With Isodelle,
I was sipping tea when suddenly Aina came before me. "My Lady, Lady Katarina confronted Marquis Merlin and declared that he was corrupt" she said.
I was shocked. Suzuka confronted someone. She usually never gets angry but if something dear to her is in danger, she usually snaps. It wouldn't have gone well.
"Who is Marquis Merlin, Aina?" I asked trying to learn about him. "He is the secret Lord of the Underworld. His entire family runs a huge underworld Empire with illegal sales, drugs and gambling" she said.
"I see, well ain't the corruption deep. Aina, New Mission. You know what to do" I said smirking. "Yes, my Lady, they will be eliminated." she said and vanished.
"Hmmmmmmmmmm...I must get ready to meet her myself. Tomorrow is a big day after all" I said lying down in bed.
The next day came quickly. Before I knew it the Sun was shining outside. I prepared myself. Took a bath. Prepared my dress. It does not need to be formal. I just put a blue casual frock.
I took the carriage and arrived at the mansion. It's huge! It rivals the Castle even. I guess the second most powerful family in the empire is something huh.
"Your Highness!" I heard a voice. It was Duke Rochelli welcoming me. I informed him about my visit the other day.
"I welcome to the Rochelli Estate. Please put yourself at ease" he said.
"Thank you for welcoming me" I said with full smiles.
"This is my daugther, Katarina Von Rochelli" he said gesturing his hand to show her.
Yellow Hair. Cute Face unrivalled in the Empire. A Face of chaos and curiosity. "Nice to meet you, Lady Katarina, I am Isodelle Von Nasca" I said bowing down a little.
"Ah! No need to be formal! Just call me Katarina! It's fine! Nice to meet you!" she said warmly with smiles.
"Behavior. Check." I murmured.
"What was that?" she asked looking at me.
"Nothing! Duke Rochelli, may I borrow your daughter for a moment?" I asked to him.
"Sure, Your Highness" he said bowing down.
"Come with me" I said grabbing her hand to a room where no one can here us.
"Your Highness, May I ask what you need from me?" she asked bowing down.
"Katarina Von Rochelli...you have a special skill called Sonic Speed right?" I asked looking at her with a serious look.
"Yes" she said concerned by my look.
"Then...are you...Suzuka?" I asked.
She was taken aback. Of Course. No one knows her real name except herself and three other individuals. Her Siblings. "Older Sister? Older Brother? Akio? Who are you?" she asked.
"Yuna" I said looking at her. She immediately hugged me and cried loudly. "Sister! Sister! You know how much I missed you?" She sobbed. My dress was wet but who cares. "Yes yes, I am here. You are no longer alone" I comforted her patting her head.
She continued crying for the next fifteen minutes. Just saying how much she missed me. I get it. She has been through a lot being alone while I was under House Arrest.
She calmed down.
"Sister! Do you know where Yuki and Akio are?" she asked.
"No Suzu, but we will find them" I said.
"Call me Katarina! I got used to that name!" she said cheerfully. "Alright Katarina" I said. "Can I call you Sister as always?" she asked me. Who can resist that cute face? "Sure" I continued. "Let's go back!" she said dragging me to the garden.
"Papa! I've decided!" she declared just as she slurped some tea.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I'm going to meet Older Sis Isodelle every week from now on!" she said.
"Wait...Dear...Please refer the Princess with respect!" he said worried looking at me.
"It's alright Duke Rochelli. Infact I would like for her to come weekly to the castle" I said.
"Alright Katarina, but you must learn manners and attend classes properly!" he sighed.
"Alright Papa!" she said excited.
Later that evening I departed from the mansion. "Aina" I called out using Telepathy. "Permanent Mission: Assign your best recruits to monitor Katarina always. She must be guarded at all times. Use rotating shifts" I said. "Reason, My Lady?" she responded.
"She is the most precious to me in the entire world" I said.
"I see...Very well My Lady" she responded. I returned to the carriage and to the castle.
Meanwhile...
The room was hidden below a tavern. A single lantern flickered at the center.
Marquis Merlin slammed his hand against the table.
"That girl…" he said with ego and fury. "That insolent brat dares to threaten me in public?"
His pride still burned from the encounter. The memory of her speed. Her confidence.
Her claim.
"I will not let this go."
A laugh came from the corner.
"Revenge?" a shady figure mused. "So quick to anger. That will be your downfall."
The Marquis turned and looked at him. "And you suggest I do nothing?"
"I suggest patience," the man replied. "We are far too close to act recklessly now."
Another voice joined,
"What of House Rochelli?"
"No need to worry, once the Imperial Family falls, they will follow with no choice" the man replied.
"Oho? Am I sensing Treason?" another new voice budged in entering the room. "You-?! Who are you?!" asked the man. "Marquis Grey Merlin, Count Bard Rosaria and Count Ellan Smith...why am I not surprised?" said the voice. It was Aina.
"You...you are the new Mercenary Company leader, the Red Crimson one aren't you?" asked the Marquis. "What if I am?" she asked.
"What do you want? Money? Sponsorship? Land?" asked Count Bard.
"None. Because I already have everything" Aina said showing some papers.
"Tax Evasion. Theft. Criminal Organizations, Illegal Drug Cartels, A whole Syndicate, extensions outside the city. Unpaid Loans to the Duke, Spending in Arts, Extreme Taxes in your sectors. Goodness, this keeps on increasing. And now, its Coup Attempt against the Imperial Family..." she continued putting the papers in her bag.
"How did you get all those?!" demanded Count Ellan.
"Well, just sacked all three of your mansions. Suffice to say. What a collection of Arts you all have" she continued her posture ready, her sword ready to unsheathe at any moment.
"You won't get away with this! Guards! Arrest this woman!" ordered Marquis Merlin.
"Ovai Fighting Style: Tiger Claws" Aina murmured and knocked all guards out. Two slashes in each in the room. "What?!" screamed the nobles in shock.
"I won't kill you, but just be known that you are done" said Aina tying all three of them in ropes and dragging them.
"Job done" smirked Aina.
Later in court apparently the noble who attacked Katarina and his two co - inspirators were arrested for treason and various other crimes which those three and even their family were supporting. A total of 14 people were trialed and sentenced to Life Forced Labor in a Mining Town.
The Royal Knights soon dismantled all the syndicates, drug cartels and illegal businesses in the underworld in six months. Aina was given the title, "Honorary Knight", just below Barons but above Knights, Knight Commanders and the Leader of the Knights.
"Ahh...Peace" I said sipping my tea with sugar cubes looking over the city from the Balcony. "Sebastian" I said. "Yes, My Lady?" he bowed down. "More Sugar Cubes Please" I asked. "It shall be done, My Lady" he said serving more sugar cubes.
I smirked.
Atleast some corruption is dealt with. There is still many though.
I have found Katarina a.k.a Suzuka. Now its Yuki and Akio wherever they are in this world...