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2 – The Grand Duchess of Ramirez

  “Now, I suppose you're ready to hear my offer, My Lady?” The Red Witch stared down the Grand Duke's daughter without batting an eye.

  The Red Witch found herself fortunate for how the circumstances had pyed itself out. An informant of hers took notice of the arrival of the Grand Duke and she set her pns in motion to entice the Young Lady to help the Underworld in the future.

  Of course, her pn didn't involve actually getting the Lady into trouble but you take what you can get. She’ll just scold whoever was in charge of this district ter for not keeping these thugs in line.

  This situation still proved to be quite useful despite its many many faults. Maddison hid herself in one of the houses she owns and simply pyed a small innocent girl to lower the tigress’s guard before getting her involved in the Underworld’s schemes. After all, what Noble would ever miss the chance to make more money?

  Anyways, Maddison now had to deal with these hooligans who are way too in over their head. Under no circumstances must this charming young heir be brought into harm. The Red Witch would prefer to not get into a hostile squabble with the Duchy of Ramirez.

  To top it all off they had the audacity of raising their hands against her?

  Well…the least they could do is pay for it with their arms.

  As the giant man who had just had his arm horribly bent by an unknown force fell on his broken arm. “An offer I’m sure you’d find interesting.” She kicked his face and proceeded to stomp and press on it with her foot.

  The other giant was frozen in fear, unable to move. He knew that if he had tried to run his head would be dancing on the floor apart from his body.

  “State your demands and offer.” Alejandra tried to act calm and rexed despite her heart pumping so fast it felt like it would explode. She had to come across as someone who carried cards in her hand and not just a damsel in distress

  “Quite simple really,” She grabbed the guy’s hair and dragged him to lie facing down to which she then sat on his back to meet the Lady’s eyes, “I want a contract to form between in regards to the oversea and nd trade routes.”

  “That seems fairly simple. “ Alejandra was trying to read her smiling face yet despite the Lady’s acuity in discerning people's intention behind that facade the red haired woman’s carrying was like a bnk unreadable ste. “So you say, but I suppose they'll be used for several malicious activities.”

  The Red Witch grinned ear to ear as she crossed her legs. “That is not for you to know, My Lady. Sometimes ignorance truly leads to bliss.” She then shrugged and shook her head. “Besides, the Underworld under my regime strives to form an understanding between the people, the nobility, and the criminal syndicate. Wouldn't you like to be part of its founders?”

  “This contract seems excessively advantageous for you yet I seem to gain nothing from it whatsoever.” Alejandra leaned back on the wall, her reserved attitude serving as a mask for her nervousness right now. “What would providing the youngest leader of the Underworld with my support bring me.”

  “I suppose you already know that there is a deal between the royal guard and the Underworld.” Maddison expined, her fingers tracing something in the air. “A deal that stated we were free to do our activities as long as we kept criminal activity in line.”

  Of course Alejandra knew. Her mother was the previous Captain of the Royal Guard before it was passed down due to her retirement.

  “A deal which you consistently break in favor of your own goals and desires.” Alejandra gred at her. “You constantly disrupt the peace, you destroy property, and tely hasn't your group actively been causing terror around the Empire?”

  Maddison frowned. “Believe me. Such troubles will come to an end soon.” Her face then returned to a more carefree look like before. “Still, it's quite surprising to see you have such an audacious personality despite being at a heavy disadvantage wouldn't you say?” She stood up from the man she was sitting on and walked towards Alejandra. “Aren't you afraid for your life? Aren't you willing to simply do what I want just so you would see the light of day once more?”

  Suddenly the man she was sitting began to groan in pain. He stood up and a grueling stinging crunch filled his head as he slowly levitated over the ground.

  “What's happening?” Alejandra looked behind the Witch in front of her who was simply smiling as one of the giants who chased after her earlier choked in pain.

  His eyes looked like they were about to pop out. He reached his hand out for the young dy and croaked, “Help—me—”

  Maddison closed her eyes in satisfaction. “Pop.” She pyfully popped her mouth.

