8 Chapter 8

"Your Grace! it's---"

My tears automatically stopped. I wiped my tears away gently and smiled at the duke.

I guess even my tears remember my father's presence...

"Ah... It seems we've come at the wrong time." I said, trying to look at my father's eyes.

"I'm asking who you are, visiting without a word in advance." He has his brow furrowed as he looks at me.

Usually, in this situation, father should've raised his voice, but his voice appears calm.

I guess he's changed a lot.

Before I can even respond, a young lady about the age of six approaches father and hugs him.

It hurts more up close.

"Papa! Aren't we going to leave yet?"

"Haha! Wait for a few minutes, princess, I was just talking with some guests. I'll be done soon, so go to your mother."

The young lady ran back to her mother's arm, accompanied by her younger brother, who I believed was four years old.

Papa? I'd never addressed him as such before. If I had, he might have hurled something at me from his desk.

"So, tell me, who are you?"

"Your grace sh---"

"Ah.. I was merely a roaming journalist. Following your expedition a few years ago, I'd like to learn more about the Duke."

Ravin had previously informed me of this.

I was aware of the butler's stare on me, but I ignored him.

"It seems we've come at the wrong time, so we'll take our leave. I sincerely apologize." I bow in respect and turn my back.

I can't believe I'm still apologizing to my father. Is that the only word I can say?

"Wait," I heard my father say. When I turned around, I noticed him approaching me.

Wait... does father recognize me?

"You appear to be a new journalist. Send me a letter before your visit so I could check my schedule and there you can talk to me, will that be alright?" Father continued to say, breaking my thoughts into pieces.

I was stunned.

"Will that be alright, miss?"

"Ah.. yes, my lord. I wanted to apologize once again for visiting unannounced." I looked at Duke Reed, "Shall we go, your grace?"

"Your Grace?" Father looked at Duke Reed, "Ah! Now that I've taken a closer look at you, you must be Duke Reed from Helwyn."

"Ah.. yes. That is I,"

I shook my head slowly as I glanced at Duke Reed from behind my father.

"I could talk to you for a few hours if tha—"

"No, it's our fault for not sending a letter ahead of time. It seems like you and your family will go on a trip, so I believe we must get going."

"Ahh... right. It seems that this is really not a good time." Father smiled brightly.

It makes my heart ache for a reason.

Do I not want him to be happy?

I smiled faintly at butler Dean as I waved my hand farewell and mouthed the words, "I'm glad you're doing well, butler."

"It appears we must depart now, your grace," I said as I approached Duke Reed.

He gave me a worried expression. I yanked on the hem of his clothes as a hint that I want to leave right away.

"I guess we have to. We'll get going. I wish you safe travels." Duke Reed said, and turned his back.

"I hope you have a great time and... take care of yourself." I immediately bow and head inside the carriage.

"Let's go now. Please." I said, my voice started shaking.

The carriage started moving and before my tear fell off my eyes, I looked at the Duke.

"I know it's so shameless of me after all you've done, but..." I stared down at my trembling hands.

"You can stay."

I had a glance at the Duke. I wiped my tears away and looked him in the eyes.

"I will work for you!"

"What can you do?"

"I... I..."

Right... What can I do? When I was still living at my father's mansion, I only read a few books. And... I learned nothing while I was enslaved.

I looked at the Duke's eyes and pleaded, "I... I will study for 2 years... no! 1 year. Just please let me stay."

"I already told you that you can come back to my mansion, that's not the problem here."

"But I don't want to just sit there and do nothing; I'm already obliged to you; at the very least, I want to help you and not be a burden to the duke."

"Then I'll give you two years to study so you can prove yourself to me. You may be whoever you want to be, and I'll be there to support you."

I nodded, "I promise."

The trip back home to the Duke's mansion was quiet. I only respond to the Duke's question and that's it.

I never let a single tear fall from my eyes as soon as we head back to the mansion. Why is that?

My heart has been aching but not a drop of tear has fallen from my eyes.

"It's raining..." I heard the Duke say something, but I kept my head down. As we drive back to the mansion, I can hear splashes of water.

"You should sleep as soon as we get home."

I looked at the Duke and shook my head, "I'm not tired."

The duke crossed his arms as he leaned back on his chair, "You look tired. You only slept a little on the ship."

"I apologize. I must've disturbed your sleep." I bow down.

"Ha... I shouldn't have let you see your father."

"Why?"

"You look... dreadful. No... I already knew about the situation with your father. I should've just told you that he remarried and had a happy family." The Duke remarked as he gazed out the window, where the rain was still pouring fiercely.

A tear... no, tears began to pour from my eyes at that instant.

Why now? Why now of all time?

Is it because it comes from the Duke himself, and I thought the scene of my father being delighted with his new family was only a figment of my imagination?

Is it because it never occurred to me that my father would remarry, or is it because... I can't stand the fact that he appears to be happy?

Do I really despise seeing him happy?

"I'm sorry..." I apologized.

"Are you finally crying?" The Duke breathed a sigh of relief "I was concerned since you were silent the entire time. It's better to let out the sorrow you're feeling inside than to erupt."

I never got the chance to respond and I continued to cry.

"sniff"

"Your grace, we've arrived."

"Fix yourself, I see your friends waiting."

My friends...

right...

they're still here for me...

I wiped away my tears and breathed deeply.

The door opened and there we saw Arch holding an umbrella, smiling as he looked at me.

It looks like they expected me to return.

"It's nice to see you again, Avi." Arch said, I fainted a smile and nodded. He offered his hand and I took it and went off the carriage before the duke.

From afar, I saw my friends, smiling bright as they looked at me.

They're here… with me.