The Only Daughter Of Lancaster
Part Thirty Six: About The Other

Ian put his sword on the ground. He just finished training with Alec and of course he lost. Ian closed his eyes with an arm, "you won again, Duke."

Alec chuckled softly, he extended his hand. "Please stop calling me Duke, Prince."

Ian screeched and grabbed Alec's hand. His friend immediately pulled his body to his feet. The two faced each other and Ian immediately touched his best friend's forehead. "Stop calling me Prince."

"That's because you started." Upset Alec while stepping towards the main building. "I have to get back quickly. Today there was a meeting with Duke Hamilton and Duke

Prada."

Ian equated his pace with Alec. Since graduating from the academy, Alec followed Duke Lancaster for a year and became the successor of the family. For two years Alec was the Duke of Plodnavor. Initially, of course, it was difficult because there were some things that Alec did not understand. But he has the support of many people. Eli often helped her with reference books and even taught her about politics. Alterio and Ian also helped discuss the Royal regulations. His father also gave his full support. Also, the reason he worked so hard was his promise to Amabel. By becoming Duke he will work in the palace and Amabel will not be alone.

"Oh, how was Eli's test?" Ian asked as the two were inside the palace.

Alec just looked straight ahead. "good. He is awaiting the results of the announcement for the placement of ministry staff. He said he wanted to start over."

Ian nodded and stopped in front of the library. "I'll go back to my room. You're done at lunch, aren't you?"

Alec sighed, tired. "I hope so. If I finish lunch, let's eat together."

Ian nodded then the two separated. Alec stepped into Duke Hamilton's room, knocking him three times before finally entering. "Good day."

Alnorth Geo Hamilton - Duke Hamilton's eldest son. "Just come in, please."

"Duke Prada hasn't come yet?" Ask Alec while looking.

Alnorth shook his head, "he won't come."

One eyebrow Alec went up, "why? I thought you said it was important?"

Alnorth chuckled. "For as long as we're dukes he'll be in the same room? He has high self-esteem."

Alec sighed. Duke Prada never even looked him in the eye, always dodging, and belittling. It's not strange because he must be older and senior. However, he should be more respectful not just want to be respected. However, even though they are not on the same ship Alec still has to be nice. Alec and Alnorth can't even say this to the King.

"I don't know how to pull the old man to sit with us." Alnorth sounded so tired. The problems in the area that he held were quite a lot, not to mention the problems between neighboring kingdoms and others. He had no time to take care of an adult man with a childish attitude.

Alec doesn't even know what to say. He finally knocked on the table, making Alnorth focus on him. "So, what do you want to discuss?"

Alnorth immediately gave him some papers he had stacked. "This is a letter of complaint on rising land and building taxes. I've seen some and reviewed the hike. It turned out that in Loftnavor the increase was only 4%, as well as in Plodnavor. However, in Pavienavor the increase was 15%. The difference is so far away, that's why I wanted to meet Duke Prada."

Alec read every piece of paper in his hand. It is true that most complaints come from Pavienavor. He sighed, in the end they could not let this matter go and had to report to the King. It's a serious problem they can't solve on their own.

"You have any other evidence?" Alec and Alnorth asked.

"Letter of announcement of tax increase in Pavienavor and proof of payment of some people." Alnorth gave Alec a recap of the document. "In the end we have to tell the King. Duke Prada can't be left."

Alec nodded, his hands smoothed out the paper he had read and put it on the table. "If he raises the land tax, there's a chance he'll hide something else."

Alnorth stared around, as if afraid that anyone would hear. "I've been figuring it out and it's not just a land tax. In Pavienavor there is even a security tax, something that should not be done. It's just that no one dared to report."

Alec didn't expect this to be the case. He rubbed his painful forehead. "You have to keep everything well. I'll try to find other evidence, so for now let's keep it a secret."

The black-haired man before him nodded. For now it is safer to observe the enemy than to attack without any confidence. "We need a book of reliable financial statements and witnesses. Can you do it?"

Alec smiled, revealing his teeth. "That's easy. I'm leaving then."

"Be careful." Alnorth and Alec said.

Dorothy dropped her knit as Ian walked in. The girl hurriedly stood up and greeted Ian. "You've come, Prince. Is there a-"

Ian ignored and went straight into the room. Dorothy could only hold her knit tightly. Again he was ignored. It's been three years that they've been married and even Ian is just being nice to be at a party. It means only a few times.

Their relationship is the same as a tangled thread. Dorothy did not know how it would end, but just as the result of knitting she hoped would create something useful. The girl clenched her hands, patting her cheeks. "Yes! The spirit!"