  Crack!

  Squeeze!

  Skrish!

  Alejandra had to hide her horrified face as the rge buff man, that was before her earlier, crumpled and folded like a piece of paper until he turned into nothing but a disgusting ball of blood and flesh as the blood exploded everywhere, coating the whole room alongside all of Alejandra's clothing. Alejandra remained stoic, she didn't flinch. She did not dare show any sign of weakness.

  “I still stand by what I said.” Alejandra spoke as she wiped the blood off of her cheek with her thumb. “A deal must not be one sided and must be split two ways. What is your offer in accordance with your demand?”

  A sinister grin formed on the Witch’s face as blood from the man dripped down from her face. “Quite a tough one aren't you, My Lady?” She giggled. It was interesting how the young tigress could remain so composed after witnessing such a horrific sight.

  Alejandra had to figure out a way to get herself out of this situation and hopefully that includes that other man as well behind them. He gnced at the other rge man. He was now knelt down on the floor in fear staring at the ball of flesh that was his friend a couple seconds ago.

  “So what is it then?” Alejandra stepped forward right into the Witch’s face. She looked down at her, after all, despite everything, Alejandra was still taller and older than this terrifyingly powerful being.

  Their eyes met, a dance of intimidation happened between the two as they waited to see what the other would have to say. This tension was broken by the ughter of Maddison who finally gave in to the qualms of the Lady.

  “HAHAHA! Of course! You need not worry about your end of the deal.” Maddison had pnned to give her something in the first pce, she just wanted to have fun and see if she could break the mind of such an pompous young noble before doing so. “I know exactly what you need, My Lady, though you yourself may not know it yet.”

  “What I need?” Alejandra wasn't sure if the woman was bluffing or not but she was intrigued by this comment of hers.

  “Unfortunately however, My sweet tigress, our conversation has been cut short.” The Red Witch smiled and traced her fingers down the Lady’s cheek, shoulder, arm, before finally finding its way down to her hand, which Maddison raised to her lips and kissed as a form of goodbye. “It was nice getting to know such a beautiful resolute woman like you.”

  The kiss was brief yet seductive, her emerald eyes were enticing and magnetic, seemingly inviting you to stare at them forever.

  “What?” Alejandra snapped out of her trance realizing what was happening.

  “I know you can feel them as much as I can.” Maddison grinned and backed away from the young tigress, giving space between them.

  Alejandra took a second before realizing the Knights were approaching. She took a small moment to pause and figure out a way to keep the Witch here for just a little longer.

  “W-wait!” Alejandra pointed to the man who was left over there, his eyes were bnk, and he looked basically dead despite not being so. “What about that guy over there?” Alejandra apologized to the dude in her head for throwing him under the bus.

  Maddison smirked. “Ahahaha, despite how lovely this conversation was, I’m afraid you can't keep me in your company for much longer.” She floated in the sky and the shadow beneath her started to move. “You are free to do with that man as you please. Imprison him, execute him, ensve him, it is as you wish for he’s done enough evil to deserve much punishment.

  “W-wait–”

  “You will know when we will meet again, My Lady. My offer is something you should duly take into consideration.” She giggled once more.

  Suddenly from nowhere, a young boy dressed in bck, appeared inside the room. “I’ve come, Mistress.”

  “Excellent.” The Witch gnced at the dy one more time, winked, then vanished into the bck void of the shadows beneath them.

  A few moments of silence pass as the young heiress waits for any possible way this could go south once more but as it stayed silent. She fell back first onto the floor, disregarding how bloody and disgusting it was in favor of finally letting out a massive sigh of relief. “I surely thought I was fucked right then and there. Thank the goddess for her good will and keeping me alive another day.” A small chuckle escaped her lips.

  “Uhhh…Your Grace?” The leftover man who was shivering at the corner spoke. He was straddled by blood from head to toe and a deep seated fear kept him from moving.

