This Villain Wants To Be The Empress
- 02 -

This morning right after the cock crowed 2 hours ago, Duke Rigvsen reached the residence of Baron Dervixon. The Baron Dervixon Mansion was indeed famous for its luxury, even though their families only controlled a few parts and mountains. But they have a diamond mine that is quite famous under the foot of the mountain, they are also famous as the largest producer of metal despite having a territory that is not so broad.

Duke Rigvsen was greeted kindly by Baron Dervixon directly. Tea and some pastries are beautifully displayed on their front desk. Before saying his intention to Baron Dervixon, Duke Rigvsen started with an apology.

"I'm sorry that I've met so suddenly, Baron Dervixon." The first sentence from Duke Rigvsen.

While Baron Dervixon gave his warm smile, "nothing, no hesitation, Duke Rigvsen. I'm even honored that you want to be my first guest this morning".

Duke Rigvsen nodded in agreement. "Actually I came here because there is one important thing and I need your help".

Baron Dervixon now put down his teacup and watched Duke Rigvsen carefully, "please".

"I came here to borrow the identity of your daughter, the late Lady Afta".

Baron Dervixon scrunched his forehead, slightly offended by the words of Duke Rigvsen. "I'm sorry? Can you explain more details? Why borrow the identity of my dead daughter?"

"Maybe you're a little surprised. You know it, don't you? The kingdom of the northern region that now exists in the hands of the noble King Liam?"

Baron Dervixon attempted to calm down and respond to Duke Rigvsen, "certainly. A leader with that tyrant soul? So, what do you mean?"

"Thank God you know about that. There's a rampant mass murder and identity theft, isn't it?"

"Rubber! I was really upset, why did the leaders and his Majesty the Emperor not stop them. My brother was there, too, and stupidly he became an accomplice to the goddamn King!" with a small flame that had long since ignited reaching Baron Dervixon's head, it seemed like Duke Rigvsen did not expect such a reaction from Baron Dervixon, but wasn't that good?

"Then from that, my cousin became a victim there. His reputation was ruined, even if he was only a daughter of a Baron family like you, would it have to be stepped on as well? He had no one left, and he was the only head of the Baron's family he held. Baron was indeed from the lower middle class, but wasn't his position also quite distinguished? Therefore I want to borrow your daughter's identity to restore her position".

With a doubtful heart and a lot of consideration, Baron Dervixon began to think for a moment. "I know, it must have been very painful, and I also just found out that there was a noble family who stepped on and stolen his identity. I want to lend it".

Duke Rigvsen smiled, but it wasn't that easy.

"And by chance the only news of his death was me, some servants, and you Duke Rigvsen. But it's not that easy to let my daughter's identity be borrowed".

"Whatever it is I accept, for the sake of my cousin." replied Duke Rigvsen.

"You know, I keep her death a secret, you're the only one of my confidants who knows about Lady Afta's death. I only ask that you raise the rank of Lady Afta before the other Lady." - Baron Dervixon.

"I borrowed your daughter's identity to be used as a palace servant".

Baron Dervixon stood up and stared angrily at Duke Rigvsen. "What's!? Then I don't want to! If you know if you have to be a waiter, it's better not to!" snapped it.

As if this was going to happen, Duke Rigvsen got up from his seat and asked Baron Dervixon to sit down again. "Maybe you will be a little offended, but I can guarantee that your daughter will be known as a friendly woman and gain a better reputation".

"But why be a servant!?"

"My goal from the beginning was to rebuild his position from the beginning, you got a reputation while my cousin would get the position. Wouldn't that be a pretty satisfying barter for both parties?" duke Rigvsen.

Baron Dervixon was still hesitant, as long as Lady Afta lived he was strongly opposed to her being a servant, let alone a palace maid. Honestly, Baron Dervixon also harbored a dislike for the Emperor, either from his behavior or his nature. But Duke Rigvsen's words were true as well, even though his daughter was gone, at least her reputation had gotten better even if it wasn't the real Lady Afta.

"All right, but I'll think again. If I can find me with your cousin first, then I can give you an answer".

With a satisfied smile Duke Rigvsen replied, "of course, thank you very much".

...***...

In the afternoon before returning to his residence, Duke Rigvsen picked Estera up at his home.

The journey from Baron Dervixon Mansion to Estera's home takes about three hours by horse-drawn carriage. The road is filled with mud and beside it there is a slightly yellowed green field sign autumn will take place. Many must be prepared before winter greet, for example, finish off his children Brigitta and Cassius for example.

Estera smiled while wearing a brown shirt made of buffalo skin, although made of buffalo skin, the shirt did not smell fishy at all, even smelled Camelia flowers.

