Chapter 201: Causing Trouble (1/2)

While Berengar was preparing to invade Lower Austria and march on Vienna, Linde was back in Kufstein looking after the family, including herself, Henrietta, and Hans. She was also keeping a close eye on Conrad, who had begun to act out; the longer the war went on, the more impatient the boy became.

At the moment, Conrad, Henrietta, and Linde were sitting at the dining table enjoying breakfast. As an act of disrespect to Berengar and to assert his authority while the man was away, Conrad sat in Berengar's spot next to Linde, which caused the woman to lash out at the youth instantly.

”Conrad, that seat is reserved for the head of this household and belongs to the Count of Tyrol! You should show some respect to people's positions and sit elsewhere!”

Despite Linde's protests, Conrad responded with a sharp tongue as he verbally attacked Linde in an attempt to shut her up.

”If this seat is reserved for the Count of Tyrol, then the seat you are seated in should be reserved for the Countess. Tell me, are you the Countess of Tyrol? Or are you merely the Count's mistress?”

At this point, Linde was outright furious at Conrad's behavior and stood up from her seat before slapping him across the face. The moment she did so, Conrad stared at her in disbelief before attempting to protest.

”What do you think you are-”

However, before he could finish his statement, Linde had slapped him once again. The moment she did so, Conrad raised from his seat with his fists curled and yelled at Linde,

”I am the Duke!”

The strawberry-blonde-haired youthful beauty with the appearance of a goddess merely smirked smugly at Conrad before chastising him.

”Then act like one!”

This statement irritated Conrad's nerves, and he raised his hand in an attempt to strike Linde for her actions, yet there was no fear in her eyes. Instead, a steel-clad hand latched ahold of Conrad's arm, preventing him from swinging his fist.

The boy quickly looked over and noticed a tall and strong man glaring at him with his denim blue eyes. The man had a musket slung around his shoulder and wore a blackened steel three-quarters plate armor set, with a german style three ridge burgonet. He was one of Berengar's house guards and was tasked with protecting the young Count's family from any potential harm.

Thus the moment Conrad took an aggressive stance, the guard acted and approached the young Duke before he could pounce on the woman. The boy who would be Duke nearly wet his pants when he gazed into the fierce eyes of the house guard, who tightly clenched onto his wrist. The guard spoke in a stern tone as he began to lecture the boy.

”Your Grace, her excellency is correct. That seat belongs to Count Berengar, and you would do well to remember that...”

After being lectured so thoroughly by the intimidating guard, Conrad lowered his head and clicked his tongue before leaving the table and storming off to the quarter's he was provided. After he was out of earshot, the guard looked over to Linde and fulfilled his duty by inquiring about her condition.

”Are you okay, My Lady?”

Linde smiled gracefully and nodded before responding to the man who had come to her aid.

”Yes, thank you for your assistance.”

the guard smiled and bowed respectfully to Linde

”I am merely fulfilling my duty.”

With that said, he returned to his post and began to watch over Linde and Henrietta as they continued their meal. Conrad would have to go hungry for the time being. Conrad, had ran off to his room, and on the way there, he walked past a door that had two armed guards in front of it. Many rooms in this castle were off-limit to the boy Duke, as Berengar did not want him messing around with his stuff.

This room, in particular, was Hans's room, where the infant child was protected around the clock by Berengar's most elite guards. Thinking about Berengar and Linde's bastard child, Hans muttered under his breath.

”This asshole has Adela as his fiancee, and yet he so blatantly allows that woman to occupy her seat; what an ass! If I were engaged to Adela, I would treat her far better!”

Though he said it quietly, his words did not go unnoticed by the guards. They took note of Conrad's discontent. Such hostility towards their Lord and Lady needed to be taken seriously, and they would later report Conrad's outburst to the Commander of the house guard when they were relieved later in the day.

As for Conrad, he returned to his room for a while, though eventually, he left the confines of his quarters and entered the Great Hall, where he gazed from afar at Linde and a Byzantine Nobleman discussing business with one another.

It was not Arethas who had arrived this time, but a man under his employ who represented his interests in Berengar's current trade agreements. This man was named Andronikos, and he was responsible for making sure the shipments of silk arrived in Kufstein within the agreed period. Thus, he was accepting payment from Linde, whose servants carried a large chest out for him to inspect.