Chapter 12 - Duchess Maria's Doubts

Zeph's POV

"Elsa, my dear, hide behind me, now," she panicked, shielding her child from the looming shadow of a giant bear. She couldn't comprehend how such a colossal beast had found its way into the heart of the city.

"N-no, m-mother! I will distract this monster; you run," Elsa insisted with determination, causing my face to twitch. This mother-daughter duo needed some common sense.

I stepped into the light, revealing my face as I offered, "Come with me. I'll protect both you and your mother, Elsa."

But before I could finish my sentence, a voice interrupted, "What a pleasant surprise, Young Master Zephyr, coming into our Duchy."

At that moment, the only thought racing through my mind was, "Shit, what awful timing."

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"Oh, Duchess Maria, what a pleasant surprise," I exclaimed, maintaining my facade of surprise.

"A pleasant surprise indeed, but for us. How has such a figure like you come to our humble abode? And I've heard you never leave your County, so how did you recognize someone as humble as myself?" She inquired, her gaze briefly falling on Elsa and her mother, who promptly bowed their heads under Maria's scrutiny.

"Isn't it obvious, my lady? Is there really anyone in this entire land with such intriguing eyes and beautiful scarlet hair? You are the most stunning woman one could ever hope to see," I replied with a stoic expression, as if stating the obvious. In truth, she was indeed in a league of her own.

"You're making me embarrassed, Young Master. I apologize for the behavior of my people earlier; I will ensure they are punished," she said, her gaze once again flickering towards Elsa and her mother.

They shivered under her gaze. For me, at least she was reasonable and knew noble etiquette.

Referring to a noble with such an ungraceful title as they did for me would earn them at least 50 whip strikes, which wouldn't do me any good.

"It's okay, Lady Maria. I hope you will allow me to take these two under my wing, as you must already be aware of how they are treated here," I explained, aware that it might seem idiotic to reveal these things.

However, Maria was different, thinking more with her heart than her brain, the opposite of my mother. That's also why she usually loose against her.

"I don't understand why you're that interested in these two, Young Master," she questioned.

"Maybe I took pity on them, as I was on my way to meet you, of course," I replied.

"Oh, to meet me? What a pleasant surprise. Let's go somewhere else, as I can't keep my guest standing. And you two can accompany us," she said with a smile, her charm increasing.

But I was not that insane to fall for someone like her, a monster who had killed people as casually as I farted.

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Maria's POV

As I continued with my official work related to the Duchy, my ring suddenly buzzed, causing me to startle. It only buzzed for important announcements from 'The Obsidian Order,' and I couldn't believe the name I saw – 'Duchess Kassidy.'

How she managed to attain such a position was beyond me. She had abandoned her child, deeming him useless. Still, her newfound status implied that she had found a suitable heir.

My mind raced as I received news of Young Master Zephyr entering my territory. While it wasn't prohibited, the manner of his arrival and sudden departure from his county raised questions.

There had to be something significant that happened.

I couldn't help but notice him approaching Elsa. I knew her name because I had witnessed her being mistreated by other children many times.

I often saw her mother consoling her, but I had never intervened. Now, with Zephyr taking an interest in them, I couldn't help but wonder about his intentions.

Did he have some peculiar fascination with them?

Was he interested in that woman's body?

However, his statement about coming to meet me piqued my interest.

There had to be a connection between his visit and Kassidy's newfound status.