Chapter 6: The Royal Secret

A really heavy silence followed for a moment. No one could say that they weren't expecting it, because ever since Alexander was very young, pretty much everyone knew that the duke has been especially strict with him.

Considering that he's the sole heir to the dukedom, who could possibly question the duke's ways?

Alexander looked down as his face slightly darkened.

"How great of you to notice Castellan, Alexander is still as handsome as he was years ago isn't he?"

The situation isn't really new to the duchess so she knows exactly how to deal with it. She's just like calm and smiling the whole time. A whole bucket of her experience from being a socialite indeed.

"Now you must be really tired Castellan, you should take a bath to cool yourself down"

"Breakfast will be served later on, I prepared a feast just for the both of you"

There was a short staring contest between the duke and the duchess but Castellan then broke eye contact soon after and went upstairs towards his room with the servants.

When the duke finally went out of their sight, She looked at Alexandre who seems like he was still probably feeling like an utter disspointment.

"Mr. Grahamm.."

"I can walk"

He murmured under his breath, but it was enough that both the butler and the duchess could hear it.

Her gaze then moved to the butler, signaling him to give Alexandre to her.

"Alexandre dear, look at me, you've been doing a really great job okay?"

"But--"

"Shhh, No need to grow up so fast, I'll only get this chance to spoil you after all."

The duchess raised her right hand and placed it gently against Alexandre's cheek.

"When Alexandre grows up, I won't be able to carry him like this anymore"

"Let yourself relax and have fun at this age okay?"

Though Alexandre is still undoubtly insecure about himself, he can't help but feel at ease because of his mother's words. She has never failed to make time for him despite being busy with managing the whole dukedom while the duke was away.

Alexandre nodded feeling fluffy while smiling like the most adorable thing in the world.

The butler and the duchess sighed out of relief and chuckled. It was like all the wrinkles on their forehead magically disappeared and a ton of weight got off their shoulders.

"Now, what dessert do you want to eat after breakfast Alexandre? How about we help the chefs to make some for you?"

The three of them started walking up the grand staircase heading towards the kitchen near the dining area.

"Macaroons? Chocolate cookies? Apple pie? or maybe cupcakes? Those are all your favorites aren't they?"

Alexandre looked so excited basically drooling out of his mouth just thinking about it.

"Mhmm! Alexandre wants Choco cookies!"

"Yes, yes little highness, I've taken your order"

"And also cupca-"

Alexandre was about to request for cupcakes, but then he suddenly remembered that he promised to bring some gellatine to Emeri the next time he visits.

"You want cupcakes Alexandre?"

Though he can't possibly pass up the cupcakes so he decided to request for it together with the gellatine instead.

"Yes! And gellatine too!"

The butler slightly flinched upon hearing Alexandre, like he definitely knows where the conversations gonna go.

He turned his head to look at the duchess' reaction and as he'd expected, her face slightly hinted suspicion. It was barely obvious though

"Gellatine? But I thought you didn't like them?"

Alexandre said it without hesitation earlier, but he seemed to have realized that he wasn't supposed to bring up things related to Emeri because he'll end up mentioning her by mistake.

And as all children do, he looked quite panicked.

"Ugh, I want to try eating it again because Alexandre is not a kid anymore"

'Yes yes, great job young master' The butler looked at Alexandre with that kind of face, being sarcastic.

He saw the butler making that face behind the duchess so he pouted.

'Madame won't be suspecting Young master because of a gellatine would she?'

There was a slight moment of silence but it didn't take her too long to agree to it.

"Hmm, okay sure why not? Gellatine it is" The duchess simply said as she smiled at Alexandre.

The butler felt like he should be worried because something about it makes him feel seriously uneasy.

She might be kind to Alexandre, but a smile from a high-class noble like the madame could mean a lot of things. Who knows if she might be faking a front and actually suspecting this?

Considering that it's the duchess, it's not too far fetched.

Alexandre on the other hand looks so proud though, as if he completely decieved the duchess. He's so simple that it's so adorable.

The butler glanced at the duchess who was still smiling while looking at Alexandre.

'At least, it should be fine for now' The butler thought as he shrugged off the uncomfortable feeling

While they were walking towards the kitchen, they passed by the doors of the ballroom slightly cracked open.

Alexandre knew that the servants and the duchess have been preparing his birthday party to be held at the ballroom. Though since it was supposed to be a surprise, his mother has prohibited him to take a look while it was still unfinished.

But of course, that doesn't stop Alexandre from wanting to just take a peek.

He wasn't able to do so yesterday, because he pretty much spent the whole day sleeping because of the injury, but now, he remembered it, and he has already set his mind to do so.

"Mother, Alexandre wants to go to the bathroom! I'll be quick"

"Sure dear, I'll be waiting in the kitchen, so go ahead and bring sir Grahamm with you"

The duchess went on ahead and left the two in front of the ballroom door.

Alexandre looked like he was a bit dissppointed because he's not sure if he butler will allow him to go to the ballroom. He just stared at him with the 'seriously' face.

The butler looked like he was having fun though, because he has a slight idea about what's going through Alexandre's head right now. He pulled out a smug face while Alexandre didn't look too happy with it.

They had a staring contest, but Alexandre was almost glaring at the butler.

And as if they could communicate telepatically, Alexandre started saying things with his eyes.

'Mr Grahamm, promise me that you won't tell on me?'

'Oh my, what do you mean young master? I can keep secrets, but I'm afraid that I'd have to tell the madame if Young master 'accidentally' sneaks into the ballroom'

'You snitch'

'Yes, Thank you for your kind words"

"Hmph"

Alexandre was about to just give it up, but then he saw something moving between the cracks of the door.

The butler was in the way because he was slightly blocking the entrance, but he definitely saw something move.

"Mr Grahamm, are there supposed to be staffs inside the ballroom right now?"

The butler raised his eyebrow as small wrinkles formed on his forehead. He thought that it's probably one of Alexandre tricks to make him go away from the door, but he still answered nonetheless.

"The kitchen, the maids, and the butlers that are responsible for preparing your birthday are all busy because the duke has just arrived today young master"

"But Alexandre saw something moving though?"

"It's probably because young master didn't get enough sleep that he's not seeing things properly"

The butler doubts that some outsider could possibly be there. But there's still the possibility that what Alexandre is saying is true, and someone that's not supposed to be here, might be roaming inside these walls.

'Just to be sure'

He slightly pushed the door open as he took a peek and looked around. There was really no one there.

"Now young master, stop with the excuses and I suggest that you go to the kitchen"

"The duchess is waiting, you don't want her to suspect anything no?"

"Mr. Grahamm, you party pooper"

"Yes, yes"

Alexandre looked defeated as he slowly walked away. But then he stopped on his tracks and looked back. He's probably wondering why his butler is not coming with him.

"I'll be right there young master" He said as he stared at the ballroom door for one more time.

As much as he wanted to see if there really was someone there, he can't leave Alexandre on his own. He'll atleast have to accompany him till they reach the duchess.

'I'd have to check the ballroom thouroughly later'

He grabbed the door knob, as he closed the door with a slight sound of thud that echoed through the halls.

---

A Suspicious figure emerged from behind the pillars as it heard the doors closing. They were wearing a tattered dirt brown cloak with worn out leather sandals.

"Oh sht, that one almost got me lined up to the guilottine"

"But nevermind that, where the heck did that gorilla got locked up at"

He scratched the back of his head restlessly as he looked around

His sleeves slipped down to his elbows, revealing a bracelet, jingling around his wrist---Emerald stones tied up together while shining brighly as they kept fluctuating.

~•○TO BE CONTINUED○•~