Transcendence?

***Norfolk, Capital-City***

***Celestial***

“I am innocent!”

Should I really believe that!? Surely he negotiated for something like this with the Jarl! He had a strange connection to the Jarl! Why else would he be accepted as a noble from Norfolk!

But even if he is innocent or not, I have to come up with something! I won't share Ascathon with someone else! Me being part of a harem!!? That's the end! I would arrive at the ultimate bottom of womanhood!

Who in her right mind would be happy to see her partner getting intimate with someone else! And I am not lesbian either! I have a child with this guy for gods sake!

What to do? Think fast before anyone gets over the shock of this revelation! On the other hand, nobody said that this Natasha is now his wife. The document just said that he has to take care of her.  But the dickheads in this room will surely interpret the testament with their own perverted thoughts.

That's it! I shoot up and my chair topples over. Ascathon rolls a little backwards in anticipation that the need to escape could arise. I point at my dear husband and smile.

“♠~I challenge you to a duel for the position of the Jarl!~♠”

If the room was silent before, the silence is now complete! If I would drop a needle, I could probably hear the impact on the ground. A few pearls of sweat form on my forehead, as I think of the implications of my actions.

I just broke several traditions. Like speaking up loudly during a discussion between men. Like challenging my own husband in public. Like trying to get into a position of power despite being a woman! Fuck this country!

A few mixed feelings play over Ascathon's face as he probably has similar thoughts. He looks down on his lap and starts to mumble. “A principality is already troublesome to manage … how troublesome is the whole fucking nation?” Then a smile forms on his face and he waves with both hands towards the throne with Natasha on it.

“~Sure. Take it. You are the new Jarl. It's all yours.~”

“Eh. Really? You have no problem with it?” I tap my lip with my index finger.

He shakes his head. “None at all! ~Sugar Cat.~ … erm, I should probably say Jarl!”

Okaaay? Did he think about something I didn't? I took this decision in the spur of the moment. But if I don't go through with it now, it will have a serious impact on my reputation.

So I walk quickly to the throne and snatch the testament out of Natasha's hand. Then I grab the shocked girl at the collar and lift her out of the throne to place her beside it. “You can be the new maid! I will need an assistant.”

Then I take my place on the throne and smile at the people under me. This thing is really a little too big, I need to make it smaller.

“D... Don't joke with us! First the Jarl's concubine and now the slave-wife of someone who wasn't even born in Norfolk?” King Sven Sveralk starts screaming with all his might.

“So you challenge me?” I arch an eyebrow and smile. That one will be the perfect example!

He starts walking up to me while a shard of ice starts to form above his right hand. “I don't challenge you! I will remove you from that chair! And then we will finally start talking for real!”

Sven thrusts his hand forward and the shard of ice flies in my direction, so I invoke my battle aura and stand up while ignoring the weak attack. The shard breaks upon impacting on my chest and I grab the throne.

It's big and heavy. Made out of big and heavy wooden trunks and iron rods, which are holding the whole thing together. The previous Jarl needed such a sturdy chair, otherwise he would have had to sit on the floor.

The throne is the perfect weapon to fight magicians!

Then I jump with the throne above my head and use it like a club, striking down at the offender! I hear a scream and the breaking of bones, as the heavy throne squashes King Sven Sveralk. After confirming that there is no more movement under the throne, I look around at the assembled party.

“~Is there anyone else who wishes to object?~”

Some people turn and try to run for the door, but the huge and heavy doorwings fly shut on their own. A clicking sound marks them being locked and a huge metal joist falls into position to seal the gate completely.

Ascathon wheels slowly in front of the door and turns to face the assembled party. The wheels are jarring a little, which makes the entire scene a little bizarre. Especially because he isn't using his hands and the wheelchair seems to move on its own.

Then he smiles. “The doors are locked until this issue is solved to my satisfaction. We can't have a civil war at this moment. Phenex is solidifying its position and Mislow plus the Nation of Mist have proven that they are willing to attack us. No one will walk out of this room until everyone's signed a magical contract to obey the new Jarl.”

He pulls a stash of papers from his clothing and waves it at everybody. “Fortunately, I always have the needed materials with me. Just in case, if should I need a few more employees.”

“We aren't some commoners who can be bound with magical contracts! Who do you think you are!?” Duke Erwin decides to throw a fireball at Ascathon, but the spell hits a barrier and disperses.

My husband sighs and places the documents on his lap. “This could have been so much easier.” Duke Erwin is lifted into the air above everyone else. He is visibly fighting with the power that grabbed him, but the effort seems to be wasted.

“Whatever you do! You won't break my barrier! I am confident to be capable of the best barrier spell in Norfolk!” Duke Erwin starts a rant while rowing through the air with his hands and feet.

Ascathon smacks his head. “The best barrier spells are useless if you can't fortify yourself in a fixed position.”

Then Erwin starts to spin. First slowly, then faster and faster at incredible speed, while screaming with a Doppler effect. The situation lasts for several seconds until the scream stops and a brown liquid starts to spiral away from the Duke, who blurred into a spinning something.

The guests hastily got away from the affected area, while those who were hit are bemoaning their fate. Shortly after, the twitching and crying Duke floats to the ground. “I will sign! I will sign...”

“Then please start to form a line and I will hand you the contracts.” Ascathon starts to hand out the contracts.

Someone taps my shoulder and I turn to see Natasha eyeing me with fear. “Are there possibilities to climb higher in rank than being a maid or secretary? You know, I am very good at managing this country...”

I eye her for several seconds. “I won't share my husband!”

Natasha nods. “No need to share, he is all yours! Though I have to ask, you aren't interested in women? No? Too bad. The expression says it all...” She shuts up after witnessing my expression.

I look deep into her eyes, but I recognize no deceit. “Fine. We will see what you can do. Of course that's regarding affairs of the state and nothing else!”

Natasha starts to smile satisfied, while Ascathon rolls towards us. “I handed the troublesome stuff to someone who already signed.”

“I still want to know why the Jarl handed everything to you.” I fold my arms in front of my chest.

“Maybe I can help... Ibrahim always kept a multitude of documents and testaments in his chambers. Just in case that something might happen to him. He cared very much for his wives. So in case of his death, we should be able to deal with the situation to our benefit.” Natasha explains.

“Eh? So becoming my property is beneficial to you?” Ascathon smirks with a dirty expression, while looking at Natasha.

Hmpf... Why does this sting so much! He shouldn't look like that at other women!

“Ibrahim cared for us, but he was still a follower of tradition in some aspects. It was the best testament I had to choose from. The others either didn't fit, or would have left me off worse. Ibrahim couldn't see everything in advance. But he seriously thought that you would be able to prevent a civil war in case of his death.” Natasha starts to fiddle with her fingers.

“I see.” I turn to Ascathon. “And now … why didn't you object to me becoming the Jarl!?”

Ascathon smirks and looks back at the assembled group of people. They are almost done with signing contracts. Then he hands me one of the contracts.

I grab the paper and start to read. “ … bla … bla … complete obedience to Ascathon Asceron and his house!? They needed to swear to me!” I rip the paper and look at him. “I am just a figurehead if it's like this!”

He shrugs. “What did you expect? I am not carrying magical contracts with your name around.”

“Argh! I have been had!” I drop the papers and stomp onto them.

"Well Dear, the devil is in the details."

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