A/N: I edited the chapter, specifically the first scene with Angelica and Zola's, I do recommend reading them again, Thank you reading.
CHAPTER VII.
Angelica woke up feeling a hand move from her belly to her breast, something not unusual the last five days she has been traveling with her husband.
She never expected to be this sexually active, sure they were given love potions the first time but after that it was all their initiative, no matter how much Leon wanted to believe the contrary, she already knew that was her father's plan from the very start.
She knew her father wanted her pregnant as soon as possible, their Houses wouldn't be truly bonded until they had a child to make that union tangible. In her opinion it was fortunate the initial process was so fun!
Someone knocked the door energetically "My lord, my lady, we will be arriving at the Bartforts territory in one hour!" It was Cordelia with good news!
She had grown tired of this ship and cabin; the short day they had spent at Olivia's hometown introducing themselves to the girl's parents and recruiting young people to reside and work at their own land was not enough of a reprieve, she was looking forward to being able to explore Leon's land.
She tried to turn around but Leon's arm kept her in place. a kiss on the nape of her neck and Leon whispering "We have time for a quick one" told her they would be there fashionably late.
With a mighty push she got above her husband, she hasn't decided what she liked the best, being on top or the bottom
0x0
Fortunately the crew somehow knew they had to stall for time and she had time to look presentable to her new family.
Seriously Cordelia, stop blushing, you're making it worse! they weren't that loud!
As they disembarked she could see a man with black hair and a painfully old suit accompanied by a woman with a nice but simple dress and Leon's siblings she met at their wedding as well as a younger girl and a mini Leon that was simply adorable.
This was her new political family, she had to meet them to observe the niceties that noble society still imposed on her.
Who knows, this could be a template for how their land would look in ten years so it was something to look forward to.
"Dad! mom! Leon hurried and greeted his parents with a wave of his hand, she grabbed his arm before he could rush down the plank.
He just smiled and composed himself enough to walk her properly to his parents.
They waved back with strained smiles, this must still be hard to swallow for them.
After the formal greetings were exchanged we were led to their estate, it was more impressive than what I expected. According to Leon, Zola would have nothing less for her visits.
Zola was Balcus Fou Bartfor legal wife, but neither she nor her offsprings were present in the barony, she was curious to see them, apparently they were actually bastards according to Leon.
0x0
Olivia was helping her mom and dad to pack up their belongings.
In a totally unsurprising yet unexpected turn of events, both of them agreed to move to the land of her Lord when offered the chance.
She was a bit sad to have fulfilled her hometown expectations to have come back as the concubine of a low ranking Noble Lord…
They mockingly said: She was fast at least.
She didn't expect to be glad to leave this place for good, but the old folks were insufferable with their taunts and glares.
A few of the younger villagers were eager to go to this newly discovered land and forge a future for themselves.
Three young couples had immediately agreed when Lady Angelica explained that they would need hands to handle the crops and there was no small number of other villagers debating if it was how good of an idea it was to leave their homes.
It would be hard to start, they all agreed and had no complaints about it.
How fertile this new land was? That was a much contested point, perhaps other explorers saw the island and decided it had no value, some said.
Others argued that the crown would have inspected the island and judged it worthy of a Baron.
The optimistic ones could be found in the tavern debating what they would grow in their personal patch of land they would be receiving in exchange for their services if they decided to go.
The pessimistic ones in the next table were complaining how they would have to defend from air pirates coming to steal the initial investment.
They had asked Lord Leon what they had in the form of defenses , and he had boasted that he was strong enough to win a tourney in the Duke's palace and that each man that agreed to join him would get a gun and rounds to defend themselves and their families. And on top of that his airship Partner.
But given Lord Leon's youth many thought he was just a rowdy boy trying to impress his women.
Some of the women had asked her if their potential Lord was really strong or if he was all bark and no bite.
She was honest, she never saw him fight, but he did win a tourney in the Duke's palace beating many of his best men, including a knight that defeated the three heirs of High noble houses before he was defeated by the fourth one and the accumulated damage.
To her irritation many of the women started gushing about the prince who was famous for his skill and good looks.
It was sad many of them didn't even know what he looked like, she had almost tripped over him on the first day if not for the Lafan girl… that was perhaps the one act of kindness the menace had done for her.
She knew she would have never survived tripping over the prince.
Even then she was so mean while doing it.
She was confident that there were at least twenty people ready to leave when her Lord came back to pick her up in his own airship, the Lost Item: Partner, it had a good name for a ship, but she could hardly imagine a seven hundred long meter warship. The scale was beyond her imagination. In the Capital she saw four hundred long meter luxury ships that were simply massive.
