Chapter 14: Cunning Foxes
They were all still inside the stadium. The members of noble families and other important figures were given private rooms to rest while the Duke handled matters concerning his eldest son.
One such room housed the Marquis, his daughter Ranul, and her young son.
"That was quite an unexpected scenario." The Marquis said, gazing at the city skyline through a glass wall.
Ranul, seated nearby and holding her child, lowered her eyes. "I apologize, Father. I wasn’t able to uncover anything about this, Estefan during my stay here."
"It’s fine." The Marquis replied, turning to face her. "There will always be such variables, unpredictable anomalies are bound to occur especially when planning is done to absolute perfection because the world.. no.. fate tends to be a challenge which we must overcome. But I must admit, I didn’t expect the Duke to reveal his hidden card now."
She nodded. "True. He always acted like he loathed his eldest son. No one dared speak his name in the Duke’s presence. To think he was only pretending all this time... It’s surprising."
The Marquis chuckled. "Gerin may seem like a brute who solves everything with a sword, but don’t forget, he’s still an Angeras. Their lineage is steeped in tactical brilliance. Remember, they alone resisted this kingdom’s conquest for three generations before launching a counterattack and seizing new territories with only five thousand soldiers compared to the Kingdom’s forces which were in hundred thousand or more."
"But Father, why reveal Estefan now?" she asked, confused by this sudden move which felt rather unnecessary or stupendous.
"That my child is a good question." The Marquis said. "Truthfully, I don’t know. Revealing someone capable of defeating a fully armoured knight that is to.. barehanded without any equipment is no small decision.. it’s like showing off your ferocious beast-like pet which you’ve been feeding and raising for many years for no reason.."