Chapter 8: confrontation

'How long are we going to sit here?!'

I don't know how long we were sitting in front of this duke. After that short conversation we have, he suddenly went quiet. He only sits there with his legs crossed and enjoying his cup of tea.

Dane, who is currently sitting beside me, is enjoying the snack the butler prepared for him. I should have enjoyed this moment of silence and enjoy a cup of tea. It's only once in a lifetime that a commoner like me could enjoy this kind of feeling.

But how? If I didn't know the story, I would have enjoyed this luxury BUT, since I knew the flow of this story, I couldn't bring myself to relax in front of this duke.

I took a glance at him as I sip my tea. He was leisurely enjoying his tea. But to be honest, the most astonishing part is that he was quite handsome. I admit that he has a good face. All of the men that I know couldn't compare to him.

But, it's a waste that he will die after Dane turns 13 years old.

"Is something the matter?"

I got taken by surprise that I almost spill my tea. I didn't expect that he suddenly looks at me.

"Nothing, your grace. Ah, now that I think about it. we forgot to introduce ourselves," I said. Because of all the ruckus a while ago, I forgot to greet him. Even though I hate his guts, he is still higher than me.

"Really? It didn't even slip my mind," he said as he takes a sip. Well, that's good news. If it were other nobles, they will be mad and probably told us that we are so ignorant.

I put down the cup back to its saucer and nudge on Dane's side. He looks at me, wondering why I interrupt his good time. I only smiled at him, but he already knew what it meant.

We both stood up and greeted the duke.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, your grace. My name is Adeline."

"It is also a pleasure to meet you, your grace. I am my mother-son, Dane."

"Son, huh," I didn't quite hear what he said but, I notice him carefully staring at Dane.

"Your son doesn't look a lot like you at all," he said as he looks back and forth between me, and Dane.

Dane and I, return to our seats. "Well, he is not my biological son but, I treasure him like my own."

"Where is his mother?"

"My mother is dead," I was about to speak up when Dane beat me to the punch. I slowly glance at him. I could see the sadness on his face. Even though I tried my best to be a mother to him, nothing could compare to his real mother, Iris.

"Dead?" the duke stop sipping his tea and look toward the direction of Dane.

"She died while giving birth to me," the tone in his voice was full of sadness. I know I can't replace his mother. No matter how much love and attention I gave to him, I know deep inside his heart, he still longs for his mother. Even though he doesn't say a word about it, I always knew. He is my son after all.

"And this woman takes her place," the duke said as he looks at me. I don't know what to feel right now. Should I feel mad about the way he said those words? Or think that he only said it to refer to me?

And also, I have a name-

"She has a name, your grace. And I don't like the way you said those words," Dane calmly spoke but, I know that he is pissed off. Back in town, whenever someone tried to take advantage of me or say mean words, he glares at them. In other words, he was quite protective of me.

"Looks like you have a good tongue."

"I should have. You cannot survive in life if you don't know how to say this kind of words, your grace."

"Quite a smart kid you are."

"Thanks to my lovely mother that I have gained such skills."

"You're still a child but, you act mature despite your age."

"Age doesn't matter isn't it?"

'Uh... I know that you are angry for my sake but, he is a Duke!' I wanted to smack Dane's head for disrespecting a duke and someone whose older than him.

The duke stood up and went to his desk that has a lot of papers piling up.

"You remind me of someone," he remarks as he rummaged to his drawer.

"And who might that be?" Dane asked. Suddenly, I have a bad feeling. I saw the duke smirk holding a picture frame in his hands.

"Well, you remind me of my younger self," he faces the picture frame toward us and what I saw was the thing I don't want Dane to figure out yet.

It was the young duke and Dane resemble him a lot.