Davison Roberto

I watched as the elevator system operated smoothly. Wind elementalists were experimenting with new methods to make the elevators faster and the rides more enjoyable for all. Kids were spinning on rides, squealing in delight, while nobles strolled through the exclusive sections of the mall, draped in the finest silks and embroideries. Times indeed were kind to the wealthy and the powerful.

A pair of guards flanked me as they escorted me to a private room where, supposedly, two nobles had been stirring up trouble. I stepped in, finding two men seated across from each other. They were red-faced, breathing heavily, as though from a heated argument, with untouched tea laid out before them. The tension between them was thick.

As soon as they noticed me, they stood up quickly, straightening themselves. “Greetings to the daughter of Duke Mackil,” one of them said with a bow. He looked composed but wary. "I am Baron Sroli," he introduced himself, while the other man maintained an unpleasant smirk.

"And you are?" I turned to the smirking man, giving him a polite smile, but inside, I was already irritated by his defiant expression.

His face darkened, his cheeks flushed with anger. "How could you forget the prince's close friends just because you ended your engagement?" His tone was sharp, bordering on rude, as he looked at me with an offended glare.

I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, my... And you are…?” I asked, genuinely feigning confusion, adding just enough sweetness to keep him guessing.

He bristled at my response, clearly insulted. “Are you insulting me? I am Davison Roberto, elder son of Marquis Roberto! How do you not remember a face like mine?” He looked me up and down, as though I were something unpleasant. "Well, I suppose I can’t blame you, since most of your time was spent clinging to the crown prince. You must have had no room to remember the men around him.”

The way he said it was meant to sting. I could feel the irritation prickle beneath my skin, but I forced myself to stay calm, watching him instead.

“It’s hard to keep track of faces from that time, especially with so many hangers-on in the prince’s circle,” I said with a faint smile. “But perhaps it’ll come back to me.”

Davison scoffed, clearly not amused. “Really now, clinging onto a title you could never keep, you think you are something great? Being a Duke's daughter shouldn't you be ashamed that a marquis Lady Miss Clivat could steal your spot. Well, I guess people who get what they deserve." hahaha, his laugh echoed the room.

Baron Sroli, who had been silent up until now, looked shocked but said nothing. His eyes darted nervously between us. It was unheard of a less ranking noble being so rude to his superiors, but  Davison Roberto must have believed it's okay to do so as old Helen used to do anything to please the Crown Prince and his companions.

I narrowed my eyes at Davison. The son of Marquis Roberto, and yet he acts like a unmannered child. He went on, grinning, enjoying the attention as he mocked us.

“I wonder what it’s like to fall from being the future crown princess  to the unwanted ex,” Davison sneered, his eyes gleaming with malice. “Or are you still hoping he’ll come crawling back? Must be hard to accept you  only had a political relationship.”

Lusav shifted beside me, glancing at me with barely veiled anger, but I held up a hand to stop him. Not yet. I leaned closer to Lusav and whispered, “You’ll know when.” I allowed my lips to curl into a small smile as I turned back to Davison.

Davison’s face lit up, mistaking my silence for weakness, and he pressed on with his venomous remarks. “And as for you, Sroli,” he snorted, throwing a dismissive look at the baron, “your lot should stick to small deals and stay out of the way of actual nobility. It’s laughable watching you act like you’re of any consequence.”

I glanced at Sroli, whose face had gone red with anger and embarrassment. He clenched his fists but held his tongue. I could feel my patience wearing thin, and I knew it was time.

“Lusav,” I called softly, gesturing for him to step forward. Glancing towards Davison I spoke "you must have enjoyed spitting these ugly vocabulary of yours when I used to be the crown prince's fiancee. Now that I am not any more your friend's little doll I don't see a reason to hear you so patiently. Do you understand." The room was cold, my voice was sharp as a sword. My patience was over and now it was time for the punishment. If I had been alone with him, I would have chopped of the fingers he was pointing at me, but now something else was the punishment I had chosen.

