The next day, after Koala helped you get dressed and off to breakfast, the staff went to work. Your things were moved from the guest room to your current space, and it was brought up to date over the next couple of days. It was more than you needed, but Hack seemed fairly insistent that it happen, apologizing for any inconvenience it caused.

Since you weren't spending much time in your room aside from sleeping, it wasn't really a bother to you at all. Early mornings were spent sparring, Koala helped you bathe and change, and then your afternoons were spent working on melding your magic with your sword.

You did so, for now, within the confines of a reinforced underground training area. It also served as a place to imprison people, but Hack assured you that the Duke hadn't played host to any uninvited guests since he had first become the Duke. But both the small training area and the adjoining cells were made of magic-canceling seastone.

It kept even the most powerful contained if needed, and more than that if your own magic got away from you, both you and the estate would be safe. Since the seastone would negate the spells, and not just rebound or absorb them.

Magic was, unfortunately, something you did not have much practice in. You knew loads of cantrips, as any noble would, and you knew a fairly decent number of advanced spells, but once your father was gone, so were your lessons. You hadn't been barred from using magic, but you kept it under wraps almost as much as your swordplay, only showing a passing interest in it.

Powerful people stood out, and people who stood out where often seen as a threat. Being competent or being strong were often left well enough alone on their own, but the combination was a quick way to a bad end if you didn't have power enough to back it up.

Now you did.

The Duke's acceptance of you was still shaky at best. You couldn't trust him implicitly, and you wouldn't have expected such in return as yet either. You were sure it was at least part of why you were doing your training by yourself in a place isolated. If he deemed it necessary to stop your progress he could without any public backlash, but also it protected you.

If someone had sent that swordsman to kill you when they thought you were powerless, their efforts may redouble if there was news of you trying to become a Sword or Guardian. You wouldn't be an unconquerable threat until you were a Grandmaster - at least, save from anyone not also on that level.

Lulusia had none, your father had been the last and none have come to pass since. Goa has one, and it's probably the primary reason why the Duke was still alive at this point. He'd passed into the category a mere year before coming of age, making him one of the youngest to reach such a point.

Germa had a few, as did Alabasta. You weren't sure about Wano, but Ilisia had three. There was no way to know how many the Empire had, even just the Nusjiro portion of it that existed on this continent. Though the Dawn Kingdom had almost an entire troop's worth, they were spread out among the many contingents of border guard groups that existed. It was hard to say why their borders were so severely tested compared to any other kingdom, but they fared well.

A day turned into a week, and between the easy routine of your training, you fell into a comfortable groove with the rest of the estate. Breakfast and dinner with the Duke during which you would speak about your progress or any issues you were having and he'd offer what advice he could. Morning training before breakfast where you spent time instructing the Duke's estate guards and picked up some of their sword forms as well.

You and the Duke began having tea together as well, since his work load had lessened over the week. During those moments you would talk mostly about the preparations for the engagement party. After the pressing details were taken care of, he took time to tell you about the relationships he had with some of the people who were going to be there.

"As I'm sure you're already aware, the relationship between my parents and I is strained." He explains, sitting across from you in the tea room. Two weeks had passed, but the distance between you had remained unchanged. It was not uncomfortable, but while he didn't seem repulsed by you, he had a tendency to give you more than ample space. "I doubt they'll even deign to show since the event will be held here and not in the capital. Sterry may arrive, if only to keep up appearances, and even then mostly just to excuse the absence of our parents."

The smile on his face is somber, his expression apologetic. "Most of the nobility from Goa who arrive will likely express their condolences. I wouldn't take it as a personal attack-."

"Why not?" You interject. Irritation is already creasing your brows, that attendees would be disrespectful to the Duke in his own home. "Have the invitations already gone out?"

"... Not as yet. Hack is finalizing the message."

"I would like a dress code to be requested then."

"One is in place."

"Does it bar people from dressing in funeral attire?"

He smiles. "Not directly, no."

You breathe in, letting the breath out slowly and calming yourself. "I would like such to be added. We're getting engaged, not dying, it's also my debut." You pause for a moment, considering things. "How much trouble would it cause if I slapped someone?"

"Far less if you could refrain from doing so until after the wedding, my lady." He answers, a laugh in his voice. "Though it would be well within your rights to have someone removed from the hall. Perhaps not Sterry, but anyone else, certainly."

"Very well. My apologies for the interruption, who else are we expecting?"

"The Crown Prince from the Dawn Kingdom, and his younger brother will likely be in attendance. The King of Germa is a possibility, but it depends. The notice is short and he's still stabilizing his kingdom after the war. I'm quite certain him and the Queen of Alabasta will be in attendance for the wedding, however. Representatives from the Queendom Kingdom will be in attendance for both I'm sure. I've yet to see them turn down an invitation to anything.

"My relationship with all of them is positive, so you needn't worry about their behavior for the most part."

"... For the most part?" You prompt, brow raised in curiosity.

