Himari meets a Duke from another nation

Himari set outside watching Lena and Karen, two of the maid’s daughters, as they ran around the courtyard. The girls shrieking giggles had Himari smiling. Himari had become close to the girls and their parents along with everyone else in this town. She couldn’t believe it had been two weeks since she had arrived. She had fallen into a routine. In the mornings she would practice her magic with Cedric and most afternoons her and Duncan would make plans, write out trade agreements and other similar stuff. They would also go to places in the town that they needed to visit, like the docks that were being built and the likes. Duncan surprised Himari by also helping out in the town by fixing roofs and roads and other things that had been damaged by the rains that had destroyed the crop. She hadn’t expected a king to get dirty. She had expected him to dish out the orders. He hadn’t gotten angry at her surprise either. He had just laughed and said “Sometimes you have to pitch in and help no matter your rank.” She respected him even more after watching him work tirelessly for his people. His dedication to his kingdom and its people made her want to help any way she could. All the demon people she had met were kind, honest, and hardworking people. She knew there must be some bad demons out there just like with any race, but she wanted to help. She wanted this kingdom to thrive. She wanted Lena, Karen and all the children to not know what hunger was and to grow up in a safe world so if she had to try and change this world so be it. She enjoyed these afternoons she got to spend with the children or with the workers of the castle. Her evening was spent reading books of this world and taking notes and jotting down ideas. She knew she should be more homesick than she was. She loved it here, maybe because she felt needed and didn’t have time to feel lonely. She enjoyed each day here. This place felt like home and these people felt like her people. Lena and Karen ran up clutching flowers in their tiny hands saying “Look what we picked for you Lady Himari.” Himari smiled at the girls as warmth spread through her. She said “They are so beautiful. Thank you so much Lena and Karen. Why don’t we take them inside and put them in water. I think cook made some of those cookies you two like so much.” Both girls beamed at her and nodded their agreement. Himari stood up and the three of them headed into the house and into the kitchen. Himari placed the flowers in a vase with water and set it in the middle of the table before fixing them all some tea and cookies. She had just sat down by the girls and were listening to them giggle over something Karen had said when Jameson the butler walked in. he bowed at them and said “My Lady. I hate to intrude on you afternoon off but we have a visitor and as you know the Lord is meeting with someone in Hazarth about the trade deal you and the Lord came up with. We do not know when he will return and the Duke Ian of Whitedale from Vitriolio here wants an audience with the Demon Lord. I explained the Demon Lord Duncan is out at this time and his return time is unknown, but he refuses to leave. I was hoping you could deal with him Lady Himari.” Himari stood up and said “Understood Jameson. Please take him to the sun room.” She turned to Chef Arturo and said “Please warm up some punche and send out some of the sugared fruit you made please.” Both Arturo and Jameson laughed. Chef Arturo said “Atta girl, Shows him right showing up announced and refusing to leave. Everybody knows it is rude to show up unannounced and even ruder to refuse to leave when the master of the house isn’t home.” Lena and Karen looked at each other confused and asked “How is Lady Himari showing him and what is she showing him?” Arturo chuckled and explained that she is returning the disrespect by serving him in the sun room instead of the parlor which is reserved for the highest of guest. Himari is also offering punche and sugared fruit when people with high statuses are to be offered tea or coffee and sweets like cookies or scones. Himari is showing him that he isn’t getting away with disrespecting the Demon Lord by showing up unannounced and refusing to leave. Lena said “I think I understand.” Karen said “Me too. You show him Lady Himari.” “Yeah.” Agreed Lena. Himari smiled at both girls fondly and said “You two stay here and enjoy your cookies for as long as you want.” She turned to Arturo and said “If they become a handful have Jameson come get me.” Arturo smiled fondly at Himari and then the girls and said “Ah these little lasses couldn’t be a handful if they tried.” Himari smiled and nodded before heading out the same door Jameson had left through. She checked her reflection in the mirror, straitening her hair and clothes before heading into the sun room with her head held high. Jameson had already led the Duke to a seat and seated him. The duke stood and bowed “My lady I am Duke Ian of Whitedale. I hail from the country of Vitriolio. The servant said the Demon Lord isn’t here. Hopefully nothing too pressing has pulled the Demon Lord away from his main duties especially his duty as host.” Himari felt her temper flaring but took a deep breath