Chapter Text
You sighed. You, in your whole life, had never thought you would be stepping foot into this place. You looked at the great towers, surrounding the big clear mechanical elevator. You were feeling nervous. Before random thoughts got into your head, you walked to the guards in front of the clearing. Seeing your form, the guards expressionlessly talked in unison.
“This place is out of limit for civilians. Please go back.”
You smiled warily as you approached one of the guards who looked less stern and easier to talk to. You brought out your family chest from your trouser’s pocket and showed it to him.
“I am Kang Aguesseau from Aguesseau family. I have some private matters to talk with the Lord of the Fortress of Meropide.”
The guard hearing the name of your family, carefully looked at you before examining the family's chest. Being a high-class family who had a close relationship with the royal family of Fontaine, it was no wonder he knew the family name.
But the guard looked at you suspiciously before asking, “Excuse me for my behavior, but can I know your relation with Lord Aguesseau? I have never heard of a male member in the family except for his absent so-”
Knowing the question, you just gave a gentle knowing smile, which made him wide-eyed and stopped his questioning. “Oh.”
Then, he made a perfect 90-degree bow as he apologized.
“It’s okay. I don’t mind. Can you please let me enter?”
His manner changed as he politely asked, “Can I know if you have any reservation with the Duke? If not, it’s not possible. This place is not allowed to enter without an invitation from the Duke or already have a reservation with the Duke.”
You frowned. You didn’t know there were rules like that. After all, this was just a prison. And your father only gave you the family chest, before kicking you out of the house to get beaten by the Lord you had never seen before. The thought made you suddenly chilled. You wanted to go back now. You didn’t want to meet the Lord at all!
‘But I am the only man in the household now. If I don’t do…’ The thought made you sigh again for the nth time.
“I don’t have any reservations with him,” you started, “But can you at least let him know I am here to see him? If you tell him it’s the case concerning Amandine Aguesseau, I am sure he will let me see him.” Yeah, Amandine Aguesseau, you dear elder sister, who was the source of all the problems you were facing right now.
“I will give it a try.” the guard nodded as he took out a speaking device from his pocket and pressed some buttons. And it made some noises as a loud female voice came from the other side. “Yes, do you need something?”
“Can you join the line to the Duke Wriothesley? There is someone who is here to see him.”
“Huh? But there is no reservation…” the woman's voice was dragged before the guard stopped, “It’s from the Aguesseau family.”
The woman's voice from the other side stopped as the line dropped.
‘Today’s technology is so awesome.’ Even though you had lived half of your life in Sumeru which was the country of knowledge, the developed technology of Fontaine still amazed you. A sudden manly voice from the quiet machine broke you out of your thoughts.
“Yes?”
The guard, although the other side couldn’t see him, stood straight and became more alert and respectful as he spoke, “Duke, there is someone at the gate of the Fortress, who wants to see you.” He continued as he looked at you again, “He said he is the son of Lord Aguesseau. I have already confirmed his identity. He said he has something to talk with you concerning Lady Amandine.”
The other line stopped for a second before speaking, “Then, you must be young master Kang. Can I know what the problem is? If it’s not urgent, can we talk next week? I will come to the town next week.”
Although the person other side was talking with the guard, it was clear that he was talking to you so, you nervously replied. “Y-you can say it’s urgent. There are some un-unexpected problems…” you didn’t know how much information was spreading in the town so, you decided to play safe, “…of the case we agreed upon so…” you didn’t know how to continue.
You knew it was very strange of a noble person like you to stammer with words but you were not noble for your whole life, not taught the Nobel ways, and most importantly! The voice from the other side was just so disturbing. Like disturbing sexy! You didn’t expect this at all. You knew he was even older than your sister, which meant almost 30 but this sounded like a young man! A young dominant and cool general voice that you read in those light novels from Inazuma! In your friend circle, there was only one with that kind of voice and it was Alhaitham. Pity, the voice was wasted on the trash personality. Ah. If this man turned out to be a massive prude like Alhaitham, you are not even surprised!
“Ok. Please come.” Oh. He accepted. You cursed in your head. You wished he didn’t. If so, you could return this problem back to your father saying ‘Dad, I tried my best. But this man would rather talk with you or blah blah.’ shoot. Mission failed.
Following the guard to the empty clearing and riding the elevator to the underground, your heart beat faster as this was the first time you were riding the infamous huge elevator that only criminals could ride. 'Damn, this sounded unlucky.'
But yeah, today was an unlucky day for you. You were sent as a diplomat (actually a sacrifice) from your father to declare about the stunt that your sister, whom you haven’t seen for over 10 years, had pulled on the infamous dangerous Duke of the Fortress and take whatever beatings from him, before negotiating further on the case. The more you think about it, the more you feel unfair, nervous, and scared. You could feel your hands becoming sweaty although the weather was very fine.
‘If I had known sooner, I would never come back to Fontaine.’ You thought to yourselves, watching the scenery around you change from bright to dark and gloomy as you wished the Dendro Archon to give you the power to face whatever coming.