Five years later,
Inside the Main Palace of House Angeras in the city of Luso, the Duke sat on his seat, staring at a bundle of papers.
"Are they all good warriors?" he asked.
Standing nearby was a fully armoured man clad in bronze-coloured plating as it was not beautiful or elegant, but intimidating. Upon his chest was the Angeras crest: a lion's face with two crossed swords. This was Mason, Grandmaster of the Angeras Knights.
"Yes, my lord." Mason replied obediently, for he served directly under the Duke. "We ensured a thorough background check before approving their participation."
"Good." the Duke nodded.
"But is this necessary?" Mason questioned. "I understand you wish to announce the birth of your grandson, but holding a large tournament seems... excessive."
The Duke laughed, tapping his thigh. "You are mistaken, Mason. Why would I waste my time celebrating Carnel's brat? This is to announce his succession. Today, I will declare him my official heir."
Mason's expression soured. "I mean no disrespect, but that sounds like a poor choice. Carnel is ill-suited. He could easily become someone's puppet."
"It'll be fine." the Duke dismissed his concerns. "I have no other options, and I'm far too busy to make more."
"What about young master Carius? He's much more capable. A strong warrior, particularly skilled in swordsmanship." Mason proposed.
"You forget, Mason." the Duke said, "Carius belongs to the Church. He's soon to be named a Paladin. If I claim him, the Church might cry heresy and declare a holy war. We'd win, but the optics would be disastrous."
"How about your eldest?" Mason asked cautiously.
The Duke went silent. He stood, walked a few steps, and finally said, "No need to talk about someone who will be kicked out this year. He was given time and squandered it. Let it be, unfortunately Carnel is the way forward."
As the Duke continued walking, he asked, "Where is Carnel?" Mason leaned in and whispered, "At a brothel, my lord."
The Duke clenched his fist but quickly relaxed it. "Bring him. Beat him if necessary, but avoid the face. He's about to meet his son and wife after a month, and this is how he behaves."
Following aristocratic custom, a pregnant woman could stay with her family until the child's birth but was expected to reunite with her husband and his family after.
Soon, Carnel was dragged before the Duke. Blonde-haired and grey-eyed, which was an uncanny blend of Angeras and Agares traits, he knelt silently in front of his father, knowing excuses would fall on deaf ears since it has always been like that.
The Duke sighed, "You are lucky I find those fleeting pleasures of yours a waste. Go get dressed. I don't want the combination of a beggar and a whore representing my blood."
The entire city was abuzz with celebration. The birth of the Duke's grandchild had been made into a public holiday by the people of Luso. Under Duke Gerin's rule, the city had flourished with investment and care.
As he walked through the corridor of the palace, the Duke met Lady Cornelia.
"Was this necessary?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied confidently. "It's our grandchild and a great moment for our son since he will be named as your heir."
"Don't tell me you're unsure about this?" she challenged, gripping the Duke's collar and pulling him down toward her.
The Duke was larger, reaching six and a half feet while his second wife was barely five, yet she does tend to pull him down in ways to make sure she doesn't feel lowly near him. Her way of asserting that she was indeed a Royalty and above him in status.
The ego of a noble man or woman didn't stand a chance against the ego of someone from a Royal Family. They tend to see everything outside their family to be lowly even if it's another aristocratic family which is under them.
He didn't flinch. "No. Your son is simply fortunate no better competition exists." He said before brushing off her grip and walking away.
Lady Cornelia stood alone for a moment, her expression darkening. "More like it's a miracle you even had a child with me..." she muttered, seething but composed.
She turned around, "it's a good thing that her son will end up getting kicked out, it shows the difference between a Royalty and a commoner wench."
At the grand stadium, cheers erupted as the Duke and his family arrived.
He did not wave, nor smile. Applause was fleeting; he valued respect over affection. The pavilion built for House Angeras was regal, elevated from the commoners' stands. Awaiting them was Marquis Vapund, his family House Merca, and his daughter Lady Ranul, who held the newborn, Venar.
Carnel staggered in, doing his best to conceal the stench of brothel halls, playing the part of a doting father.
"It's been a while." Marquis Vapund said, shaking the Duke's hand. "A bright day, perfect for something meaningful."
The Duke responded, "Yes it is." He did not sound that happy meeting the Marquis. "It is unfortunate that both of our families are incomplete at this moment since my son's are well busy making me proud with their achievements and I don't see your two sons." The Marquis bragged.
Hearing the Marquis mention Estefan triggered the Lady who used a fan to hide her unsatisfied face. "It's not a good time for his arrival." She said, while hiding her face behind the fan.
The Marquis pondered, "I have yet to see him though." He snickered while saying that name."Estefan.. I am sure today was a perfect day for his arrival. He could get to see his beloved younger brother's child."
The Marquis's intentions were unclear but he was definitely doing his best to annoy both the Duke and Lady Cornelia simultaneously but they held back because the Marquis was a guest and now a relative as well.
Meanwhile, far off in the lower tiers of the stadium, among the cheering crowd who were trying to enter the stadium, a cloaked figure stood. Crimson eyes glowed beneath the hood as Indeed, it was a good day for his arrival.
[To be Continued]