Maxwell decided to sleep over his sister’s room, believing she needed someone to accompany her.
He made himself believe that Maxineirah needed someone right now that she was feeling down.
He dragged his favorite pillow and left his room to go to the opposite wing where only Maxineirah’s room was existing and the other rooms were vacant.
Maxineirah was engulfed in her wonders when Maxwell suddenly entered her room without even knocking on the door but Maxineirah did not notice him at all just like what happened when he brought her lunch.
“Maxine.” Maxwell called her but it seems like she did not hear anything and was still staring at the ceiling but her eyes, as if she was looking farther away.
Maxwell called his sister more than twice but she only got back to her senses when he slightly shook her on her arm.
Maxineirah got startled by what her brother did and unconsciously slapped her brother’s hand away.
Both of them were shocked by what she did.
“Brother! I am sorry…” Maxineirah immediately apologized and sat down but Maxwell dragged her gently between her chest and neck to lie back down.
Maxwell wrapped her arms around his sister and hugged her lovingly.
“You are thinking about those Ystradgynlais bas-hmm… suckers again.” Maxwell stated as a matter of fact. He almost said ‘b*stards’ in front of his sister.
“Hmm…” Maxineirah only replied that before hugging her back but Maxwell immediately knew her answer.
The next day, Kathelina did not wake up her Young Lady like she usually does and that was what Maxineirah was wondering about when she woke up late in the morning and found Maxwell on the same boat as her, still sleeping soundly.
Maxineirah woke her brother up right before they went to their different morning rituals before taking breakfast at the dining room.
The father, son and daughter were present.
As usual, Maxineirah was sitting at her father’s lap while he was feeding her.
“We are going to Ystradgynlais Viscounty after this breakfast.” Maximus said in the middle of their eating that Maxineirah choked on her food after hearing that.
As if the Duke had expected it to happen, he was fast to pass her a glass filled with water.
Maxineirah quickly drank a mouthful to push the food she took down while the Duke was caressing her back.
“You mean, Drelle’s house, Dad?!” the child asked in surprise.
“Yes. Right away.” The Duke said with finality as if nothing was gonna change his mind about it.
Maximus, himself, did not like that idea but what could he do? He does not want to see nor hear Maxineirah’s mood is not well.
Since Drenschville was a playmate she chose for herself, of course, his daughter would mind it and fret over it as long as it is not resolved. They knew that Maxineirah was smart and was already thinking of resolving the matter herself that was why she was thinking that way.
Maxineirah could not conceal her emotions well yet, moreover, the matter was quite big -the Viscountess interfering with the Little Duchess’ decision which is a part of their Estate’s matter.
Just like what the Duke had said in the late morning, they left right away on a carriage with their emblem too visible to not know by every one whom their carriage passed by.
Everyone was turning their head back when the carriage was running onto the busy street of the Ystradgynlais’ land.
The fancy carriage reached the gate of the Ystradgynlais Estate. The guards guarding the gate were in chaos after recognizing a prominent house who was visiting them without prior notice.
The guards need not to identify who were inside the carriage anymore as the ominous air surrounding the carriage was too frightening and one would know just by the feeling that it was the frightening Duke that was riding inside.
Maxwell, who was inside together with his father and sister, wanted to laugh after seeing the guards.
The guards did not waste a second and opened the gates to the Estate without their owner’s permission first.
Maxwell wanted to scoff at the whole Viscounty. Even their guards are reckless. How could they not stop them even just for the confirmation after arriving there without notice.
A guard came in a hurry in the living room where his masters were staying, barging without a warning that scared everyone inside the room.
“What the-?! Why are you suddenly barging in our room, you lowly Knight?!” the Viscount asked angrily.
‘You would not get that mad if you knew that the Duke of Zachrono came to your gates!’ the Knight said inside his mind. He wanted to scowl at his muddy-brained masters but he stopped himself.
“The Duke is here!” said the Knight.
The family’s brows furrowed after hearing that. They could not even understand those simple words.
“Duke who? Make it clear, will you?!” The Viscountess was pissed.
The Knight wanted to smack their heads.
“The Duke of Zachrono! Who else would visit you at the moment?!” the Knight asked rudely but thankfully, his masters were too shadowed after hearing the name Zachrono visiting them that they ignored his rude words.
“Dad! It is the Duke!” exclaimed the second oldest brother. They immediately stood up and fixed themselves to welcome the visitors.
‘Maybe the Duke is here to compliment our good decision on sending a real son rather than a bastard!’ the Viscount thought and looked at her wife lovingly.
“Wife, you really are a blessing from the heavens!” Viscount Ystradgynlais said out of nowhere, without even knowing why her husband said that, she was happy because his words were positive and that boosted up her confidence.
Maximus and his children were brought into the most extravagant room in the Estate, the most beautiful and fanciest room there was.
Maxwell picked up a figurine engraved into the face of a famous actor in the year 456. It was shining in gold but Maxwell immediately knew that it was a low class piece. He scoffed at it and put it down recklessly.