The Duke clears his throat, hiding his expression behind the teacup for a moment before he answers you. "The Crown Prince of the Dawn kingdom, and his younger brother, are... exceptionally honest. Perhaps a little prone to escalating things into physical altercations, but their intentions are not malicious."

"They're protective of you?"

Sabo's smile is genuine and warm, and for a moment he looks even more handsome than he had before. "In a word, yes. We tend to look out for one another."

"I think I remember reading that the three of you attended academy together in Germa." You admit. "I shall keep that in mind then."

He nods. "Thank you." A knock at the door draws his attention and he turns as Hack enters the room.

"Pardon me, but invitations are complete, your grace."

"Ah, my apologies Hack, it seems we'll need to adjust them." The Duke replies, giving you a grin before turning back to the Butler. "The Lady Lulusia has expressed a desire to ensure people understand this is a happy occasion. It is her debut as well, and none should arrive dressed in a somber manner."

"Not just because of that." You say, getting both gazes directed at you. "None should be allowed to insult the Duke in his own home during a celebration he is hosting. I will not tolerate it."

They both regard you for a second, eyes wide before they compose themselves. Hack looks to the Duke, and the Duke turns and looks at Hack.

"You heard the lady." He says, amusement in his tone.

"Indeed. I shall make the appropriate adjustments and have the finalized items on your desk this evening." Hack explains, bowing before leaving the two of you to your tea again.

"I must take my leave for now as well. I hope to get ahead of my work before the next expedition, as I'm sure one will be requested before the party."

"If... If there's anything I can assist with, I would like to help." You manage to say. "I realize I'm not a trusted employee, but I am educated."

He pauses, considering for a moment. "If you're comfortable working with me in my office, I won't turn down the offer, my lady. Household bookkeeping is often in the hands of the Lady of the house, but I wasn't going to foist such work into your lap until after the engagement party at least.

"Only because I wanted you to have ample time to adjust," he adds hastily. "But it seems such time has already been sufficient, and the help will be welcome."

"I imagine requesting that I go on the next expedition with you won't be met so positively." You say, a smile on your face and a teasing tone in your words as the two of you exit the tea room.

"We shall see, my lady." He says as you walk down the hall. "I do need an aide-de-camp, but you might have to fight Koala for the position."

"Considering my sudden appearance pulled her from the last expedition, perhaps I could show her mercy." You admit with a grin. "It has been a few years since I was on an expedition, I can wait a few months longer. I think I'd prefer to go as a Sword or Guardian than as a personal assistant."

"I did not take you for someone who would've been satisfied staying in the camp." He agrees, opening the door to his office and allowing you to step in ahead of him. "If you were anything like Luffy, I would be concerned about you sneaking off to the border in the middle of the night. The need to slake your curiosity so undeniable."

"Luffy?"

"Ah, my apologies. Luffy D'Majom, Dawn Son of his kingdom. Portgas Ace, now Ace D'Majom, Dawn Heir is his elder brother." He clarifies. "Luffy has a tendency to act first and second, and on rare occasions think thirdly. It played a role in Ace being crowned instead. He means well," he says, seeing the concern on your face. "He's not made for politics, but he's an outstanding border knight.

"If his advanced magic gets anymore advanced, he may be able to push the Dawn border significantly further north."

"That's high praise, your grace."

"It's deserved." He assures you with a smile. "With a solid treaty between Goa and Dawn, we could see our borders pushed north as well. Lulusia may be able to recover territory also, or at least benefit from the higher demand of quartz and sapphires needed for purifying some of the monster hides and bones."

"Good tidings for all involved." You agree. "Increase in trade along the northern kingdoms will impact lands to the south and in turn bring more commerce from there to the north. In the end the entire continent could see a boon from a single event."

"Indeed." He sets some papers on what appears will be your desk for now. "Your first task will be to double check my work. Usually Hack or Koala would, but since you so graciously volunteered."

You smile, seating yourself in the chair offered by the Duke. "Accuracy of numbers is most important, but if you notice anything else, don't hesitate to mark it."

Letting your grin turn devious you raise your chin a little in haughtiness. "I shall be ruthless and exacting, your grace." You promise, turning to the work laid out before you. "I'm sure I'll find some manner of flaw."

"The Lady Lulusia thinks me flawless?" Sabo muses, playful mischievousness dripping from his tone as he sits at his desk.

"At the risk of adding to your ego, your grace, yes." You answer as flatly as you can manage, eyes staying on the work in front of you. "Your sword style is different, but there's no wasted movement. Even your estate guards have few true openings, and their training is far from complete. That intruder from two weeks ago, most likely wished to complete his mission before you returned home, but the defenses of the estate delayed him until you could arrive. Your employees are competent and well compensated, and you're the most handsome noble I've ever met."

"I -." He stammers, cutting himself off, and you can't help the small smile that graces your lips.

"Worry not, your grace, I've not yet met very many nobles." You tease, and you both hear Koala on the other side of the office doors fail to stifle a laugh.