I Reincarnated As The Duke From The North [Action, Romance, fantasy, LitRPG, Cultivation, Wuxia]

Tarion

Charles and I exchanged glances with each other, then at a distraught Captain.

"Brother?" I asked, wondering if my ears were working properly.

"Yes….my older brother. Born of different mothers. Far apart in age. Your grace, you didn't know?" Wasn't it the reason you chose me?"

"Of course, I didn't know! Why would I have the vicious Ulf's brother as my fucking servant!? So no, it wasn't the reason. I just happened to find a rough diamond amongst the trash I wanted to polish up. Ulf's brother…deary me…Hahaha…!" I rubbed my temple.

"I see…" Kurt had a small smile. He kneeled on a knee, presenting the strange dagger he had kept.

The towermaster looked closer "You kept my students' dagger? I was to ask for it back from his grace." Before the mage's aged hand could touch its runes, Kurt pulled it away.

"Fuck…!" Kurt cracked the floor with a punch. This was the first time I had ever heard this man swear, nonetheless, show anger like this. His relationship with the Ulf may be similar to what my brother used to have.

Wait. The Ulf's brother… Lands above…

"Ulf didn't give it to you to send it to me, did he!?" Kurt said as he wrestled with his torrid emotions.

"No, young sire..." The towermaster looked to me, realising what I thought.

I stepped toward my guard. "Konungr." Kurt shivered like a frightened feline, immediately dropping to the ground with his head bouncing off the floor in deference.

"I will not ask you to forgive me for hiding this, your grace! I just beg that you understand. A chance to do something with my worthless life-"

My tethers brought the silly man up. I come close enough to hear him swallowing his fear. I pat his arm as always. "Tarion, okay?"

Kurt stared into my eyes, trying to find any doubt in him when there can never be. He should get it through his thick head. He saved my Vanessa. A brother to me, he will always be.

I felt him relax. "Ulf's brother, huh…" I looked at Kurt with an examining eye. No tattoos in sight, full blonde hair parted on his left side. Skinny and shorter by a few feet than the normal shaved. He more resembled the bandits from up north than any of his kin. Halflin? However, his cold blue eyes favoured the northern giants too well. Funny what you ignore when you like a person.

"I will have to remember to do proper background checks on everyone close to you, your grace…" Charles spoke from behind.

"Haha, you think-"

My mouth halted at the sight of my kind friend's face, tortured by grief and rage. It had been more than a few months since he couldn't; he still couldn't forgive himself for bringing the divine cult in to destroy the umbra quarters. I shared this shame as well.

"Kurt. Do you trust me as I trust you?"

"Of course, your…! Of course, Tarion."

"Honesty from here on."

Kurt nodded.

Charles grunted. "You forgive too easily. There are no more chances, Shaved! Understood, Captain!?"

Kurt saluted, "Aye, sire."

"Now," I leaned on a broken desk. "Tell me, why does he want you?"

"It is forbidden to leave the clan without the clan head's permission," Kurt spoke with a more relaxed tone.

"Why did you run away?" Charles asked.

I jumped in. "As the brother of the flipping clan head and leader of the Shaved, you were literally royalty."

"You have to remember Shaved culture." Said the towermaster, standing aside with staff in crossed arms.

"Indeed, mage. I am but 23rd and not born to a true wife. In addition, this body…" Kurt looked down at his lithe limbs.

"An outcast…" Charles realised.

Kurt nodded. "I simply couldn't take to a life of begging for scraps, bullying and anguish…" A memory made the guard wince.

"Kurt…" I said with worry in my voice.

"I am well. It's just… I tried my best to forget… After seekers took my brother, I was left alone in a society that didn't fit and didn't want me. So I sought a place I belonged and a place I was wanted and was needed. In Osberg, beside you, with…Jen, I found it." Kurt pounded his chest in salute. "As an officer of Osberg, order me. Send me to my brother to negotiate on your behalf. Let me earn your forgiveness!"

I saw a towermaster have a little hope. Charles couldn't care less. The final decision rested on me.

After a good while, I spoke. "Your request is granted. We plan in detail starting tomorrow."

"T-Thank you, Your Grace!" Kurt said proudly.

