CHAPTER XXXII: The Young Duke

SLAP!

"Have I not clearly said to you that failure is not an excuse, Zeke?" Duke said furiously to his son.

"It will never happen again, Father." He coldly answered, ignoring the pain. It was like he was made for it.

"Our territory is the center of business, and you, the son of the Aland Family, was only just a second in Business and Economic to a son of a count!? Count?! And you as my son. The Duke's son." Duke shouted, scolded him.

"I am sorry, Father." He apologized with no emotion to be seen.

The Aland Estate is known to its prosperous and wealth in the entire kingdom. In the high society, they became the second richest family from the ranking. Most agricultural and industrial products were made and formed at their jurisdiction because of its fertile lands. And due to that, many merchant guilds were established in the premises. It was the best trading place for businessmen; hence, it was named as the heart of business.

"Bear this in your mind, Zeke. The Duke of Aland's pride and reputation is more significant than you. You are the future head of this family. I am expecting so much from you rather than this."

"Yes, father." He immediately agreed like an auto-machine.

Heavy Sigh. "Get out of my sight now!" The Duke said and shoved away his son out of the room.

Zeke bowed and calmly said his farewell. "Thank you, Father."

As soon as Zeke got out from the room, the butler followed him. The butler ordered the servants behind to ready a cold water and towel. They both headed to his room.

Even when the duchess was still alive, Duke Aland was known as very strict and coldhearted father to his son. The Duke is famous in prioritizing the business and the territory than to his own family. No one can sway him to his business beliefs and determination. As a matter of fact, the marriage of the duchess and the duke was purely made from political and business relations.

Connection, influence and collaboration.

Because of the strict education set by his father, only his mother warm and love completed the daily life of the child, Zeke. That is why, it was shocking and traumatizing event for a child to lose his mother due to an unknown illness. It was like the rainbow, that shine after the rain, totally melted and gone in the sky.

After her mother's death, Francis Jon Dellaine, the Butler, was the one whom he truly can rely on. The butler's existence was one of the biggest influencers of who is he today.

The kindness and love that his mother taught of him, when she's alive, did not disappear or fade, but was nourished with guidance of Sir Francis.

"Master. Let's put some first aid on your face." The Butler handed out the cold towel to him.

"I can do it." He replied languidly. He, then, place the towel on the cheeks that was slapped by his father.

"Master, would you like to have a tea? I will send it to you right now." His butler said calmly, but with gloomy eyes.

"I am alright, Francis. Thank you, but I would like to rest in my room alone for now."

"Oh Yes. Yes, Master. We will take our leave." The butler smiled faintly.

"And please don't open the door, if you have not heard any order from me to do so." He said coldly.

"Yes, Master. We will heed your order." The Butler, together with the other servants, bowed and leave the room.

Zeke was originally supposed to visit his grandmother residing at the north territory, but he set a postponement. And he found it as necessary. Though, people already believed that he was peacefully taking his vacation out there. The Butler secured the information. And after all, he still intended to go to the north territory in the next few weeks.

When he was left alone, he opened the cabinet and lifted the bottom wood. It was a hidden closet. He took the clothes in there and changed into it. It was their silent signal between his butler and him, when he said not to open the door means I will go sneak outside.

Sir Francis knew everything about his escapades and extended its hands to cover him. It was not to tolerate him, but the butler trusted him that he will never get himself in to troubles outside. It was a secret agreement between them.

When the butler first to learn it, he was scolded and punished by writing an apology or reflection letter in three pages. It was the first time that he saw his butler to be furious. And yet, the anger that time is different from his father's. It has a warm of worries and care towards him. To add, Sir Francis did not even inform or report it to his father.

In his disbelief at that time, after his punishment, the butler offered him an agreement. It was a music in his ears. The butler said that he will let him sneak out and even proposed to cover him, but under his terms and conditions.

The conditions were that he will work hard in his study and never ever get himself into trouble outside in any form.

It was unexpected act from the butler. He would never have thought that he had this part of him.

Especially, when those words came out from him, "Finally, just please be safe as always and I hope you find your happiness, Master."

It was like a bird father letting his hatchlings fly on their own. And his new salvation from his strict and coldhearted father's hand. As time goes by, the butler is the only reason why he still called the grand duchy as his home.

After checking everything, he opened the window, and jumped out to the big tree in front of his room. It was an easy task for him. Climbing trees and jumping from tree to another tree became his favorite skills which was shone and mold by his frequent escapades.

And now, after getting stayed in the university, this little escapade of his is more the anticipated one. It was the first time after meeting Beatrice that he can freely roam around without the stalking skills of the lady.

****-------****

It has been two weeks from the date of her birthday celebration. It will be held at the Grand Hall near at the rose garden and because of that, she was restricted to go there. His father wanted to surprise her of how the decoration would be made.

And her maid Marielle was busy in preparing her dress and accessories. It seems that the maid had her own dilemma of what would she wear, rather than the owner itself.

But she had to make sure that her maid should have a day off by this Friday. Her time was also ticking.

She found out that her maid's birthday is just one day before her birthday. It was very too late when she able to know it so she still had no prepared gift for her. If it was not for Marielle, she should be had a hard time adopting in this new world. She was lucky enough to have a maid so kind, diligent, and understanding like her.

"I need to think a way for her to have a day off on Friday, so I could visit the market to look for a gift for her."

[Is there something wrong?]

She saw and read the letters scribbled by Rose on the ground.

"I am sorry. It just that I am thinking about my maid." She said problematically.

Due to serious mulling over her problem, she forgot that Rose was beside her reading some books. She delivered him some romance and fantasy books with her highly recommendation.

They were sitting at the highest peaked of the land where you can see the wide blue sky and the village. She thought giving him some entertainment and thrill in life as like how she felt therefrom.

Rose looked at her curiously. [Why? What did you do to your maid?]

"I have done a terrible thing." She complained, but referring to herself.

He immediately overwrote the letters with. [Then, what did you do to her?]

"Hmmm.."

Rose looked at her sternly.

"Because I am the dumbest master ever."

"???"

"Huh??"

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Hi fairies!!!

Finally, the young duke is here.

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Isaiah-chan ^_^