The ship the House Redgrave loaned them was a three hundred meter long warship and it was big enough to give some people hope for their continued safety.
Her parents are simple farmers, and she did feel bad for them, having to uproot in their forties, it must not be a pleasant experience. But they would do so just to be with her and support her, given all she has told them about how she came to be a Baron's concubine they wanted to be close to support her.
"Mistress Olivia there is another group of villagers coming this way" Luxy alerted her, it was sweet of Mister Leon to lend him this Avatar so she could contact them in an emergency, and to act as her assistant.
Sighing she went to greet a new group that would probably ask the same questions as the last group, she could write down a paper and put it in the tavern, it would save her time.
CHAPTER VIII.
Angelica knows her way in a negotiation, and while the Main House Bartfort was the one House they could trust implicitly that may not remain true for much longer.
Rutart Fou Bartfort was a fickle man, little more than a puppet to his mother, worse, one that may not even be a true Bartfort, looking at the pictures that Luxion has showed him of the man in question and looking at Balcus Fou Bartfort just made her more certain that the heir to the barony was the product of adultery.
There was no legal way to prove it though and before she married Leon House Bartfort stood much too lose if there was a conflict with Zola, her old House would intervene on her behalf.
Before, if no action was taken they would lose everything, including their title, lands and even bloodline by letting a bastard take it all.
It took two weeks and much talking and some harsh words but Balcus finally decided to name his second son Nicks as the heir of the barony.
With her knowledge about the kingdom's innerworkings, forging a document that would officialize the new Heir and tie Zola's hands was a piece of cake, getting the document to be recognized was a different matter.
The document basically disgraced Rutart for not marrying before twenty years old as he was supposed and failing to even familiarize himself with the barony's lands.
There were rumors about a rogue organization whose objective is to undermine viscounts and lower nobility's men and commit fraud using the lives of third and younger sons to get compensation for deaths in battle.
The fact that Leon's youngest brother Colin was in such a perilous process was the deciding factor because it implied that Zola was at least in contact with them, Angelica thought she was a member.
Some bribes will ensure the document reaches its target and does its job… if only she could still lean on her father's name that Dia could have been saved.
Her new political family was odd to her eyes, so relaxed in their daily life affairs that if she didn't know better she would think she was in the home of some commoners.
They had accepted her with open arms and a smile, even Leon's older sister, Jenna had taken a liking to her after advising her on some fashion trends and what was in vogue in the palace.
Both of Leon's younger siblings had taken to calling her Big Sister.
She was doing well in fitting in, even if she didn't think she belonged here, she still had feelings for the Prince and it made her feel disgusted with herself.
Leon was comprehensive of the matter and said he didn't resent her for it but it only made her feel worse.
Luce, Leon's mother, had told her that it would pass with time. She was trying, she really was but it was hard.
The time to collect Olivia was closing fast and Luxion had reported that thirty persons in Olivia's hometown had agreed to move to Leon's territory.
It was such a relief to have more hands helping now, in the beginning it was only Leon and her, Olivia was an even bigger stroke of luck than they had first realized and Cordelia…
Well her maid decided to make one more sacrifice and will only be with them for two more years as she is to be wedded to Leon's older brother Nicks.
They could hardly accuse Rutart of anything if Nicks wasn't already a better candidate and the best way to prove just that is by securing a fiancee for him.
She had planned to pressure the daughter of a local knight but her oldest friend volunteered herself for the task.
It was funny how hard both Nicks and Cordelia had blushed but Cordelia had explained that she viewed it as a chance to be related to her in a more meaningful way.
The main Bartfor House will be switching to Leon's House in a few years and thanks to Cordelia they would eliminate the meddlings of another family altogether.
By the end of the fourth week an airship transporting Zola and her offspring arrived.
The official wife was livid and had cornered Balcus in his office to try and force him to reinstate her son as Heir.
They had even locked the door to not be interrupted… It was funny to think that they assumed that would stop a third year student!
The door was thorn out of its hinges by Leon, she was with him of course, and so were Nicks and Cordelia, who was with her but expertly maneuvered herself to stand to the older true Bartfort's side just a step behind him, ready to play the supporting fiancee when her time comes.
Zola was screeching at the nerve we all had for barging in in such a way the young blond man she supposed was Rutart looked at the door that Leon tossed at the side of the office completely cowed, the blonde younger woman that surely was Merce was hiding behind her mother, the last member of the visiting party was an elf looking at them hatefully.
The four of them walked unimpeded to stand behind Balcus who was sitting in his chair looking furious and glaring slightly at Leon for the stunt with the door, that only made the scene even better in her eyes, it demeaned Zola and her children, it was as if the patriarch thought the door was more important than them. It was a true statement.
