403 A Quick Response
“Right away, Viscountess?” Lucius asked.
“Yes. Please do not tell me that you are finally getting cold feet now that I have said yes to your proposal?” Viscountess Blackshield said and glanced around the room. “I am not most familiar with Baron Hugh’s mansion, and it is exceptionally small due to all the surrounding buildings and establishment around it, but we can easily find a room or space. Maybe even ask some of the servants to clear some things for us. I do not have qualms doing it indoors. Ah, but we still need to fetch for a Healer too. A specific one will take hours to a day, and we can’t forgo that, do we?”
The truth of the matter was that Lucius only intended for tonight to be spent on speaking and communicating with the nobility of the banquet.
This time, it was Lucius’s turn to be surprised by Viscountess Blackshield’s response and eagerness to go for a spar right away.
‘If Viscountess Blackshield is aware that her gift has been upgraded from Blackshield to Bulwark, then she probably would have actually hesitated a little bit. Or perhaps it works similarly to Kiana where she can use the base form and effectively hide the original effects? Other than that, her enthusiasm for battle is truly remarkable. What do I say to this…?’
“Asher, there you are!” Kiana appeared and approached them. She gave a courteous smile and curtsied in front of the Viscountess. “Greetings to you, Viscountess Blackshield.”
“Ah, you must be…” Viscountess Blackshield’s brows furrowed as she looked at the woman in front of her. “Kiana. One of the longest serving members of the Inanis family. A capable one too. You have been in service for the family for more than a decade, if I remember.”
“Yes, that is me, Viscountess. I am humbled that you remember me,” Kiana said.
“Of course, I would. I have seen you grow up in the last decade or so. It makes sense to remember people vital to a family,” Viscountess Blackshield said but then frowned a little. “Is there any particular reason as to why you’ve sought out Young Lord Asher? Are the Count and Countess looking for him already? Does he need to make another speech or go about those Masked Legion Mercenaries?”
Lucius became clearly aware that with the promise of a spar in Viscountess Blackshield’s mind, she had become far more animated than before and spoke at a length.
Somehow it was Baron Hugh’s wife all over again when she learned that Alessa handled the Dionysia Brewery, except this time, it was for battle.
“No. Worry not, Viscountess Blackshield. It is not any of those things. On the contrary, I merely do my best to stay at Asher’s side and ensure of his well being,” Kiana said. “It is also an honor to be able to speak with you as well, Viscountess Blackshield. People speak of your name…”
“In far less respectable terms, I presume.” Viscountess Blackshield mused with a little smile on her face. “But it did not occur to me that Young Lord Asher still required the presence of a chaperone. He is dearly loved by his family, is he not?”
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At those words, Viscountess Blackshield managed to calm herself a little and thought about the situation a bit more carefully.
‘While Young Lord Asher invited me to a spar and he is already a young man who can make his own decisions, the fact that I would challenge him during the night of the Inanis Family’s celebration banquet can be taken wrongly by others and even Count Inanis. While I have never quite cared about what others speak about me, this may have negative consequences. Not to mention, the Count and Countess may react strongly if I were to harm even a single hair on their son’s head.’
Kiana glanced in Asher’s direction.
‘The reason why I came here is because one of the servants informed that Viscountess Blackshield had laughed while she spoke with Asher. I didn’t know what to expect so I came here to check it out myself but I am not quite sure what to make of this situation…’ Kiana thought, a bit clueless, but also determined to take care of Asher.
“But ah, Viscountess, whatever that people speak about you is something that cannot be stopped. Gossip will emerge and, although I believe you know this beforehand, there is not much use to listening to senseless prattle,” Kiana said.
“Thank you, Kiana. Your words are gratifying, but it did occur to me that perhaps your timing is most fortuitous. I was about to have a spar with Young Lord Asher right now if you haven’t had arrived, so some of what these gossipers say is quite true,” Viscountess Blackshield admitted.
“A spar?” Kiana’s eyes widened and she looked at Asher.
‘I thought Asher already said that he wouldn’t do it right away. Now’s not really the time for it…’
“It does not have to be right away, Viscountess Blackshield. Perhaps we can set a far more appropriate time than right now, so we can also prepare everything. If you are willing to come visit Inanis city, it would be my pleasure to spar with you,” Lucius said.
“And is that fine with the Inanis family?” Viscountess Blackshield glanced at Kiana. “Will they not have any qualms about it?’
“Asher is already of age and the Count and Countess both trust him and his discernment, Viscountess. You need not worry about what they will think,” Kiana said in reply.
‘I would have talked Asher down from this, but he is insistent… and he had already saved my life before. I trust him as well. And perhaps if things were to take a sudden sharp turn if the Viscountess becomes too violent, then I can intervene easily.’ Kiana thought.
“What do you say, Viscountess Blackshield?” Lucius asked. “There is nothing to worry about, only your schedule from here on out.”
“Schedule?” Viscountess Blackshield smiled lightly. “While I did mention that I’ve gotten bored with tending to my territory, it does not mean that I do not have capable people who can take care of it for me.”