He wandered his eyes around and sneered at everything inside the room. “Is this what they call their ‘most extravagant’? It does not live up to its title. It still a low cass room full of faulties.” Maxwell murmured but Maxineirah heard it clearly because she was standing behind him while their father sat on the chair like a king.
“The other rooms are more presentable than this room.” Maxineirah commented.
“Ah! As expected, my sister is so smart!” Maxwell complimented and cuddled his sister.
The Ystradynlais family came. They greeted their visitors politely with all smiles.
“-bless the warrior and his family.” Their greetings were full of praises but Maximus was not pleased at all. Everything the family said entered one ear and left on the other. It only made him frown because he saw them boring in his eyes.
Carzon, the Viscount was feeling awkward together with his wife and sons when they stayed up on their feet when they were the owners and their visitors without an advance notice at that, were sitting prettily in front of them.
The Duke was not saying anything and just giving them blank stares that made the family uncomfortable.
“Uhm…” Viscount Carzon wanted to say something but instead made a noise to inform Maximus about something.
“You can go sit. Come on, do not be shy.” Maximus permitted but his words were mixed with mockery.
The Viscount was flustered. ‘You rather seem like you do want us not to sit.’ The Viscount thought silently.
“Your Grace, I did not know that you were coming. You should have told us sooner so we could prepare better accommodations for you.” Carzon said as cold sweat rolled down from his forehead because of uneasiness.
“It seems like you are taking care of your sons well, Viscount.” Maximus taunted obliviously and shoved the man’s words mercilessly when he did not see Drenschville among the sons.
“Oh, of course, yes, yes. I take care of them very well.” Viscount Carzon said as he wiped the sweat in his forehead with the handkerchief he fished from his pant’s pocket.
“I see. But if I am not mistaken, there are five of them, right? But why am I seeing just four of them? Are they just really four?” Maximus wondered, making the family oppressive by the simple question.
“A-ah. You are not mistaken, Your Grace. I have five sons. U-unfortunately, my youngest son is so sick that he could not get out of bed for days. He wants to say his pardon for not being able to see you. P-please understand.” Viscount Ystradgynlais lied outwardly and Maximus’ eyes could not help but to wrinkle his eyes.
‘Why is the Duke looking for that bastard son of mine? Am I wrong with my expectations?’ the Viscount thought and fiddled his fingers over his lap.
‘This sham of a man trying to fool me? Let us see how far you can go?’ Maximus thought.
“I never knew that people of the church get sick too since they were blessed by Frite.” Maximus said in a roundabout way and so, the Viscount received an elbow from his wife next to him as if telling him to at least be reasonable at lying.
“Oh. T-t-that is because D-Drenschville is not officially p-part of the c-church yet since he rejected t-the offer to b-become a Priest.” Carzon stammered, feeling queasy with the Duke’s questions.
Right after he answered, the refreshments arrived on time, giving Viscount Ystradgynlais the chance to change the topic.
He cleared his throat from the lump forming. “T-this tea is imported from the Haselbury Empire. It is called ‘Moon Tea’. It is good for soothing your mood.” His words have double meaning but it seems like he also needed it for himself.
Carzon thought he would be free from the interrogation after Maximus took a sip on the tea but he could not escape his sharp daughter whose personality seems like more than her father’s.
Maxineirah was just watching on the sidelines. She wanted to be patient but she could not prolong the adult’s talks any longer.
“Daddy. If my friend Drelle is sick, then I want to visit him. Can I?” Maxineirah said. The way she looked at his father, Maximus, was different that stunned him.
He could not refuse her daughter’s plea because her gaze was unusual and he could feel that she was being impatient not until she saw her friend in a good condition.
“Ah. I am so-sorry Young Duchess but D-Drelle’s illness is a co-contagious one s-so he can not receive any visitors at the m-moment-“ ‘and we need to move him first.’ The Viscount added in his mind. They certainly should not see Drenschville’s current state right now.
Maximus put his cup down with a force on the tea plate that made an irregular noise that startled the Viscount and his family. They almost jumped from their seats if they had not stopped themselves from doing so.
“Viscount.” Called the Duke in a menacing tone.
Carzon Ystradgynlais had his body hair in his whole body stood up. Goosebumps. He swallowed the lump in his throat before answering the call.
“Y-Yes, Your Excellency!”
“Let us not fool ourselves any longer, shall we?” Maximus asked in seriousness.
Carzon was speechless and could only have his head down.
“I-I a-“ the Viscountess was to rebut instead but Maximus got ahead of him.
“One more foolish word, Viscountess and I will make sure that House Ystradgynlais shall no longer continue.”
Carzon glared at his wife who tried to interfere. This woman would like to eradicate the family!
“The eldest son, guide my son and daughter wherever Drenschville is.” Maximus commanded, it seems like he knew the youngest son’s condition very well.
Well, it is no surprise anymore since every bastard in the Empire was treated the same.
“Yes!” the eldest son answered in surprise and the family started to sweat harder.