Crowns of Heritage

Chapter 61- A Little Commotion

(PRINCE MOISES P.O.V)

Before the conference, my grandfather and I woke Sage up early this morning to give her a little preparation lesson. We were going to discuss the four dukedom’s and some of the kingdom's political advisors. Since this is her first noble meeting, we wanted her to be prepared for any questions.

“This is Duke Gary Haverhill, his Dukedom is in the Southern region of the kingdom”, I said, while showing Sage his picture. “And He's Queen Lily's brother and the family that supports Prince Marshall within the aristocratic faction.

I gave her the photo and she looked at it for a few seconds.

I handed her another photo. “This is Duke Clark Pordigase, his Dukedom is in the eastern region, he is a part of his Noble Faction which supports Prince Morgan.

She studied the two photos for a few seconds.

“You already know Duke Vernon Synovial and Nashi, his successor for the Northern region, he's a neutral party. He was a part of my faction” I said.

After explaining the four dukedoms, I showed her who to look out for, and who will try to gain her favor. Nobles are very greedy for power. They tend to go for who is more powerful. Since the Winter Dukedom is strong and can rival against the royal family, she's going to be having people invite her to different events and meetings trying to gain her favor.

I showed her another photo, “This gentleman here is Marquise Lombard, he is the current advisor for diplomatic issues. If a war does happen to break out, we need him on our side. Our biggest issue is the exchanging of Princesses for the peace treaty.” I explained.

“Do I have to get married to someone I don't know, what about Nashi?” She asked.

I really didn't want to approve of Nashi because of his recent behavior.

“Technically, in the royal family the princesses get married to other kingdoms or another noble household for political reasons”, I said.

I watched her face frown a little.

“As a Duchess whoever you marry will become the Duke but you still hold the title. We won't let anyone force you into a marriage.” I said.

Over my dead body, If it was up to me she'll never marry but I know I can't control that.

“Count Vaughan will also be there, he's one of my people. Prince Morgan will be there as well so don't be nervous and remain confident” I said and placed my hand on the top of her head.

I looked over at the time and saw it was around 3 o'clock. Since the conference starts at 6 o'clock, grandfather and I remained in the office while Sage went to get ready.

After Sage left the room, I looked over at my grandfather.

“So grandfather, what are you planning?” I asked.

He smirked, and leaned back in his chair.

“Just a little commotion,” he said.

(SAGE P.O.V)

After talking to my father and Duke Winter, I went to get ready for the conference. My maid Haley, helped me get dressed. Instead of wearing a dress, Duke Winter told me to wear a knights uniform. He called it the element of surprise. I wore a gray and blue uniform, the Winter Dukedom color that had a wolf symbol on the right shoulder.

“Do you want your hair in a ponytail or would you like to wear it down?” Haley asked.

Since I was wearing a knight's uniform, I replied, “I'll wear it tied up” I said.

A part of me couldn't wait until Prince Marshall saw my face again. I wanted him to look like he saw a ghost.

When I was done getting ready, Haley and I walked out of the room. When I walked into the hallway, I saw Rosie and mother.

“Look at you, are you going to a meeting or the battlefield?”, Rosie asked while smirking.

“This meeting is a battlefield”, I said.

“You sound like your father”, Mother said.

After mother and Rosie teased me, we walked down stairs and Duke Winter and Captain Capilano were standing by the door. Before I walked out of the door, mother and father kissed me on the forehead.

“I'll see you after the conference, then Rosemary, Cena and I will be leaving to go back to the Northern border” mother said.

I nodded my head and looked over at my father.

“I'll be leaving with Nathan and Yeshiva soon as you return, so stay cautious and don't trust anyone just yet” father said.

I nodded my head and Duke Winter, Captain Capilano and I left the castle and made our way to the palace.

“It's going to take about three hours until we get to the palace. The western region is the closest to the Central region” Duke Winter said.

“How are you going to introduce me?” I asked curiously.

Duke Winter smirked, “It's going to be interesting. Just enjoy the show, my young Duchess” he said.

I thought I was going to be nervous about meeting all these high ranking nobles, but seeing the amusement on Duke Winter's face made me less nervous.

(DUKE WINTER’S P.O.V)

After I met Sage and Rosemary at the royal ball, my daughter Malaysia contacted me about the king's plan to marry one of the girls off. When she told me Kalia invited Sage to a tea party. I told her to gather enough Noblewomen and invite them. Malaysia wanted to put a stop to his plan. I told her to introduce Sage as her granddaughter in front of the Noblewomen. Since the women in the noble society can't keep a secret to save their lives. I knew once the rumors spread their existence would be known. That bastard Lincoln or Prince Marshall can't do anything without the public knowing.

What I wasn't expecting was Sage to escape from the palace after the tea party. When she arrived in front of my castle, I made up my mind to give my title to her. As long as she holds the power of the Winter Dukedom that king can't touch her without causing a war. Because she now holds the strongest military power in the kingdom.

When we arrived in front of the palace, the guard opened the gate. I could see her nervousness.

“My young duchess, don't be nervous, I'll show you just how much power you hold” I said.

After Captain Capilano parked the car, he got out and helped Sage out of the car. Then he opened my door, I got out and smirked. I looked over at Sage.

“Come now my dear. Let's go cause a commotion” I said.

We walked inside of the palace and I told Captain Capilano to settle Sage into one of the waiting rooms, while I attended the meeting. I had a little surprise for those greedy bastards. When the guard opened the door to the conference room. I saw Prince Morgan, the other three Duke's and King Lincoln. Prince Marshall sat beside Duke Haverhill. I saw that the other Duke's had their successors with them.

