2 Chapter 2 - The Duke

Duke Geanos Clavren, the young Duke who recently succeeded his father after winning the war. At the age of 26, he has accomplished a lot. Even before being engaged with the Marquis's daughter, his name is known throughout the empire. The current King trusts him and he is also second in line to the throne of Asterin.

The current King of Asterin only produced an heir to the throne at the age of 50, he has two princesses and a 3-year-old Prince. The Clavrens are relatives to the royalty, Geanos' mother is the sister of the King. Hence, there is so much expectation on the young Duke even when he was a child. He was dearly loved by his uncle and made sure that he will learn the way of the royalty even to go as far as to prepare him to succeed the throne someday. Geanos did everything to the best of his ability and did not disappoint his uncle the King. He is quite an intelligent and remarkable young prince. For Geanos, he is only fulfilling his duty as one of the royalty, he is grateful to the King but that doesn't mean he is expecting that he will one day be King.

Due to his strict training as a child, Geanos grew up with a stern personality. He has a strong belief that he can accomplish everything he set his mind to. However, he was taken aback by his father's interference with his future marriage life. He got engaged to a girl he doesn't even know. He first met Aerysha when she was a young lady. She is beautiful, and he got attracted. Her bluish-green eyes which mostly look sad are beautiful to his eyes. However, both of them don't like the engagement arrangement by their fathers. At least to him, he is not ready for romance or any political marriage.

Geanos wasn't pleased that he won't have a say to whom he will marry, and he is not given a choice. Geanos was not up to speed with the rumors that Aerysha's mother is a commoner as the Marquis did not mention it even once. But after their engagement, the news about her origins spread like fire. He was shocked that he wasn't informed, she was his soon-to-be-bride, but he wasn't informed of that crucial detail. He was enraged at that time and confronted his father.

Genos: Father! What are all these rumors circulating about my fiancee'? I am the groom-to-be and I am clueless!

His father, the Duke at that time, looked at him in silence before opening his mouth.

Duke Leigh Clavren: Does it matter to you that she is not a pure noble? Will it bring down your honor my son?

Geanos' eyes open wide, this is the first time he was asked like that by his father. He is not discriminating against Aerysha rather he is angry that he is not informed of the significant detail about her. He feels like he was given a sword without any knowledge about it and the sword might eventually hurt him. He felt that his father already chosen his side, so he kept his mouth shut and glared at him. He then opened his mouth and declare.

Geanos: No father. It doesn't matter really. And my honor is my responsibility it will not be tarnished with some rumor like that. I will make sure that it will not.

He made sure that every word that he said carries meaning to his father. He then turned around and took his leave and the Duke was left in astonishment of what had transpired in that brief moment.

Geanos regained his thoughts to the present. He is seated at his office holding a photo of the girl he will soon marry, a 17-year-old photo of Aerysha. . He is looking at it for an hour now and he still cannot believe that soon he is to marry this little lady. He hasn't seen her yet. He knew about her letters and has read it. For some reason, he did not reply to her letters diligently when he was in the war. For him, the war is more important, and there is no promise yet that they will win the war. He doesn't want to give her false hope of him coming back and he doesn't like uncertainties. He looked at the letter she sent four days ago. He just finished reading it. It was her usual letter, asking him if he is alright but this time with her congratulatory message for his victory. He didn't respond to her letter as he knows that they will meet at the banquet that will happen days from now. As the newly appointed Duke there is a lot of work he needs to do plus the new prince's education has been assigned to him by the King. He is to supervise the young prince. There is a lot on his shoulder and entertaining romance is not in his mind right now. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply and then exhaled trying to relax his breathing and his senses all at once. 

He knew of her feelings for him. She made it well known to him the night before he left for war.

He saw her rushing to the ducal house crying. And he knows. But he did not do anything nor said anything. He left at that without any promise to her. The upcoming war didn't give him time to think of her and their relationship.

He did not like her at first, but after meeting her a couple of times before the engagement he thought that she is not that bad for her to be his fiancee. She is beautiful and smart for her age. However, the day the rumors were made known to him he got furious and started treating Aersyha unfairly. He understands that it was difficult for her to say it straight to his face but still she could've told him. For Geanos, his duty to the crown is first and foremost. He was raised like that since he was a child. And he doesn't want any rumors tarnishing his name that is associated with the royal family. Although he is used to rumors already but adding another rumor is just annoying and he can only tolerate it to an extent.

