Chapter 453 Are You Playing A Prank On Me?
“Why are you here?” Ethan asked.
“Well, why can't I be here?” Nicole rhetorically replied.
“I mean, can’t you eat your breakfast in your own room?”
“Eating alone is not my cup of tea. Also, staying inside my room is boring. I’d rather we talk about the things that we need to watch out for during the Ballroom Party.”
The two maids, Mary and Sue, dutifully placed plates of food on top of the table.
Nicole wished to have breakfast with Ethan, so she asked Sue to come with her to the young man’s room and have her meal set up there.
Of course, Ethan didn’t mind. But he was quite surprised to hear that Nicole preferred to eat with people since he had the impression that the young lady was a lone wolf who liked to do things solo.
“Ethan, let me give you some friendly advice,” Nicole said as she poured honey on the pancake on her plate. “The Asta family can’t be trusted.”
“Understood.” Ethan nodded. “You can’t be trusted.”
Nicole ignored Ethan’s reply and continued her explanation.
“There are Four Factions among the Noble Families,” Nicole explained. “The Conservative Faction likes to keep the status quo. These are the families who are actively working in the background to ensure that the Four Shire Kingdoms will be able to coexist in peace.
“They are the Diplomats of Eastshire, who have formed connections with the Nobles or ruling families of the other Shire Territories and would coordinate with them for trade and other beneficial projects.”
“The Second Faction is the Radical Faction. This Faction is pushing for the so-called Noble Supremacy, giving more power to the Nobles. The Kerr Family, which Langston belongs to, is part of the Radical Faction.
“They don't wish to harm the benefits of the Noble Families, and they are starting to expand their reach outwards, targeting neutral groups like Wizard Academies, including Brynhildr Academy.
“They want to ‘educate’ the next generation of Wizards and Witches that will be serving under Noble Families, so working with them will give them the most benefits.”
Ethan frowned, but he didn’t say anything to disrupt Nicole’s explanation. He understood that politics between Nobles was a very messy business, and if possible, he wanted to steer clear of their drama.
“The third Faction is the Military Faction,” Nicole said with a smile. “This one is just as troublesome as the Radical Faction. However, instead of Noble Superiority, they aim to strengthen the military force of the Kingdom in preparation for expansion.”
“… Expansion meaning?” Ethan had a bad feeling about the Military Faction, and he hoped that he was just overthinking things.
Nicole smirked because she could tell what Ethan was thinking.
“The Military Faction is building a strong army with the excuse of protecting the realm. However, it is very clear that they are meant to expand the Kingdom by taking the territories of our neighbors. The Asta Family is part of the Military Faction.”
Sebastian, who was inside Ethan’s Sea of Consciousness, could only smile after hearing Nicole’s reply.
‘Humans never change,’ Sebastian commented. ‘They are a greedy bunch.’
‘True,’ Ethan’s Other Half commented. ‘It will be best if we just conquer Eastshire and make it Ethan’s Kingdom.’
‘Now that is something I can agree to. We better start raising our armies then.’
‘Let’s.’
Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose because the peanut gallery inside his head was planning out loud.
Ethan’s Other Half even proposed that they should talk to the Beastkins, Elves, and Dwarves and propose to work together with Ethan on toppling the current Royal Family of Eastshire, to which Sebastian agreed wholeheartedly.
“And what is the last Noble Faction?” Ethan asked. “Also, are you fine talking about this stuff while Mary and Sue are both here with us?”
“Sir Gremory, please treat me as furniture,” Mary stated. “I don’t exist.”
“Um? What are you talking about, Sir Gremory?” Sue inquired. “I was so busy admiring your handsome features that I wasn’t paying attention to anything else. Did Lady Asta say something?”
The two maids smiled sweetly at the young man, whom they found endearing.
As palace maids, they were well aware of the different Factions among the nobles, so hearing this information wasn’t a big deal to them.
“Ethan, Mary and Sue are more knowledgeable about Eastshire than you are,” Nicole said. “They might even know more things that I am not aware of, so if you have time, feel free to ask Mary about anything.”
“Lady Asta is right, Sir Ethan,” Mary replied. “You can even ask about my three sizes and the color of the underwear that I am wearing today. I will not hesitate to answer Sir Gremory’s questions.”
“See?” Nicole smirked before eating a piece of the pancake on her plate.
Ethan shook his head helplessly and began to eat as well.
After taking two more bites of her pancake, Nicole resumed her explanation.
“The last Faction is the Neutral Faction,” Nicole stated. “These people are only loyal to the crown and don’t dabble too much in politics. The Oswald Family, which Luna belongs to, is part of the Neutral Faction.
“Since they are neutral, they didn’t really care about the workings of the three other Factions. Unfortunately, the other Three Factions are always doing their best to convert these Neutral Families to become part of their group. Some even resort to bribes and threats to make it happen, which is a very sad thing.”
Ethan narrowed his eyes after hearing that the Neutral Families were being targeted.
He had lived with Luna’s Family during the Winter Break, and he had seen how warm and caring they were.
If such a family were to be forced to join the messy politics of the Noble Families, Ethan would not stand idly and let it happen.
“Usually, High Ranking Nobles suggest matchmaking to the Nobles of Lower Rank,” Nicole continued. “This is their tried and true method to pull a Neutral Family under their umbrella.
“Also, can you stop making that scary face as if you’re going to kill someone? You should relax. The Oswald Family has very strong ties with the Father of our current King. He will not turn a blind eye to those who wish to drag the Oswald Barony to this messy political game.”
“They’d better not,” Ethan replied.
“This is what I hate and like about you.” Nicole sighed. “You’re very predictable when it comes to the people you care for. This is the problem with having many lovers—you have too many weaknesses, Ethan.”
Ethan neither affirmed nor denied Nicole’s statement.
If someone tried to harm his lovers, he would do everything in his power to destroy these people.
“Now that I’ve told you about the Four Factions, let’s talk about something else,” Nicole said. “Let’s talk about a strategy that will make it hard for the Nobles to approach you.”
Ethan arched an eyebrow as he looked at the mischievous smile on Nicole’s face.
Clearly, she was having fun talking to Ethan about the Games that Nobles liked to play.
An hour later, Ethan learned the Do’s and Don’ts when dealing with Noble Families.
Ethan’s Other Half laughed inside Ethan’s head after hearing the young lady’s pointers.
‘She’s right, you know,’ Ethan’s Other Half commented. ‘But, I’m afraid that those pointers will not have an effect, especially after the incident that happened last night.’
‘That’s true,’ Sebastian nodded. ‘In fact, some of those Nobles might even find you more endearing if you do as Nicole tells you. It makes me wonder if she is doing this to help you, or is simply playing a prank on you.’
Ethan blinked once then twice before asking Nicole a question.
“Are you playing a prank on me?” Ethan asked.
“Of course not,” Nicole replied.
However, the young lady averted her gaze, making Sebastian and Ethan’s Other Half laugh inside his head.
The Ballroom Party would take place the next day, and the two people inside Ethan’s head were eagerly looking forward to the results of Nicole’s pointers, which they believed had a fifty-fifty chance of working in the favor of the Noble Families of Eastshire.
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