to calm herself before introducing herself and settling herself on the seat across from him. Jameson then reentered the room with the punche and sugared fruit. Jameson served Himari and the duke before bowing and stepping to the edge of the room. Himari feigned an apologetic look and said “I am afraid we only have punche and sugared fruit. I hope they are to your liking. If the Demon Lord would have known you were coming he would have ensured only the best tea and sweets.” She took a sip of her punche and said “I know if the Demon Lord had known you were coming he would have had someone else deal with the issue that arose, but alas he was not informed so you will have to deal with me instead.” Jameson had to cough to cover his laughter and Himari couldn’t look at him for fear she would laugh too. She feigned another apologetic look at the duke and said “My apologies. It appears our precious butler Jameson must have caught a cold with the horrible rains. I am sure you heard about that didn’t you Duke Whitedale?” She then turned to Jameson and said “Please Jameson I am sure our chef has some honey to help you with that cough. We can’t have you getting sick.” She felt her lips twitched as she said “Please come back once you’ve got your cough under control.” Jameson bowed but not before Himari caught his grin. Jameson said in a mock serious tone “Thank you my lady. I shall go drink some water and get my cough under control. You’re such a benevolent lady to allow me to go get my cough under control.” With that Jameson headed back into the kitchen where Himari was positive he was hooting with laughter and feeling Arturo in on everything that had been said so far. She turned her attention back to the duke and apologized again. Himari took a sip of her punche before saying “Where were we Duke of Whitedale? Ah yes, you were about to explain to me what drove you to come here without giving any notice.” The duke took a sip of his punche before grimacing and looking down at his cup pensively. Himari had a feeling she knew why the duke came but she wanted to hear it from his own mouth. She waited. Rule one she thought give them an awkward silence and they will want to feel it. They are more likely to slip up and say something that way. She took another sip of punche and waited. The duke said with a flourish while smiling at her “I thought I would see how the Demon Kingdom is doing and maybe see if the Demon Lord is interested in the generous trade offer I made some time ago.” Himari nodded her acknowledgement and as if to say continue but said nothing, waiting. She watched the duke closely. He looked uncomfortable. She knew those weren’t the only reasons he came. She nibbled on a sugared fruit piece before taking another sip of her tea. The duke was looking even more nervous. He took a sip of his punche before setting it down and said “I was also coming to see if the news about only three of the bisonalce left alive was true. Is it? Are they all almost gone?” Himari hid her smile behind her tea cup. She had him hook, line, and sinker. Duncan had listened to Himari’s suggestion and had moved all but three of the bisonalce to the peninsula. They had then spread the false narrative that all the bisonalce were gone, so only someone who had either been looking for bisonalce or had been sending people to kill our scout them would know that there were three in the area. Duke of Whitedale you’ve been up to shady stuff and now to see what else we can get you to admit to. Himari thought. She waited some more still not saying anything just sent him a look that said continue. He seemed agitated as he ran his fingers through his hair. He grabbed his teacup and set it back down not taking a drink. He finally spoke unable to keep his agitation and upset from leaking into his voice “I heard that the Demon Lord sent out boats to check the Tranquilla Aqua Ocean for sea life and found nothing. Is it true there is no sea life in the Tranquilla Aqua Ocean? That has to be impossible since the waters are so calm. Sea creatures must love it. How is that possible? Where are the demons getting their food from then, since they have quit hunting on the other countries land?” It appears the lies about the ocean not having wildlife had reached the intended targets. It was just as Himari thought they were interested in the resources they assumed were here in Imponini. They know needed to figure out who all was involved. They needed to find out if the king of Vitriolio was involved in any way or if it was a bunch of rich nobles wanting to line their pockets by causing a war between the other countries and Imponini. Thinking they could get a war started by starving the people into desperate acts of raiding, angering the other countries into acting against the demons. By spreading the false narrative that the Demon Lord was attempting world domination it turned the other countries against the Demon Lords domain and made them more willing to start a war, since they felt they were just protecting their people and land. This opened up Imponini to being taken over and its resources taken over possible even forcing the people as free labor. It seemed it was just as Himari had assumed and explained to Cedric and