"Go prepare for the long journey."

Kurt saluted and then marched out of the room promptly. And silence grew in the office as three men came to terms with what they had just experienced.

"Konungr…!" I burst out laughing till my chest hurt. Charles and the old mage didn't feel my glee. Depressing sods. Who couldn't find this funny! Descendants of centuries-old enemies became friends. Trusted comrades!

A knock on the door made us turn. Charles opened the door so a servant could whisper. A door clicked closed, and my butler told me some bad news.

"Your in-laws have arrived."

Vanessa

At the Wolfburn Castle driveway, hand over hand, I stood in the cold, awaiting a family I barely knew. A door of a golden carriage opened wide, and out of the garish vehicle, the Family of Grandi, the Hodges, exited.

First to step down is my beautiful sister Caroline, whose stare could burn right through me. I smiled at her, and she scoffed back, standing to the side. Having been in the limelight, I gained a new appreciation for my sister's need to impress with loud, powder-blue dresses and sparkly jewellery on her ears and neck. Bold impressions matter in a world full of shallow minds. I learnt I would need to cloak myself in this new identity to become it in people's eyes. The Hodges strived to be one of the chosen families of privilege, though they always came short, no matter how much gold they earned, and they dressed as such.

I met them in my tailored outdoor wear, emerald velvet, which hugged my figure that my husband endlessly praised. Through her scoff, I saw Caroline realise I had become what she had always wanted.

Robert jumped off the carriage step, crunching the gravel. He straightened his black jacket and smoothed his blonde hair down. He caught sight of me, and a grin grew on his broad face..

"Sister… Wow! They've really done you up. Were you excited to see us?"

Done up? I looked down at my daily wear. Wait till he sees my dress tonight. I thought while chuckling.

The knumbskull looked around. "Lea, where is she

"Move aside, fool." A middle-aged woman's voice complained."You're blocking the way. Oh! Vanessa, Greetings to you, young lady." The madam of the Hodge house said with a fake smile. Her intense hatred has still not subsided after so many years. So much hatred, warranted but directed at the wrong target. I didn't choose who brought me into this damned world; if I did, I would have chosen a better father.

I stopped myself from curtsying as was the norm. My posture is stiff and formal. I acknowledge her with a nod. "Lady Adeline."

"You have grown…" An aged gentleman stepped down softly. Willow and light on his feet, his walked walked with his dreaded cane in hand. Chin clean-shaven, his distinguished moustache greyed like his short, gelled blonde hair. With circles of my own, I finally felt his might. I finally understood that he didn't reach his position solely through his guile. Lightsight warmed my eyes. I saw his chest. The only Nine Circle sword master who couldn't be bought.

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"A lot…" He appraised me like an object to sell.

"I hope the journey wasn't too rough," I said, hoping the carriage gave him sores on his bottom.

"Not too bad." He continued to look me up and down, giving me goosebumps. " Teleport Rune quality has increased by bounds. Barely any travel sickness amongst."

"Teleportation…" So the long trek from Hamber to Osberg… I could have lost my dearest friend. "If you could… why not?"

Sebastian Hodge met my eyes. "You were not worth it then. And it's still undecided if you are worth it now." My father stabbed the ground with his cane, my heart jumped, and I almost unleashed my mana in retaliation. "Stop meandering and bring the duke, girl."

MEET ME. A voice boomed through the driveway

Robert leapt back, ready to unsheath his sword. "Who was that!" The two ladies hugged each other in fright, but the father smiled arrogantly.

"You married a monster, Daughter."

Trying to ignore the old man squeezing his cane, I pointed to the door. "The stairway to the Throne room is this way."

Leaning his sculpted face on his hand, my dear sat on his new throne. Letting the new arrivals kneel in silence for a minute, he gestured for them to stand up.

"Grandi Company."

"Yes, Your grace." My Father answered formally.

"How fares your Guild? I am hearing you have been experiencing quite the crisis." Of my doing. "Increased bandit attacks, new competition taking trade"

"Ah, that is just business, you grace. It ebbs and flows. A good businessman learns to deal with crises efficiently and proficiently."

