Duchess Selena Everthrone was sitting in her office leisurely while drinking tea and reading documents on the table, the office was filled with documents everywhere, which made the office look like it did not depict a high noble's office.
"Good thing I didn't join those troublesome factions"
Because the feud and struggle for the throne that was happening in the Velmoria kingdom between the First Crown Prince, Second Crown Prince, Third Crown Prince, and Fourth Crown Princess caused many problems between the factions of the candidates for the throne.
The candidates for the throne had their own factions such as the First Prince, Prince Alric Velmoria who had the Duke Alistair Draven Faction, the Second Prince Prince Dorian Velmoria, who had the Duke Endmud Bckwood Faction, the Third Prince, Prince Lucien Velmoria who had the Duke Caden Hawke Faction.
But of the four candidates for the Successor to the Throne, the Last Crown Princess, Princess Eveline Velmoria does not have a Strong Faction because many believe that a woman cannot possibly be the successor to the throne of the Velmoria Kingdom in the future and many also believe that a woman cannot possibly lead a rge Kingdom like the Velmoria Kingdom.
In addition, even if Princess Eveline had a faction, she would not be able to compete with the power of her older siblings' factions which consisted of high nobles at the Duke level. The Velmoria Kingdom itself had four Duke-level nobles and three of the four had joined the prince's faction, and the only one left was Duchess Selena Everthrone who chose to be the Neutral Faction.
And because of that, the position of Crown Princess Eveline was already threatened and many thought that the Crown Princess, Eveline Velmoria had no hope of ascending the throne even before the start of the throne struggle.
"But well, if you pay close attention I also feel sorry for Princess Eveline"
"That's right, My dy, but even so you must remain a Neutral Faction"
The one who answered Selena's words was Serephina, Secretary and Advisor to Duchess Selena Everthrone, She is a beautiful woman with reddish pink hair and wearing a secretary uniform that exudes the aura of an office woman.
"Yes I know, I just feel sorry for Princess Eveline, trying to ascend the throne alone even though it's in vain, just like when I found you before"
Selena said while looking at Serephina with a gentle gaze.
"..."
-
Serephina when she was little was found by Selena in ruins near the wilderness in the area controlled by the previous Duchess Everthrone, Serephina's condition was very pathetic before being found by Selena, her whole body was covered in bruises and her body felt very small and even the bones behind her skin began to be visible because of the little flesh on her body.
At that time she was still seven years old, and when found by Selena, it turned out that she had been abandoned by her parents because they thought that the poverty that befell their lives was because Serephina was considered a cursed child.
What crazy parents, they made children and they just threw them away for no clear reason, because of that Selena adopted her and took care of her until she was this big, now Serephina is 20 years old and Selena is 25 years old, 5 years different from Serephina.
-
Then suddenly Serephina knelt in front of Selena and lowered her head in devotion.
"My dy, since the day when you saved me and gave me direction in life again, I Serephina gave my life to serve you, Duchess Selena Everthrone until I died."
"Yes, I know, and thank you Serephina" Selena said in her usual gentle tone.
Although Serephina was born into a poor family and was abandoned by her parents, she was actually a smart girl who was quick to learn new things, and that's why Sena taught her basic administrative and operational things.
After that Serephina developed on her own and became what she is now, a smart secretary.
"By the way Serephina, regarding the report that the increase in Demonic Beasts in the southern region has it been resolved?"
In this world there are Demonic Beasts that are a threat to humanity, every Noble in the Velmoria kingdom has the responsibility to hunt Demonic Beasts and protect the nd that the noble leads.
But there is also a group of adventurers who work in an institution in the kingdom called the Guild. Adventurers will get a unique mission to hunt Demonic Beasts according to their hunter Rank, and will get paid after hunting Demonic Beasts according to the Demonic Beast Rank.
"Yes my dy, yesterday the Leader of the Firing Squad, Captain Astrid and the Leader of the Sword Squad, Captain Vine, headed to the location to hunt the Demonic Beast, they should be back soo--"
Tok-tok-tok-tok
Before Serephina finished her words, the door to the front of the office rang and the voice of the maid was heard.
"Excuse me, Lady Selena, Mrs. Astrid and Mrs. Vine have arrived and would like to see you"
"Oh, they've gone home, let them in"
"Yes, My dy."
After a while, the office door opened and two women entered Selena's office, one of them was a tall woman with red hair and a stern face and wearing military clothes and a cloak, Astrid the Firing Squad Leader.
Then the other was a woman who was quite tall, but not as tall as Astrid. With brown hair with a calm and emotionless expression and also wearing a military uniform and a cloak but simpler, Vine the Sword Squad Leader.
Each of them radiated their own aura, like Astrid radiated the aura of a firm leader and while Vine radiated the aura of a gentle woman.
They both walked to the front of Selena's table and immediately knelt in front of Selena and bowed their heads.
"We're back, my dy"
"Mhmm, stand up both of you, I've said many times that there's no need to kneel like that. I'm not a member of the royal family"
"No, even though you're not a member of the royal family, you are the only master we serve with our entire lives, so it's only natural that we kneel"
"..."
Astrid answered firmly and Vine just kept quiet as a sign of her agreement.
-
Basically, even if someone serves a certain noble, they must still show loyalty to the royal family above anyone else.
However, Astrid and Vine are different. They do not care about the royal family or anything else—the only one they acknowledge and obey is their master, Duchess Selena Everthrone.
This is because, like Seraphina, their lives were saved by Selena. She bought them from sve traders who had tortured them.
Several people in Duchess Everthrone’s household share the same principle—that only Duchess Selena Everthrone is their master, not the members of the royal family. Most of those who hold this belief are people whom Duchess Selena Everthrone saved and gave a purpose in life.
-
"Hah, whatever, it's up to you. So, how was the Demonic Beast expedition in the south? Have you completed it?"
"Yes, my dy. Vine and I have completed the Demonic Beast hunt in the south. I hunted around 100 Demonic Beasts, while Vine 'only' got 99."
"Tch."
Astrid proudly reported the results of the hunt, while Vine could only let out an annoyed sound at the defeat. The two of them were always competing in almost everything, all with the goal of earning the attention of their mistress, Selena.
"Good job, both of you. As impressive as always."
"Thank you, my dy."
Selena spoke in a soft voice, one that was light and pleasant to the ears.
"Besides that, my dy, the vilgers nearby have also mentioned that Demonic Beasts have been appearing more frequently than usual tely—and they’re even stronger."
"This time, the Demonic Beasts are also moving in groups, my dy. This is the first time such a thing has happened."
Vine, who had been silent until now, added more information about the Demonic Beasts.
"Yes, I know. There have already been reports regarding that. But Demonic Beasts moving in groups? That’s new to me."
"..."
It wasn’t uncommon for Demonic Beast activity to increase, but it was a different matter entirely if they were capable of attacking humans in coordinated groups.
By nature, they were creatures that relied on primal instincts rather than strategic thinking or group behavior.
Knock-knock-knock-knock.
As she was pondering over the Demonic Beast issue, the sound of knocking suddenly came from the office door.
"What is it?"
"Excuse me, my dy. A letter has arrived for you from Princess Eveline."
"A letter from Princess Eveline? For me?"