Duncan. Hmm, should I play the sympathetic listener and see what else he says or should I angering him and see if he slips up and spills more secrets? Decisions. Decisions. Himari thought. Before she could decide Duke of Whitedale said with a fake smile plastered on his face and fake sincerity dripping from his words; “I was just thinking. You and I could help each other. I am sure these monsters are holding you here against your will.” Himari felt rage boiling up inside her and wanted to scream that he and whoever else was helping him was the only monsters around. She bit her tongue instead and nodded for him to continue. Duke of Whitedale was emboldened by her silence and continued “I mean someone as lovely as yourself wouldn’t want to surround herself by such disgusting creatures. If you help me just a teeny tiny bit I can help you get away from these savages and home to your own kind. All you would have to do is tell me all about what is really going on here in Imponini. Maybe gather some documents for me and of course tell my king how awful these horrid animals treated you. I am not asking much of you. Just do those things for me and I will ensure your freedom.” Hearing the way he spoke of the Demon people had her blood boiling. She couldn’t understand how anyone could talk so cruelly of a person let alone an entire race of people. She found the Duke of Whitedale utterly deplorable. Duke Whitedale spoke again “Do you think you can do that for me? I know you are a lady and it will be difficult for you but for me to help you I need you to do this.” Of course he was sexist too. Figured. He was probably classist too. Himari thought. Himari took a deep breath not wanting him to know just how angry he had made her. After exhaling Himari said trying to keep the bite out of her voice “I appreciate your offer Duke of Whitedale, but your offer is completely unnecessary. I am the one inconveniencing the Demon Lord and his people by my staying here. The Lord and his people have been nothing but kind to me showing me the upmost respect and hospitality. I feel honor that such kind hardworking people have allowed me an outsider into their country and daily lives. I especially feel this way after having listened to you speak so cruelly to a people that have shown you nothing but kindness and respect even when coming here unannounced and refusing to leave, reminding me off a toddler with your behavior.” Himari rose and said “Now if you will excuse me. I have more important matters to attend to than to sit and listen you talk cruelly of a people you know nothing about. You call them monsters when the only monster around is you. Good day to you sir.” With that Himari attempted to walk out the door but Duke Whitedale grabbed her by wrist forcefully. She turned to tell him to let her go and found him standing directly behind her. He all but shouted at her “I don’t know who you think you are, but I am Duke of Whitedale and deserve respect. The Demon Lord may have brought you to stay here but you are probably nothing more than a peasant. Some farm girl he fancied. I am sure your master the Demon Lord will be very angry at his little pet talking so cruelly to a guest of my status.” He sent her a grin that had Himari feeling sick before he continued “I know you can make it up to me and I will not tell your master how you treated me. Better yet, I will not go and tell my king that I found a half staved human girl being held captive here if you cooperate with me.” Himari’s rage was past boiling point but she couldn’t steam him alive like she wanted to do right now. It would ruin her plans. So instead she said through gritted teeth “Unhand me at once. Are you threatening me Duke of Whitedale? What will your king say when he hears?” The Dukes hand tightened around her wrist and he yanked her closer. His face was bright red with rage and he shouted down at her “I am Duke of Whitedale and you will respect me. I am not threatening you miss. I am promising you that if you don’t do as I say you will regret it.” he smirked at her and said “You think my king would believe the word of some commoner that has chosen to live with a bunch of monsters or a Duke that comes from good stock? You could tell him everything that transpired here and he wouldn’t believe a single word of it so you better shut your mouth and learn your place. I was willing to do this kindly but you have angered me and now I will make sure everyone you care about pays.” He shook Himari then and had his hand listed to strike, when the doors to the sunroom flew open and in walked Duncan. One look at the way the Duke held Himari and Duncan was in front of the Duke of Whitedale before he could even blink. Duncan had freed Himari of the Dukes grasp and wrapped his hand around the duke’s throat and lifted him into the air. The duke tried to explain his made up tale of events but Duncan wasn’t willing to listen. He cut the Duke off and said “I refuse to listen to your lies.” He looked at Himari and Himari quickly explained everything. The duke tried to interject but Duncan’s grasp on his neck would quickly tighten and release as he would send the Duke a look that was full of all the rage he felt. After hearing Himari’s side of things Duncan