"I have even heard of smugglers sneaking people through your caravans and ships."
"Rumours!" Sebastian Hodge said sharply. "Simply rumours. I would never dirty my company with such nastiness. To even suggest such a thing…!" I had never seen such fervent emotion from Father before. However, next to him, his dearest son withered, trying to make himself as small as possible as he secreted sweat like leaves after a rainstorm.

"Mm… Let me be very straight with you, Sebastian, barring invoking disgust from my wife, nothing, I mean absolutely nothing, is stopping me from massacring you all where you stand." The Duke stood up slowly, and his Qi made itself known. Its mysterious white glow made every eye stare in awe. "Unless you have something to offer."

My father burned his mana in reply, "What proof do you have?! Show me!"

Lea walked in from a door like an actor in a stage play, holding pages in her hand, to the angered Grandi manager.

"LEA! How!? Weren't you in Osberg!?!" Robert exclaimed. Lea reacted with utter disgust. "Teleportation is cheap compared to seeing the look on your rotten face, you monster!" Lea pushed the paper into my father's chest "There is a pattern you failed to see, Sir. Towns where your son managed and cases of missing persons." and quickly turned on her heel.

"Lea!! LEA! WAIT!" A large hand went to grab her until a spear slapped the reaching arm away. Jimmy lowered into a stance to protect his charge. "Please, Lea! I can explain!"

A strike to the face fell the Grandi deputy manager.

"Countess Lea. Remember that at your sentencing." And she left with her viscount in tow out of the throne room. Robert wallowed in sadness, crawling to his pale father.

"Father, what they wrote is a lie! They mean to take everything from us."
A great slap echoed in the throne of stone and concrete pillars. Tears pool in the old man's eyes.

"And it is you them a good reason to…" Dropping his cane, a once proud father cupped his blessed son's face in his trembling hands. "Why…?" WHY, Robert, WHY?!"

Robert looked away. "To protect us. To make the Grandi company grander than countries…! Wasn't that your dream?!"

"My dream…? Foolish boy, I already…" My heart was wrung watching the scene between son and father. I even dared to imagine such a scene between me and him.

"The divine cult was good at their jobs." I stepped forward. "Paving the way for you, making a former mercenary the manager of the greatest guild in the lands. I thought you were smarter than this father. Who wouldn't notice such little resistance? Unless… you thought only smuggled illicit compounds." Having worked under him understood everything about Grandi. Everything was just a bit too easy. Land was bought cheaper than the asking price. Rarely did any bandit attack when his caravans travelled. Treasures from the east were so easily procured.

My father let go of Robert and retrieved his cane. "There are levels of power beyond our manipulation. In my travels, I learnt how truly small we were. To compete against the nobles, we needed more than our reputation; we needed help, or we would be evicerated." Leaving his son, Sebastian strolled toward the throne as Tarion watched over us. "To get the good, you will have to get dirty sometimes, isn't that right. Master of the ravens." My father gave one final glance to his sorry son and nodded to the Duke.

"HAHAHA" Tarion maniacally to himself. "I see you do have something to offer! Guards!" A dozen guards hustled through a door to apprehend the crying Hodge. As quickly as they entered, they left with the young Hodge, slamming the large doors. A stepmother and sister grabbed me with tears. "Vanessa! Get him back! You have to do something!"

A simple shove tripped them. "An Hodge should solve a hodge's problems."

"But you're not a Greystone anymore, are you, Vanessa?" Sebastian said sternly.

My fist tightened, "So it was you… The rumours, the gossip!" Anger poured from. I felt my circle turn.

"Your reputation harms mine. I would never do something so thoughtless." My father wiped the tears from his face, and he was back to the cold manager of Grandi. What was I thinking? My father feeling emotion like a human being? Utter bullwinkle. He just saw it has a reason to get rid of the worst son.

"But, speaking of the divorce. Now to the matter of my visit. On the news of your divorce. Many suitors who care not for your 'situation' have sent letters until the mailbox was full."

"Reject every single proposal. My position stays the same. By his grace's side."

"If it were possible, I would…" My father watched me in deep thought. I had thought a flash of regret on his rigid face. "Your Grace. May I ask for a quick meeting?"

