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Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold
, and its sweet~
After the official engagement between Rozemyne and Ferdinand, she invited Anastasius and his beloved Eglantine to lunch. Anastasius was still reeling from what happened during their capture of Gervasio and the ensuing mind reading his beloved was subjected into, so he didn’t refuse. He had accepted this was Ferdinand getting back at them for forcing the frail creature to get Grutisheit, and he feared what else Ferdinand had in store for them if he tried anything funny. Rozemyne of all people had become indifferent for them, she didn’t forgive nor forget.
So Anastasius took that dinner as tacit agreement to leave each other be.
As Leidenshaft was at the height of his power, the former land of Ahrensbach was… hot. Ferdinand seemed to have amulets to adjust temperature made for Rozemyne but no such grace for him and his wife. The sweltering heat was not so bad with their feystone armor under their clothes, but from the neck up he still felt the humid air uncomfortable.
The lunch thankfully was quite a reprieve, the salad and appetizer were especially good. It fits Eglantine’s taste with a refreshing taste. He however dreaded the next course, the soup. He was about to ask if they could just have skipped the hot soup, especially if Rozemyne decided to honor Ahrensbach’s cuisine with spice that would ruin Eglantine’s recovering appetite.
The soup… was served cold, much to his surprise.
“It’s pea- I mean Persik soup, it’s a type of soup made from late spring fruit common in Alexandria, flavored with sour milk and nille spice.”
Eglantine’s eyes sparkled prettily, and Anastasius also noted the color of the soup was so much like Eglantine’s eyes. “I never know that soup could be served cold, this would be popular in southern duchies…”
“Strange but very pleasant surprise, is every course good to be served cold, not just salad?”
Rozemyne giggled demurely, and blurted out. “Revenge is also a dish best served cold.”
“Eh?”
“It’s in a book called memoir of Mathilda written by author called Eugene-” And Rozemyne startled rambling about books as they ate and she didn’t even notice both he and Eglantine had gone silent.
If he didn’t recognize Rozemyne’s dazzled and distracted look when she was being the usual book-obsessed creature again, Anastasius would have thought it was a warning to him and Eglantine. He took it as one nonetheless as Rozemyne apparently believed it is better to deliver retribution for an injustice after time has passed, and it can be done dispassionately.
He was for sure would always watched out for Rozemyne and Ferdinand, they were dangerous. Unfortunately for him and his goddess, they had offended the two out of standard monsters and Anastasius would never be sure if they could ever make it back to Rozemyne’s good grace.
Anastasius completely forgot someone else who might be not out of standard, but still exceptional nonetheless. His former sister in law, Adolphine of Drewanchel. To be fair, after divorcing Sigiswald she had cut all ties with them and secluded herself as Giebe of a large province comparable to a small duchy. A territory she had carved out of Corinzandum in fierce negotiation with their family and Aub Drewanchel did not bother to hide his anger to Sigiswald. Due to this chunk of territory taken, by size, Corinzandum was a middle duchy not grand duchy.
His brother also panically reported not long after setting up his duchy that the halved blessing of Supreme Couple penalized him heavily in entwickeln, both in mana requirement and gold powder. Other foundational magic involving Dark and Light attributes were also similarly costly in mana now for him.
No wonder…
“I believe Lady Adolphine is actually quite delighted at the prospect of decreased blessing of Supreme Couple.” Eglantine mused sadly. “I feel guilty… I dawdle to delay Liebeskuhilfe, blocking her path…”
He just hoped Adolphine and Drewanchel would be satisfied punishing his brother for disrespect towards their princess. A year later, nothing happened- during the spring conference they largely ignored Corinzandum and Blumefeld. Anastasius even had his scholar overheard that Drewanchel good naturedly remarked being first ranked duchy was good for Dunklefelger but they still had to be generous to their relatives.
Another headache to Anastasius as apparently Dunklefelger wished to cut off his father. He knew they had messed up, but they did what they could! It was painful to see all sides wanted to cut off both his brother and father. Then again if that was all they did, it was perhaps for the best as they had their hands full to not deal with grudge.
