No… this is more than troublesome, this is simply fucked up and it just had to have happened right after I had figure things out a bit.
You might be wondering what I am talking about or already guessed it by now. Still I'll summarize it for you.
As soon as I had arrived back home, Redwick comes scrawling to me with a letter from the capital. From who you ask? My stepmother… yes, the same stepmother that my father had married through 'diplomatic measures'.
The problem here is that they got married legally. So instead of me 'the bastard' inheriting anything from my father, the fucking stepmother gets everything… EVERYTHING!
Not like there is much to inherit here though… except for all the money, gold and evidence he had hidden away in so many fucking corners of this mansion. Even greater news, she gets the mansion as well.
So you might be asking what did I get, right?
I get nothing… simply because the bald fucker didn't think to write a will of his own. In which case, the legal partner aka the stepmother gets everything… fuck meee everything.
But that isn't even the best news, the real problem is that she has ordered… yes, the bitch 'ordered' me to stay put and not do anything that might damage her property.
Man, am I royally fucked.
I think while laying down over the desk inside the office room and growning. In front of me stood Redwick and Anna, who would try to console me but hearing my sighs they would stop.
I growned for the unkempt time before stopping and completely becoming silent. Seeing me like that, the duo looked at each other before nodding and going forward to encourage me.
Before they could do that, I stood straight and slam my hands on the desk, scaring them both, "That bitch!"
Hearing me curse out, Redwick looked a bit shocked but remained quiet.
I sigh once more and take a deep breath, retaking my situation, "I'm sorry for that… I just didn't think that she would actually do something ."
"Yes, this is a bit extreme, young master."
I take another long look at the letter, "So can she really do this?"
"Yes, young master," Redwick replied seeing that I was approachable, "Being the legal wife, she has authority over all matters regarding the master and his possessions."
"So there's no way to stop this?"
"Hmm…" I lay my head over the hand while asking, "How long before she arrives?"
"Well, the letter suggested that she'll set out in a week and the distance from the capital to Hyfelia on carriage ride is roughly 20 to 25 days so…"
"A month, huh." I tell myself before I understood something, "What is she going to do if I don't recognize her 'rule'?"
"She can use legal force on you while asking for help from close by forces. You will be branded a criminal and tried for theft." Redwick said, his expression getting worse by the minute.
"But she can't do anything if I wanted to do something now, right?"
"Well… yes, but I wouldn-"
"I know, just asking." I said, "But what if I gained a royal status?"
I stand up, "What if I join the royal academy and get legal status as a noble… what happens then… do I get anything from father?"
"Umm… I think…" Redwick had problems remembering the rules as he couldn't quiet remember this particular status.
"No, you wouldn't." Came an outside voice.
I look behind them and see Jacob coming through the door, interrupting our conversation.
"Even if you gained legal status, you would still gain nothing as your father still didn't write anything in his will so according to law, everything goes to the wife still."
I was a bit angry at him spying but more interested in the talk, "So that also doesn't do anything for me then."
"Not quiet" He said while limping inside and standing in front of the desk, "But that does give you a chance."
"A chance? What chanc-" I stopped as I realized something that made my brain almost burst open.
'Why didn't I think of it before; it was right there.'
"The Duel of Grandeur."
Jacob smiled, a vicious one, "The right to challenge the current patriarch or matriarch for earthly possessions."
"Young mas- master that would be disastrous for bot-" Redwick was more than shocked by what he was hearing.
"Now!" I tell the old man as he bows in defeat and leaves alongside Anna.
Now the only ones in the room was only me and Jacob. I signaled the guy to sit, "It's rude to spy on people, you know." I bring out two glasses and a bottle of wine, from under the desk.
"But it helped though, opportunities come in many ways." He said taking a glass and sipping it, "Good stuff."
I nod and relax over my chair, "But how did you know it?"
Jacob smiled while casually sipping his drink, "Remember I told you that I worked under Samantha for 6 years," I nod, "It wasn't only about cleaning her swords and carrying luggage but I also gained knowledge about rules, laws and stuff like that."
"Good thing that your wasted years came to some use." He nodded absentmindedly. Then his face became bitter as he remembered.
"But there's a problem." I give him an inquisitive look as he continued, "You need to get a permit from your family to attend the royal academy."
"Too bad that the only family you have is your step-mother, who I don't think would be delighted to give you a permit."
That also makes things a bit difficult but I had a solution for that.
"A permit from the family or," This gained Jacob's attention, "from one who is willing to give up theirs for me."
"Yes, I know that but who would give up such a grand thing?"
"Who indeed." I think deeply while sipping on the raspy wine. Read full story at n0velfire.net
Inside a majestic castle, pertaining over the capital looking down at everything stood a red haired woman.
She looked through the window and down at her kingdom with a bored look on her face.
'When will things get interesting?'