"Granted. My garden office. My butler shall show you the way. Vanessa? Cute dress by the way." Tarion vanished, and I looked at my emerald dress, still unsure why it looked cute. I just follow what Jen says.

"Vanessa! How could you!" Caroline cried as she held her mother. I sighed as two tethers healed the two ladies, and they began to calm down.

"How could I what? Show you the truth behind your blood money? How are you able to afford those trashy dresses and giant rubies? Stand and follow me, and I will tell you all. You love tea, right?

Tarion.

"He comes for you, Your Grace."

"I am aware." I took a sip of tea.

"And who you hold dear. He seemed particularly fervent on that end. What does he see in her?"

"He sees potential. More than you could fathom. Potential he could siphon."

"Right…" My father-in-law sat back in his chair opposite me, birds chirped and picked at the courtyard grass beyond the short wall.

Mr Hodge laced his fingers on the table, "I can't hold back my answer, as my power as a commoner amounts to almost nothing. And if I do reject him, what's left of my family is done." I heard him gulp. "There are stories. About the prince. Stories that keep my nights full of worry."

"Stories?" I asked the fearful businessman.

"Ten years ago, during the northern war, as you can imagine, for a lot of soldiers, it was a playground. To be able to kill, rape and conquer as you please, the crown prince strived."
I dropped my tea as I became more intrigued.

"When killing stopped amusing him, apparently, he began to capture people, especially Barbarian women. One of my workers saw one of these bodies lying on the ground near the prince's bed… He described it as a hallowing. He vomited as soon as he saw it. He told me it was as if their very life essence was sapped from them."

"Jesus…"

"Who?

"Don't worry. A delusional prince, used to having his own way, will not break us apart. I will keep her well. She can keep herself well. I can assure it. She's not the quiet, hidden daughter you sold away, but the duchess I love."

"Mmm…" My father-in-law lay on his garden chair, prepared to tell me more news.

"Speak."

"...Proposals are not the only thing seeking my daughter."

"The church?"

Sebastian nodded. "My spies in the church tell me the church is abuzz about her. So much so, the pope is making their move. Tonight expect the power guest at your birthday."

"Ah, yes, the pope is arriving soon. We invited him to ask the architect of my divorce why he did so."

"If I can keep him away, I can tell you that now."

Mm? I sensed a change in him, an rage he could barely restrain.

"She… Vanessa is a special girl. With her talent in healing and her intelligence, she would have been the perfect disciple for the church. With my coin, she studied at the best schools and didn't waste her time. But after all that, she came out of it with her reputation in tatters and with her spirit broken. She braved everything, but only one man destroyed her. Such a man is called Tas.

Later.

I put an empty tea cup down. "You are a horrible father."

"I know…" Sebastian held his head in shame. "I bloody know… I am just-"

"A coward. Indeed." I stood up, and Mr Hodge lifted himself as well. "But it's not too late to be better, Mr Hodge."

"You're right…"

"Mr Hodge."

"Your Grace?"

"Precure me Kuwei."

"H-how much do you require?"

I scratched my chin in thought, "Just enough for a Pope."

The two of us stood in the moment. The hodge before me understood that I don't mince my words. I will do what I must to remove grime from her world.

Mr Hodge bowed low. "As you wish, Your Grace."

Vanessa.

As we walked around the courtyard. My stepmother and sister looked at their jewellery differently. The poise they pretended to have was suddenly replaced with stumbling. Their shame showed on the shadowed faces as they moved in the expensive dresses like pre-debutantes.

"Vanessa, I hope you will understand I have not forgiven you for tricking me."

"Mm." I continued to briskly walk as the two froze mid-step, staring with their jaws dropped. I turned right to see what stunned them and saw a normal sight.

"Father…" Caroline gasped. "Bowing…?"

"Why? Does a subject bowing to his liege disturb you? If so, you will not last long around me."

I waved to the beast, emitting an immense presence, and his eyes lit up like a happy dog.

"So, ladies, would you like a tour of the library. I heard they had an extensive collection of the 'Alarian & I' series.

Caroline turned sharply, curtsying low before me. Her mother hurried to do the same. "It would be an honour, Your Grace."