Melting The Cold Female Duke

Chapter 16

Sorry for the delay. Two joins.

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Haah….

At last, that annoying guy was out of my estate. Yesterday when the duke escorted Amaranth, the pervert emperor seized the chance to talk to the girl regarding politics, military power, poverty and some of the kingdom's problem which she already aware of.

The emperor's demand only added confusion to the girl's mind. Holding the fountain pen with her cheek rested on her wrist, she stared at the window for hours.

'Marry Amaranth or guard the border for a whole 5 years'

'Which one would you choose, Duke Alyssum?'

She remembered the smirk and the playful tone of the emperor. He was truly having fun in messing and pestering her. He really had the talent to get on her nerve.

The duke was baffled, she just left the border. Not more than 3 days she arrived at her estate, now she had to go back to that place again.

Everyone knew that she was the one who annulled the engagement. By the tone of that old emperor, she distinguished it right away. He was confident that she would rather stay and protect the border than to marry someone she already threw away.

Does the emperor see her as a threat to the throne? She fought 2 years in the border. Then in an instant, she had to return to that hellish place because of the pervert emperor's pressure. -This sucks.

Knock. Knock.

The door opens.

An old man in his 40's dragging a tray came in to view. The estate's butler, Michaelmas. He was an old friend of the late landlord.

This old man was strict and always priorities the master's health more than anything. Michaelmas, grew old without having a wife or experience having a lover. Just to be direct, this butler of hers was single all his life. Much to the girl's surprise, she never even heard rumors about him having an unrequited love to someone. It is understandable if the woman he loved was already dead, but it was not the case either.

I respected him and his every decision. I always follow his instructions and advices, for I felt guilty towards him. Because of the curse I obtained, Michaelmas sacrificed his magic. Today, he can't use it anymore and as well as can't have descendants.

The old man tried to take out the curse with his magic, but it was too strong that it backfired, resulting him to be impotent. From that day on, I gave him the authority to manage the estate, which was a butler's job. Despite the power I granted him, he didn't even once take advantage of it. When I went to the border, he was left to handle the estate and its problem for 2 whole years.

Michaelmas had a tragic past. Like the old man who adopted me, he was once a prisoner too, before the landlord bought him. -Old Rue must have pitied him, after all, they have suffered the same circumstances.- I thought, staring at him.

"Duke Alyssum, it's time for your meal." The butler Michaelmas uttered, accompanied by the strictness of his voice and expression. He laid my lunch neatly on top of my desk in front of me, making sure I'll eat it.

-Geez… what a headache.- If this old man is not here, I might skip my meal and no one would dare question me. "You seemed to be staring blankly a lot today, duke." He spoke, looking at my direction.

"I'm bored, that's all." I convey my reason. "Go for a vacation." He informally suggested. Obviously, I don't care how he spoke to me.

"I'm fine. I'm just tired. There's no need." Anyway, I can't have a peaceful vacation for now, sharply tomorrow morning I'll start my travels to the border. "I heard you'll stay on the kingdom's border for 5 years." -So fast. He knew it too early.

"Yes." I answered, not denying. I will have a lovely trip and vent up my frustration there.

What I get in return was not encouragement, but a worried expression. It sucks, it's just 5 years, and I know you can handle the estate old man. I know you can do it, so don't look at me like that.

"Can you tell Lexus to come in my office?" I asked, a little scared, though. I already knew that he didn't like Lexus since he discovered my relation to him. I'm not surprised, Michaelmas was always like that towards my gigolos. But Lexus is not just my toy, he is my personal knight, and he is also loyal to me.

"You need to rest, Michaelmas." I told my butler before picking the utensils. The butler catches her message. He opened his mouth. "Yes, then I leave you alone, duke Alyssum. I'll inform that man right away and you too, you should take a break and rest." Michaelmas respectively bows and retreated.

-Ah… I wish I could, old man.- I agreed to his advice, but I just can't right now. Michaelmas closed the door, and I was left staring at his disappearing figure.

.........…..

Not long after I finished my meal, Lexus came to my office, still looking tired. It turns out I exhausted him to the extent he can't barely move. Better choose someone who was not moving like a zombie. I sighed. Anyway, it was my fault.

"Sleep," I ordered, while pointing to the couch. His eyes are a bit swollen and red. I don't need an extra luggage tomorrow. What I need is a knight that can help me carry my luggage. Not the opposite. The man, standing near the door, followed my instruction. -Seriously? What in the world did this man did? I gave him enough time to rest yesterday.

"Lexus, did you finish the thing I ordered you yesterday?" I inquire boringly. My eyes are glued on the papers piled like thousand clothes on top of my desk. Even my garments are not as many as these. And I got I simple 'Yes' regarding the question I asked, but I'm satisfied, so it was fine.

Before Lexus sat down, he commented the expression I'm showing. "You look bored, Ly." Lexus mentioned my nickname like it's normal for him to call me that. Obviously, I knew that I look as boring as poop and I know poop is much interesting than me right now. Nothingness, the hell if I care. This is my mansion now, who dares? Well, this one actually did. It irks me.

I closed my eyes, furrowed my brows and smiled widely. -This man! "Shut up." I firmly instructed him, then opened my colour-bronze eyes. I don't have time for his shenanigans. My priority now is to find out who was that woman resting in the west wing.

Tuk. The sound of the chair being pushed. I stood up. Putting an end to this boring paper works. My butt hurts from sitting, and my back also slightly aches.

"Where are you going?" Lexus stood up as well. I was walking towards the door when he asked me those. "Seriously. Lexus. Stop asking me questions. Rest now, for you'll need your energy tomorrow." I glared at him reaching the doorknob.

-Tomorrow? Eh? Why?- He wanted to know why, yet she beats him to it. "Don't ask and sleep!" I exclaimed along with the sound of the door being closed.

(Hi guys! Hope you like this chapter. If you caught some misspelled words, grammar errors, something that confused you, etc. Feel free to comment below. Have fun reading. Wink.)

1118 words

07/01/2022 10:02 pm