Then… Rozemyne happened again, with Dregafnuhr of all goddess sending her to the past according to Hannelore. She was not even back yet when multiple territories vie for Hannelore’s hand in marriage, and it was decided to hold a large scale bride stealing ditter. He and Eglantine of course protested as this was basically a miniaturized civil war happening in the academy, and for a lady nonetheless!
Because they couldn’t take Rozemyne from Ferdinand, they decided Hannelore was easier?! His brother also applied, and Anastasius wanted to shake his brother for his reckless decision. Anastasius understood he was lacking mana supplier in Corinzandum, but it was no excuse to be involved in this chaos. Why couldn’t he court other female archduke candidates normally like he did Naerache?
In the end they tried and failed to stop, Dunklefelger wasn’t listening at all. What sword of Zent! Listen to your Zent!
“I wish to stop them but I could not…” Eglantine said regretfully. “I am not the true Zent to them.”
It was a painful reminder, in spite of saying he wished to have a royal member elected to be Zent, Ferdinand wanted a shield for Rozemyne. A Zent who would stand in front of Ferdinand’s goddess and deal with national administration so she could play Aub and make the library she desired.
Dunklefelger knew this, and they further weakened Eglantine’s influence by demanding first rank over Klassenberg to drive a wedge between his wife and former first ranked territory. As if ensuring they had no treacherous plan to threaten the ‘real’ Zent. There was nothing else they could do but had Anastasius supervise the bride stealing ditter. They fortunately manage to put the rule of no lethal force at the very least.
“It’s understandable considering our country is recovering, however… Zent’s consort Anastasius. Shouldn’t you stop your brother from joining in?”
“Perhaps I should, but there’s no convincing my brother otherwise.” He was that stubborn. “Bride Stealing Ditter is dangerous after all… even if he would be well protected by his knights.” And what the gall of Dunklefelger to say that as they refused letting his brother have a representative for this ditter.
Sigiswald was incensed as apparently Dunklefelger provoked him by saying to be their son in law, he at least should have the courage to stand in the same arena as their daughter.
“We have misunderstood to think Aub Corinthzandum lacked Angriff’s protection, but he had the blessing from God of Valor to join this ditter in spite of the presence of duchy that always seek Mestionora.”
Alexandria was not part of the ditter, unless for some twisted reason Rozemyne decided she wanted her best friend as Ferdinand’s second wife. What did they mean?
Later on Anastasius watched the ditter begin with a very enthusiastic Raufen’s declaration, ditter bell ringing loudly in his ears almost deafeningly. Of course while he was the supervisor, he was not the only one supervising, and he dispatched his entourage to get a closer look of each battle through a magical tool of projection provided by Alexandria.
Anastasius noted of all people the one who managed to get through Dunklefelger’s solid defense was no other than Wilfried, Rozemyne’s former fiance. Raufen who was standing near him then wondered out loud. “This is very strange…how did he get there?”
“Hm, isn’t Wilfried not so bad at Ditter?”
“Well, actually he is not exceptional at all… good martial arts and decent swordsmanship befitting his status but ditter is more than that.” Raufen rambled on. “However there should be no commander of Aub Alexandria’s caliber at the moment in Ehrenfest.”
Anastasius narrowed his eyes, “Isn’t it possible Aub Alexandria or Ferdinand giving advice.”
“I doubt it, Lord Anastasius… looking at the formation it as if Dunklefelger team is allowing him in.”
Anastasius’ eyes widened, “Wait- it’s up to Hannelore to choose the groom she wanted but she shouldn’t openly skewing the match in someone’s favor like this!” She should have picked Wilfried if she wanted the guy before this ditter happen! ‘
While Anastasius was thinking of several scenarios to pacify angry suitors being denied chance to court Hannelore, his concern for unfair match did not happen as when Wilfried was within Hannelore’s range. The Dunklefelger princess displayed the skill that allowed her to accompany Rozemyne in conquest of Ahrensbach.
She swept Wilfried off of his feet and then slammed a drop kick to his stomach.
“...So, she didn’t like him then?”
“...Perhaps it’s something to do with the ditter in third year that disgraced Lady Hannelore… it’s a proper payback! Ditter with ditter!” Raufen announced proudly. “That’s the princess of Dunklefelger!”
