Serilla handed him a cup and poured him some tea before offering him some of the snacks that she and Anastasia had the servants prepare for them earlier.

"Thank you," Luca said as he took a sip of the tea handed to him. He didn't take any of the cakes and bread offered since he wanted to quickly convey his worries to the two women.

"Mother, Sister-in-law, I want the two of you to be more cautious now that father and Cecil aren't here. I fear that the Goldenias and the branch families might target the both of you..."

"Hm? What could those fools possibly want with us?" Anastasia uncaringly asked. It was clear that she didn't see any of them as a threat.

"Well, they might want to use the two of you to coerce father into cooperating with the Goldenias while I'm not really sure what the branch family wants."

"You don't have to worry about us! We can take care of ourselves just fine!"

"M-mother, I know that you can. You're not a helpless woman after all, but think about Serilla. She's pregnant and has to be extra careful. If something happens to her, I'm frightened to think of what Cecil might do if any harm befalls her and the child she's carrying..."

"Like. I. Said... You don't have to worry. I'll be sure to protect her. Also, with the amount of guards a.s.signed to watch over us—"

"I know that, Mother, but I'm still worried. I don't want any mishaps to happen when a majority of our family is out on a mission! I don't want to be the bearer of bad news when they come back. I'll have no words or excuses to say to father, and especially towards Cecil, if something does happen to the both of you!"

"...Tsk, fine... Cedric," Anastasia called out behind her.

A man dressed in dark clothing walked out of the trees and bushes close to them. He knelt down in front of Anastasia and respectfully asked, "Yes, Matriarch?"

"a.s.sign more people to watch over Serilla. I don't want anything to happen to her. Do remember that she's carrying our family's next heir! If something happens to her, I'll hold you and all the shadow guards accountable!"

"Yes, Matriarch!"

"I'm sure you've heard from our conversation that the branch families might be up to something. Monitor them closely and send more men to monitor the movements of the Goldenia Family."

"Right away, Matriach," Cedric, the captain of the hidden guards a.s.signed to keep watch over Anastasia and Serilla, firmly replied.

"One more thing, Cedric," Anastasia called out before Cedric could walk away.

"Yes?"

"The branch families might try something in the foreseeable future. I know that you're part of the branch family that's loyal to the main family, but my son, Cecil, the next patriarch, doesn't know about this."

"..."

"If something happens to his wife and child...he might impulsively eradicate all of the branch families in a fit of rage if it comes to light that the branch families had colluded with the Goldenia family to put Serilla, the child, or me in harm's way."

"Uh..."

Cedric felt a little disbelieving when he heard this, but Anastasia quickly stopped him from saying anything when she saw the unconvinced expression on his face.

"Remember this, Cedric. My son has the power to decide the fate of every branch family. There's a reason why he's indisputably the family's next Patriarch. Whether you and your family continue to exist or not depends on your performance. Please don't disappoint me."

"...Yes, Matriarch," Cedric bowed before he turned around and walked away.

Luca eyed the captain before turning his attention back to his mother.

"Mom, I already put the servants and guards on alert. You and sister-in-law should not expose yourself outside too much. At least not until father and everyone gets back..."

Seeing how worried her son was, Anastasia could only agree to his words.

"Fine, but we'll still take our regular morning walks around the garden since it's healthy for Seri and the baby!"

"...Okay, mother," Luca relented.

"Don't worry, brother-in-law," Serilla spoke up from the side. "I may be pregnant, but I'm not helpless!"

"I know that, but still, you shouldn't push yourself! Cecil will kill me if anything happens to you and your child!"

"Haha, I'm sure it won't be that hars.h.!.+ Darling isn't one to hurt his family!"

"...that's what he portrays, but that b.a.s.t.a.r.d is a s.a.d.i.s.t..." Luca mumbled.

"Hm? What's that, brother-in-law?" Serilla asked.

"Ahaha, it's nothing. I should return to the office now. I still have some work to do."

"Be careful on the way back, Luca dear~" Anastasia said.

"Yes, mother. Well then, if you'll excuse me," Luca said as he got up.

"Have a safe trip back," Serilla waved.

*****

In the kingdom's city suburbs where the Silvaria branch families resided in, Elder Kuran was currently entertaining a few guests inside his home. The group consisted of a few youngsters, 2 elders, and a middle-aged couple.

Judging by their clothing alone, this group of people wasn't from the Silvaria Kingdom and this was indeed the case because they were from the Goldenia Family.

"How was it, Elder Kuran? Were you able to get in touch with someone from the main branch?" The middle-aged man who seemed to be representing the group asked.

"I was, I was. Unfortunately, it wasn't the patriarch or matriarch. It was the 3rd child."

"The third... you mean the older twin, Luca Silvaria?"

"Mhm, that's the one."

The middle-aged man frowned a little before letting out a sigh, "Well, that'll have to do. Now that we've raised their awareness, they are sure to be more suspicious. Remember, if you help us, the branch families will be able to gain a better foothold and have more sway in the Silvaria family's decisions."

