Chapter 7: The Duke of Vismar

'Its-its him!'

I could still remember what the book describes him. A man with an air of elegance, and yet cold. A man that his eyes could give you a chill when you look into his eyes. And the feeling that if he looks at you, it was as if you are being pierced by daggers.

I felt a shiver down my spine. Remembering all the events that will happen to Dane if he will stay with him.

"Mother? You're okay? You're shaking, " I heard Dane asking me with a worried voice. I averted my eyes at the duke and look down at Dane.

"Y-yeah, I am okay," I stand up while still holding Dane's shoulders. I look up to stare at the duke again.

Even though I only stare at him, he still gives me the chills.

After that scenario, we enter once again the room I was resting before. I and Dane took a seat directly facing the duke. The duke sits down opposite us with his legs crossed.

"How are you feeling?" he asked without looking in my direction. If others saw this, they would think that he is talking to himself. Who would not? He's talking while his eyes are closed!

"Pardon? What do you mean?"

"Don't you remember, miss?" this time it was his butler speaking. He was a fine young man, maybe around my age. A long gray hair that reaches his shoulder, and a pointed nose. His brown eyes that as clear as day.

"You were stabbed by a knife a while ago," he continued. Stab? Yeah, I remember now. There was this mad man that threatened to kill me, and Dane almost lost control of himself. I got stabbed when I blocked him from stabbing Dane. Then I lost consciousness.

"That was a reckless move," I heard the duke remark while sipping his tea that was served by his butler.

Some may hear it as a caring word but to me, it was as if he mocks me for my dumb moves. I tried to calm my nerves as I speak.

"Yes, it was reckless, but I did it to save my DEAR son from danger".

"On which you made your DEAR son cried and worried about you".

"It only shows how he loves me so dearly that he can't afford to lose me".

"Well, congratulations".

"Mother? Your Grace?" Dane was looking left and right just like watching a table tennis match.

Ops! I nearly lost my composure there.

"I am greatly S.O.R.R.Y. your grace. It was not my intention to answer you like that".

"Pay no mind," he put down his cup and flash me with a FAKE smile. "You're only sharing your thoughts about your caring son. So, there is nothing to be sorry for."

"You flutter me, your grace," I also gave him my fake smile. It was like sparks were flying between our stares.

The butler notice this and thought, 'Did that woman just answered back to his grace?! Not even the royalty can reply to him like these. Even if there is, the duke will only give them a warning. He didn't like it if someone answers him back. But, this woman even though she's a commoner dares to retort back at him. His Grace doesn't even pay no mind. This is nuts!'

Duke Darwin Von Vente, the duke of Vismar. He was known as a cold-hearted man. No one can even talk to him for more than 30 seconds. Everyone always states that whenever they are in the same space as the duke, they feel like they are standing on thin ice. Also, they say that they felt scared every time the duke look at them. They quoted, if looks can kill, they are probably dead.

Well, Duke Darwin doesn't want anybody to get close to him even the emperor or the crown prince. He was cold to everybody. But, even though he is like that, he has still many connections in the noble society. He achieves many things since he was young. And added to that are the letters that fill with a marriage proposal to him. Many young ladies wanted to have a relationship with the duke. He was the perfect man in their eyes. Not only because he is handsome but also he is a man with great achievements. However, the duke isn't interested in trivial things.

'But, to think that someone could stand up to him and can talk to him for more than 30 seconds are new for me. Just who is this commoner?'