…So it was revenge, the so called best served cold dish. It happened two years ago and she took revenge now, what a terrifying woman. No wonder she was Rozemyne’s best friend…
Ditter was almost over with the complete victory of Dunklefelger, which for some reason did not make Raufen happy. Apparently it wasn’t as exciting as when Rozemyne was involved. “Also, there’s Drewanchel… Why did they not confront Dunklefelger at all? Their strength lies in magical tools and wit, they could give Dunklefelger a good fight!”
The teams left in the arena were just defending from onslaught of Dunklefelger, but no Drewanchel in sight. In fact… he didn’t see his brother either, how could-
“Where’s my brother?!” He almost yelled, losing his composure.
“Isn’t he at the rear with his knights?” Raufen squinted his eyes.
Then Anastasius saw it, Drewanchel at last saw it fit to show themselves from the dense cover of the forestry area of the arena. They weren’t alone, mahogany colored cloaks followed after them in sedate pace, Corinzandum knights. Ortwin of Drewanchel’s team had his brother held hostage. Sigiswald was tied with mana rope upside down to Ortwin’s high beast, his complexion was the ugly color of puce, and his mouth opened in horror. Anastasius could almost hear Sigiswald’s scream all the way from arena to his dais.
Then he understood… Drewanchel’s real aim.
Ortwin opened his mouth and declared to Corinzandum’s subordinates to obey him or else. Sigiswald was already in sorry state, but if they didn’t comply he would do something much worse to him. This was public humiliation for Sigiswald orchestrated by Drewanchel. They of course cared about acquiring Hannelore, to make effective political move that would mend their mistake of matching Adolphine to Sigiswald. However this way even if they lost ditter, they had made sure to humiliate Sigiswald beyond salvation and cowed those seeking asylum to Corinzandum.
It was a power move to restore the authority of Drewanchel archducal house, that at fifth place they were still a grand duchy worthy of recognition.
In the end Drewanchel won Hannelore’s hand, and Aub Dunklefelger was very satisfied. Apparently Drewanchel’s show trampling Sigiswald appealed to Dunklefelger, especially since their heir did it on behalf of his sister Sigiswald had disrespected. Hannelore herself was touched by this show of brutality for sibling’s love apparently.
Speaking of siblings…his brother Sigiswald was beyond mess, he was thoroughly humiliated and disgraced. His social life as noble was beyond repair, such shameful appearance exposed in public like that. How could his brother live as an Aub- no as a nobleman from now on?
The next day, chaos returned to the royal academy when his brother who stayed in the dormitory for medical treatment was found to be… losing his hair. Anastasius almost didn’t recognize Sigiswald, whose head became a gleaming hairless surface.
"This is an unsanctioned attack against me! Former royal prince and Aub of Corinzandum!"
"Brother, we have no confirmed if this really an attack or... some sort of illness."
"I am not ill!" Sigiswald growled, holding his head down and Anastasius froze when the reflected light almost blinded him and when Sigiswald shifted his head he met eyes with his own reflection on Sigiswald's head! What kind of torture this was?!
Anastasius had their best physician to come and at their urging, Sigiswald at last confessed he was indeed feeling unwell. His brother had no idea what happened but his head had been itching since before the ditter. So that counts Drewanchel out as the culprit.
Anastasius didn’t want to rely on Ferdinand but the physicians had no clue what to do, and he feared this was some sort of curse. So Rozemyne’s fiance who at last recovered from his ‘illness’ deigned to cometo Royal Academy. Sigiswald of course refused to be examined, less be seen by Ferdinand of all people. Ferdinand was not against not seeing Sigiswald, citing while he had extensive knowledge on how to maintain Rozemyne's health he would be no more help than royal physician.
He was certainly not expecting to ask for medical advice from Ferdinand. “...Ferdinand, this seems to be something Rozemyne can do.”
“Certainly not.” Ferdinand’s voice was even but Anastasius had learned to not trust Ferdinand when it comes to outing Rozemyne, Anastasius himself would lie to his last breath to protect Eglantine.