"How dare you come in like that?!" self important noble ladies were so predictable, next she will notice Leon…
"So you are alive you ungrateful child!" she said with disdain looking at Leon who was working in the fields alongside Nicks and the people of the barony so they looked like complete peasants right now.
Score! Angelica chanted in her head, next Zola will notice her and Cordelia who was dressed in her maid uniform, she will make a greedy comment about herself needing more servants too.
"Who are these women? If you can hire a new maid we need some more as well in the capital" she said while looking smug.
Doing her best not to laugh Angelica decided not to keep her inner game or she won't be able to resist and will burst out laughing.
"Yes, Zola, my son Leon is alive" Balcus said calmly with a satisfied smile "This are his wife Angelica Fou Bartfort" he said looking at her and Leon at his left before turning to his right at Nicks and Cordelia "and this is Cordelia Fou Easton, Nicks' fiancee."
Those words made Zola's jaw drop.
For low ranking ladies of Zola's age having a son married was something they took pride in, so her and Cordelia's presence was a slap in the face.
She soon recognized her though, there must have been a scandal in the capital of course, the daughter of such an esteemed family sent off to marry some poor upstart of a baron in the boonies… Leon's name probably was never mentioned in the woman's circle.
The future former matriarch of House Bartfort sent her a predatory smile.
"Well, well, well! If it isn't the esteemed daughter of Duke Redgrave?" Zola taunted her, thinking she had control of the situation. " How does it feel dear? To lose your man, your status and your father's protection?" Her words did nothing to her, this woman was a fly and she spent the last few weeks weaving her web.
Welcome! She thought!
"I'm doing well" she said, lifting her nose slightly, "however you should mind your tone Baroness, might I remind you that you are about to be crushed by the family you betrayed?" Angelica said in a sweet tone of voice, low ranking ladies hated to be called by their titles, it reminded them how truly weak they are.
Zola closed her fan and allowed them to see her cruel smile "Might I remind you that this is my household, that the knave you married is under my authority, that everything he possesses is mine?! And that includes you!" She walked several steps forward with absolute confidence and moved her hand to the side no doubt preparing to strike her to show her her place but when she was just a step away Leon slapped her with the back of his hand hard enough to knock her to the floor.
Leon had a bittersweet smile on his face, he didn't enjoy the act of violence he just committed but there was no denying he felt vindicated after Zola finally got what she deserved.
Zola took a few moments to process the events of the last ten seconds.
"BEAT HIM BLACK AND BLUE!" she ordered her elf personal servant pointing her fan at the knave, she had a trickle of blood rolling down her lips.
"You won't!" the man she married said as magic circles appeared around his arms and legs signifying he just casted one of Holtfort's adventurer's favorite spells that strengthened his body, to his right His oldest son did the same and the maid grabbed and aimed a small concealed firearm at her servant's head, to Balcus left Leon was already wielding a short sword and the Duke's daughter had fire burning at the fingertips of an extended arm.
The threat was clear and the elf took a step back and raised both hands in surrender. Her precious lover knew that even with all his natural advantages he would be no match for the scum that was threatening them.
"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND BALCUS!?" For Zola this was out of the realm of reality, she was the madam of this House, her will is law, her every whim is to be fulfilled, otherwise she would destroy this pathetic territory and its inhabitants. "You better apologize or else…!" she calmed and stood up waiting for the man to grovel at her feet as was the natural order of the world.
"Or else what?" her husband once again defied her, she had almost forgotten what she was supposed to do in this case but she did remember, she needed to go back to the capital and ask the Forest to kill her husband, his concubine and her children!
BANG, BANG, BANG!
Three bullets shot past her feet and impacted the floor right on her and her children's path.
Three armored men appeared blocking the office's exit, guns smoking and with them was Luce, Balcus concubine, the woman he flaunted in front of her.
She looked as pathetic as ever dressed like a peasant with her hair undone; she was the perfect image of a farmer as she walked past them until she was at Balcus' side.
The symbolism of this wasn't lost on her, she was facing a united front, her husband, his concubine, their children and their women were taking control of the territory away from her!
The Blonde brat looked like she was enjoying the show, the knave by now has probably painted her as the cause of all of his life's problems… As if! If he just did as he was told none of this would have happened!
Zola did nothing wrong! That's just the way this world works.
"Why are you doing this!?" Zola questioned desperately, she had come here to reinstate her son as Heir of the barony as was his right and instead had found the knave that had escaped his duty to her alongside the disgraced daughter of a Duke and a rebellious husband.
"You failed to raise a proper Heir" Balcus told her as if that explained everything, but Zola couldn't accept such simple words.
