The Duremont house was the fastest growing ducal house in the last few decades, with most of its focus on military strength. Their territory bordered the Southern Alliance, the kingdom's main enemy.

It was a common sight to see a person from the Rochefort territory being recruited by a Duremont house (like Big Ray).

Their popularity was growing rapidly among the poor. They were the house that emptied orphanages the most, giving the children a chance to have a better life.

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Edmund stared at the handle in his hand, now missing the rest of the cup it once was, his head hanging low. The teacup was still whole a second ago.

The servers scrambled around, collecting the pieces and bringing a rag to soak up the spilled tea.

"Excuse me, My Lord, I have to ask you to step aside while we clean the area," the server asked politely.

"...of course." Edmund stood up, taking a step back.

Celine was on her feet, holding onto Edmund's sleeve.

Lucian had been admiring her beauty with his handy mind binoculars during the lunch breaks (a dose of daily Celine could do wonders, so he was happy with what he could get).

He didn't miss her desire to spill blood upon the upper classmen's arrival. Though there was also a touch of fear now.

Seeing the siblings, the young master Duremont couldn't resist making a snide comment, "Look who has gotten too emotional. Did the Rochefort's bloodline weaken that even the younglings get nervous when seeing a Duremont?"

Edmund didn't back away, a look of hatred appearing on his face, "If Young Master Mathieu were not blind, you could see that you are standing in the way, not the other way around. Or is the Duremont's bloodline that weakened, that they can't even see straight anymore?"

The surrounding people backed away, giving them space, some inhaling a gap. Was young master Edmund throwing jabs at young master Mathieu's eyesight or his preferences in bedmates?

Lucian bet it was the latter.

Mathieu didn't like the remark, his expression growing more serious as he searched for a way to get back at Edmund, his sight landing on Celine.

"My sight is just fine, better than ever," moving closer, Young Master Mathieu tilted his body, his eyes moved to her chest, then back up to her face, "I can clearly see what is in front of me, and it's quite the sight."

Edmund shielded Celine deeper behind his back; responding to the young master Duremont, "It seems like your eyesight is fine after all, but you will be blind if you look at her like that again."

"Ohh~?" Mathieu raised his head, not caring about the warning, "And who will make me go blind? You?" His words were followed by laughter, "The last hunting trip with your late grandfather didn't teach you anything, it seems...You might end up like him if you are not careful enough."

"Edmund, stop," Celine said in a soft voice, making Lucian think that his mind was playing tricks on him, "Young master Mathieu is just teasing us. We are part of the same kingdom, aren't we? There is no need to be so hostile..."

Her suppressed reaction satisfied Young Master Mathieu quite a bit. She didn't bother pretending she liked him, but she bowed to the hierarchy and feared Duremont's power, making him feel superior.

Yet again, Celine raised her hatefulness to a whole new level. It was painful to watch. Acting like a bully before the weak while being submissive towards the stronger ones.

'What is her goal?' Lucian thought, trying to find an answer, 'Does she want to have them look down on her, so she can stab them in the back? Or is she afraid for real?'

She had to be crafting a persona and a mask that would fit her enemies' expectations: one where she only picked on the weak, not the strong.

'What about the persona she uses with me then? How much of it is genuine?' Lucian tried not to doubt her, but it was still scary. She could be playing him as well. He didn't think she was, but one could never be certain.

'Are you finally realizing that she is not real, but just an illusion she built for you…like she is building for everyone else?'

'Be quiet, Voice,' Lucian grabbed his head, doubting his own senses.

She must have a plan, and he had to trust her enough to let her take care of the situation. He didn't have the means to interfere, not yet.

Lucian was a loyal hound to Celine, 'She could be a monster, and I would still not mind...mhm...right. I can't wait what tale she is going to spin for me next...'

He smiled at the people passing outside of the cafeteria, assuring them that he was fine.

'Will she curse the Duremonts in her own way to excuse her behavior?' Lucian wondered, 'I hope she does. It would mean that she wants to keep me in the dark, and that she cares enough about me to not show me her ugly side.'

'You're a delusional fool,' Voice mocked.

'Yes, that I am,' Lucian thought back, 'But that's all that's left of me, a delusional, foolish hope. If that was to break as well, then what's left of me?'

'Nothing,' Voice said.

'Ouch... what about my charm, my looks and good reputation?' Lucian cheered himself up. He had some good traits too, definitely more than Voice. 'I'm a catch.'

He expected some verbal abuse, but Voice didn't reply. It must have agreed with him.

'You disgust me,' here it was.

'You should work on your teasing, Voice. It's bad,' Lucian chuckled.

His legs led him to the infirmary the moment he found out about Celine's next destination. She succeeded in stopping her brother from confronting Young Master Mathieu.

"Excuse me, my sister is not feeling well," Edmund said, motioning Mathieu to move aside and let them pass.

Celine was leaning on him, her head on his shoulder, as if feeling dizzy.

Mathieu didn't buy it, but stepped aside to allow them to enter the infirmary. He couldn't stop them from seeing a physician.

"What a pity. I was hoping to invite Lady Rochefort to lunch with me. She seems to fancy the company of highborns, so I thought to indulge her whims if His Highness doesn't want to."

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