7 Chapter 7

"It's your friends who asked me to take you with me."

They did?

"The children who remained at the orphanage were relocated to another orphanage. I asked your friends whether they wanted to come to the orphanage with the other kids, but they instead asked me to help you. That's exactly what I did." The duke said, "I took you with me, and they followed, saying they'll serve as servants in exchange for treating you."

They did that... for me?

"They must've thought you were dead," he continued, "but you're lucky because before the two owners got away, I arrived and discovered you lying on the ground with your head bleeding badly. You even look like you won't make it."

"Well... my head suffered a lot."

I guess I really am lucky. 'm glad I didn't lose my memories because, even though I was enslaved for half of my life, I was grateful to have met friends I thought I would never have beside the servants in our mansion.

"Are there any more questions?"

I paused for a moment before addressing him bluntly, "Do you know who I am?"

"When you tell me who your parents were, I do."

"Then you must be aware of what is going on with my father?"

"I've heard a few."

"Would you mind telling me?"

"I don't think I'm in the position to tell you that. Just see it for yourself since we'll be going there."

When he told me that I could still come back when something happened in our house, I thought it was suspicious enough. I asked myself that night, Does he know what I've been through?

"Will you still allow me to return to your mansion? Even if there will be a large number of children roaming around your mansion?"

I noticed that there were only a few servants inside the mansion.

"I had a lots of kids with me before, one of whom was Ravin"

Honestly, he doesn't look like someone who likes children. He looks so young and attractive that it's quite a shock to see the duke doesn't have someone beside him.

"Where are they?" I asked.

"They were killed. Ravin was the sole survivor."

I came to a halt and didn't know what to say.

"Ravin was just 12 at the time, while the other children were 15 and 16. They were assassinated when I was away from the mansion for a few hours. Ravin was alive because the older children guarded him."

I didn't say anything. I'm at a loss for words.

"The mansion I used to live in was a hazardous place, which is why I avoided taking any children with me from then on and solely looked after Ravin. I had already planned on designating him my successor when he reached the age of 21. That's also why the mansion only had a few servants. Despite being assaulted by terrorists, the staff in the mansion remained." He looked at me, "But now another group of kids has approached me. I wanted to refuse, but seeing you in such a situation when I first saw you made me think you'd die if I didn't do something."

So that's why he took such great care of me.

"How old are you?" I asked.

"I'm 41,"

My eyes widened in shock, "41?! You appeared to be in your early 30s!"

He flicked my forehead, "I guess I look young despite my age."

"Then how about..."

I continued on asking a few questions even if it was nonsense just to lighten up the mood inside the carriage. I tried to make him laugh, but all he did was grin. And finally, we arrived at the port.

I wore the hood of my cape and looked around. There's so many people in the area, I guess the population doubled.

"Let's go,"

I followed the Duke aboard a ship. I was intrigued as to why we were the only ones on board, and when I questioned, he just glanced at me, and I knew what he was going to say.

He was, after all, a duke.

Like when we were ship before, it took 3 days to travel from Helwyn to Avalon.

"By the way, your grace." He stopped from eating and looked at me, "What happened to David and Olivia?"

"Hmm... I suppose they died a few months ago." He shrugged as if it was nothing, "The two workers were condemned to life in prison, and the other one comes to the other orphanage."

Jyz was the other worker; he was the only one who didn't annoy us while we were working.

"We have arrived, your grace."

I followed the Duke as he went out of the ship. I wear the hood of my cape as I look around. The sound of laughter could be heard. They're smiles were as bright as the sun.

It's been a while, Avalon.

"What are you waiting for?" I heard the duke and when I looked beside me, he was gone, only to find that he was already on the ground. I dashed up to him, and we traveled in a carriage to my father's mansion.

I'm starting to get anxious as I recognize the area surrounding our mansion. My fingers began to tremble as my heart began to race.

"Are you nervous?"

I nodded.

"I'll be there beside you, so if something goes wrong, I'll be there to save you."

Why does the Duke constantly repeat "when things go wrong"? Is there anything I need to be concerned about?

I looked out the window and I could already see the mansion. I wonder if they'll recognize me.

"We've arrived."

The duke walked out first, then extended his hand to assist me in getting down.

"It seems like they're preparing to leave." The duke stated as he gazed at the mansion.

When I looked around the mansion, I noticed something I hadn't seen before. Is this why my heart was racing and I was nervous? Is this what the Duke meant when he said 'something is wrong'?

I feel like my eyes are burning as I look at a happy family in front of me.

"Someone's approaching us." I averted my eyes and looked at the ones walking towards us and saw the butler who took care of me. I immediately looked down and drew the hood over my face to cover my face.

"May I ask who you are? The Duke will be away today, so he will be unable to entertain you. Did you send a letter before coming here? There appears to be some issue..." My eyes welled up as I heard his soft voice. It was the voice of the one who loved me more than my father.

"Oh? The lady is crying? Could it be that you're hurt? I could ask the Duke to---" I cut him off.

"No, I'm alright; I'm sorry for bothering you." I yanked on the duke's sleeves, desperate to get out of here.

My cold-hearted father, who never smiled at me, is now beaming with his new family. He has a daughter, a son, and a stunning lady alongside him.

"You should introduce yourself, Avriella, you know you're being disrespectful."

When the duke spoke my name, shivers ran down my spine. I glanced at him in disbelief before turning to face the butler, who was also staring at me in confusion.

"Avriella? Our lady Avriella?" The butler approached me and took off the hood that covered my face, "Is that you?"

"It's me, butler," I said, my eyes welling up with tears.

"You...You're ali---"

"What's this? I didn't receive any letter that someone will be visiting my mansion?" I came to a halt when I heard my father's voice, "May I ask who you are?"