Leofric Cyneheard Wymane

He could hear the excited screams from his sister, her cheering piercing through the quiet air in the garden.

"Woooohoooo!

"My love! Here I come!"

"We'll be together forever! My only one true love!"

Meanwhile, everyone else was appalled. They watched the Princess having the time of her life, by jumping off the balcony. 

Towards her self-proclaimed lover.

That was a tree. 

However, for Leofric, this was a normal occurrence. 

"What a crazy--!" Edric choked out, letting out a laugh of disbelief. 

"Oh my lord of all things sweet and spicy," a servant muttered out. "What have I just witnessed?"

"Zele!" Rowena cried out. 

"Her Highness! Her Highness jumped off the balcony!"

"Call the doctor! The royal doctor!"

"The Duke is going to kill us all!"

"I pray for the gods above to spare us some mercy from the Duke's wrath. Amen. Amen…"

"This is no time to be praying!"

"Guards, hurry to the garden! Quickly!" Edric commanded, turning to his side. "Find the Princess at all costs!"

The spot where Leofric occupied was empty now. 

"Leo--Leo? Where are you?!"

At the same time, Leofric leapt down the balcony, grabbing onto the tree branch and making his way down to the garden swiftly. He swept off the dirt and leaves on his outfit, marching his way towards the tree that Zelene claimed to be her beloved.

His appearance was impeccable as before. 

He looked up, seeing his drunken sister hugging the tree trunk in the moonlight. Her eyes were closed as she pressed her face against the trunk. 

She smacked her lips together, mumbling incoherently. 

"...really now."

He sighed in relief, stretching out his hand. 

It would be even more surprising if she landed on the ground. 

There was a reason why his mother never kept tall trees in the garden ever again. 

"Light."

Balls of light flew out from his hands, situating themselves between the leaves. It lit up the tree, making it appear ethereal and Zelene opened her eyes. 

"Woah! So pretty!"

She waved her hands about, clapping and letting out a happy cheer. Her dress was ruined since it scraped against the branches, but Zelene did not care. 

"So, are you happy now? My dearest sister?" Leofric asked, crossing his arms. "About your debutante."

"Yes! Happy!" she giggled, raising her hands in the air. "So happy, brother! It was terribly fun!"

"If you are that happy, why don't you--"

"--come down from the tree now, like a good daughter."

Leofric released a startled yelp, spinning around. 

His father stood behind him in an imposing manner. 

Leofric gulped nervously. 

"Care to explain, my dear son?"

Sorry, Zele. 

Leofric tossed his sister aside for his own livelihood. 

You are on your own now. 

He pointed to Zelene on the tree. "She did it all on her own. No matter how we tried to stop her."

"I'll increase your training."

"...hah."

"By tenfold."

"Father. You want me to die, don't you?"

"Or would you rather relay these events to your mother? Face to face?"

Leofric went pale. 

"No, thank you. Our mother is all yours to handle."

His answer was prompt, his hand gesturing towards his father.  

The Duke's face twisted. "You changed your mind quickly."

"I am simply appreciative about your thoughts about my well-being, father."

"..."

In an instant, the imposing atmosphere around his father dissipated. He deflated, appearing somewhat scared. 

"Your mother is going to kill me."

"Not before she kills Zele first."

"Agreed."

"Zele!" Rowena hollered her name from a distance away. "Where are you?!"

The garden that was serene a while ago was now filled to the brim with people. 

Zelene continued giggling in the tree, waving to her father. "Father! I'm okay! I'm so okay!"

"What exactly about this is okay?!" Leofric yelled back.

The Duke heaved out. "Oh boy."

. . . . . 

The newspapers were full of articles about the free-willed Princess of the Wymane family. 

Some called her charming yet poisonous flower. 

Others called her the ferocious and untamed lioness. 

All in all, Zelene Cyneheard Wymane was now infamous across the Taiwisha Kingdom.

"Didn't I tell you to behave yourself?! You aren't getting any younger, Zelene! Look at this, they were clearly insulting you!" 

Leofric dodged the newspaper that was thrown his way. His sister hid behind him, using him as a meatshield. 

This wasn’t the first time this happened. 

The only things his mother wouldn't throw are cups and plates, since she didn't want to injure her children. 

That didn't mean she couldn't get angry though. 

"I'm so sorry, mother! I...I was drunk! I didn't know what I was doing!"

"You…! How could you drink alcohol without any inhibitions?! Where are your manners as a noble lady?!"

Zelene peeked her head out, seeing something thrown her way. She squeaked, hiding behind Leofric and pushing him in front. 

Leofric was immediately assaulted by a heavy dress, making him stumble. 

A dress?

This is a first. 

I didn't take my mother for one to toss dresses. 

Leofric removed the dress from his face, dropping it onto the ground. 