Anastasius held back his urge to sigh, “...Well, let’s just say hypothetically someone prays to the gods to give my brother a lesson because how dare he try to court her best friend…” Anastasius began.
Ferdinand nodded, “Hypothetically… that could happen…”
At least Ferdinand was willing to play it this way, Rozemyne was indeed the culprit and for peace they shall ignore it. “Now… if the curse/prayer has been casted upon my brother for his transgression as a certain goddess incarnate intended, what could we do?”
Ferdinand took a moment, as if thinking deeply for a solution. “Prayer to Answach perhaps could help for premature receding hairline as my goddess told her father, knight commander of Ehrenfest, however the problem is the exact wording used in said curse… if it prays for death of [follicles] then all hope is lost.”
“By the seven, what the hell is this [follicles] you are talking about?”
Ferdinand tapped his temple, and Anastasius was glad the man also shared his headache.“Apparently the part of hair that keeps it in place, as death is wished upon it… there’s no way it could recover. It’s permanent.”
Anastasius reflexively grabbed his head, “Is it saint like to wish for my brother's hair to die?!”
“No such thing, the incarnation of Mestionora abided by God's decree that no more death in their garden.”
So it was fine for my brother to suffer in the world of living?!
There was nothing to be done if it was Rozemyne’s doing. Eglantine of all people believed it was for the best, all ended with just Sigiswald’s pride and reputation shattered beyond help. As long as blood did not flow and violence returned, Eglantine decided to not pursue the issue.
Father visited them three days later, even though he should be quite busy stabilizing Blumefelt. After all not everyone had the perk of ‘goddess incarnate’ title to steal the heart of their people.
“Anastasius, it’s for the best if by next spring conference you lower Blumefelt and Corinzandum below Drewanchel.” Suggested his father, Aub Blumefeld. “I will convince Sigiswald, it’s also for his own good.”
Eglantine had suggested this move to pacify Drewanchel, and perhaps they would prop up Alexandria behind Drewanchel too just to be safe. Anastasius was quite stressed on how to break the news to his father and brother but former Zent Trauerqual was still wiser than he could ever be.
“Thank you father…” Anastasius couldn’t hide his relief.
“It’s the least I could do to ease your burden and Eglantine’s.” Father heaved a sigh, “Drewanchel wanted to delay Lady Adolphine’s marriage to Sigiswald but your brother insist as at the time we need her mana, but it greatly offend Drewanchel even if we compensate them… and it seems they’re still not satisfied with compensation of land and returning scholars…”
Anastasius had heard what his brother did to Adolphine so he knew the fault lies in Sigiswald. Still… couldn’t they voice their dissatisfaction out loud instead of lashing out when the chance presented itself?
“...Sigiswald could no longer be Aub, most likely you have to let Naerache be Aub and he her consort.” Father pointed out. “No archduke candidate would want to marry to Corinzandum… Drewanchel has spread Ordoschnell to every corner of our country.”
They might as well send his brother to towering heights!
“So Naerache should take second husband from Hauchletze to make increase numbers of mana supplier for Corinzandum…” And had that second husband handle interduchy business so Sigiswald could just hide in Corinzandum for the rest of his life.
There were already female Zent and female Aub, one more female Aub could work out.
Predictably Sigiswald didn’t bow down from his current status with grace, and father once again had to reprimand him to realize that once again his behavior had depraved him from a brighter future. Naerache was terrified when informed of their solution and she pleaded that she had no ability to be Aub.
In the end Father welcome both Sigiswald and Naerache to Blumefeld archducal house as collateral house and when asked if there was any Archduke candidate interested to take over Corinzandum, Drewanchel without hesitation suggest Adolphine who would be supported not only with one but three husbands in her newfound duty as Aub. Drewanchel really wanted to compensate for their daughter that had to marry Sigiswald and become a divorcee.
Sigiswald was inconsolable when he heard Adolphine had not only deprive him half of Supreme Couple blessing but also his territory but he could only lament for what he had lost. At least he somewhat ease father’s burden in Blumefelt.
Revenge was indeed as cold and unforgiving as Ewigeliebe when served.