Duchess Mira

Mira closed the door and looked at the seven founding members and looked at Ronald.

"Ronald, please give me more updates on the news from now on..." Mira said. "Ohhh, are you planning something new Lady Mira???" Ronald said his eyes gleaming with curiosity. Mira sighed in frustration but replied "Yes, i am planning something new Ronald." Mira turned to a girl with a ponytail and said "Anya, have you received any information about the King's action?"

Anya shook her head and pulled out a piece off paper and wrote 'Nothing particular mam. All he does is drink till night while the Crown Prince does his work.' She gave the paper to Mira and Mira read it and nodded in satisfaction. "Good, keep up the good work Anya" Anya beamed at Mira.

"Now, you may all leave expect for Sebastian" Mira said. All the other six said their goodbyes to Mira looking curiously at Sebastian. When they left Mira looked at Sebastian. Sebastian is a guy in his late forties and is wearing rectangular glasses similar to Kyle's. He is wearing a mask and his hair is tied in a ponytail. Even to the other founding members they have no clue about Sebastian. Except for Mira because Mira knows Sebastian is a high noble in the Empire not just any noble the fourth trusted man of the Emperor himself.

The Kingdom of Aiphilian is surrounded by powerful countries.

The Aiphilian kingdom is the second weakest among the countries. The Aiphilian is located almost at the middle of everything. It is under the strong influence of the Empire who implemented the slave trade and other horrible rules and regulation that made a big influence in this country. The Empire is located at the right of the Aiphilian kingdom and while the country filled with barbarians lives at the right side with strong military power. So almost no escape. The Aiphilian Kingdom is cornered.

The Aiphilian kingdom has not taken under the Empire because of the 'Treaty of the hands in arms'.

The Treaty states that each kingdom who is willing to follow the Empire will keep their kingdom and have a strong alliance with the empire if they pay they the money issued by the empire each month. The only country who could pay the money is the Aiphilian Kingdom the rest of the countries surrendered fully their country to the Empire. So the reason The Aiphilian survived so long because of the slave trade. The Aiphilian is known for the No.One country filled with beautiful and handsome slaves. So the Empire is indirectly controlling the Aiphilian Kingdom.

Mira lead Sebastian to her room. "Sit here Sebastian, I shall get one of the new hired staff some tea."

Mira called one of the new hired maids of the mansion. The maid with short hair hurriedly came in with trembling hands. The new servants of the household were scared of Mira because the Aiphilian country commoners firmly believed of ghost. So it was a hassle to hire new servants to replace the one who got killed. When the maid left the room and left them Mira turned to Sebastian.

"Now Sebastian please report" As Mira said that Sebastian removed his mask revealing a charismatic looking man in his late forties. Even if you looked at Sebastian at the distance you would feel a dignified air around him. Sebastian joined the SWORDS because of his third dead wife. His only wife in his heart. Sebastian had a huge grudge with the Empire that never subsided and with Sebastian's connections he heard the rumoured group SWORDS who slowly plotting against the Empire so he gave Mira a visit in an old down inn and then the rest is history.

Sebastian nodded at Mira and started reporting "The Emperor plans to visit the kingdom soon by the second week of July for a so called 'strengthened alliance' while his real aim is to make the Crown Prince his most trusted ally again" Mira raised her eyebrow. "Yes, the stubborn Crown Prince..."

Mira sighed 'again?!' She thought. Ever since the Emperor has heard of the all talented Crown Prince he wanted him as his so called 'ally' but that's not it. The Emperor wanted to make him his adopted son because all his other nine sons are might over intellect. So the Emperor wants to adopt the Crown Prince who has great intellect and strength to inherit the Empire and marry one of his daughters to continue his bloodline.

Mira sighed and looked at Sebastian's light blue eyes and asked "Anything else?"

"Yes, Mira. There are more. You need to attend the ball tomorrow. " Sebastian said at Mira. Mira raised her eyebrow again out of curiosity thinking 'ho ho what is this?'

"Why must I attend tomorrow? Everyone knows is just the King is going to show off to the foreign merchants and foreign nobles." Mira asked. "That's why you must attend tomorrow."

"Is their someone important coming?" Sebastian shook his head and sighed "No, you need establish yourself tomorrow as Duke Elias for the King make him trust you"

Mira thought about it for a moment and nodded. "Hmmmm, good plan. Thank you Sebastian. Anything else peculiar happening in the Empire?" Mira asked Sebastian again. "Expect for Marquess scandal, nothing else." Mira nodded in satisfaction "You are returning tomorrow right? So how is your new stunt double, better than the last?"

Sebastian sighed in frustration and putting his hands up in a sign of defeat "I am returning earlier because of the new one. I heard he is getting very comfortable with the women in the bars." Mira laughed at Sebastian's frustrated face. "Poor old man Sebastian getting more wrinkles every minute"

"Shut up Mira" Sebastian said slightly blushing but Mira still laughed. After Mira is done laughing she looked at the wall clock and said "It is getting late Sebastian you better get some rest first and then journey the day after the next. " Sebastian nodded and got up off his chair and looked at Mira and said "I am leaving three days later."

"Why? I thought you are so ready to slap that stunt double"Mira said to Sebastian. Sebastian shook his head laughing slightly. "I am going to visit my wife's younger brother first." Mira looked at Sebastian's sad eyes and nodded "I understand have a safe trip old man" As Mira said that Sebastian closed the door but before looked at Mira with eyes filled of grief.

As he closed the door Mira thought 'His wife is lucky to find a husband who loves her so much with all his heart. Mr. Sebastian is a rare species of men in this time indeed.'