I Refuse to be Captured - Chapter 3 (Patreon)

I didn’t get off with just writing a letter.

Honestly it was my Father’s fault.

He heard about my prank at dinner and while it was clear Mother was hinting that he should take the opportunity to express how displeased he was with my actions, my Father decided to react…differently.

It was maybe five minutes later when he was able to stop himself from laughing and calm himself down. Mother was…displeased…to put it lightly. So instead of a simple apology letter, the entire family was going to go over to the Gale estate for me to properly apologize in person.

Not that I really cared. If my Mother decided I needed to apologize then I would. Simple as that. It was just annoying that this was likely going to end up being an awkward night of either getting glared at by the Duke’s family or trying to fake a sincere apology.

I had no trouble forming the words. The tone though…

Oh well, I’ll just take this as a lesson on why I need to hide any pranks better in the future.

Here’s hoping Alice just didn’t wind up crying. That would be far too annoying.

-o-

“I really must thank you for how much your son looked out for Alice, Duchess Storm.” Lady Marie Lilian Gale, Duchess of Gale said sincerely as all of us sat down in one of the dining rooms.

“Yes, it was a relief that Alice found someone to look out for her.” Duke Gale said sternly. “I was worried she would be an embarrassment, but everything worked out fine.”

“O-oh…of course. Naturally we are very happy to hear Max made a good impression.” Mother didn’t seem to know how to deal with a positive impression of me. I’d be offended if I wasn’t also thrown by their reactions. They did know I made their daughter act crazy in front of a bunch of other children, right?

Also, geez, expecting her to be an embarrassment? That’s a really high opinion of your own daughter…

“Yes, we are all enjoying the game he introduced her to here as well. ‘Two hobbies and a lie’ was it? Such a novel way of introducing yourself, but I can see how it would ease the tension of first time introductions.”

Ah Mother, don't look at me like that. It was an honest prank! How was I supposed to know the Gales had this kind of nonstandard thinking!? And Father! Don’t just sit there laughing, do something!

“Indeed,” Mother said cooly, enough so I couldn’t bring myself to look at her and stubbornly stared at one of the paintings instead. “Well, if anyone decides to bother little Alice over it make sure to let them know it was Max’s idea. You know how some people can be over new things. Even something as simple as children’s games.

But why don’t we let the children get to know each other a little better while we talk? Duchess Gale I wanted to discuss your travel plans for the upcoming banquet…”

“Oh of course! Here, come this way and we can discuss things. Alice, be a dear and take Maximilian to one of the gardens? You both can play there.”

Alice nodded primly and motioned for me to follow her, but before I could, Mother had a deathgrip on my shoulder and was hissing into my ear.

“You better apologize properly!”

I could only nod helplessly in return.

-o-

Soon enough I was led to a decently sized garden with Alice. I wasn’t much of a gardener but it looked about on the same level as the ones at home so I supposed it was considered very nice.

I also figured Alice realized I had pranked her because she refused to look at me the entire time. The two of us just silently walked around until I decided I should at least give her the apology Mother demanded.

“Sorry for the party.” There I said it.

“Excuse me?” Came the soft reply. Yeah, I’d be pissed too at such a half hearted apology.

“You know, for telling you the ‘hobby lie’ thing was the proper protocol.” I clarified. “I shouldn’t have taken advantage of your ignorance.”

Against my expectations, Alice just giggled. “I do not mind. Being the first person to play your new game was worth it. The house has become quite fond of it as well. Mother was planning on introducing it to a few of her friends as well, if they have younger children.” So that stupid ‘game’ was going to spread across the nobility? Mother was going to kill me. “Nevertheless, your apology - unneeded as it is - is accepted.”

“...thanks then.”

We walked in silence for a bit more. Alice seemed perfectly comfortable doing so, but I was struggling in the slightly awkward atmosphere. Seriously, what was I supposed to talk with a fourteen year old girl about?

Eventually, we stopped at a random corner of the garden though I didn’t know why. Unlike the rest of the garden this patch looked damaged. The stems and branches looked like something had been hacking at them.

“Do you have hobbies, Maximilian?”

