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Duke Redgrave "Given your rather passionate outburst at the end of the duels, it's rather clear why you really volunteered." The boy Leon at least had the grace to look abashed. "Never the less. For representing my daughter, we will take care of you. I would like to ask you who taught you how to fight."

Leon "As with most frontier barons, my father taught me and my brother Nicks."

"I see, one last thing. This ordeal has taken a lot out of my dear daughter. I'd like her to have the few supporters and friends she has left around during this break from the Academy. So I'd like you to stay with us here at the Redgrave estate for the time being."

Leon was dismissed, looking slightly apprehensive. Gilbert "An interesting young man. He forfeited what honor he had and also gave up considerable wealth given his station."

Duke "Yes. Sadly, he is something of an idealist. He has yet to realize how the kingdom really works or that ones individual strength is only good for so long."

"Still, we should not waste it. Perhaps we can prepare some women from our house of similar age."

For a moment, the duke thought about his little girl. Disillusioned of the Prince's character and already viewing the Baron vary favorably, it was almost ideal. But he sighs as he looks out at the monstrous Partner. While large and impressive, he has no reason to believe it was also strong. Yet. "They'd need to be enough to tie him to us but not so high that she can't be set aside if these lost Items of his are on a similar level as the Royal airship."

"Then why don't we use the girl, Olivia?"

"Who?"

Gil "Angie's commoner friend, the Holy magic user. If she's right, the two are already lovers. Adopting her into one of the lower houses and giving them the path to legally wed would bind both to us. They can be brought into the family blood line in a later generation if needed."

Yes, the Duke thought a good move. Her commoner birth meant she could be set aside or at least step down from first wife. If it's needed, we can also marry his heir into the bloodline. Possibly even one of Gilbert's children would be needed to bind the bloodlines. "Yes. I'll trust you to see to the details. Now I think we should also see if the main house of Bartford is as interesting as the new branch family." Interesting as in useful to House Redgrave.

-Leon Partner's deck.

After spending some time at the Redgrave estate, I was finally allowed to go home and see my family. What is weird is the company that is coming with me. Just to see the countryside... so they say.

Nicks and Jenna had been taken by a Redgrave ship at the start of the break. It was rather thoughtful of old Vince.

Instead, I have Vince's daughter, Angelica, and her friend(s). A minor vileness from the game Clarice Fia Atlee. Miss Atlee also brought her followers, Dan is the only one I've gotten to know.

Clarice honestly scars me. I had Luxion make a Jilk mannequin to try and help her through her grief. Day one, she used it as a body pillow. The next day, it was a punching bag. By the third, it was an axe throwing target. We started the fifth day with a bang, as in she literally strapped bombs to Jilk (the dummy) and blew him up. After that, she has had the most serene expression on her face. Still does.

The Protagonist Olivia is staying behind for the few days we will be gone. Something about needing to talk with someone named Cordelia.

- Leon's dad Balcus

That stupid son has no consideration for my poor heart. First, he picked a fight with the Founding Families, then got our family investigated by the Duke's family. I'm being encouraged (ok forced) to step down so I can train the Duke's knights. Rutart is talking to the Duke's inspector so he can take over. At least Luce and our children will be with me in my new life as a master at arms to the Duke. If I don't die from a heart attack, I'll be forced to train men far above my station.

We have almost everything packed and ready to load aboard The Partner. When the fool boy approaches, he has the audacity to say. "Hey Dad, what's with all the bags?"

"You Idiot!"

- Livia new bedroom.

Waking up feeling safe and warm is the best. The kind old Duke gifted me two amazing things during the break. The first is an adopted big sister, Cordelia Fou Easton, and a wedding out of a dream.

It was in the grand chapel of the Saintes. To see Darling walk down the aisle to get knighted by the King himself. Then the music started as Gilbert walked me down and gave me to my new family. Queen Mylene, the highest matriarch in the kingdom, officiated. Best of all, the cute little familiar Luxion had captured it all in something he called a video so we could watch it over and over again. It was bliss.

Ok, the first week or so, it was hell. My new husband avoided me as if I had the plague. Thankfully, good mother Luce kicked his butt, literally, till he told me what was wrong. To think Darling had an inferiority complex. Maybe I should have noticed how his father had to support him and how nervous he was during the ceremony.

