It's been a few days, and as Scarlet had stated in the letter, she would come for the visit and cancel the engagement. While walking towards the Polarmis Household, Scarlet saw a crowd in the street forming in a circle. Within it, was a man crying his heart out while holding a woman in his arm. Scarlet went up closer to see what was going on. As she approached, she heard someone gossiping about what had happened.

"How sad, they were such a loving couple too..."

"They were announcing to everyone that they were going to get married as well."

"I know... To think she would get rape and hung herself like this..."

"I heard she was trying to pay off her family's debt, sadly she had to go like this."

"Sigh, such is a life for a maid..."

"Poor them."

Scarlet caught a glimpse of the man holding his beloved. She had a fabric of cloth wrapped around her neck with signs of tears rolling out from her eyes. She had bruises all over her body. He held her so close and dearly, it would make anyone cry with him. Beside him was the woman's family, and in their hand were loads of money, but they could care less about it when their daughter was dead. They were all mourning for her.

Scarlet felt her heart aching. She knew that feeling of losing a loved one very well. The occurrence of rape happens just as often as murders in her previous world. Except, no one had the time to mourn for those who suicide. There just wasn't time for it. It was a dog life world. However, this scene before her made her feel something she didn't think she would feel when she saw and heard it all the time in her previous world. Rage, pure rage.

Though she felt rage and ache for the family and the man, she was not someone who was a hero. That was very unlikely of her. She had killed numerous people without mercy, and she enjoyed the thrill of killing them. She had no choice but to enjoy the thrill to keep her mind sane. Some of her victims were rape victims. Even so, she killed them because the pay was good and it was the only way to survive at the time. She was not the one to justify the person who caused that poor woman to kill herself. She has no right to do so. Even so, if she has the chance, she won't hesitate to kill that person.

<If I find out who did such an act, I will kill them.>

Marching to the gate entrance of the Polarmis Household, Scarlet was stopped by the guard.

"Identity yourself," they asked.

She was already in a bad mood. Scarlet gave them a glare, "Scarlet Ashegrey."

Her glare alone sent chills down their spine. They quickly open the gate for her to enter. With just a single step, the wind blew into the main hall as though welcoming her. James senses her presence and greets her before she comes into the main hall. She greets back.

From the original's memories, this man was a few who treated the original with respect. He was also a well known general with an upstanding reputation. When she sent the letter to him, she anticipated for him to persuade her not to cancel the engagement. Instead, he fully welcomes her to do it. Something must have happened between him and Ian. Not that she cared. Having him accepting this made it alot easier for her.

James took her to the fighting arena of the Polarmis Household. The arena was a huge square that could hold 1000 people standing. It had wooden rails, wooden stairs, and the square itself was wood. It was plaster with gold and red painting.

"Miss Scarlet," said James as he cups his hand together in front of her, "If your wish is to cancel the engagement, I will not stop you. But as traditions have been passed down, you must defeat Ian first. In this arena, no one will intervene nor cheat their ways to help him win, this I guarantee. I will be the judge and wish for you victory."

Scarlet blinks at him. She really did not expect him to react like this. In the memories of the original, he was all in for the marriage. He did everything he could to help make the marriage work. And yet, here he was, unhesitate to break to very marriage he worked hard for it to happen. Did something really happened between him and Ian?

Scarlet couldn't trust his words. Even if he was a good person in the original's memories, he was still Ian's grandfather. Even if he held a reputation of a fair wise person, his real personality could be something else entirely. Scarlet met many like this in her previous world. It would not be strange if he was like that as well.

"Old master, why the sudden change?" Scarlet asked with caution in her voice.

James' eyes went gentle as he heard the cautiousness in her voice. It seems the war had taught her to be wary of those around her. That was a good thing, and it was good of her to be wary of him.

James chuckles at her, "Miss Scarlet, though I am an old man. I have seen and heard many things. Though told I am wise and fair, I am just a man who wishes to bring glory to my Household... However, fate has it that those who will inherit it will not be worthy of your service... While I still breathe, I still wish to do what is right, not just for my sake but for our ancestors as well."

<This old man really is wise. Unlike his grandson who wasn't even looking at the bigger picture, he was the whole time. If only the original knew this about him, and seemed his help about the situation and not about love, she would have suffered less... Really, such a pity,>

Scarlet cups her hand together, "Thank you, Old Master."

James nodded his head. It is a shame that he had to let Scarlet go, but what can he do? Ian did not understand how valuable she was, nor even see what a great person she is. If his Household was to be destroyed during his ruling then so be, he will not ruin another person's life just because of the selfishness of his own blood. If that was to happen, he would never be able to rest in peace. Scarlet has done no wrong, she does not deserve to be tortured by his needs nor his grandson.

James sighs out, "Miss Scarlet, could you amuse this old man?"

Scarlet nods her head at his request. He smiles at her, "Please do not hold back again my grandson. Or I will see it as an insult to my Household name."

<...He really is wise. He said that so that I don't have to worry about those who will come watch the duel and threaten me for going board.>

Scarlet smiles back at him, "As old masters request. I will do my best without holding back."

James nodded his head in satisfaction. They head back inside, waiting for Ian to arrive so that they can start the dual. While waiting for him, James asked Scarlet to tell him how the war went. In the original's memories, whenever she had the time to visit James, he would ask her to tell him stories. As though he was her own grandfather, and he treats her like a granddaughter. Scarlet secretly laughs inside as she thought to herself. The people that she expected to treat the original right were supposed to be those who shared the same blood as her, the one who promised to marry her, or even her friend.

Instead, it has been those who did not share the same blood as her. How ironic.

To Be Continue