They were all still inside the stadium. The members of noble families and other important figures were given private rooms to rest while the Duke handled matters concerning his eldest son.
One such room housed the Marquis, his daughter Ranul, and her young son.
"That was quite an unexpected scenario." The Marquis said, gazing at the city skyline through a glass wall.
Ranul, seated nearby and holding her child, lowered her eyes. "I apologize, Father. I wasn't able to uncover anything about this, Estefan during my stay here."
"It's fine." The Marquis replied, turning to face her. "There will always be such variables, unpredictable anomalies are bound to occur especially when planning is done to absolute perfection because the world.. no.. fate tends to be a challenge which we must overcome. But I must admit, I didn't expect the Duke to reveal his hidden card now."
She nodded. "True. He always acted like he loathed his eldest son. No one dared speak his name in the Duke's presence. To think he was only pretending all this time… It's surprising."
The Marquis chuckled. "Gerin may seem like a brute who solves everything with a sword, but don't forget, he's still an Angeras. Their lineage is steeped in tactical brilliance. Remember, they alone resisted this kingdom's conquest for three generations before launching a counterattack and seizing new territories with only five thousand soldiers compared to the Kingdom's forces which were in hundred thousand or more."
"But Father, why reveal Estefan now?" she asked, confused by this sudden move which felt rather unnecessary or stupendous.
"That my child is a good question." The Marquis said. "Truthfully, I don't know. Revealing someone capable of defeating a fully armoured knight that is to.. barehanded without any equipment is no small decision.. it's like showing off your ferocious beast-like pet which you've been feeding and raising for many years for no reason.."
Ranul smirked. "Maybe he wanted to show off in front of you?"
The Marquis laughed. "That would make sense.. if he considered me a threat. But trust me, child, he looks down on us. All Angeras carry a certain pride. They see the rest of the nobility as inferior. And to be honest, I can't blame them, given the love they receive in this city." He turned around pointing towards the city through the glass window.
"I've felt it, too." she said. "The people adore the Angeras."
"Well, child, that's what happens when a noble family earns respect by taking care of their people rather than demanding it through birthright alone." Marquis tried explaining to his daughter about the difference between love and loyalty gained through good deeds of service and through fear.
She placed her child on the bed. "But doesn't Estefan's appearance complicate our plans?"
"You're right." The Marquis admitted, stroking his chin. "Perhaps I should've married you off to the Duke's eldest." He said with a sudden laughter.
Ranul giggled. "No need, Father. Estefan seems too unpredictable to manipulate and too big or powerful in this case for me to tame. Carnel, on the other hand, is emotionally weak. He's easy to control."
The Marquis smiled, proud. "You've learned from the best."
Just then, a guard entered the room to report new information. Estefan had officially been named Baron of Rammstein. The news had begun spreading among the nobles or important individuals of the Duchy present inside the stadium.
Ranul looked to her father, concerned. "Does this mean Carnel won't be the heir?"
The Marquis thought for a moment before responding. "It's possible. But I suspect the Duke is grooming Estefan to be his executioner."
"Executioner? Why? And how?" She asked.
The Marquis leaned back and explained, "Rammstein is... special. It's crawling with crime. Twenty years ago, Gerin sent knights to purge the criminals residing in that city, but propaganda soon painted him as a butcher and accused him of genocide considering all of the nobles back at the Capital hates Angeras Family and he's always hated having his name or his family's name smeared. So now, he sends his son. Estefan will be the sword and the shield. He'll wipe out the filth, and if it all backfires, he takes the blame. If he succeeds, he takes the praise."
Ranul nodded, beginning to understand. "So Estefan becomes the scapegoat and the public hero? While the Duke evades all the problems coming from this.."
"Exactly. The Duke just made a grand show of Estefan's strength. This is his way of warning the other nobles: 'I have a beast, and I've unleashed him.'" Marquis elaborating the plausible grand plan of the Duke.
"That may terrify his enemies, but doesn't Estefan now threaten Carnel's claim?" She pondered.
The Marquis gently brushed his daughter's hair. "Don't worry, my dear. That's where you come in. Turn Carnel into a proper statesman. Shape him. Tame him. Then send him to the royal capital as the Angeras representative. With his uncle on the throne, he'll gain influence."
"And if he supports one of the royal heirs?" She asked due to the Aristocratic parliament divided between the Princess and Prince factions.
"That's fine." The Marquis said. "If Carnel becomes loyal to either the prince or princess, and we stay officially neutral, we gain favor on both sides. Remember, the Kingdom's heading toward a possible civil war since the Princess doesn't seem to fancy the idea of having to give up her chance to be the Queen to her younger brother.. Having the Angeras family famed for their neutrality on our side will make our neutral faction stronger."
"Isn't the King already supporting his son?" she asked.
"Yes." The Marquis nodded, "But tradition says he should support the eldest, regardless of gender so especially considering our country is very traditionalistic the Princess is bound to gain support." He stood and stretched. "For now, our goal is clear: ensure Carnel becomes the next Duke. If we control the patriarch of the strongest household in the Kingdom... we win by simply doing nothing since no one would love to attack any House which is under the protection of the Angeras.."
Ranul nodded again, a spark of ambition glowing in her eyes.
The two of them continued to plan like a pair of seasoned foxes, while far away, Estefan was already preparing to leave. He was wasting no time since something must be done perfectly at the right time, especially when it's revenge.
[To be Continued]