And so, he felt that he cannot get close to her. She is beautiful and he likes her appearance, he appreciates her beauty. In the past, whenever he wanted to initiate a conversation with her he will see her troubled face, making it difficult for him to continue. She looked scared of him and that irritates him. A lot of people wanted to gain his favor but that girl cannot even look him in the eyes and talk to him properly. He sensed that she dislikes him and so he returned the same feelings to her. After all, he doesn't feel anything to her, she is just a child to him. He knew that she disapproved of the engagement as well in the first place.

When the first news of the engagement was brought to him by his father he sent someone to monitor the Marquis's house to know what is happening in their household. It is not good to spy but he just wanted to be sure that the engagement wasn't something done out of a political move or if there is any hidden agenda. He doesn't want to be involved in something that has no clear motives and without his knowledge. He had been surprised once and he doesn't want any other surprises. Even so, he learned that it was a pure promise of friendship between the Marquis and the Duke. But he also learned that Aerysha was so against it that she did not eat for so many days.

He clicked his tongue on the memory. 'Why would that girl go on a hunger strike? Did she find him lacking as a man? But then after two years of being indifferent with each other, she will show up last minute crying, baring her heart...'

He shook his head and arranged his thoughts. He put back the photo and the letter in his drawer. He called his aide and ask for a report.

Paul: Your highness.

The aide entered the Duke's office and bowed to the Duke.

Geanos: What happened to the invitation that has been delivered to the Kingdom of Amaris?

Paul: The King of Amaris has responded that he will surely be at the banquet.

Geanos: That's good. What of the other invitations?

Paul: All of them have been delivered, your highness.

Geanos nodded and gestured for his aide to leave however he remained and looked at him with a troubled face.

Geanos: What is it, Paul? Do you have anything else to report?

The aide stood straight and with an awkward face he said.

Paul: Your highness, the King of Amaris also wanted you to know that you need to make sure that he will be entertained during the upcoming banquet.

Geanos face frowned at the playful message of the King of Amaris. He looked at Paul and he knows that he still has something to say.

Geanos: And?

He glared at his aide as if his glare will reach the person who sent the message.

Paul: He said that you should not forget the agreement you and the King made with him. Or else...

Paul stopped talking but Geanos urged him to continue. The aide broke a sweat showing that he is very uncomfortable with the message he delivered.

Paul: That's it, your highness. He stopped at that too. He eventually said that you will know what he means.

Geanos put his hand to his forehead and his face became grim. 'The bastard and his threats!' He thought inwardly.

Geanos: Paul you need to make sure to invite all the young ladies of marriageable age from the esteemed houses. That animal of a King is looking for a mate.

Paul's jaw dropped in shock. 'a mate?' did he hear it correctly coming from the Duke's mouth? Did the Duke just say those uncomfortable words? Does he mean the King of Amaris is looking for a bride? Why use the word 'mate'? Is it mating season soon for the King of Amaris? He suppressed his laughter and bowed to the Duke.

Paul: Understand your highness, I will look into it.

Paul was about to leave when he remembered something. He took something out of his coat and handed it to the Duke. A crease on the Duke's forehead can be seen upon reading the letter.

It was a letter from his father and a document stating the annulment of his engagement with Lady Aerysha Valencia. 'What is this now?' The crease on his forehead deepens when he saw the signatures of both his father and the Marquis.

Paul was looking at his master curiously. What did the document say that his master's face is perplexed? And soon he saw anger risen in his deep blue eyes. He abruptly stood in his seat and took his coat and cape.

Geanos: Prepare the carriage. I will go to see my father.

Paul ran in front of the duke to give orders to immediately prepare the carriage.

***

The old duke of Clavren was sitting in the middle of his garden drinking tea. When he heard a loud slam of the door that leads to where the garden is. He smirked and shook his head but didn't look 'Here comes the beast..' he thought inwardly. His aide who is sitting beside him whispered.

Aide: Your highness, Duke Geanos is coming this way he looks mad.

Leigh Clavren: Let him be mad. Let's see what he will say.

The aide nodded his head and keep silently waiting for the storm to come.

Geanos reached the table and slam the document on the table in front of his father.

Geanos: What is this now father?

The old duke simply looked at the document on the table and then slowly look at his son's 

eyes.

He gave a nonchalant look and say.

