A Life and Death Battle.
Exactly as the name portrayed, the battle was about fighting until one of the opponents surrendered, and not just surrendering.
The surrendered must die at the hands of the opponent.
In a way, the succession battle in the Langston family was the same. The only difference between the two battles was that the succession battle was every day in the Langston family after they reach eight years old. On the other hand, the Life and Death battle only last for a day, meaning that one of the opponents must meet their death within a day.
The children of the Langston family were not stupid to initiate this battle. It was like an unspoken agreement between them. The Life and Death battle was indeed the fastest way to clear out their opponents for the heir position, but one must have a good reason that will be accepted and not forced by both parties.
Besides that, the Langston siblings have always been careful with one another. The older siblings hardly interacted with each other, and so, the Life and Death battle was gradually forgotten, or not given that much attention.
The seat of the Grand duke's heir was their ultimate goal.
Though the older siblings did not bother to initiate challenges, that did not mean they were blind to their younger siblings' ambitions. As long as their younger siblings were at war with themselves, their opponents for the heir position would reduce little by little without them lifting a finger.
The fifth madam was aware of this fact. She knew the older children of the grand duke looked down on her son as a worthless opponent, but she was happy about that for now.
Among the traditions of the succession battle in the Langston family, there was something that every child who reached their age of succession does. Once a child clocked eight years old, they have a battle with the sibling that was closest to them in terms of age.
That was why there was a battle between her son and the fourth young lady. It was a succession battle that only lasted for a day, and the only battle that death between the opponents was not allowed.
Though there was such rule, fifth madam encouraged her son to kill the fourth young lady. She couldn't let such chance of killing a weak opponent slip through her fingers. If any of the wives were in her position, they would have done the same.
Who in the Langston family truly stuck by the rules? It would be laughable if there was an innocent person amongst them.
Fifth madam had already come up with an excuse for her son. After the death of the fourth young lady, she would have said that her son was unable to control his strength. He was just a ten-year-old, and having skilled swordsmanship at that young age was very impressive in the empire.
After all, it was that same skill that had helped her son when he also reached the age of succession.
It was also widely known fact that fourth young lady was very weak, and the weakest among the children of the Grand duke. No one would blame her son for ending her life. They would only point out her flaw, which was her weakness, and that was not supposed to be, because all children of the grand duke must have received special training for the succession battle before that age of succession.
Fifth Madam believed that the fourth young lady's weakness was a blessing in disguise. She and the other wives have been wanting to end her life because of one thing.
Her pure blood.
Apart from the second young master, she was the only child that fully resembled the grand duke. Her eyes were not multi-colored like some of the other children of the grand duke.
In the Langston family, the vibrant crimson eyes that sparkled like a ruby signified a power. A power that only belonged to the true descendant of the Langston family. A power that allows them to wield influence and wealth after the imperial family.
The ability to control demons, the beings of the underworld.
There was a reason the second young master was likely to be heir, and feared by many in the Langston grand duchy. It was because of that power.
Though the fourth young lady was weakest among the Langston children, it did not mean she was actually weak. Her powers were dormant, and no one knew when she would be fully awakened.
Among all the children of the grand duke, she was the only one who could possibly rival the second young master. Not the first young master or any other children of the grand duke. That was an unspoken truth. A truth that could not be denied, and no one wanted to acknowledge.
Fifth Madam was the same as everyone. She refused to acknowledge that a child with lowly blood had more chance to be the grand duke's heir than her son.
Even if her status as a viscount's daughter was low in the nobility, her son was still a full born child with noble blood. And yet, a child with half born noble blood was given that power.
''Edwin!''
Hearing her son's words, Fifth Madam shouted in horror. What was her son doing? He did not consult her about this horrendous battle!
''Y-Your excellency, children love to jest a lot. Please don't pay attention to this child's words.'' Turning to the Grand duke, Fifth Madam pleaded, laughing the matter off. In the Langston family, one must be careful. No one was innocent, including the weakest person. Fifth madam was not dumb to notice something off during the last battle. According to her son, the fourth young lady's thumping heart had stopped. He was sure that she was not breathing, and fifth madam absolutely believed her son.
Despite his young age, her son was a growing skilled swordsman, so detecting when someone was alive or dead was no big matter for him.
''Mother, I am not jesting! I am challenging fourth sister to a life and death battle!'' Edwin was totally serious with his words, and fifth madam just wanted to faint on the spot.
Couldn't her son just listen to her? This was the first time he disregarded her words.
''Edwin, you better listen to me. Revoke that challenge.'' Fifth madam gritted her teeth. She pointedly looked at her son, indirectly telling him that he must listen to her words. A life and death battle was too risky now. There was a reason the fourth young lady survived in that battle. A reason unknown to the whole family, including the grand duke.
What if the fourth young lady had awakened that power?
This wasn't the first time fifth madam's thoughts came to this exact conclusion.
'She hasn't said anything yet….' Fifth madam's eyes unconsciously drifted to Raven, unexpectedly meeting those red eyes. Eyes that seemed to see through her, the same as the grand duke.
Fifth Madam released a shaky breath and swiftly avoided Raven's gaze. Anyway, she was against her son fighting the fourth young lady for now. Until she was sure that everything was under her control, she would have to reduce her contact with the fourth young lady.