The Queen Who Shares Love
S2 Chapter 21 The Troublemaker

"Welcome Duchess," said Marquis Loid.

"What a magnificent feast, Marquis," Judith replied with a fake smile.

"Thank you for the compliment, Duchess."

They were expecting each other's enemy's plans. Judith glanced around. He continued to be vigilant in enemy cages while marking the supporting nobles of Marquis Loid. 

Flint must have done his job. He arrived early using magic stones. To avoid suspicion of his presence without a horse carriage, Flint sends a passengerless horse carriage to Loid's residence during a party. With ease, the empty horse carriage could blend in with the other carriage, for there were no guards at the gate of the Loid residence. Guard was tightened at the entrance of the party hall.

'It's time I met Flint, ' Judith's inner self.

"Quick indemnity! This dress is so expensive!" yelled a girl.

Judith turned to the source of the voice. He saw the other invited guests crowding around watching the commotion. Judith wanted to ignore him but heard a familiar voice.

"Sorry, if washed the stains will be gone, miss."

An irritated sigh escaped from the Duchess's mouth. There was hardly a day of peace in his life, because of Leonard. Judith approached the crowd, not telling the nobles to give way. He stared intently at Leonard and the girls in turn.

"Let me teach this man a lesson" Judith said.

Before Leonard answered, Duchess Hillbright pulled him over. Judith takes Leonard out of her mind not caring about the whispers about them. They stopped at the garden of Loid's residence. Judith turned towards Leonard pointing at his bodyguard.

"You're out of your mind? Stop messing around, you may be beheaded for insulting the nobility" the Duchess scolded.

"They suck, my ears get hot" protested Leonard.

Judith pressed her forehead with one hand. Why would he protect his bodyguard? It should be Marquis Loid defending Leonard. However, he doubted that Marquis Loid would protect the commoners, for Marquis they were nothing but pawns.

A stranger approached them. "I heard a fuss, what's the Duchess?" 

"Why are you late? I didn't see you at the party." asked Leonard not to answer Flint's question.

Flint glared at Leonard without replying to Leonard's question. He was waiting for an answer from his master.

"This guy's making a mess at the party. Take him and watch him in the horse-drawn carriage while I'm back at the party, Flint," the Duchess ordered.

Judith hinted at Flint a report about Marquis Loid being able to catch up. The most important thing for him was to overcome the commotion made by Leonard. Those noble girls would not let the commoners hurt their pride.

"Okay, Duchess." 

Flint lowered his head and dragged Leonard to the horse-drawn carriage. Judith put her foot in the party hall. The noble girls that Leonard had doused immediately came to Judith.

"I heard that the commoner was the Duchess' bodyguard" said one of the noble girls

"It's better that the Duchess teaches her well not to embarrass her own master," added another noble girl.

Judith rolled her eyeballs. He glanced towards Marquis Loid. Surely that one Marquis wanted to drop his pride in front of people in this kind of cunning manner. Judith's eyes were now on the girls with a smile.

"There must be a reason he's dousing you, miss. Why don't you say what you guys are talking about to make him water you?" challenge Judith.

The girls fell silent, talking about the Duchess directly only brought losses. When it came to sounding to the Emperor, their families would lose their positions, plus surely Duchess Hillbright would make calculations with them.

"You guys, a Duchess can't afford it. I'll pay for the dress you're wearing. If it's not enough to make a new dress and give me the bill" Judith replied.

Those noble girls were speechless. They were embarrassed to leave the party.

Marquis Loid watched all of them grin. Her slave started to get close to the Duchess. Just launch the next plan.

***

Leonard continued to yawn inside the horse carriage. Waiting is hard for him. He also tried to talk to Flint who was outside.

"You haven't answered my question yet, why are you late?"

Flint throws a suspicious spotlight at Leonard, thinking that the Duchess' new bodyguard is trying to extract information from her. 

"It's none of your business."

It was a waste of Leonard trying. However, he did not give up, because it was boring to be silent.

"Why are you working with the Duchess?"

No sound from Flint.

"How is the temple built?"

Still no answer.

"Your sister is so sweet."

"Never touch my sister, ever" infuriated Flint. Although Sylvie sucks, she still loves him.

Leonard smiled, his plan made Flint talk successfully. "I'm just wondering what it's like to have a sister, it must be so much fun."

"It would be nice if her nature was like Princess Ariana. Not chatty, troublemaker, no manners."

"True, Ariana was very kind. I didn't think you could vilify your sister either."

"I don't vilify my sister, just reveal the facts."

Their conversation stopped once they saw Judith approaching. The party is over. Invitational guests begin to ride each horse-drawn carriage to return home. So did the three of them. Flint retired because his job of keeping an eye on Leonard was done.

Judith got into her carriage, asking the coachman to run the carriage to her residence. Judith stared out the window during the trip.

"How's the party?" leonard asked, breaking the silence.

"You can guess for yourself" said Judith.

Rumbling sounds started to sound. It rained soon. The streets began to be slippery, especially the terrain traversed by the Duchess's horse carriage was on the brink. The driver is increasingly careful to maintain the safety of passengers.

Brakes...

Rock debris from the rain hit the Duchess's carriage. The Duchess's carriage fell into the ravine. Inside the carriage the Duchess and Leonard defend their lives that are at the tip of the horn.