We moved into the special housing for married couples at the Academy. As an added perk, it ended all bullying attempts and gave me a private library room. A good thing too, as I now had a lot of studies outside the normal academy curriculum assigned by Cordelia and Luxion.

Drifting out of sleep, I could feel a rough hand lightly tracing my belly. *giggle* it tickles.

"Sorry, did I wake you up, love?"

"It's fine." Lacing my hand with his. "You know my belly won't grow when on contraception potions."

"I know." Did he sound wistful?

Bringing his hand up to my heart. "Someday, Darling." After we finish school. He squeezes my breast. *ah* "Do you want to 'study' how to be a family again?"

That was a foolish question. His 'study' equipment was poking me in the back.

- Mylene festival day

The academy is worse than I thought. My son's reputation has hardly fallen here like it has at the courts. Just proves how little these children know about the real world.

A mock Armored combat competition the boys are competing in should restore faith in their ability at least. That is why I set up such an expensive event. Dozens of identical Armors, magic stone fuel, and maintenance as they get damaged. But there really was no other way out after they got beaten up so publically.

As long as another outlier, like Leon, doesn't show up, the five heirs will outperform their third year classmates. With identical gear, no one can claim they 'bought' a victory. The resulting increase in Leon's reputation will be a mixed blessing.

"Come on, Ange. I won't do much. Just tease him a bit." I sympathize with Leon, but he did beat up my son, and I need to know how to handle this double-edged sword.

*Slap*

"You cursed bastard! How did you manage it, lend the Duke your whore wife?" Who was that?

Going through the door there are three blond women and several demi-human servants squared off against Leon's little group. The redness on Leon's face shows he was the one slapped.

"What is going on in here? Is this how you choose to represent the Kingdom's nobility."

The older blond. "From your clothes your what, some whore concubine? This is Bartford family business. Stay out!" She was the one I heard from the hall.

Olivia drops a curtsy to me. "Your Grace, I'm terribly sorry for my family's former matriarch." The girl was the right choice for the commoner project.

None of the troublemakers seemed to know me. Shameful for nobility that live in the shadows of the palace. The Offrey girl fled when Ange explained it to them. Zola and Merce were kept in place by Leon.

Turns out the two women had come to complain about how 'their' city manor had been sold out from under them. Offrey was just providing 'support'. Olivia reminded them it was Bartford property in no uncertain terms. I reminded them that their debt covered by the new branch family (Leon) made the palace (me) place Leon as the head of the entire house. Rutart had been found deeply lacking during the Duke's investigation, and I needed some influence over the new Bartford family.

Leon rubbed salt in the wound and reminded them they were now dependent on him for their living. They had to make do with what he and his wife saw fit to give them, based on their contributions to the family.

Leon "Wait, where is Rutart?" Zola just glared at Leon. "What did you do with my brother?!"

**** Carla

Stephanie could not read the political situation at all. She wants me to send the new Baron family into a pirate trap. The Baron defeated the much better armed heirs in an old bucket of bolts. Does she really think now that he has the Duke's backing, he wouldn't have customized gear too? Not to mention the veteran knights he can ask for help. Rumor has it he is Holtfort's answer to the Black Knight. True or not, the rumor alone made him an asset to the crown. Why else was the queen at his Caffey first.

For a former commoner, the Baroness was way too capable in politics. Not only did she see through my attempt to use her, but she also knew of my connection to the Offrey house. This made getting her on my side difficult after Stephanie antagonized them. Surprisingly, the Baron had more details than even I had on the Offrey Privateers, and was adamant he goes on this trip.

That terrified me. It's no secret that the Offreys are disliked by most of the other nobility. What better way to enhance the Baron's reputation further right now than to eliminate some pirates and possibly a rogue county. So, in preparation for a Bartford victory, I told Olivia everything when alone with her. I emphasized how bad Stephanie was to those who failed to please her to play on her empathy.

Olivia "Darling said it was a trap, but I hadn't thought she was that terrible."

