The Queen Who Shares Love
S2 Chapter 8 The New Master

"Why do I obey all your orders?" leonard ketus.

"Of course to replace the man you killed. He is my slave. I need a new slave, you are a worthy person" the noble replied.

"Who did I kill?"

"Even you forget your own friends, it's pathetic."

"Will?"

"Enough base the base. Your job is to get Duchess Hillbright to obey me."

"Haha." Leonard laughed loudly. I don't know why the noble speech in front of him was so funny. He needs help from the common people.

"What if I don't want to?" Leonard grins.

Two swords were beside Leonard's neck ready to slash him. "Your life will float."

"I don't want to do dirty work for free."

The sword was getting closer to Leonard's neck.

"My life is not important at all. After all you're the one who's gonna have a hard time finding a great person like me."

"It's very self-confidence. L like you. Let him go." The noble grinned.

The guards relaxed the pressure on Leonard. Leonard sat on the floor holding his body in pain. Not forgetting he asked for his payment.

"So what will I get?"

"I'll grant your request. Every month I'll give you money as long as your mission succeeds."

"Anything is that?" ask Leonard to make sure.

"true." 

"Well, what was my first mission?"

Leonard can't wait to teach Duchess Hillbright a lesson. If successful he would ask for abundant money on these nobles. 

"I didn't think you were so excited. Though my man immediately shrieked his guts upon hearing the name of Duchess Hillbright and her parents."

"Who are his parents?"

The noble laughed loudly. "It is true that one who knows nothing has no fear. I didn't expect anyone to know Duchess Hillbright's parents. Just find out for yourself."

Leonard growls. All the nobles are very arrogant and like to rule as they please, but he needs the help of this person.

"See, just tell me my mission."

"Get in to Duchess Hillbright's army. The next mission will follow." The nobleman patted Leonard on the shoulder as he continued to grin.

Leonard returned the grin. "Well, shall I call you who you are, sir?"

"Marquis Loid."

Leonard declares his loyalty to his new master. Revenge will be achieved.

***

"As usual?" ask the bar owner to Leonard.

"No, I've stopped. Bring me some good food."

The hatred for her parents was replaced with hatred for the Duchess. Leonard needs a new goal to live for and the Duchess is his goal.

"All right." The owner of the bar immediately prepared the food.

The curiosity of Duchess Hillbright and Ariana's parents continues to haunt her. He suspected that their parents were famous nobles. Or even nobles involved in scandal. Perhaps that is what led Ariana to join the crackdown on the rebellion, in order to erase the bad reputation of their parents. That was also the reason the Duchess continued to be the leader of the suppression of the rebellion, she wanted to display a good image in the eyes of the Emperor.

The owner of the bar came back with a plate of meat. Leonard ate it voraciously.

"Have you ever heard of Duchess Hillbright?" leonard asked with his mouth full.

"Of course, the Duchess is very famous. He's so great, nice and admired by so many people" praised the bar owner.

"Do you know who his parents are?" 

The owner of the bar threw his hand at the table. "Are you stupid? How can you not know the Emperor and the Empress?"

Leonard dropped his spoon. "What?"

***

The horse-drawn carriage arrived at the palace. The Empress was already waiting for the arrival of her daughters at the palace gate. Both of his daughters got off the horse carriage. 

Her first daughter who became Duchess only met since a year ago because of her daughter's busyness. Her second daughter last met 3 years ago since Judith's coronation as Duchess. She missed her daughter so much that she hugged them both.

"Welcome, Judith, Ana." Leticia took off a hug staring at her two daughters in turn.

"Where are Father and Rion, Mother?" ask Judith.

"They're training, but they're done now. Ah, that's them." Leticia turned her body to face the two men who had come.

Gerald smiled towards his family along with Arion. Arion's face is very similar to Gerald's as if looking at his younger version of Gerald. If Ariana was born as a male, her face would be the same as her father's but with a different and softer eye color.

"For a long time no see, Ana," said Arion to her twin sister.

"Eh, yes, it's been a long time, Rion," replied Ariana nervously.

Ariana had not seen her family for a long time, she felt awkward. Ever since his power rose, he decided to go to the temple. Actually he did not want to leave but the guilt continued to weigh on him. All of that was because his mother was injured while protecting him. 

Leticia who noticed the awkwardness between all of them, opened her voice. "How about we eat first? I know you're all hungry."

They all agreed. The royal family stepped into the dining room, Ariana's feet unwilling to move. Judith approached and pushed her sister's back gently.

"Defeat your fear, Ana," Judith said.

Ariana stepped foot with her sister. 

Food on the dining table. The royal family ate voraciously. It had been a long time since they had come together like this. Smiles continue to decorate this joint meal. Gerald started the conversation the first time.

"How was the last revolt, Judith?"

"It's not a big deal, Dad. The treachery of the mercenary had already been anticipated before," Judith said as she laid down her tableware.

"Good, don't let your guard down" replied Gerald proudly to his daughter.

"By the way, why did you come together?" ask Leticia. 

"On that..." Judith turned her eyes to her sister. He held Ariana's hand to encourage her.

Ariana looked down while opening her mouth. "During the rebellion I was in the priest's army. I'm sorry I didn't tell Mom and Dad."

Leticia and Gerald's faces hardened. Arion widened his eyes. "Why did you join the rebellion, Ana. Are there no other priests?" ask Arion.

"I just want to help Mom and Dad. It feels like I'm the only one who can't do anything" Ariana replied with tears welling up.

Leticia and Gerald looked at each other. The queen smiled at her son. "We accept you for who you are, Ana. No need to be like your brother, you're still loved."

"Thank you, Mother" replied Ariana in tears.

Judith hugged her sister. Leticia approached Ariana and calmed her down. This can reduce Ariana's guilt even just a little. The guilt is too deep.

***

"So what do you want to tell Mom, Judith?" asked Leticia in her room while thrusting her hands at Judith.

Judith hugged her mother as she did as a child. Even though he is an adult, he still likes to spend time with his mother. His brothers did not know of his behavior. He doesn't want to be a bad role model.

"I met a strange person. At first he saved me and asked for payment. When I met him again, he challenged me to a fight because I was a girl, of course he managed to beat me. At first I was annoyed, but once I learned that the reason for his free will was to pay his parents' debts, I felt pity" Judith still hugged her mother. It was so relaxing to be in his mother's arms.

Leticia stroked her daughter's head. "It seems you met an interesting person. So, what's the real important thing you want to talk to Mom about?"

Judith took off her embrace and looked at her mother seriously. "Trauma Ana hasn't gone missing Mother. During the rebellion she is hysterical about seeing the dead in the same position that Mother saved Ana as a child."

Leticia's hand took away her daughter's shirt. He closed his eyes. It turned out that her second daughter still remembered the incident. When his second daughter was taken prisoner in another kingdom.