Haru massaged his forehead on his throne, which was built in front of the Great Cross. Due to lack of churches, the clergy and royalty were forced to stay in Celestine's Palace for the time being. Not that it bothered them, the woman's palace was huge. With so many servants running around, the place was kept in good shape for both Catholic and royal matters alike.
Haru took a deep sigh while addressing the three mercenaries below him.
"And you, Jaune Jørgensen swear that this is true?"
"Yes I do milord." Jaune said. "The townsfolk are threatening the refugees out of spite against our new government."
"Anything else?"
"Yes milord." Jardin responded. "Some of the townsmen want Celestine to be given to them as a sex slave, saying that the Black Dogs would be better leaders if we refused their demands."
Haru clenched his fists in anger, gritting his teeth at such barbarism and uncivilized demands by these heathen. He then calms himself and says,
"Is that it?"
"Not really, we also found a group of nuns bunkering in a hidden dorm downtown. We found a woman among them who names herself Prim. She wants to speak to Alicia, whom we know is currently held prisoner."
Haru stroked his chin at the new information given.
"I'll take care of that. just transfer Prim into my custody."
"Yes milord, she is currently in the hands of the guards outside." Jaune replied.
"Is that all you wish to inform me?" Haru asked again.
"Yes milord, though the soldiers are wondering how we should confront this mass unrest."
"There is one way to do this." Haru announced as he then hands out scrolls. "Go and hand these plans to the English commanders only. We need to enforce them immediately."
Jardin and the other soldier take the scrolls with a bow before heading out the door. Before Jaune could follow them, the Duke stops him, saying.
"Wait Jaune."
Jaune turns around, awaiting Haru's words.
"Let your friends handle this first. There is something else I'd like to speak to you about."
"What would it be sir?"
"Don't worry, I won't take long." Haru said while standing up and approaching Jaune. "After all, I have other tasks that I must attend to."
Haru then glanced out the window and at the prison tower, where they kept Celestine as prisoner. He had a lot to do tonight, and he was going to start with the issue of Prim and her sister.
Alicia and Claudia sat idly in their jail cells as they were despondent. As soon as they were brought to their cells, they were stripped of their clothing and made to wear rags. Though they had tried to aggravate their guards, they were only met with proud sneers and faces of disgust. They only felt insulted by their dismissal, as if they were lower than them. Claudia had fallen fast asleep while Alicia was left to reflect on their situation.
"We haven't heard much from Celestine. What happened to her? Those damned men had to imprison us. I just hope they don't find—"
Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening, revealing Haru, and two guards behind him. Claudia wakes up and creeps to the edge of the cell, whispering to Alicia.
"Why is he here?"
"I don't know! Just be calm."
Haru grabs a chair and sits across the cell. He then takes out a scroll and unrolls it.
"Madam… Alicia?'
"Yes?" Alicia asked stiffly.
"Do you happen to know of a woman named Prim?" Haru asked.
Alicia thought about this carefully. It would be unwise of her to say yes, as they might torture her to reveal the location of her sister and the nuns.
"No, I do not know of this woman." Alicia calmly replied.
Haru wore a face of mock content at the reply.
"Well since you don't know her, I guess she was looking for a different Alicia."
Alicia's eyes widened as she immediately snarled at him.
"Don't play tricks with me."
"What tricks? We found a woman with the same name bunkering in a dormitory downtown with some nuns. Sound familiar?"
The statement shocked Alicia, before she got even angrier as she screamed.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER YOU DOG!?"
"Calm yourself, we did nothing to your precious sister." Haru replied nonchalantly. "Your sister told us everything. I just came to discuss the terms."
Alicia and Claudia grew interested at the mention of that. Claudia and Alicia sat down in front of the jail cell.
"What terms?" Alicia asked, her brows furrowing in suspicion.
"For your cooperation of course."
"I will never ally myself with the man who imprisoned Celestine!" Claudia said rather brusquely.
"Go ahead, I have no qualms with throwing you to the Black Dogs." Haru replied bluntly. "I heard that they have been low on sex slaves."
Claudia immediately shut up, humbling herself, thus letting Haru control the situation.
"Now as you know, I have your loved ones held captive. Celestine is currently in her private prison, Prim is currently with the town guard, and Claudia's husband, Klaus, is currently under house arrest."
"My husband!? Why would you resort to such methods!?"
"Because I need your utmost attention to what I am about to tell you." Haru replied sternly. "Now I have taken the liberty of granting you two mercy under my conditions."
Alicia and Claudia shared a glance at each other, with Alicia turning back to Haru.
"We're listening."
"You will be forbidden from leaving city premises. Any sign of rebelliousness or inciting rebellion will be met with immediate execution. You will be required to aid our war effort against the Black Dogs, be it on the battlefield or on the tactics table. You will be required to help train levies. You must also attend tomorrow's proclamation. And last, but definitely not least, you will not question or dispute my authority. All orders I give you must be obeyed and followed to the last word. Within reason of course."
"That simple?" Alicia wondered in her head. "No strings attached?"
"Only the devil would attach strings in his deals. I assure you that this deal is spotless, just sign this paper."
The Duke hands a scroll and pen to Alicia, unrolling it to read the terms. It was as Haru as said. There were no loopholes, no hidden rules, no terms for either side to exploit. Alicia and Claudia retreat to the far side of the cell to discuss this among themselves.
"What do you think Alicia?" Claudia asked.
"I think this man makes a good point. I wouldn't be so quick to trust him, but right now, we have no choice."
"Of course, he still holds our loved ones hostage. This is the only way!"
"Okay, let's do it."
The two women nodded at each other, with Alicia signing, then Claudia also signing. They then returned to the front of the cell.
"Haru, we agree to your terms." Alicia said as she handed the scroll to Haru.
"Splendid." Haru said in a delighted tone while rolling up the scroll. "The Templar Knights will come bring you to the proclamation. They will then bring you and your loved ones to your new quarters."
Haru then left the room, leaving Alicia and Claudia in their jail cells.
"Do you think we made the right choice?" Alicia asked.
"I don't know…" Claudia despondently replied. "But it is the only choice we have."
Haru overhears heir words but dismisses them as he exits the castle and goes towards the tower where Celestine was kept, because he had something special planned for her.