"I know, I know. Why do you think I went out of my way to help you people out even though we are enemies?" Kuran impatiently said. "Is everything on your side ready?"

"...We've already fed the Faustus spies false information about the Silvaria family being the true overlord of the lands. Since they want to take full control of the No-Man's Lands, the Silvarias will be a large obstacle in their conquest so they'll have to deal with them first."

"...You expect them to attack us first before they make a move on your lands?"

"I know how they operate. We've been gathering info about them for the past few years since we've made contact with them! The lord of the Faustus Archduchy is a cautious man that only moves whenever he's a hundred percent sure that his plans will succeed and he'll do ANYTHING to make sure it does," the man replied.

"Tsk, if we rely on something like this, it'll take ages before he actually makes a move! If our army comes back—"

"You don't have to worry about that, Elder Kuran."

"Hm?"

"We've already leaked information to the Faustus spies that Silvaria's king and army are currently out of the kingdom so they'll make their move soon. You can bet on that. Don't worry, your 'motive' was properly conveyed. They know that they'll be able to find a man to work with them from the inside."

"..."

"I bet they might even come into contact with you soon! But, you sure are ruthless. Isn't your target the next patriarch's mother, wife, and child?"

"What wife and child? That woman is simply not worthy to even hold the name of Silvaria and so is the b.a.s.t.a.r.d inside her!" Kuran growled. 'The same goes for that other wench,' he also added inwardly.

"...From what I hear, the wife is a total beauty, how is she unsatisfactory? I also heard that he has another—"

"Be quiet, Augustus, you have no need to pry into my family's matters!"

The man named Augustus smirked. He turned to one of the young women in his group and said, "Wasn't my daughter supposed to be one of the candidates? Don't you think I have some say in this since she's supposed to be the next matriarch that'll tie our two families together and end all of our past hatreds?"

"Tsk, she was, but after the whole teleportation incident, everything's been thrown into a loop and the main family branch was able to seize total control of the family during that time of confusion. We were hoping to set things straight after the heir had returned but that boy...he's even more tyrannical than his father!"

"Hohoho, more tyrannical than Kaiser, you say? Haha, I must meet this promising young man!"

"..."

"The hatred between us Goldenias and Silvarias was something that started long ago that us, the present generation, has already forgotten what caused all this. It's about time we set that all aside. Besides, it doesn't seem so bad for our family's to join forces, right?"

"Hmmmm... you better not be planning to backstab us, the branch families. Although we can't do anything to the main family, but you—"

Augustus immediately cut him off, "Oh please, there you go again with your paranoia. Is it due to your old age?

Augustus laughed at his words before continuing, "If things work out as we expect them to, Kaiser will have no choice but to acknowledge the threat that the Faustus Archduchy poses to all of us. You'll have your wish granted and we can then marry my daughter to the next patriarch. Don't worry. She'll make sure to help your branch family out once she becomes the matriarch."

Kuran eyed the young lady that was about Cecil's age that was standing next to Augustus and said, "She better. Just like how we can get rid of Cecil's current wife, we can do the same to her if she doesn't uphold the promise! After that, all your efforts to ally with my family will go down the drain..."

"My, my, you really aren't afraid of the consequences if any of this is found out, do you?"

"Consequences? Heh, young man, I've been doing this all my life. The main family should be the ones afraid of the consequences for ignoring the elder council!"

Kuran stood up and quickly left the room. Augustus only eyed the old man on his way out and chuckled after he left the room.

"That old coot... Katya, once our plans fall into action and you become the next Silvaria matriarch, cut ties with that fool and have the next patriarch find out about all of this. Of course, you leave out our family's involvement."

"...Yes, father..."

"Hm? Are you mad?"

"...Daddy...I'm a little upset..." The young lady said.

"Is it about this arranged marriage?"

"Yes! W-why do I have to get married to someone I don't even know?! Don't you know that I have someone I already like? Why not let Emilie do this instead of me?"

"...Katya, are you talking about that Faustus boy again?"

"Y-yes..."

"He's an enemy you know! He also approached you with ulterior motives! Don't forget that it was mostly because of you letting that boy know too much that we are in our current predicament!"

"..."

"Katya, that boy took advantage of your affection! He used you! Now that he and his country are baring their fangs at us, you still have feelings for him?!"

"It's not even Edward's fault! It's his father's—"

"Katya!"

"..."

After being yelled at, Katya turned silent and had a hurt look on her face. The girl behind her who seemed a little bit older took a step forward and said, "I don't mind marrying this Cecil person. I hear that he was hot so I don't have problems with that~"

"Be quiet, Emilie," Augustus growled and glared at his playful daughter.

"Fine, fine~"

"My decision is final, Katya. You're going to be the one to marry Cecil."

"..."

Katya only hung her head low and didn't reply.