-The Third Chapter-

Chaotic Disputes

The sky was already completely covered in darkness by the time the townsfolk had entered Herzen Castle. Almost not a single soul was left in town; everyone was at the celebration. The streets were silent... and because of its very quiet atmosphere, the sound of the wind can easily be heard. It's as if Folsense became a ghost town in an instant.

In contrast though, everybody's excitement inside the venue caused a festive mood to be prevalent in the place! To match the feel of the party, there were lots of yellow lights decorated around the castle. Long tables with white cloth spread over them lined the walls of the castle's great hall. On those tables were expensive plates and silverware, showcasing a variety of fine and exquisite dishes for the guests' dinner, buffet style. Attendees were seated on round tables also near the sides of the room to leave space in the middle, where the dance floor will be held later that night. Fredrich visited every table and had short talks with the guests, which they considered an honor and a pleasure to have spoken with a son of the duke. From the people's faces, it was evident that they were enjoying being in the celebration.

While these lot were indulging themselves with the food, the host of the party, Duke Herzen, stood up from his seat and walked to the top of the hall's staircase. There, he gave remarks about the ball to take place after dinner.

"Everyone, good evening! Have you been enjoying the celebration so far?," Duke Herzen shouted with glee, though with moderation. Everyone stopped what they were doing, whether they were eating on the table, talking with other guests or just idly standing in one place. Knowing what this sign meant, they looked to the speaker intently and with enthusiasm. However, not everyone was excited for the happenings to come.

Anton stood on one corner of the hall, placing himself away from the mass of guests. He didn't want to socialize with the visitors his father invited that night, especially the women. As much as he wanted to think about what his butler, Nigel, told him about the party, his brother's revelation bothered his mind to no end. Hence, he just stood there in solitude with a problematic look on his face. The young duke didn't know how to cope up with this situation anymore.

Duke Herzen continued on with his speech. "I, the host, am here again to give some words before we finally go on to our grandest event tonight. First of all, I am very much obliged to all of you here for supporting my efforts, and so I devote these celebrations to the people of Folsense. Today, as you know, is a day to commemorate the success of the gold mine that was founded in town by yours truly. It is a fact that Folsense has flourished over time because of this discovery, but I could not have done this without your help. Again, I am very thankful for each of you here, because we all have a part in making our town into what it is today. Let's give a round of applause to ourselves!"

People made a standing ovation, where they stood from their seats and clapped their hands so loudly together that the sound overpowered any other sounds in the hall.

"Now, the dance floor will be opened. Let us toast with joy to mark the start of the dance!", the duke said, holding a wine glass in his right hand. He raised his glass up, and toasted with nearby visitors. He then went back to his seat placed away from the hall to watch over the events of the ball, making sure everything goes smoothly and according to plan.

Duke Herzen noticed his eldest son alone and silent in the corner opposite of where he was sitting, and so called his son to have a word about his strange behavior. The son slowly walked towards his father, avoiding eye contact and forcefully tried to suppress his emotions.

"Anton, what is it with you tonight that you do not take the initiative to dance with our guests? I have made sure that you will expect something new to come from this celebration for you not to get tired of the same events. Didn't I tell you to take this seriously?", the duke asked, giving off an intimidating feel with his serious and powerful voice.

Still with anxiety in his heart, Anton responded. "Father, I don't like to come off as rude to you, but..." A long pause quickly cut off his words. He knew all his life that refusing his father's orders was a grave offense to the man, but he couldn't help voicing out his true feelings. Duke Herzen asked him for the answer anyway, so he also thought giving no answer was even more offensive than the first one. He gathered all his courage and looked straight to his father's eyes. He then continued on speaking.

"I know you want the best for me, Father. I completely understood your intentions as pure and good-spirited, but unfortunately, it's hard for your plans for me to happen. I heard from my brother that you aim to make me find someone I would marry here in this ball, and I have to choose one among these beautiful ladies whom I think will be the most suitable partner for me."

"Yes, yes, and so...? What are you trying to imply, future duke of Folsense, Anthony Herzen?", with an emphasis on his son's full name.

Anton diverted his father's attention to the group of ladies waiting to get their turn to dance. He closed his eyes for a short while, and then spoke. "Those ladies... aren't really as good as you think they are, Father. I've danced with so many young women in my life, and from all those ladies, I feel that none of them had shown their true colors in front of me."

The conversation came to the point that Duke Herzen got aggravated by Anton's resistance to his desires. This was what Anton feared to happen... He already knew what to expect because of similar experiences in the past. Scared of how his father will react, he only gulped and shifted his sight on the floor. This isn't going to be so well...