  Alejandra recognized that his fate was left up to her but she doesn't really want needless deaths to occur. What happened to this guy’s buddy was…well unfortunate.

  She gnced at the pulsating meatball near them.

  “You can leave.” Alejandra waved her hand. “Just run off somewhere far from my sight and live out the rest of your life doing goddess knows what.”

  Without sparing a minute the giant man stood up and bowed his head. “Thank you so much!” He cried, then sprinted away trying hard to hide the piss stains on his pants.

  She couldn't bme him. If that woman had stayed here any longer Alejandra might've soiled herself in panic. She might be tough but she as hell doesn't want to die.

  She id ft on the bloody floor, unmoving yet satisfied. Yes, it smelled absolutely horrendous but even if she wanted to, her legs were shaken too much to the point that if she even dared to stand she’d fall right back down. She figured at how dirty her clothes had gotten. “Teri’s gonna kill me isn't she…” A faint chuckle left her lips.

  “Oh my dear daughter,” A calm monotonous terrifying and authoritative voice boomed by the open door of the building. It seems the rge man had forgotten to close it, “You have more troubles than what your lovely young maid has to scold you for.”

  Alejandra shot up as quickly as she could. “He-Hey Moooom.” She nervously ughed. “What you doing here~?”

  “Oh my sweet lovely child.” The Grand Duchess’ smile was chilling and haunting. “Could you care to expin this situation I have stumbled on?”

  Alejandra closed her eyes and shut her mouth. It was over. That was it. She lived a long life. She just wished she could've messed around a bit more. Ahhh…so unfortunate.

  Her Dad was the great Grand Duke of the Empire, the richest man in all of Crusz, and an adept and skilled businessman who triumphs above all others. Her father was skilled at reading people and figuring out their attention, and his ability to do so has warranted him as the closest aide to the King.

  The only woman who could’ve matched up to her Dad's prestige was the equally great Young Lady of the Azaroln Duchy in the North. Her Mother studied the bde and worked her way up Knighthood, soon finding herself as the Youngest Head of the Royal Guard. She was a monster in battle, capable of using a bde with such precision and grace most of those who went against her fell in a smooth coup de grace. The one and only Tigress of the East, Roselia Ramirez.

  Now imagine yourself as Alejandra, spyed out in front of that master swordsman woman of a mother, covered in blood and in the middle of a scene of a crime.

  It would not be a stretch to start counting your seconds.

  “You better wait until your Father hears about this—” Roselia gred at her daughter, her head reeling from a migraine.

  What would have this little girl been doing here?

  Roselia clicked her tongue.

  Alejandra responded with prayers.

  The Duchess had arrived at the scene after many reports from concerned civilians regarding a ruckus in the city streets and the sounds of pain and what seemed to be an explosion of blood within a recently leased building.

  Who could've thought she’d find her daughter sprawled all over the bloody floor of that building next to what seemed like a crumpled up pile of meat that disgustingly pulsated as if it were alive.

  “Hey, mom. I can expin—” Alejandra prepared herself to be cut off but Roselia simply waited for her to continue with a raised eyebrow. “Okay, maybe not right now but definitely ter.”

  The mother rolled her eyes and turned her back on the young adult. “UNITS! STAND GUARD! SURVEY THE AREA FOR ANY SUSPICIOUS INDIVIDUALS!” She commanded. Then she turned her eyes once more on her daughter. “ASHER!” she called.

  “Asher?”

  She scoffed and tore a piece off the dress she wore as she hurriedly ran in this direction. She handed it to Asher. “She's here. Wipe her down and cover her up with your cloak and lead her back to the carriage.”

  “Oh my lovely Mom, you look so beautiful in that dress you're wearing.” Alejandra tried to butter up her mother.

  “Indeed, if only I wasn't called in for an emergency despite my retirement.” Her voice was frigid. “Asher,” she referred to the young man who quickly entered the room and wiped the blood off the Lady’s delicate face, “make sure she doesn't leave this time.”

