His Highness’ Interrogation

Elias swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper as he answered, "I... I saw a snake, your grace. I'm terrified of snakes, I-I've always been." Elias shuddered at the memory, his mind racing back to the moment he saw the black and yellow stripe of a venomous snake, a snake that could kill him in an instant. yet it was not the moment that he should be recalling.

Kaiser leaned forward, his eyes boring into Elias's. Elias couldn't read the Grand Duke's expression, he was too overcome with fear to do anything but answer his questions honestly. 

"Snake?" Kaiser whispered, his voice barely sounding aloud as he leaned closer to Elias. Elias nodded, eyes wide in terror, he knew he had made a terrible mistake, but he couldn't help his fear, and he couldn't take it back now.

"I'm pretty sure I heard something like, "I'm really sorry! I will pay for it later!", do you talk to snakes like that?" The Grand Duke asked again, this time, his voice was no longer in a whisper, but rather sounded like he was interrogating a criminal, "Did you steal something?" 

Elias froze at the sound of the Grand Duke's raised voice, his heart racing in fear. He felt like a prey animal caught in the clutches of a predator, and he didn't know what to say or do to save himself from the grand duke's wrath. 

For a moment, the only sound was the steady thump of Elias's heart in his chest, his ears ringing with his own fear. Then, as if finally overcome with shock, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper, "No, your grace. I didn't steal anything. I never would." He said, his voice shaking, "I just... I just have a fear of snakes. That's all."

"Elias you're still young, you already know to lie?" Kaise said sarcastically, "Do you know that liars in my dormitory are held in the cold cells and were forced to eat their own tongue?" 

It was true that Elias lied because he was afraid, but he didn't it was too obvious that he was lying. What should he do now? He was left with nothing but to admit the truth.

"Pastries.. I stole some pastries.." He admitted, his hands turned into knuckles because of fear, "I said to Ezra I would pay her anytime soon.. but I didn't expect myself to lose control of running." He explained further.

"Good." said the Grand Duke, leaning to his seat in relaxation, "Good thing you didn't lie again, I gave you another chance and you didn't waste it. You're fortunate that I wasn't in the mood for taking anyone's tongue soon."

"Thank you, your grace!" Elias exclaimed, relief washing over him. He had been so afraid that he would be punished for his crime, but now he had escaped with his life, and perhaps even a lesson. 

"I promise I won't lie again, Your Grace," he continued, his eyes downcast. "I will only tell the truth from now on, I swear it." 

The Grand Duke nodded, his expression unreadable as always, "I don't trust people that fast, I need your friend in my study room tomorrow and they will clarify to me that you paid them." he said simply.

Elias nodded constantly, he understood it and he would pay Ezra as soon as he left the palace, "Elias, sit near to my desk. worry not, I won't eat you whole." the Grand Duke said, trying to reassure Elias but that didn't happen, Elias's nervousness came back again shortly as he obeyed.

"Give me your hand." the Grand Duke commanded him to do so. 

Elias hesitated a bit, "Oh no.. what did I do.. will the Grand Suke chop off my hand?" He thought as he hesitated to lift his hand out to give to the grand duke. But in the end, he still gave his hand, his fingertips trembling slightly.

"Such a nice hand.." the Grand Duke admired it as he held Elias's hand firmly with care, then Elias didn't expect what the grand duke did next— The grand duke pressed his lips to the back of his hand- The grand duke kissed his hand! 

"It would be a shame to chop this hand off," He said, "Don't go out and do dirty deeds again."

Elias couldn't believe what had just happened. The Grand Duke not only kissed his hand, but he also praised it! He almost felt like this was a dream, it was too good to be real— he couldn't believe what he just saw, a Grand Duke kissing a commoner's hand. It was a shocking sight for him.

Elias nodded vigorously, trying to show his gratitude, "Thank you, your grace. I won't do anything bad again, I promise!"

Elias felt a mixture of emotions, he wasn't sure if he should be grateful for The Grand Duke's mercy or confused by his actions, as he was still trying to process what had just happened, he heard Kaiser's voice once again. 

"You may go now," the Grand Duke said, "But remember, if you do any dirty deeds again, I will not hesitate to punish you, is that clear?" 

Elias nodded hesitantly, still feeling a bit shaken by the Grand Duke's actions.

As Elias left the Palace, he couldn't help but think about what just happened, he had never experienced anything like that before and he wasn't sure if he could ever get used to it. 

However, one thing was certain, he would not forget that day anytime soon…

As he left the palace, he saw his father entering the inner gates, he quickly trembled all over. Did Tobias know that his son stole some pastries and was held in custody overnight? He didn't know. As soon as Elias approached his father, Tobias slapped the back of Elias's.

"Ow! What was that for?!" He cried, but it was no use to his father.

Tobias angrily refuted, "You were held in custody overnight?!" Then he pulled Elias's ear to give him punishments only then to be interfered with by a guard.

"Mr. Acker, we need to meet the grand duke in an instant." The guard reminded him, Tobias immediately responded with a yes, he then turned to Elias, "Don't wait for me, go ahead and cook lunch at home." and Tobias was led inside the palace.

Elias didn't want to waste any time and ran straight home as fast as he could. His mind was filled with panic and anxiety thinking of the consequences he might face. When he arrived home, he quickly started to make lunch for his father. As he cooked, he couldn't help but feel guilty.

Suddenly, he heard the sound of someone approaching the kitchen. Ezra punched him lightly as soon as she saw him, "Elias! What happened last night?" She asked with a concerned tone.

"You— why are you here?! Did you know that I was held in custody because you just chased me by the Rosette river! I accidentally rolled with the Grand Duke into the Rosette river! I thought I was going to die by the hands of the grand duke! And you dare to show up here? get the hell out!" Elias said, he's truly mad as he cut some ingredients.

Ezra was taken aback, "Wait.. that tall man with black hair is the Duke?!" Isn't the Grand Duke supposed to have a white hair?