I have permission to speak?" The Duke nodded and she continued, "Young mistress, little Dam might be only one year old but he's the kindest, gentlest, and sweetest boy I've seen in my many years providing childcare. I don't know the specifics of this succession, but surely that's a long way off? If you endear yourself to your brother now, when the time comes for one to rise to the position of Duke or Duchess, he might be willing to let you have it."

Duchess Calo, grinning widely, observed, "Even a commoner can identify a strategy you overlooked, dear. Let your emotions calm and think of ways around this obstacle. Family members are assets just like your head maid, they're loyal by design. Why do you think our Duchy supports Nestad County so much despite us being so far from each other."

The Duke smiled gently and said, "I would never abandon my father-in-law. He's supported us plenty of times as well."

Mona chimed in, "Even though I'm not a noble, young mistress, I understand the importance of family regardless of one's status."

Duke clapped his hand and said, "With that out of the way! How has the academy been?"

Anna said, "Very good! Only two assassination attempts this year. I'm almost thankful for Damiano's existence. Now that there is a second heir, some will be more hesitant in their actions."

Duchess Calo laughed and said, "They're mostly a right of passage. I'm almost convinced the King orders them as trials." Anna, Mona and Fazio looked shocked but the Duke laughed along with his wife.

The Duke said, "Don't worry about her, she's making a joke. House Calo has no genuine suspicions of the King."

Anna said, "But father–"

The Duke interrupted, "He is not a direct adversary like some but he is no true ally. He has a duty to his house and the country as a whole first." She nodded in response.

Duchess Calo asked in a conspiratorial tone, "So has any noble bachelor or bachelorette caught your eye?" Anna immediately blushed. Mona and Fazio took this opportunity to leave Anna to her embarrassing fate. They took me to a room to play. They had brought my toys from the basement with us so naturally I went for the wooden dagger. I pretended to thrust and parry like Fazio. After a moment of play I was rewarded with something.

Congratulations!

By repeated action you have generated a new skill! View it under the skill window!

I couldn't open it then but later that night I opened the skills window to see what I got.

Dagger Basics. Rank 1.

You know which end is pointy! Increases damage done with daggers by 1%.

Rolling my eyes. Oh, that will be super helpful!