The young man walked along a long corridor, on either side of which hung paintings of girls and women, as alike as two drops of water, yet with small differences—freckles, hair color, and other minor details—all bearing the same unchanging signature beneath them: Katerina Blood. It was astonishing how, generation after generation, all the girls in the Blood family bore only one name. Although at the very beginning of the gallery, the Duke of Wood noticed that the local rulers had once had other names, but as Nikolai understood, that was very long ago. Even more astonishing to the man was that there wasn't a single boy in their family, besides the fact that this was a full-fledged matriarchy headed by the Duchess. Of course, it was not surprising that a woman could rule; what amazed the young man was that this had continued for generations. But what amazed him even more were their scarlet eyes, passed down from generation to generation throughout the entire dynasty.

  When the young man finally reached the large double doors, a slight chill ran through him. Here, in the Duchy of Blood, he felt extremely uncomfortable. Unlike the Deep Forest where he lived, in the capital of the Duchy of Blood there was not a single tree. Everything was built up with stone houses, with strange statues on top, and everywhere there was this strange spire architecture. Even in the capital of Crow, there was more greenery than here. And this weighed heavily on him, especially after the capital of Wood, which was literally built in the forest, with some buildings even carved directly into the trees, like his manor. Moreover, this passage, compared to the Wood residence, oppressed the Duke with its vast, unfilled space. His uncertainty was further heightened by the fact that he was here completely alone; the Duchess had refused to let his guard into her manor, explaining that a Duke from a neighboring province was in no danger in their kingdom. There was some truth in her words, but the young man still did not trust the elder Katerina. Yet he needed to speak with her. So the Duke felt as though he was entering the lair of a wild predator, while he himself remained human, and unarmed at that, for Nikolai could not take Alena anywhere outside his duchy—it was a law established by one of the former kings of Wood, to prevent this power from operating beyond their territory. He took a deep breath, and two guardsmen in black armor with the coat of arms of the Duchy of Blood on their chests opened the doors for him. A huge hall, comparable to the ball he had recently attended, began to press down on him with its emptiness, because unlike the ball, it contained only three people: himself, the Duchess Blood, and Count Hart, not counting the guards and the herald, who seemed to try to blend into the walls.

  "His Grace, Lord Nikolai, Duke of Wood," the herald announced as soon as Nikolai entered.

  The young man mentally exhaled and, showing no emotion on his face, as Vanessa had taught him back at the academy, began walking towards the luxurious throne upon which the Duchess sat. Nikolai immediately noted the comfort of this seat and even envied somewhat the legacy of ancestors who had cared for the posteriors of future rulers.

  As he walked at a leisurely pace towards the Duchess and her Count, he recalled those wonderful days at the Royal Academy of Crow, when he had studied at the scientific faculty. For it was there that he had met Lady Vanessa, the Princess of Crow. She had immediately captivated the young man with her unusual, unearthly beauty. At that time, he hadn't even known how to speak with her; when he himself had asked her something—the Duke couldn't even remember what now—instead of answering, she had complimented his long, pointed ears. And then a small, friendly acquaintance had begun between them, where the princess taught the then-boy how to keep his face before nobles, so as not to reveal his emotions. The young man understood that the girl spoke from her own experience, for even then everyone considered her a "slightly" strange princess, and this had only intensified when, after graduating from the academy, she renounced the throne. It was a pity that Carolina had interrupted their conversation at the ball, and in the remaining time, the two had never properly spoken, only exchanging a few general phrases, although the Duke was surprised at how the princess had supported him in that difficult situation.

  "I greet you, Your Grace, Lord Nikolai," said Lord Ackerly, bringing the Duke of Wood out of his reflections on the past.

  "Lady Katerina, Lord Ackerly," Nikolai addressed the two figures in turn. "Thank you for deigning to receive me in these troubled times for our Kingdom of Crow."

  "Not at all, how could I refuse an audience to long-time allies of our Duchy of Blood, the illustrious Wood family," the Duchess replied with a slight smile on her face, but there was not a gram of the welcome she was trying to express in her voice. Nikolai himself understood that this all seemed more like some kind of farce.

  *"What allies, you old witch? Your family exploited ours until Arthur I saved us from your family's oppression, and now you continue this family tradition of yours to control MY vassals,"* Nikolai thought to himself, restraining his anger.