"He knew it was a trap? And he insisted on helping anyway?" He really was doing this with the backing of a higher noble, or he is absolutely insane.

Olivia took my hands. "Don't worry, Carla. My husband is kind. I'm sure he will speak with the Redgraves on your behalf." So he is planning on having the backing of the Duke on this.

"Thank you, Miss Olivia. My little Baronetcy can't give much for what you're offering me."

Olivia "No need for that, we don't need to be rewarded for helping those in need." So still naive in some ways then. She makes me feel guilty for playing both sides. But, now I'm on the right side, whoever wins.

If Only Stephanie hadn't insisted on Brad joining too at the last minute. Recruiting Brad also ended up with Greg wanting to come. As both of them placed in the mock combat trial, they got new Armor as a prize. It was generic mass-produced stuff, but for Greg, it was still an improvement over his old armor.

**** Leon going to the docks

"Why are you so nice to her but not me?"

Luxion "Mistress Livia doesn't need reminding she is human." The little ball snarks from my bag.

Livia interrupts before I can retort. "Darling, is that the Partner? It's huge, you have to tell me everything about where you found it. Such a perfectly preserved lost item could be the window we need to understand their society." Livia looks at me with a bright smile and stars in her eyes. Uh oh, she's gone full dork mode again. While endearing this is when she asks the sort of questions I don't want to answer.

I still can't figure out what the Duke was thinking. The day before school started again my knighting ceremony rolled right into my wedding to the PROTAGANIST! If not for my dad's crushing grip on my arm I would have bolted.

If she really is destined to be with all five of those boys plus some demi-human servants, no one will care if I take her first. But, the moment one of them steps up I'm out! Just need to remind myself that she's not mine. It's just my turn.

"Darling, you're not even paying attention to me." Her pout is even cutter than normal.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about..."

"Baron, Baroness!" A, Miss Wayne is calling us, good girl.

""What (are they/ is he) doing here."" Next to miss Wayne are Red and Purple. I take back what I said, Carla.

Livia "Boys behave." How does she look cute even when scolding me? "And Carla, why didn't you mention this? Did you at least prepare supplies for two extra people?" Wow, Livia has an upset side. Who knew?

Carla nervously said, "I'm sorry, Mistress. I didn't." As Livia turned to Greg and Brad, their puzzled looks spoke volumes. I'll admit that after getting Luxion, I stopped thinking about most logistics issues. These two only had incompetence as an excuse.

Livia *sigh* "We can provide it."

"Do I really need to let these noble ninnies waste my oxygen?"

"Hey." "That's not nice."

Livia "Please, Darling." I think that's her 'not here' look.

"Fine, everyone get aboard." As we all start up the ramp, I notice something. "Didn't you two bring any bags?"

Greg "There in the armors we won at the palace tournament." His voice had so much self pride in it, it might turn sold in his mouth. That would at least shut him up.

"And those are where? I know they aren't on my ship." Greg points to a nearby loading dock. "Go get them! I'm not loading them for you!"

As they run off, Carla says. "I'm so sorry. Stephanie demanded I try to get them as well."

Livia "It's alright." She starts leading Carla inside. "Did you get her to commit all the pirates?" Carla nods.

"Love, I'm going to make sure those two don't mess up my hanger." She gives me a kiss on the cheek before I hurry off to said hanger.

The hanger, like most of Partner, is overkill. Twenty Armor bays sized for Arraganze, who is covered in a tarp at the back. Deception has been rebuilt, barrowing the booster idea from the Prince's armor. Gray paint made it so no one would think it's a lost item. A black anti-ship beam rifle was the one exception. For anything short of the Black Knight, it's still an overkill armor.

Two load thuds at the hanger door interrupt my mussing. Except for splashes of paint dictating who was who they are identical. "Watch it! I better not have to pound dents out of my deck because of you."

Luxion "What is this 'I' you speak of?" Just ignore the snarky ball.

Greg, "I'm sorry, some syco ripped the armor I'm used to into pieces."

"Just get those things into bays and lock them in." The tweedles want to take unfamiliar equipment into combat? I have no words to convey my disgust.