  Roselia Ramirez had immediately deduced that there was something major about this case. This wasn't a simple scene of murder as it was obviously drawn by the balled up person next to her daughter. She didn't exactly show it but there was a huge wave of dread that flooded her chest followed by a breath of relief when she saw her young child on the floor, draped in blood, yet suddenly healthy enough to be smiling and joking around.

  That pile of meat seems to have nothing to do with her daughter. It must've been the work of an Adjudicator.

  Adjudicators are humans that have been gifted by the Goddess Asmodeus a powerful specific ability that is granted upon answering a person's purest desires.

  They are born when a person's desire is at its peak and truest, when they're hearts seen but one wish. Asmodeus will answer their calls and as such grant them the power to fulfill that single ability.

  Adjudicators carry significant power and military prowess that most governments aim to supply and care for them the moment they are found and made. Although, as you would expect, as many people would use power for good, just as many would use it for their own gain.

  This Magic born from desire was a way for Humans to compete against other races despite their ck of mana used for Magic born from the elements.

  Only Adjudicators, chosen by the Goddess, are capable of such extraordinary feats. She would know, after all, Roselia was one herself.

  The power of controlling her mass. She can manipute her weight alongside any material that is directly connected to her body. She can freely switch when or what part of her gains or loses mass. Roselia has the capability to turn as light as a feather or as heavy as a boulder. This power is what she called Lightness, the capability of which she has yet to completely master.

  It was awakened during her time as the Head of the Royal Guard. As the second daughter of the Silver Wolf, she was as if not more skilled than her elder sister in her old family. There were questions in regards to which of the two of them would inherit the title. In the end Roselia gave up that battle in favor of chasing her own ideals. Though, despite all of the coldness in her heart made from her experiences in the North, she couldn't resist the warmth of love.

  She had fallen for the witty and albeit awkward son of the Grand Duke Joseph Ramirez, who had courted her for years. They met each other during one trip at the capital and have been inseparable since.

  During one time on a date on a ke, there was an incident. Their boat had incidentally tipped over and they both fell into the deep freezing ke. Joseph, unable to swim, sank like a rock and was doomed to drown. Roselia, in a moment of panic, drove herself downward with all her strength and pulled him up towards the boat.

  She had barely managed to put him over when her legs cramped and she suddenly couldn't swim anymore. Her body felt heavy and tired as she slowly fell deeper and deeper down the ke.

  Somewhere above her, the voice of Joseph, who had just come to, was screaming for her, looking for her.

  Oh how she had wished she could float up to him right at that moment. She could have asked for nothing more than to hold him in her hands again.

  By the fate of Asmodeus, her desire was answered. She floated to the top of the ke like she was weightless until finally she had her man on top of her arms as she carried him. They stood above the ke, her feet touching the surface of the water, and Joseph’s eyes staring deep into hers. She couldn't resist that amazed look in his gaze and kissed him with such passion you wouldn't expect it to be their first.

  It wasn't long before that led to their wedding. Thus then solidified her as the Grand Duchess of Ramirez, The Golden Tiger of the Empire. She would keep her work as the Head of the Royal Guard for a few more years until she found herself carrying that young girl in her belly. It only took another month then before she retired and focused more on her own Knights and business in her own Duchy than that of the Capital’s.

  Though, even through her retirement, whenever she ends up at the Capital she is looked on with respect and reverence from her peers. She would still often portray the role of a Captain during her stay and even with all that is said and done.

  She couldn't shut her eyes so easily now as well, especially since this case seems to involve a rogue Adjudicator causing havoc. She stared in disbelief at the pile of pulsating meat in the room.

  Thank god that wasn't her daughter was all she could fully think of.

  Asher pulled the Lady up and helped her stand in spite of her shivering legs. “There we go.” He wrapped her arm around his neck and held her gently and comfortably, considering her figure as a dy.

