Her Secret Admirer

It had been slightly noticeable. The subtle change in the young duke's behaviour and that bright aura he had whenever he returned to the duchy from his private outings. The butler had assumed it was a momentary thing that would soon disperse like smoke. But oh, how wrong he was. His master had truly changed. Nearly as if the young lord had evolved. From his brighter appearance to his shiny lively eyes and even to the way he wore a small smile on his face every other moment. He was far different from the usual gloomy unbothered young master that the butler had served over the last years. To others, these changes were not blatantly visible, as they did not know the young duke the way the butler knew him. But they too could tell that something about their master was different these past days.

"The grand duke seemed to be smiling during breakfast!"

"Oh- so it wasn't just me who noticed the corners of his lips curl up?! I thought I was imagining things!"