Leigh Clavren: I thought that you would be happy to see this son. As I know that you don't really like me interfering. So both me and my friend decided this.

Geanos popped a nerve and closed his eyes, he is controlling himself not to yell at his father as that would seem rude to everyone who will see. He bet that the old duke knew he is coming hence he purposely waited in the garden for everyone to see.

Geanos: When?

Leigh Clavren: Pardon?

Geanos: I asked WHEN father? When did you prepare this document?

The old duke answered nonchalantly.

Leigh Clavren: Years ago...

Geanos: Exactly when?

The old duke clicked his tongue.

Leigh Clavren: We prepared it the day you rushed into my office complaining. Does it matter? I gave you the document now. As the new Duke, I am giving you all the rights to annul the engagement. You can give it to the Lady if you want to or not.

He remembered the day Geanos intrude in his office angrily when the rumor about the young Lady Aerysha's origins have circulated in high society.

Flashback.

Geanos: No father. It doesn't matter really. And my honor is my responsibility it will not be tarnished with some rumor like that. I will make sure that it will not.

After his son left the room. The impression of his heavy words was imprinted on the duke.

Duke Leigh Clavren: Does my son hates her?

He thought aloud and sigh. The Duke remains seated and was thinking deeply. He knew his son and what he is capable of. But he didn't know that he will be this mad about the engagement. Both he and the Marquis always makes it a point that the two will meet before the announcement of their engagement. It seemed that Geanos took a liking to Aerysha the first time they met, although he knows that his son dislikes the fact that he has no say and that the young duke needs to obey his will he still pushed through with the engagement. And yes, they missed to tell him what Aerysha's background is which he initially thought will not matter to Geanos. But seeing that he was enraged hearing the rumors...

The Duke stood up and looked at the window, he saw his son leaving the ducal house with heavy footsteps and rode his carriage. He then rang the bell to call the butler.

Butler: You called your highness.

Said the old butler bowing to the Duke's back, who is still facing the window.

Duke Leigh Clavren: Send a message to the Marquis. Tell him to meet me as soon as possible..

That day, the Duke and Marquis prepared the document. It is an annulment document that states that the promise between the Duke and Marquis will be nulled and void, both the Marquis and the Duke signed but it will need the signature of the two, Aerysha and Geanos. If the new couple were to sign the document then the nullification of their engagement will be completed. However, the Duke decided not to hand it to them yet and see what will happen to their new relationship.

Flashback end.

'And so nothing happened to them during those years' the previous Duke thought.

Geanos glared at his father.

Geanos: Why did you just give this to me now?

Leigh Clavren: I.. we, thought that it is the right time since you are now the Duke and so you can decide for yourself if you still wish to go with your marriage with Lady Aerysha. The same goes with the Lady if she wants to continue or not.

Geanos was looking at his father with disbelief and he found the letter so ridiculous.

Geanos: You are saying this all now father? When you have arranged for all this and announced the engagement to the world three years ago?

Leigh Clavren: I am saying we prepare for both of you for a way out. And it seems that you don't like her for your bride. I've seen how you have treated her before you went to war. As much as I wanted to fulfill an old promise I don't want the Lady to suffer...

Geanos smirk and look at his father menacingly as he was hearing his reasons. He cut him off immediately.

Geanos: Hah! You don't want the Lady to suffer because I treat her badly. Ha.. ha-ha!

Leigh Clavren: All I am saying is...

Geanos: Father. I have heard enough. I will surely sign this document and end this ridiculous play of yours.

He put up his right hand urging his aide to give him a pen.

Paul was lost in thought but immediately realize what his master wants. He put the pen on the Duke's waiting hand in the air

Once he received the pen, Geanos bent down and sign the agreement to nullify his engagement with the Lady of Valencia. While he is signing the agreement his dark gaze is looking straight to his father's eyes who nonchalantly watch what he was doing. When he finished signing he folds the letter and put it back into the envelope and then he handed it to his aide without breaking his stubborn gaze with his father then he said with a firm voice.

Geanos: Bring this letter to the house of Valencia.

Paul was shocked as he received the letter from his master. He didn't know that the Duke will truly sign the annulment agreement. He sure is mad beyond what everyone sees outside. He is boiling inside like a volcano that is about to erupt. Without question, he bowed acknowledging the command given to him. The Duke turned around without another word and left the place.