  “M-Mom, I’m sorry.” Alejandra genuinely apologized as she stood up. The girl kept her head down and her hold on Asher’s shoulder tightened slightly. “I just wanted to have fun and then suddenly one thing led to another and—”

  “Enough.” Roselia raised her hand and silenced the girl who meeped her mouth shut. Alejandra looked riddled with guilt and frustration that Roselia can't help but be soft on her. “Are you hurt?”

  “I-I’m fine.”

  “Good.” The mother cupped her daughter's cheeks before kissing her in the forehead, uncaring for the remaining blood still stuck to it. “Go home and get some rest.”

  Alejandra blinked at her mother. Was she actually safe?

  Did she manage to get out of trouble without consequences?

  If only Alejandra could walk, she would be jumping up and down right now.

  “Over there, My Lady.” As Asher led her towards the cabin of the caravan her mother voiced out one final message.

  “Before I forget! Alejandra Taylor Azarol Ramirez, you are hereby grounded for the rest of our stay in the Capital.” Her voice boomed loudly in the young tigress’ ears. “You will not be allowed to leave our estate unless permitted by me or your Father “

  “But Mo–” Asher covered her mouth before she could yell anything back. “I believe My Lady should accept the extent of Her Grace’s graciousness.” He warned with a nervous smile.

  Alejandra closed her eyes in defeat.

  Ah.

  Life sucks.

  As soon as they entered the carriage, Asher carefully pced the Lady in her seat and sat across from her.

  “Ah, Ash…life sucks so much.” She wallowed in her misery.

  “You sleep on the bed you make, My Lady.” He teased and the girl gred at him in response.

  “That is not how you comfort a woman in distress.”

  “All I see is a young pup that's been scolded by its parent.”

  Alejandra hissed.

  Asher ughed.

  “If you would forgive my curiosity,” Asher leaned forward. “What exactly happened to you, My Lady?”

  “Before any of that,” Alejandra decided to stray away from the topic regarding her conversation with the Red Witch for now, “what's to come from this incident?”

  “Fret not, My Lady.” Asher shrugged. “I am certain Her Grace has a way out of this mess, no one else but our Knights saw your face as well. It would be enough to leave all to your Mother, My Lady.”

  “I hope it isn't much work.”

  “I believe it will be.” Asher sighed. “You've gotten yourself involved with a rogue Adjudicator, My Lady. That is not an easy thing to clean up.”

  “I know.” Alejandra plopped her head on the headboard.

  “Nonetheless, all you should think about right now is how to appease Her Grace’s fury shall she return back home.” Asher chuckled. “Give her what she asks for and you might find yourself free from being grounded.”

  “You think so?”

  “No.”

  “Figures.”

  “Our Teresa was scolded quite heavily too, unfortunately.” Asher added. “Her ties to your escape was particurly obvious without even the need for my testimony.”,

  “Ah, that's another can of worms I’m not ready for.”

  “Indeed, prepare your ears from a beratement from her as well, My Lady.” Asher grinned. He leaned forward and wiped off some remaining grime off of the Lady’s cheeks. “I’m gd you're home safe, Lady Alejandra.”

  The Lady smiled back at Asher whose gentle gaze id upon her much more than she could have realized.

  In the meantime, a young ss was stuck cleaning the stables as punishment for her coercion regarding the Lady's runaway adventure.

  “Ah.” Teri wiped a piece of literal crap off of her cheek with her own thumb. “This is hell.” She muttered to herself as she wielded but a bucket and a mop.

  She stood there in dreadful silence as a few horses had found the hems of her maid dress quite the tasty snack.

  Her eye twitched from anger. “My Lady, I forever vow to not engage in anymore of your recklessness.” She cursed. A horse had found its way to her brown hair but she spped its snout away like it was an insect.

  One of the horses neighed and sneezed, sending a slop of snot straight to her face. Teresa wiped it off with frustrated apathy.

  “How does a horse taste for dinner, I wonder?”

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