Lusav approached Davison, his usual serene expression masking a hint of anticipation. I gave him a subtle nod. Then, without a word, Lusav’s hand flashed out, connecting sharply with Davison’s cheek in a crisp smack. The sound echoed in the room.

Davison’s face twisted in shock, his mouth dropping open as he clutched his cheek, unable to find words.

I raised an eyebrow, feigning concern. “Lusav, did you hurt your hand?” I asked, a small, mocking smile playing at my lips.

Davison recovered enough to sputter, “You—you… how dare you—”

“Lusav,” I said calmly, ignoring Davison’s protests, “I think I hear an irritating buzzing sound around Mr. Roberto. Could you silence it, please?”

Without hesitation, Lusav delivered another sharp slap to Davison, his hand landing with a satisfying smack. Davison’s cheeks were now bright red, his mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. His veins stood out on his temples, pulsing with anger.

“How dare you!” he screamed, rage overtaking him. “The crown prince will hear of this—”

I sipped my tea, unbothered. “Lusav, I still hear buzzing. Perhaps a third attempt will quiet it?”

Lusav raised his hand, his expression as steady as ever, and Davison tried to block him, but he was no match. Lusav’s hand landed squarely on his cheek again, and the room finally fell silent. Davison’s hand dropped, his face white with shock and humiliation. Even Baron Sroli looked as though he’d rather disappear.

I set my teacup down, letting silence linger in the air as I savored the tension. “Ah, isn’t this silence lovely?” I glanced at Lusav, my lips curving into a faint smile. “Lusav, did I perhaps take too long in bringing about this peace?”

Turning to the guards, I asked casually, “Were any of you terribly annoyed by that endless buzzing?”

One of the guards, trying to mask a smirk, replied, “My Lady’s timing is always perfect. We were… quite relieved to see that nuisance quieted.” His partner nodded in firm agreement.

I let a light chuckle escape, then fixed Davison with a look that could slice through steel. My tone was calm but laced with ice. “People ought to learn manners in their own homes, wouldn’t you agree, Davison? Especially when they lack the basic respect required to speak in front of me.”

He shifted uncomfortably, his earlier confidence withering under my gaze. I leaned forward just slightly, making my words impossible for him to ignore. “Davison Roberto,” I continued, my voice steady and chilling, “for your foolish words, I’ll see to it that all trade with your family is affected. Consider this a reminder of what happens to those who challenge the dignity of House Mackil.”

The color drained from his face, and I let the moment sink in, enjoying the ripple of shock and fear reflected in his eyes. My point had been made, and there would be no mercy.

"Good. Now, I’ll give you both a moment to explain yourselves. I’ve already heard the story on my way here, but I’d like to hear you admit to disturbing the peace of my establishment. Do you agree that you caused a commotion?”

Baron Sroli, visibly shaken by Davison’s treatment, stammered, “Y-Yes, my lady…”

I turned my gaze to Davison, my eyes sharp and cold. “And you, Mr. Roberto?”

“Yes, my lady,” he muttered, unable to meet my gaze.

I leaned back, watching them with a slight smile. “Since you both agree, here is your punishment. For the next five days, you will come to this mall daily and make purchases from three different shops—at double the price. The baron has to spend a minimum of 15 gold while the marquis's son has to spend a minimum of 28 gold in this mall before the 3rd day. If not done, the consequences will reach your homes, also make sure what happened today does not leave the room.”

Their eyes widened in shock, but neither dared protest. “This will serve as a warning to others: any disturbances here will cost you. And unlike today, you may not get off so lightly.”

They nodded, unable to refuse. The message had been delivered. Violence was never my first choice, but sometimes, it was the swiftest way to a solution. I didn’t rule as a helpless noble lady—I ruled as the heir to Duke Mackil and, more than that, as Helen, who feared no one who dared oppose me.

I watched them leave, both humbled and silent. Today, they’d learned a lesson they wouldn’t soon forget. I did have plans in forgiving them as I knew lusav was the one who ignited the fight, but the details I got to know from the guards were more shocking.