Chapter 17

A month later...

The mansion is in chaos. Cleaning here and there, the floors are all gleaming and spotless, almost like a mirror, and you can nearly see your reflection in them. Decorations are everywhere over the mansion, making it appear gleaming.

Of course, it's not because of the Duke's return, but because of Ravin's graduation ball.

Duke Reed has been the top investor of the academy, and since the return of the duke of the north and the graduation ball will happen on the same day, the academy decided to hold the event at the duke's mansion.

I wonder if the Duke is even aware of this ball.

"Avi! A little help here, please!" Ara's voice came from behind me. When I looked at her, I noticed she was carrying two carts of plates and utensils.

I dashed towards her and pushed the other cart and placed the plates on the table.

In the front of the hall, there is a long table where the sponsors and professors of the academy will sit, while for the children, there are a few tall tables and a buffet of snacks.

The ball will be held on 6 of the afternoon, it is already noon. There are still 6 hrs to prepare, but...

...the duke is taking too long, isn't he?

...

"Aren't you guys going to join the ball?" We synchronously looked behind where Ravin was standing. He's wearing a suit and tie, he looks mature wearing that.

How appropriate it appears.

"It's the academy's ball, we're not students from the academy," Ara explained as she kept reading her history book.

"She's right," Noah agreed and continued to read his history book as well.

"Plus, we have an exam coming up in two days, so we don't have time to have fun," Caz said.

"Congratulations on graduating, though," Mia said.

I looked at Kye to see if he was going to say anything, but he was too preoccupied with the book he was reading.

"Congratulations. You look great in that, by the way." I said, "We'll just greet the Duke later."

"Sigh. All right." Ravin closed the door and we continued reading the books we needed to review for the upcoming examination with our Professor.

"He wants us to come, right?" Ara asked.

"Yeah. Pretty sure that guy's only friend is us." Noah said, closing the book and getting a new one.

"I know, right?" Ara sighed, shaking her head.

We do want to attend the ball, but we know we can't since it is the academy's ball, not the duke's worker's party.

*knock knock*

"Come in!" Mia said.

Miss Iza, one of the mansion's maids, was pushing a tray of drinks and snacks when the door slowly opened.

"You shouldn't have bothered. We could get some for ourselves." Ara replied as she took the trolley from Miss Iza.

We dislike it whenever the maids serve us food as if we're their employer.

"It's all right, the young master told us to deliver you this. Oh, he told me not to tell you that this was from him." Miss Iza chuckled, "I'll leave this to you, find me if you need something. Go and continue with your studies."

Miss Iza exited the library after delivering the snacks and drinks Ravin had prepared for us.

...

A few hours later, we noticed that the loud music was not heard any more from the library.

"The duke must've arrived," Kye muttered, lying down on the floor with his knees folded as he read a book.

"I suppose so," Noah said.

"Should we welcome the Duke?" Mia inquired,

"Perhaps after the graduation ball. Others may take notice of us." Ara stated.

"What makes you afraid of being seen by others? You do realize that they know there are working students within the duke's estate, right?" Caz said, snacking on some macarons.

"I know, but they don't recognize our faces."

"Why? Are you afraid they'll say you're ugly?" Caz teased Ara, causing her brows to furrow.

"How childish," Ara sneered at Caz.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Mia asked. She was the one beside me.

"What would I say?" I asked, raising my brow.

She shrugged, "You're the one who has been anticipating the arrival of the Duke. I imagined you'd greet him as soon as he walked in the door?"

"I'm too shy to go out. Perhaps after the ball." I said as I continued to read.

There were already piles of books on the floor. We've been imprisoned in the library for four hours straight, reading books to prepare for our final exam with Professor Mergid.

...

It's already midnight and we decided to go back to our room to rest.

"Let's just greet the Duke in the morning, it appears the ball is still going on," I yawned.

We noticed a figure approaching us as we walked through the mansion's halls.

It's the Duke.

"Why aren't you at the party?" He inquired as soon as he was directly in front of us. He appears to be exhausted.

Before answering his questions, we all bowed in respect.

"We're getting ready for our final exam tomorrow," Ara explained.

"I see, you should've joined even if only for a few hours."

"It's all right, we have eaten snacks and drinks from the ball, thanks to Ravin, that is." Mia stated.

"You need to rest, you look tired," Kye advised.

"He's right." I said, drawing the duke's attention to myself.

"About you, I heard something from Arch."

Ah... that.

"We'll just talk about that in the morning. You should rest first," I said, then remembered something, "Oh, right! We have a present for you, which I believe is in your room."

"Yes, I heard about that. It's past midnight, so you should get some rest as well."

"Goodnight, Duke Reed."

...

The next morning.

I was summoned to the Duke's office to discuss something I had mentioned to Sir Arch a week before.

I knocked twice on the door before hearing the Duke's voice.

"Come on in. Sit." He gave me the order. I immediately take a seat in front of the Duke, who is staring at me with intense stares that cause me to gulp in anxiety.

"You want to leave the mansion?"

"Yes,"