"I failed you say? can't you see Rutart standing right there!" She replied nonplused, her son was an adult now, waiting for his father to drop dead so he could sell the territory and give her the life of luxury she deserved!
"What I see is a manchild that can't take care of himself, much less this territory and its people!" The fool said that as if that had any relevance.
"Like that was necessary, just let your bastards do it for him!" the ones born to break their backs working for her were always supposed to be that woman's children.
"That is what I intend to do…" Balcus said again without changing his expression, Zola was not used to looking him in the face, before today he always kept his head down. "But we will skip the middleman, Nicks will inherit the territory and become my Heir" she couldn't believe how conceited that man was.
"I won't allow it, I won't allow it!" Zola yelled, no matter how much Balcus liked to play pretend he couldn't. "Once I'm back at the capital you'll regret this!"
She'll get a group of mercenaries to ravage this land for this impertinence!
"Mother is right, father, you can't do this to us!" Rutart, her child finally came into her defense, he'll set him and those bastards straight!
"So you finally speak" Balcus still used the same calm voice that was driving her into madness "Took you being disinherited and a couple of death threats and you still hide behind your mother's skirts? Had you reacted more like Leon, who decisively defended his wife I would have reconsidered but you have yet to show me anything that would make me change my mind. From now on you'll stay here to work the fields with the serfs, you worthless child!" Balcus couldn't be serious! She looked at her son and waited for him to do something, anything!
Instead Rutart could only look ahead at the menacing presence of the rural nobles and be cowed into obedience!
"Shut up you moron! Merce, Rutart, we are leaving this slump!" Zola once again made for the door but the three armored men didn't bulge at all!
She'll get them killed, every last person in this floating Island is dead!
"You still believe you can just leave Baroness? how naive" the knave's wife smiled sweetly at her while looking out of the office's window… where a massive warship was towing her comfortable airship away from the harbor!
She was being kidnaped in her own floating island!
Quickly composing herself she glared at the harlot "So you still have a ship like that huh? It'll be a nice prize for my friends once they come to collect me" that'll be the day, she'll drive her nails deep into her skin and scar her pretty face so bad that men in the slumps won't be paying one dia to use her!
"No, Baroness, that is my husband's airship and if you think the forest will notice the absence of a missing withering tree you are sorely mistaken!"
Those words finally did it, those were the words used to ridicule the disgraced members of the organization, Balcus might be the puppet, but the puppeteer was that harlot.
"James, you have yet to find a wife right?" Balcus continued as if he was never interrupted, as if she didn't matter.
"N..no milord, I'm still looking" the youngest of the armored men replied and this time Zola fell to her knees, that dog pretended to give away her precious daughter!?
Anger boiled inside her and she stood up ready to charge and kill that dog herself!
BANG, BANG!
The whore in the maid dress stopped her with two shots at her feet!
"Let's not be hasty Baroness, we are almost done here" The blonde bitch was enjoying this too much, she noticed that at some point that brat, Leon, had moved to envelope her waist with his arms affectionately.
"Why do you keep using that damned title!?" she spat, yes, that was her actual title but in her heart she was meant to be a marquise or a duchess.
"Oh, I'm just getting used to the sound of it, you know? I'm a Baroness now too" the Duke's daughter leaned back and raised a hand to caress Leon's cheek in a caring manner that drove her crazy!
"Have you gone mad?!" she asked in disbelief, here was the daughter of a duke flaunting a rank she felt ashamed to have.
"You really know nothing about nobility, don't you Zola?" Those words were the drop that filled the bucket and she charged at the blonde but this time the bitch charged at her as well!
For a moment Zola didn't knew what happened to her, she felt numb and no matter how hard she inhaled only a small amount of air got to her lungs there was a pressure around there throat, blurred vision cleared to reveal the indifferent face of Angelica Fou Bartfot, the pressure she felt before diminished and she could now breath, now she could realize that the pressure was the Duke's daughter hand holding her standing up when her own legs failed her.
All her standing, all her posture, all of her strength amounted to nothing in front of her, Zola just realized that everything was stolen from her by this little bitch.
"That's enough Angelica" Balcus concubine ordered the high lady turned Baroness as if this monster would listen to her when she had so blatantly destroyed her. She could feel the tears coming out of her eyes.
And just like that she was let go, so suddenly that her legs couldn't support her due to the surprise of her release, she fell on hands and knees and started to cough to alleviate the soreness in her throat.
She could only wonder why she listened to that woman when she herself was treated like trash?
"Edward, take her to the cellar, she will be staying there until we can build a cabin in the back to keep her in!" Balcus ordered, she was a prisoner guilty of opposing the new Madam and her family was torn apart just for inconveniencing the daughter of a Duke.
Real nobles are terrifying!