Additional chapter~

  ~After Alexandria left the duke's office~

  Astrid looked at Duke Dandelion and raised her eyebrows. "Are you tired of me, master?" She said with a slight pout.

  The duke chuckled softly and turned to her. "What lead you to that conclusion?"  He said with an amused tone.

  "You've always kept me by your side, master. But now, you're pushing me away." She looked straight into the duke's eyes.

  He smiled slightly and stared back at her. "Read me." 

  "Impossible." She simply said.

  "Why, so?" The duke asked and raised his eyebrow.

  She paused for a moment and finally spoke. "You're unreadable."

  He looked at her as if observing her  "So are you." He stated.

  "Thank you for the compliment, master." She said casually.

  He chuckled softly and leaned back on his chair. "You're still not letting me cross your boundaries, I see."

  "It's necessary." She said as she looked away.

  "How come you let other people be close to you, yet you draw a line when it comes to me?" He said with an unreadable expression.

  She sighed softly. "You know exactly, master."

  "Hm... Do I?" He said with a teasing tone to lighten up the tense atmosphere. "Kidding aside, I entrust my daughter to you."

  Astrid slightly nodded at the duke.

  " Astrid." He said with a serious tone.

  " Yes master?"

  " If anything happens to Alexandria again... I won't forgive anyone, even you." He stated, not looking at her.

  Astrid felt a pang in her chest as the words of the duke sunk in her mind.

  "Understood." She said as cold as possible to not let her emotion show.

  The duke slightly smiled "Hm, good. Could you bring me some coffee?" He said as he turned back to his work. "Make it bitter and-"

  Astrid cut him off "-I know what do to, master." She said with a sense of pride as she bowed and headed to the door.

  He plastered a pleased smile as she walked out of his office. He sighed softly and turned his full attention to his work.