Hours later, all five of us are playing cards. Livia won't let me gamble or cheat, so it's just a 'friendly' game. Oddly, it comes out that Carla knows more about Stephanie than her former fiancé Brad.

Luxion "Master, they have arrived."

"Alright, it's go time, get ready."

Brad and Greg looked confused, but Carla yelped. "What, but we haven't met up with the other ships yet!" What other ships?

"Everything's fine, just stay inside. All of you." Livia, Greg, and Brad started talking at once. "Fine. Livia magic support. You two protect her."

Launching out of the hanger, I get three pirates by surprise, my axes taking a leg or an arm. Looks like they have seven ships and between three and four dozen armors.

Why were these guys so hard in the game? I have a dozen armors down in two minutes. A flash of red hits me from the side. "Dam it that's the big pirate boss." He launched me half across the battlefield. "Luxion, I thought you said they can't damage deception?" The goons start using heavy energy rifles to keep me off balance.

Luxion, "They can not." A round makes direct contact with the cockpit, and the force slams my head into the console. "However, as I noted before that unlike Arraganze, deception doesn't have inertia dampeners. Kinetic force transfer may be harmful to the pilot."

I can feel the blood start dripping down my face. Is this it? My friends, Daniel, Raymond, Master, Dan, Clarice, Ange. My family Dad, Mom, Nicks, Collin,.. Livia. "I refuse to die here!"

Using the thrusters to get clear of the barrage, I grab my own beam rifle. Engage the auto targeting. Luxion is trying to tell me something. FIRE! A beam of light splits as it leaves the rifle and hits the ships and armors.

Time seems to be frozen. A few of the ships are on fire most of the armors are.. well gone. Everyone's scream, not screaming, it felt like just one big scream of pain in my head.

Somehow, I got back to the Partner. The scattered remains of the pirate boss strewn about. Ah, there's the necklace.

Livia ran up to me. "You're hurt!" And casts a healing spell.

"Love, I found something for you."

Livia "It's beautiful." She turns around. "Can you help me put it on."

Placing the Saintes's necklace on her. "It really suits you."

She reached a hand back to stroke my cheek. "Brad, Greg, we will leave the clean up to you two. I need my husband to help me study for a while." She trailed her fingers under my chin before taking my hand and pulling me forward with a more pronounced sway to her hips.

Greg chuckled, "You married a strange one, man. After getting something like that, most girls would be a bit more grateful. Yours just wants to bury her head in books." Greg, there is a limit to how meat headed you can be.

"Shout up, meat head." I'm starting to feel sick. And the scream won't stop.

"Who are you calling a meat head!" You du.

As she pulled me into the ship I felt the adrenalin wear off. 'L..Le..Leo.' My face flares in pain snapping me out of the daze I didn't realize I fell into. Livia has stopped and is holding my head with both hands. "What's wrong? your scaring me."

"I just killed..." I don't even know how many.

Livia "They were Pirates, do you understand what they would have done to Carla or me... or you?" I could hear her pulse quicken as her hands are by my ears.

"Y..Y..Yes. But still..." I don't want to think about it.

Livia moved her hands to the back of my head and pulled till I could feel her breath on my face. "I know it's unpleasant and I wish there was another way too. Just know I will always be there for you, my husband."

For the first time I didn't care. Not about the shitty otome game, the so called love interests, being a mob or even the lives I just cut short. Only she mattered.

I could feel my heart beat synced with her pulse, her voice replace the scream still echoing in my ears. As our hearts beat as one I move to close the last inch between us capturing her lips with mine. It's light and tender.

"You are my Saintes."

**** ? Two humanoid creatures of light.

"Miss Guardian, are you sure?"

"Vary sure, descendant. I can feel their resentment already. It's only a matter of time until the line of false kings and his ilk try to eliminate the true king."

"I understand, Miss Guardian."

"Please call me Ann."

"Of course Guardian Ann." And disappeared.

Moments after the other changed from light to a swirling mass of shadow.

"Now this is interesting. Olivia, I can't posses you by force not as happy as you are, but a willing host, how interesting." Motes of light filled with images from Oliva's memory appear. "Marie, I'd almost think you have one of my fragments with how well your doing. And Lea I'll see you restored to your rightful place and end the traitors."