"Anthony. Don't you look away from the one speaking to you. Face me like a man!" By the tone of his voice, the duke was clearly mad at him. Duke Herzen quickly gripped Anton's shoulders tightly and looked straight into the latter's distressed turquoise eyes.

"Listen to what I will tell you, young man. Tonight, you must find a woman that will be with you for the rest of your life. Since you are in a royal family, you must marry and make your own legacy once you take my place as duke. We have a duty to watch over Folsense, so you need to do what is needed of you. I care about your future, son, so you must follow what I say, whether you like it, or not."

Fredrich was busy entertaining the guests, though he could hear Anton and his father's conversation from a distance. He thought it was nothing serious, but he was worried for his older brother. After a while, he happened to pass by and saw Anton being yelled at by their stubborn father. Out of love for his older brother, he quickly ran towards the two and tried to pull Anton away from Duke Herzen's grip, angry at the duke for his words. "What is wrong with you, Father? Anton already told you the truth, yet you don't believe what he says! Isn't it obvious that he doesn't like what you want him to do?!"

Anton kept quiet and watched over his little brother behind him.

In a gust of rage, Duke Herzen removed his hold on Anton and then gripped his younger son's arm so tightly, he couldn't move it. His angry look got even worse and seemed to lose all control. "Keep quiet, Fredrich! You have nothing to do with this issue!"

Some of the guests overheard their chaotic dispute and stood still in their place, confused on the scene they've witnessed. They were watching the hosts rambling and fighting verbally with each other, with words they couldn't hear and comprehend because they were too far. They tried to go near to know what the quarrel was all about, but Nigel calmed them down and kept them in their place. He told them that everything is fine and that it was a private issue they should ignore. Fortunately, only a few witnessed the Herzens' quarrel and Nigel was able to divert the guests' attention to the ball.

Fredrich and Duke Herzen went on with the disagreement, almost leading to a physical fight using force instead. The former tried so hard to remove the latter's hold on him, but was unable to do so because of pain, and this also caused him to fall on the floor. The latter, meanwhile, has his right arm in an offensive stance, about to strike his own son with his fist. Anton couldn't tolerate the sight anymore and interfered by holding his father's arm with all his might, stopping the possibility of him causing serious damage and injury to his brother.

"Father, Fredrich, stop! There's no need for this argument to come to a brawl. Father's right, Brother. You don't have to resort to force to help me here. It's my problem." Despite being serious, tears were in Anton's eyes due to the overwhelming feeling he felt upon seeing his brother and father nearly hurting each other in an extreme way.

Anger was still evident in Fredrich's face, but his brother's words calmed him down a bit and made him sad. "But, Anton..."

Anton then looked at his father with so much guilt inside him. "...and, Father, I'm sorry if this conversation has come to chaos. I realized that you're right, and that I should find the lady I would marry here in this event. I-I'm going to them now and I'll offer them to a dance."

He then turned around and slowly walked to the great hall, albeit with a heavy feeling inside his chest. Duke Herzen calmed down and crossed his arms, so as Fredrich, who stood up from the floor, holding the part where his father gripped him. They both watched Anton walking down the stairs, both quiet and tired from their quarrel. Similarly, Nigel just watched the young duke passing across him, who felt bad seeing his master forcing himself to do things yet again.

Anton knew this was the right thing to do, since objecting his father's decisions will not bring any good in the end, even if it was against his own will... He stopped in his tracks and faced the group of ladies from a distance. Anxious and scared of the events to come, he gulped, murmuring to himself.

I don't want to cause any more chaos just because of this matter. I know I wouldn't like this, but... this is for Folsense. My future as the duke of this town. And now... I must face these trials for the better. Best of luck, Duke Anthony Herzen...

Oh man, I think I made this chapter too dramatic X_X

Actually, this was supposed to include the events stated in the first diary entry already, but I thought it would be too long, so... yeah. See? I started off with a relaxed and happy start, and then it ended chaotic. Oh wait, isn't that how all the Layton games end up? XD

Anyway, I'm still accepting drawing requests! This covers also the future chapters of this fic, so don't be shy to put it in your review or in a PM. My drawing mood won't be here for long, and it goes on and off... Currently I draw Descole vs. Anton stuff. I dunno, they just seem to be fitting as rivals :D

So much for adjusting chapters! The next chapter's finally one of the most anticipated parts of Anton's story, so stay tuned! If you don't know what I mean, then... Shame on you! Just kidding XD