"And you, Leo!"

He blinked rapidly, a tranquil look on his face. 

"Yes, mother?"

"Why did you not control your sister? Don't you know her better by now?"

"Edric was speaking to me about official matters, and I couldn't turn my back on the Crown Prince of our kingdom," Leofric explained, pointing accusingly at his sister. "I was only away for thirty minutes, and I found Zele exclaiming her love for a tree."

"What, I…!" Zelene sputtered out in disbelief, smacking his hand away. "I was not…!"

"Ow."

"I wasn't exclaiming my love for a tree at all!"

"You were screaming at it with all your heart and soul. Like star-crossed lovers." Leofric grinned.

Zelene was mortified, smacking Leofric on the back this time. 

"I-I did not do that!"

"You did."

"No, I didn't!"

"I can get Edric to show you the footage recorded through magic."

Zelene gasped, punching him on the arm this time.

"Ow! Stop abusing me."

"No! Say you didn't see it!" 

"My tree, my love! Wait for me!"

"Will you shut your mouth?!"

"My love--ouch."

"You. Are such. A terrible older brother!"

"Just like you."

"Mother! Look at your son!"

"I'm not the one who started this." Leofric shielded himself from his sister’s attacks. 

"Oh, be quiet! The both of you!"

The pair of siblings flinched, looking at their mother. Zelene glanced up at Leofric, hiding behind him again. 

Their mother's face was slightly wrinkled, and a few grey hairs have started to sprout out. Their mother wasn't young anymore, but she wasn't too old just yet. 

However, she seemed to be losing her vigour due to a very energetic daughter. 

She sighed, her forehead on her palm. 

"Zelene Cyneheard Wymane, from this day forth, you will attend the Ladies' Academy for three whole years."

"Wha--" Zelene widened her eyes in disbelief, no longer hiding behind Leofric. "How can you--are you really sending me to that ridiculous school, mother?!"

"When you come back, I'll find a suitable husband for you."

"I don't want to get married either! Why are you doing this?"

"Anyone there? Hurry and pack the clothes for Zelene. She'll be reporting to the academy soon."

"Mother!"

Their mother disregarded Zelene's protests, and the servants obeyed their master's commands. It was then Leofric realised how dire the situation was. 

He needed to step in. 

He dropped his teasing grin, gesturing to Zelene to stand back.

"Mother, I think this is too--"

"Too much? Too far?" She questioned, waving her hand around in frustration. "You and your father are saying the same! You two are the ones spoiling Zelene too much!"

"I don't think we should force her. You know her personality. Mother, she detests these types of things. The more you push, the more she resists. She is only sixteen years old."

"That's right, mother! I don't need to learn how to be a lady, I want to--"

Leofric covered her mouth with his hand, narrowing his eyes. "Zele, shut up."

He was trying to save his sister from obvious torture. 

"Mmmm!"

"You think I don't know that, my dear son? I have no choice, in this day and age, she still needs to learn how to be a proper noble lady," his mother sighed out, looking at him. "Other than Rowena, she's completely ostracized by the other noble ladies."

"I would beg to differ, some of them are charmed by how unique she is."

"But how long will that phase last? I want to help her find a good place among the high society. Your father and I can't be here to guide the two of you forever. Both of you need to support each other, whether it's through power or connections. "

"..."

Their mother's words struck a chord within them, especially Leofric. 

He knew he couldn't say anything more  

Leofric withdrew from the argument, glancing back at his sister. 

She had composed herself as well. 

"Just try this out, for your worried mother. Hmm? Zelene. I only want a peaceful life for you. Perhaps, in another era, you might be accepted by society, but this isn't that time now."

"I…" Zelene clutched at her dress, lowering her head. "I understand, mother."

"I'm sorry, my dear child. Society won't change overnight, it takes time. If you end up all alone, I will live in fear knowing I won't be able to protect you someday."

Zelene lowered her head, inhaling deeply.

Leofric heaved a long sigh, ruffling his sister's hair. "Next time, you should restrain yourself."

"....mm…"

She was dejected. 

"Or at least, do it when there's no one to tattle on you." Leofric lowered his voice, smirking. 

Zelene showed him a half-hearted smile. 

"Okay."

. . . . . 

On the day they were supposed to send Zelene off to the academy, she hesitated. Turning back, she implored her mother once more. 

"Mother, thinking about it...I...I really don't want to go."

"No. It is a requirement for a noble lady of the Taiwisha Kingdom to attend the academy for a year, no matter their position."

"Th-then, a year! Just one year for me! I swear, I'll be a good lady from now on!"

"You always say something like that, and we end up falling for it."

Leofric couldn't help but laugh, earning looks from his family. 

It was a fact. 

He cleared his throat, smiling at his younger sister. "It'll be quiet without you here, finally some peace."