looked at the duke and said “You came into my domain, my kingdom and my home. You talked unkindly of my people and disrespected Himari, my treasured guest. Worst of all you laid hands on Himari. In my kingdom laying hands on a female or child is punishable by death. Since you are in my kingdom I have every right to punish you in this manner.” The duke stuttered out “Demon Lord do you really want to kill me over a peasant female and ruin relations with Vitriolio. She is just a girl, easily replaceable. Where, I am not replaceable since I am the Duke of Whitedale. Think this over Demon Lord. Besides, my king is not going to believe you a lowly demon or your peasant female friend.” Demon Lord Duncan tightened his grip on the dukes throat and said “I don’t think you understand the predicament you are in. I am the one who holds the power here, me the lowly demon, not you. This lowly demon is still a king and you will respect me and my Fiancé.” He sent Himari an apologetic look before continuing “Now how would your king react to a duke laying hands on a fellow kings betrothed and acting as you have in our presence?” Himari caught on and said “Oh I know the perfect way we can let your king know about your behavior. I am sure he’d love to see.” With that she used her magic to replay the recording she’d made of their entire interaction. She’d used her magic to create a way to record events like a video camera would. The Duke of Whitedale was turning pale as he watched their entire interaction as he stuttered “How.” Once the entire video had quit playing Duncan said “You can thank my fiancé for not being killed, since I don’t want to get blood on her. I will have one of my generals deliver you and that hologram of events to your king. I wonder if my top general may leak that hologram of you and your behavior around the NFU. I wonder what your king will think of your behavior.” If possible the Duke was even paler after Duncan’s words. Duncan said “Your rights to be in my country for any amount of time are revoked. You are not allowed to come near Himari or myself. If you break any of these rules I will terminate you. Do you understand?” the duke nodded his head yes so hard Himari thought his head might shake loose from his shoulders. Duncan let go of the Duke of Whitedale and he dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes where he set unmoving looking completely terrified. Two soldiers walked in and picked the Duke up and moved him to a holding cell before one of the generals would escort him to his king and kingdom where the video Himari took will be shown to the king. The king will be expected to punish him for his crimes. He will likely be stripped of his title since his crimes were against a king and his fiancée, explained Duncan. He sent Himari an apologetic look and said bowing “I am sorry for lying and saying you are my fiancée. I wanted him to face the highest consequences for hurting you. ” Duncan gently grabbed Himari’s wrist where a hand shaped bruise had already formed. Duncan caressed the bruise gently sending tingles shooting through Himari’s arm. Duncan still caressing her wrist gently said “I am sorry I wasn’t here to protect you.” Himari blushing said “I understand why you told him we are engaged. I guess we can stick with that explanation too so if anyone ask why I am here. That explanation might keep people from trying to find out where I am from and what I am doing here. Also, don’t apologize for not being here to protect me. We couldn’t have known that something like this would happen.” Himari continued trying to lighten the mood “Besides if I used my magic I am pretty sure it would have been the duke that needed rescuing from Me.” she looked Duncan in the eyes and said “Thank you for rescuing me.” It was Duncan’s turn to blush. He said “You are welcome. But like you said I probably rescued the duke from you, so maybe he should be the one thanking me for rescuing him.” With that they both laughed. Duncan gently let go of Himari’s wrist and she looked down at it and noticed he had healed her wrist. It didn’t even have a twinge of pain and the bruise was completely gone. She thanked Duncan who blushed before mumbling a “You’re welcome.” Himari asked how the meeting with the representative of Hazarth went. Duncan grinned and said “With what happened with the Duke of Whitedale that completely slipped my mind.” He grinned at her excitedly before picking her up by the waist and twirling around with her before gently placing her back on her feet. Himari giggled shyly as Duncan apologized for letting his excitement at what happened in Hazarth resurfaced. They sat down and Duncan recounted what happened in Hazarth. Himari recounted the details the Duke of Whitedale accidently let slip even though Duncan had watched the video she had taken using magic. They discussed who all could be involved and tried to come up with ideas on how to figure out whom all was involved and if any other kingdoms were involved. Duncan and Himari discussed future ideas for trade deals with Hazarth and the next steps they needed to take to get his kingdom back up on its feet. They talked long into the evening and continued the conversation after dinner until late in the night.