  "Thank you for the warm welcome, Lady Katerina," Nikolai said, beginning to smile back at the Duchess. "And thank you for Lord Ackerly being present as well, for I wish to discuss the annulment of the betrothal between his son Lord Arkell and the now-Countess Crown, Lady Angelica."

  "Is this really the time and place for such conversations, Duke of Wood? The kingdom is going through difficult times: possible war with the Empire and the Free Cities, and they send a simple-minded princess to the negotiations; the death of the princess from illness makes me worry about my granddaughter even more; the death of Professor Munib in what should have been the safest place in the kingdom—at its ball—and this is astonishing, for it means that no place is safe for anyone," replied the Duchess Blood, her face unchanging as she looked directly into the eyes of the Duke of Wood, as if assessing him.

  *"She's openly threatening me that if I don't do as she wants, I might not leave this hall. Well, this old hag isn't the only one who can play such games. What interests me more is why she wants her granddaughter back in the duchy; it's hardly simple care for her offspring—too unlike this woman,"* Nikolai thought to himself. He had a plan in case he did not return to his duchy, and Katerina would clearly not like it.

  "I understand these are difficult times, Duchess Blood, but some matters cannot be postponed. Especially since, as far as I know, Lady Vanessa has already departed for the negotiations with the Desert Empire and the Free Cities," Nikolai said, also looking towards the elderly woman. As he had noticed when he first met her gaze, those scarlet eyes, like those in the portraits of her relatives, were filled with some kind of eternal hatred.

  "Then why did you not bring Lady Angelica with you, Your Grace? That would have immediately resolved many issues," Count Hart interjected into the conversation for the first time since the greetings.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  "I understand your displeasure, Lord Ackerly, but Countess Crown must now begin governing her county, as well as supporting the railway project that fell to her along with Viscount Lines. Therefore, immediately after the ball, she headed to her domains to begin managing them. And I, as the Duke of Wood, decided that I should personally handle this matter while making my way to the capital of my duchy, even if it meant a slight detour," Nikolai replied to the Count, shifting his gaze from the Duchess to him. Unlike her, who blazed in her bright red dress, he was dressed in the same ordinary black tailcoat he had worn at the ball.

  "Thank you for your responsibility, Your Grace," said Count Hart. When he turned towards Katerina, Nikolai saw her cast an angry glance at him, but to the Duke of Wood's surprise, he continued his speech. "Your Grace, Lady Katerina, I would..."

  "Lord Ackerly, could you be silent for a moment?" the Duchess said, still smiling, but her gaze blazed, and Nikolai understood that she was deliberately not restraining her anger, to show the Duke that he was not the only one "in danger" here.

  "Forgive me, Your Grace," was all Lord Ackerly replied, catching another angry glance from Katerina.

  "You must forgive me as well, Lady Katerina, but could you perhaps teach your vassals manners not during our conversation?" Nikolai said, turning his gaze to Lord Ackerly, whose entire demeanor showed weariness and, possibly, disappointment. Holding his hand to his nose, clearly contemplating something, Nikolai immediately read the fleeting surprise on his face when the Duke of Wood stood up for him.

  "Lord Nikolai, my vassals at least leave alive after a lesson in manners," Katerina snapped, clearly alluding to the situation that had occurred at the ball.

  "Forgive me, Lady Katerina, but sometimes, to clear a house of weeds, you must pull them out by the roots, so they don't sprout further," the Duke of Wood replied, meaning that he had come here to deal with the root cause of his vassals' disloyalty—her.

  "I completely agree with you, Lord Nikolai. So, hypothetically speaking, what prevents me from getting rid of an insolent upstart who openly threatens me and sympathizes with my vassals, trying to sow internal conflict in my beautiful duchy?" Katerina asked with a certain degree of curiosity, leaning on the arms of her throne.

  "The fact that if this upstart does not return to his native, woody lands, it could provoke a war with the one who did not let him return. For a certain newly-made countess has a letter stating where and why this upstart went," Nikolai parried Katerina's threat, revealing one of his trump cards to this terrifying woman. The young man tried with all his might to maintain a mask of calm on his face.

  "Does this upstart really think that, given the current situation in the country, anyone would believe the ravings of a newly-made countess, considering your 'love' for my duchy?" Katerina said, emphasizing a certain word to provoke Nikolai. But he, using the last crumbs of his reason to overcome his emotions, restrained himself, moving his hand behind his back and digging his fingernails into his flesh.