Zelene pouted, smacking her brother once again.  

"Rowena will be your guide in the academy, she's your senior there."

"At least Rowena is there…"

She seemed on the verge of crying, and Leofric sighed. 

Only in times like these...

Leofric stepped forward, hugging his sister. "Zele, be well. Also, just do the things you can, and don't do the things you can't."

"...but I can't walk away from them either..."

"It's simple. If you do encounter them, I'll be a letter away."

"..."

She widened her eyes, stunned. 

Eventually, Zelene smiled and hugged Leofric back. "Thank you, brother."

"Don't be so reckless from now on. Even if you must, be smart about it." Leofric lowered his voice.

"...I'll try."

Their mother stepped forward, embracing Zelene. Their father did the same. 

"Take care, my daughter."

"Come home when you are able. We'll miss you."

"I really...don't want to go."

The servants said their goodbyes as well, some of them weeping softly. The horses leading the carriage let out a huff, as if annoyed at the situation. 

Eventually, Zelene reluctantly left for the academy. 

Leofric watched the carriage travel further and further into the distance. His eyebrows were furrowed and he began thinking to himself. 

Surely, nothing will go wrong in the academy. 

It's an academy to groom ladies for society. 

How bad could things get? 

It was only when Leofric received a letter from his sister, on his twentieth birthday...he realised how bad things could get. 

. . . . . 

The Young Duke and the Crown Prince of the Taiwisha Kingdom. 

It was a sight to behold. 

The two of them sat in the waiting room of the Royal Palace. The steam from their tea rose out of their cups, swirling in the air and the two men sipped at their tea at the same time. Their graceful actions and mannerisms made the maidservants swoon, unable to take their eyes away from the two delectable noblemen. 

Refined eyebrows, perfectly sculpted nose and prominent jawline. One pair of eyes an enchanting fiery red, while the other had a pair of mesmerizing amethyst. 

The sunlight streamed in via the opened curtains, highlighting their good-looking features. 

"I can die happy right now."

"Your Highnesses, please look over here…" 

"Oh--they looked!"

"Dismiss yourselves."

The maidservants lamented in their hearts, since they were unable to admire the heavenly view any longer. 

Once the two men were finally alone, they began their chat. 

"Edric."

"Mhmm."

"I have a favour to request."

"A favour? From the great Young Duke?"

"It's important."

"Important? Wow. Go ahead."

"Please, make me a woman."

Edric choked on his tea, spitting the rest of it out. He coughed harshly, thumping his hand against his chest. 

Leofric was splashed right in the face by the tea, still remaining just as calm. He simply grabbed his handkerchief, wiping the water away from his face. 

"Wh-wh-what did yo-you ju-just s-say?" Edric struggled the words out, trying to maintain his composure. 

Leofric leaned in, making Edric recoil back in alarm. Leofric placed his hand on his chest, his expression solemn. 

"Make me a woman."

"Wha…"

The expression Edric was one of horror and disgust. The hand holding his teacup was trembling so much, the tea spilled out onto the carpet.

"..."

"..."

"...what a crazy bastard."

- END OF CHAPTER 2 -

. . . . . 

Tales of the Cross-dressing Young Duke presents…

The Letter from the Wymane Princess.

To my dearest family, 

Two years have passed now. 

Like mother wished, I have made many friends.

I am so eager to relate my experiences here with you in person. Especially snacking on those delicious cakes and pastries made by our lovely personal Wymane chef. 

Oh, how I miss it all so much.

But… 

There is something strange about the academy.

Brother, can you believe it? 

Assassins! They are here, in the academy!

Wait, don't say anything to anyone yet! They might escape if we expose them now. So, please, keep this a secret. 

Within a year, I'll find a way. 

I'll find a way to trap them all. 

Believe me, I will!

Do you think our uncle--I mean, the King, would grant me a wish if I were to present them to him? 

You see, I want to be a knight.

The first female knight in history! I'll make our Wymane family proud.

See you soon!

Your daughter and sister, 

Zelene Cyneheard Wymane 

And...Another Letter from the Wymane Princess.

Oh, Leo, since you taught me how to punch, how about the sword this time?

Right, and magic too! I discovered I have an affinity for it. You know, they have the magic test here in the academy. 

There was no such magic test in the academy. 

My dearest brother. I know you aren't one of the strongest knights around for nothing!

One more thing, don't let mother and father see this additional letter. 

If they see this, well…uhm. Yes, well...

My condolences.

Your dearest sister, 

Zelene Cyneheard Wymane 

Once more, Tales of the Cross-dressing Young Duke presents…

The Letter(s) from the Wymane Princess--which made her family faint more than once. 

 Especially her dearest brother. 

. . . . .

Author's Note: Please know that this story is updated only once a month. I want to finish the other stories first before focusing on this.