I side eyed the girl who was taking an unusual interest in the damaged plants. So we were doing this now? Whatever, I could handle bland smalltalk for a bit.

“Some. Normal ones like reading and the like. I tried my hand at inventing things for a bit but that was harder than it seemed. Mostly I fence.”

“You must not be very good at it. I’ve paid attention to most of the competitions but I’ve never seen you qualify.”

My eye twitched. Of course I hadn’t attended a competition, they had an age restriction of fifteen!

“I, on the other hand, have taken up gardening.” Alice continued. “And according to our Head Gardener I am making great improvements in caretaking.”

“Is that why half the plants here look like they were mauled by a wild animal?” I asked bluntly.

“It is incredibly rude to point out the failings of others without their asking your opinion.” Didn’t she conclude I was a terrible fencer just a bit ago? “And I will have you know while I am admittedly a beginner, I am much better than I was just last year. Though in the interest of further improvement I will allow you to share your criticisms, since you are obviously an expert on the subject yourself.”

…I really didn’t know how to handle this girl. But as the (mentally) older person here, I should just ignore the condescending words and give her my honest opinion, just like she asked.

“Well, befitting a complete novice, none of these plants look like they were arranged with the surroundings in mind. Then we have the arrangements themselves. You cut so many holes in the poor things I’m not sure you were trying to remove them branch by branch and just gave up halfway. Though maybe that was because removing the earlier ones tired you out. What DID you use, a hacksaw?”

Alice flushed and stood straighter. “That is no way to speak to a lady, you brute.”

“Well pardon me then, I thought you wanted an honest opinion.” I smirked back.

“I requested you to share your criticisms, not nitpick every perceived flaw you could imagine.”

“Sorry to say Miss Gale, these were the biggest flaws I found. If you wanted nitpicking I could certainly oblige though…”

The two of us squared up. I was certain this was going to escalate into an exchange of insults or an actual fight that was going to have Mother heaping enough punishments onto me that I might finally escape them when I turned sixty. I also found it hard to care at the moment.

This hypocritical noble brat was not going to be able to just casually insult me and not expect me to retaliate!

“Ahem.”

…

All the blood in my body turned to ice at the sound of an intruder interrupting our growing argument.

I turned to face them, slowly, and sure enough it was my Mother staring at me with murder in her eyes and the rest of the parents in the background. Well at least if she killed me here they wouldn’t need to move far to hide the body.

“Mother! Are you done speaking to Duchess Gale?” I tried in vain to brush the previous situation aside.

“I am.” She practically growled. “And color me surprised to see my son behaving in an absolutely inappropriate manner in the meantime.” She took a calming breath and turned to Alice, “My apologies Miss Alice, I will make sure this delinquent is properly punished when we return home.”

Delinquent?!

“Not at all, Duchess Storm.” Alice bowed slightly. “Both of us simply got too passionate about our discussion. It was quite fun actually. I don’t often have the chance to have such a vigorous conversation partner. Even if Maximilian doesn’t know what he is talking about.”

“Is that so? It’s wonderful you children are getting along so well.” Duke Gale commented. “Alice is usually a bit too reserved and has trouble opening up to others.”

That settled it. There was something wrong with the Gales. No one normal would confuse the two of us for actually getting along nor anything regarding Alice as being reserved. Especially with her casually insulting me yet again.

It certainly confused Mother.

“W-well I’m glad then.” She actually stuttered! I don’t think I’ve ever seen her do that. “Nevertheless, it is time for us to take our leave. Maximilian, say your goodbyes.”

“Thank you for hosting us. It was…exciting.” I dutifully replied.

“Of course, and I trust I will see you at the Prince’s birthday next month? It will be nice to have a friend in attendance.”

In what world could we be considered friends?! This girl was going to be the death of me. Besides, I wanted nothing to do with the second prince until the academy. Even if we weren’t debuted people would still be trying to tie me to one faction or another since I would be the Duke of Storms eventually.

A firm hand tightened on my shoulder.

“Maximilian would be happy to accompany you.” Mother said pleasantly. “Though hopefully his manners will have improved by then.” The grip tightened even further.

Ah, I was wrong. It seemed my death would be caused by my own mother. What a cruel fate…