  "As you may have noticed, this upstart still has several pieces left for this game, which he would gladly exchange to take his opponent's queen," Nikolai said, and for the first time during the conversation, he made Katerina turn slightly pale. He mentally rejoiced at this small victory, but his face remained impassive, even though he understood that everything he had just said was a bluff. Katerina was right: given the current situation in the country, few would listen to Angelica's words. But Nikolai was also prepared for the fact that even the oldest nobles have their secrets, and if you hint that you know about them, while maintaining complete confidence in your strength, you can negotiate from a position of power. Yes, such a plan had its risks, but this pallor on Katerina's face meant only one thing—she had something to hide, and she would now be afraid to openly pressure him.

  "Is that all you wanted to say, Lord Nikolai?" the Duchess said, the enthusiasm gone from her voice, clearly beginning to consider options to find out exactly what the Duke of Wood knew. But Nikolai also saw that she was leaning more heavily on the arms of her chair. Although the young man felt vulnerable without all the tools he had in the forest, felt blind and deaf in this vast hall, he tried to preserve the only thing he had with him—his mind. For without it, he might indeed not leave here alive.

  "Yes, Lady Katerina, that is all. Otherwise, the next piece we exchange might deprive you not only of your queen in the future," Nikolai replied confidently, feeling sure of his strength, and finally unclenching his hand, though still keeping it behind his back.

  "Well then, regarding the annulment of the betrothal, could you at least provide me with compensation?" the elderly woman asked wearily, clearly unable to withstand the young man's pressure.

  "To you, or to Count Hart?" Nikolai clarified, knowing there could be a catch here.

  "Does it matter, Lord Nikolai?" Katerina smiled, but not with that emotionless smile—an ordinary, almost human one.

  "I suppose not, Lady Katerina," the Duke of Wood agreed with her, now completely relaxing, though still not losing concentration, for he had not yet left her palace. "What would you like?"

  "You could give me a guide to the outer part of your forest? Not the part that lies within the Kingdom of Crow, but beyond its borders. As far as I know, you have several experienced huntsmen," Katerina said, still smiling.

  Nikolai felt there was a catch somewhere in her words, but he couldn't pinpoint it. Yes, he did have such huntsmen, but from a military standpoint, they were useless—they didn't know the inner workings of the forest within the Kingdom, and to circle around and attack from the flank—the movement of an army would be noticeable, and one could prepare in time. Besides, Alena and her sister dryads were in the forest, so a war there could end in failure. This was a strange request, which still seemed safe to Nikolai because he lost nothing by it. But he felt and understood that there was another motive, one he didn't know about. However, at this moment, this was the smallest price he could pay to get out of here. He had already achieved his main goal—he had learned that Katerina Blood had secrets she wanted to hide. Now he only needed to find out what those secrets were. And in addition to all this, he had annulled Angelica's betrothal, paying for it with a huntsman who could not harm him.

  "Yes, I agree, Lady Katerina. Such a huntsman will be provided to you. Is that all you want?" Nikolai asked finally, feeling slight relief.

  "Yes, that's correct, Lord Nikolai. Thank you for the conversation," the woman replied, just as wearily. "Lord Arkell, you too may be free."

  Nikolai and Count Hart left the reception room together and walked along the long gallery of portraits.

  "Thank you," Lord Arkell suddenly and quietly said, addressing the Duke of Wood.

  "Not at all, Lord Arkell. You can always count on my help," Nikolai smiled, and the men continued on their way in silence, for further dialogue was inappropriate. But both understood that in case of extreme necessity, they could count on each other. Not as friends, but as comrades in the struggle against a common threat.

  At the same moment, in the hall where Katerina remained alone, Gabriel Fingers emerged from the secret hatch as usual, looking at his mistress expectantly.

  "Send word to the Free Cities that I have a business proposal for them," said the weary but still satisfied Katerina Blood. "They, of course, want to avenge the death of that simpleton Munib against the Kingdom of Crow, but they're still thinking how. Let's give them a guide to bypass the Duchy of Wood, so they can fly through it unnoticed, attack the Duchy of Storm, which is busy defending the northern lands, and then proceed to the Duchy of Celestial and take the train that Munib brought. I think that would be the perfect revenge. The boy's visit surprised me, of course, as did his audacity, but the outcome was worth it."

  And after this, the woman smiled dreamily again, paying no attention as Baron Fingers continued recording her decrees.