“Duke Winter” I heard someone say.

“Nice to see you attending one of the meetings, you usually never show up, Duke Winter '', Duke Pordigase said. He was an older man, with grayish hair and teal eyes.

“Of course, this is an important meeting after all.” I said.

A few seconds later, Count Livens, Count Vaughan, Countess Katsura, and Marquise Lombard came into the conference room.

After they sat down in their seats, Marquise Lombard cleared his throat to get our attention.

“The Crown Prince of Kalpana and his advisor will be here soon to discuss the peace treaty. We've been at war with each other for the last year. Since Prince Marshall's coronation is around the corner we need to settle an agreement.” Marquise said.

“What happens if we don't come to an agreement?”Countess Katsura asked, she was a middle-aged woman, with bright pale purple eyes.

“Then we're going to war,” Marquise said.

Marquise Lombard looked over at me and I already knew what he was about to say. He must have heard about Sage already.

“Duke Winter, if we go to war, you must join as well” King Lincoln said, looking in my direction.

I raised my hand up, “I can't make that decision, I'm no longer the Duke of the Winter Dukedom.” I said and smirked.

King Lincoln slammed his hands onto the table, “What do you mean you can't make that decision!” he shouted.

“You finally have a successor?” Duke Pordigase asked, while smirking.

I gestured my hand to Captain Capilano who stood by the door with the other guards.

“That's my successor’s decision” I said.

“Successor”, I heard everyone whispering.

“I only came to this little meeting to introduce my successor and invite you all to her debutante and succession ceremony.” I said.

I watched as King Lincoln and Prince Marshall grit their teeths and glared at me.

“You can't do whatever you want”, King Lincoln said, while balling his fist up.

I smirked, and slammed the bottom of my cane onto the floor. “Yes I can,” I said, looking directly at King Lincoln. Did this bastard forget he only became king because of the marriage with my daughter.

Then suddenly, the doors opened and Sage and Captain Capilano walked in.

(SAGE P.O.V)

While I was waiting in one of the rooms, Hannah came to visit me discreetly. She gave me a letter and told me to read it once I leave the palace. She told me I didn't have to worry about anyone trying to keep me in the palace, because Duke Winter will not allow it.

After Hannah left, I heard the door opening and looked over and saw Captain Capilano.

“Shall we, my lady” he said while reaching his hand out.

“Yes” I said, while placing my hand into his hand.

He escorted me until we made it in front of a large black door.

“Don't be nervous, no one can touch you,” Captain Capilano said.

I inhaled and exhaled before he opened the door. When we walked in, I heard loud gasping and whispering.

“Is she?” I heard someone say.

When I looked ahead I saw over twenty people sitting around a large table that stretched throughout the room. Duke Winter stood up and gestured his hand for me to come over. I saw the King and Prince Marshall's eyes widened as they were in disbelief. A second later, they started to grit their teeths and glare at me.

“I would like to introduce my successor, Duchess Sage Winter, the oldest daughter of Prince Moises,” Duke Winter said.

I heard everyone start to speak all at once.

“She looks just like Prince Moises,” someone said.

“So it's true Prince Moises has daughters, how come we didn't know this!” some older man shouted.

I looked over and saw Nashi and Duke Vernon who were staring at me in awe. Maybe because of how I was dressed or because I wasn't in disguise.

Duke Winter gestured for me to have a seat next to him as he sat back down.

“Her debutante and succession ceremony will take place next week, you all are more than welcome to come.” he said, in the calmest tone I ever heard.

King Lincoln and Prince Marshall slammed their hands onto the table.

“What the hell are you trying to do, Duke Winter!” King Lincoln shouted.

“Giving my great granddaughter her inheritance as the oldest grandchild she is the heir to my Dukedom” he said.

King Lincoln grit his teeth and Prince Marshall kept glaring at me.

“As the oldest princess, she should get married for the peace treaty!” Prince Marshall shouted.

I saw the expression on Duke Winter's face go from amused to anger.

“Ah, the same princess you two sent bounty hunters after, right?” he asked, while gripping the top of his cane.

“What?!” everyone else shouted.

“What's the meaning of this!” an older woman said, shouting.

I watched as the King became quiet while gritting his teeth and Prince Marshall ball his fist up and averted his eyes.

Everyone else kept shouting and demanding answers. A few seconds later, the door to the conference room opened and I saw a tall light brown skinned man with long silver hair in a ponytail with dark red eyes.

“The knight”, I mumbled under my breath. When I saw him, I felt the same sensation in my body that made me shiver a bit but not out of fear. What was it? I questioned myself.

The man that walked behind him had fair skin with short curly silver hair and light blue eyes.

Prince Marshall and King Lincoln got up and walked over to the two men. I saw King Lincoln shake the hand of the man with long silver hair.

“I'm glad you could join us, Crown Prince Antonio”, King Lincoln said.

“Holy shit, he's the Crown Prince of Kalpana?” I questioned myself. The man I clashed swords with was the Crown prince of Kalpana, I thought to myself in total shock.

They walked over and took a seat and I felt him staring at me.

“Now, that the Crown Prince of Kalpana is here, we can begin the meeting.”, Prince Marshall said.

“About the peace treaty.....”, King Lincoln was interrupted by Crown Prince Antonio when he held his hand up causing him to stop talking.

“I'll agree to the peace treaty”, Crown Prince Antonio said, in a deep foreign accent. All of a sudden, he pointed directly at me and everyone turned their heads in my direction. “Only if she becomes my wife,” he said.