"Please come in, miss".

Esther went straight into the chariot, and they hurried away from Esther's house in a quiet state, and they did not realize that there were people peering behind the trees.

"It turns out you had a relationship with him, huh?"

On the way there was not much they talked about, not least about Esther having to meet Baron Dervixon before agreeing to his plan.

"Baron Dervixon... Besides there are no other conditions?" ask Estera.

Estera simply nodded and continued her daydream. What exactly was he thinking?

Duke Rigvsen realized that Estera was daydreaming. "Miss? What are you worried about? Isn't everything going as you please?"

"I'm fine, Dante".

The journey continued with silence in the carriage, while outside the carriage was quite noisy because of the sound of horse footprints. The sound of horses sometimes sounded loud. Other times it looks like Duke Rigvsen should tell the coachman sir to be a little softer on his horse.

It took me an hour to reach Duke Rigvsen's residence. Duke Rigvsen's mansion is no less luxurious than Baron Dervixon's. Mansion that can accommodate dozens of people even hundreds of people looks sturdy with a mixture of elegant white. On the right side there is a fountain with a statue of an angel with a fish pond and also the teratanya flowers. While the left side there is a large garden that is usually used for family or official events.

If there are twenty servants waiting for their arrival to the mansion. After the two of them got off the train, they were greeted with a slight look of wry and dislike but they kept trying to be professional as well, considering the night Duke Rigvsen kept threatening them to remain polite before Esthera.

The butler of Rigvsen's mansion approached them and let them in, "welcome, Duke, welcome Miss Barckif" he said as he led them in.

Before actually entering, Duke Rigvsen whispered to the butler to bring Esther to his room first, while he had a short affair.

"alright. Miss, let me take you to your room".

With a sincere smile Estera replied yes. Actually after arriving, Estera wanted to chat a lot with Duke Rigvsen when he arrived at the mansion, but unfortunately, he instead told him to go straight to the room.

During the journey to Esther's room, she could hear the servants she passed by talking about her, as she could not bear to immediately reprimand her. "It turns out like this how the treatment of the servants of the DUKE family is seen in a guest, huh? Although the guests you serve do not have a good background, but this is the best attitude you put out in the exam? Absolutely disgusting, I don't know what possessed Duke Rigvsen to the point of having to accept you as his servants".

All the servants there were silent and seemed to apologize to Estera, not least the butler. "I'm sorry for their disrespect, miss. Sorry, let me show you your room".

With mixed feelings, Esther followed the direction of the butler. At least it's better than a fight on a person who doesn't know himself, right?

When Esther and the butler were nowhere to be seen, one of the maids interjected, "look, surely he would gulp himself. We'd better see the cooks are splicing chickens".

...***...

Estera was now in her new room, the scent of roses just like the scent she smelled when she was near Duke Rigvsen. After his belongings were stored, the butler was allowed to leave Esther alone.

He changed his clothes with a plain red dress, and began to design something that he stored in it.

Meanwhile on the other hand, Duke Rigvsen was pointing his sword at a stranger. It was unknown on what basis the foreign man continued to follow the chariot he was riding with Esther.

"Say, who sent you?"

The foreigner smiled obliquely, "even if I tell you, what is the guarantee? Surely I'll be locked up, better not".

Duke Rigvsen pointed his sword right at the man's eyes. "I asked again, who sent you here?"

"Even if I tell you, you won't be able to fight it. You're no match, and from the beginning I was just looking for Esther not you." again the annoying answer came out of the man's mouth.

It's actually pointless if he keeps asking 'where is this guy'. But something caught his attention, "oh? That dagger you kept, that dagger sheath doesn't seem foreign?"

The man seems to know that Duke Rigvsen is aware of something. "What daggers? It's my mom's kitchen knife!"

"Well, since when did Liam send you to hunt Esther?"

"L-liam what?"

Just like Duke Rigvsen said. That person was from the northern region kingdom or QillianG kingdom, judging by the way he spoke, it seemed like he was only a hire. Carving the head of a cobra snake and the head of a bear, it is not wrong that it is an icon of the kingdom.

"I don't understand what's in Liam's brain anymore. When he was a kid he wasn't like this".

Sukk!

The sharp and shiny sword was now covered in fresh blood. The sharp object was firmly stuck in the neck of the man. His voice sounded so beautiful in the ears of Duke Rigvsen.

"I don't care if your master wants Estera. But what a pity, Estera is mine now. Tell him later when he's in the same realm as you." so good-bye typical Duke Rigvsen, he then left the body of the man who is still in a state stuck in his sword.

Along the way back to his own mansion, he kept thinking about how to tie Esther to him?

TB