Dorothy never gave up on Ian. Ian was his first love. One could think that Ian was a rude person. However, Ian had never physically hurt her. Ian may never have noticed it, but he never hurt her. It was just how Ian acted. Dorothy even knew that Ian liked the Lancaster family's daughter. Ian may be unconscious - even others are not - yet, Dorothy is sober. The reason was because from the beginning Dorothy's eyes were always directed at Ian. Until when Ian's eyes softened when he realized Amabel's presence, Dorothy knew that Ian's heart already belonged to someone else.

Dorothy stared at his knitted form. He'll make a scarf. All this time, even though Dorothy had never given it to him directly, Ian had always eaten it. During their first winter, Dorothy puts her knitted gloves on Ian's desk. The next day Ian thanked him and put it on. Two words that made Dorothy smile for weeks.

"Akh," cried Dorothy restrained. His finger was pinned.

"You all right?" Ian asked, coincidentally he heard Dorothy's voice. He stepped up, drew closer to Dorothy and extended his hand. "You're hurt." He said while looking at Dorothy's hand. "Rapidly treat."

"We." Press Ian, make Dorothy's eyelids widen. "We'll have lunch with Alec. You can go to the cloth shop afterwards."

Dorothy was a little absent-minded. "Hjp? Why am I coming?"

"Is there a waiter outside?" Ian and a servant came in. "Daughter wounded, treat."

The waiter nodded and turned to call the tabit. "You said you wanted to buy some cloth."

Still equally dazed, Dorothy nodded. "Then get out after you've been treated."

Dorothy nodded. His heart is beating fast. Today he will eat with Ian. Mercifully. Dorothy happy.

"Alberto," Rain waved his hand at the man in black robes. The owner turned around and smiled. "Well, you're getting old."

"And your mouth is getting more insolent." Reply Alberto. He looked to Rain's side, but could not find Amabel. "You're not with him?"

Rain shook his head and smiled. He put his fingers on his lips. "I took him where he should be."

One eyebrow Alberto went up, he didn't understand. "Then how's it going?"

Rain casually crossed his arms behind his head. "Better than when I first met him."

The man before him took out a letter and gave it to Rain. "Identity to you."

Rain picked it up and nodded. "thank you. So, how's things going at the moment?"

Alberto leaned his body against the wall. "Duke Lancaster and Duke Hamilton have been replaced with their eldest child. It's safe so far."

"Yes, it's still safe. As long as the main character hasn't come yet, all will be safe." Rain then looked at Alberto. "We cannot change our destiny."

"I know." Alberto said, Rain disappeared. The man came out of the alley and walked towards the palace.

"You can sleep there." Point Arion at the mattress on the side of his desk.

Amabel nodded. "thank you. You're not sleeping?"

Arion opens a report paper from the kingdom of Srela. Even though the war was over, he was still busy. "After I finish this."

The silver-haired girl chose to lay her body on the bed. He didn't know how to open the conversation. Don't know what to do either. So, it's better to lie down. His eyes caught Arion who was busy working. "How's the Prince doing?"

Amabel's question made Arion stop writing. For a few seconds, he was silent. Long enough for Amabel to turn her head and their eyes meet. "Never be better than this. You alone?"

Amabel disconnected the gaze of the two and looked at the ceiling. "I'm good."

There's a lot Arion wants to say. Like how Amabel was so selfish for never sending a letter all this time. Or also about a letter that he can not keep as a memory. Amabel glanced at Arion, perhaps the reason she was here was indeed because of herself. Seeing Arion made him happy. Arion looks good, healthy, and handsome. Ah, the latter made Amabel's face flushed.

"How was your trip?" Arion finally asked to satisfy his curiosity.

Amabel knew this question was coming. He didn't plan to cover it up. "I learned from the best teachers. For five months I was with Sir Bennett in Iliya. Then I went somewhere else with Rain. She's a witch and I learned magic from her."

Not detailed, but it's enough. Arion suddenly felt uncomfortable. "Rain? She a girl?"

"Huh," said Amabel unconsciously. He looked up, looking at Arion. "He cannot be said to be a woman or a man. Ah, but let's just say she's a girl right now."

Arion doesn't really understand. However, Amabel's facial expression was adorable. Unconsciously he chuckled softly, something he had never done all this time. Amabel caught the naughtiness and smiled slightly. "The prince smiled."

"Yes, handsome right?" Arion's reply made Amabel snort.

"Confidence is good."

Arion doesn't know if the two can talk like this anymore. Relax, as if seven years ago they never dodged. "Sleep. We'll leave before dawn."

Amabel began to close her eyes, "good night, Prince."

"Great dreams, Bell." Something he never said before. Amabel begins to drift away in a dream while Arion covers her mouth with one hand. She blushed in shame. Amabel is nearby and she can protect her.

If every night they can pass together it will be very fun. Arion hopes it can happen. Amabel opened her eyes slowly, she saw Arion's back. There was a long line of sword slashes there. Amabel does not know if it is real or not, but she prays that Arion is always given protection.