Duke Zella’s Absent

*Author*

Akai and Zella sat across from each other, their attention riveted on the intricately carved chessboard. The pieces moved with purpose, each move a calculated step in their silent battle. Akai, still focused on the game, inquired,

"When are you leaving today?"

Duke Zella moved a piece, his eyes never leaving the board. "Around 11 am," he replied, his voice steady.

Akai nodded in acknowledgment, the weight of their responsibilities hanging in the air.

Meanwhile, in the bustling kitchen, Eveline and Saerom worked diligently. Eveline wiped her hands on her apron and remarked,

"I hope Robert enjoys his visit to his daughter."

Saerom, chopping vegetables with precision, nodded. "He's been talking about this visit for the last week."

Eveline smiled, adding,

"Especially his daughter's apple pie." Saerom chuckled and nodded in agreement.

Reem, overhearing their conversation while arranging freshly baked pastries, asked,

"Do you need any help?" Eveline shook her head, saying,

"We're almost done here."

Reem grinned, "It'll be fun having you two in the kitchen till next week."

Saerom sighed,

"Well, since Robert isn't here, we don't have many other choices."

After the intense chess game concluded, Zella declared,

"I'll fetch some papers and then prepare to leave." Akai responded,

"Great, just ensure everything goes smoothly." Zella replied back,

"I've got it covered; don't worry. Besides, we consistently secure the best deals every month, so this is nothing new."

Akai nodded in agreement and added,

"Plus, Rose-sama decided to join you today." Zella chuckled,

"I wonder why she suddenly wants to come." Akai smiled, equally curious about Rose-sama's unexpected participation.

After their productive stint in the kitchen, the girls—Eveline, Saerom, and Reem—approached Theodore to inquire if there was anything else they could assist with. Theodore, wearing a smile, replied,

"Not before dinner time. You girls did a great job; you can take a break now."

The trio exchanged glances, their smiles widening. Saerom exclaimed,

"YES, finally, a break!" Eveline chimed in,

"We haven't even worked that long." Saerom, pulling a lollipop from her pocket, retorted,

"Well, I worked more than usual, so I've earned this break." Eveline and Reem burst into laughter.

As the girls roamed the palace, laughter and conversation filling the air, Saerom's mind wandered. She found it odd that the usually annoying person hadn't made an appearance yet. Meanwhile, Zella boarded the carriage, and Akai stood nearby.

"Have a nice trip," Akai offered.

Duke Zella replied confidently, "With Rose-sama, I'm sure I'll enjoy it."

As the carriage departed, Duke Akai stepped inside the mansion. Just as he was about to ascend the grand staircase, a particular laughter caught his attention. His gaze softened as Eveline appeared, accompanied by Saerom and Reem. They all did a courtesy to Duke Akai, who returned the gesture with a nod.

Saerom's gaze darted around, and Eveline asked,

"Are you looking for someone?" Saerom, appearing curious, replied,

"No, no one."

The girls decided to pay a visit to the knights Alex and Leo, as it had been quite some time since their last encounter. They made their way to the training hall, chatting along the corridors. However, Reem suddenly remembered her promise to Floral—she had committed to helping with baking cookies today.

"I have to leave," she exclaimed, realizing her oversight.

"I totally forgot about Floral." With that, Reem hurried back to the estate.

Meanwhile, Eveline and Saerom continued toward the training hall. Eveline expressed her hope:

"I really hope we don't run into General Erwin. He's so intimidating." Saerom nodded in agreement, sharing the sentiment.

As they conversed, Lexi, the sub-head maid, walked by, flanked by the usual duo—Armengard and Vicky. But this time, there was an additional presence: August, the butler. Lexi interrupted their path, her annoyance evident.

"Why aren't you two working?" she demanded.

Saerom shot back,

"I could say the same to you." Crossing her arms, August stepped forward, defending Lexi.

"Don't speak to Lexi in that manner," he warned, his tone sharp. Eveline, never one to back down, retorted,

"Well, nobody has spoken to you, August." His glare intensified as he snapped,

"Don't talk, short frog."

Eveline was shocked, and yet her anger flared.

"Did you just call me a frog?" she inquired, standing her ground. Lexi intervened, placing a hand on August's shoulder.

"Let's go," she said.

"We're wasting our time with these two."

August huffed, conceding,

"As you wish, Lexi." As they walked away, Eveline turned to Saerom.

"I really want to punch that man in the face," she muttered.

Saerom's anger still simmered as they walked, but their path was abruptly halted by a girl's voice. Eveline and Saerom followed the sound and found General Erwin standing with a visibly upset woman. The woman's words were sharp:

"I can't believe you did this again!" Hidden behind a bush, Eveline and Saerom observed the scene. The woman continued, blaming General Erwin for everything, until she delivered a resounding slap across his face. Shock widened their eyes; they hadn't expected such a confrontation.

As the woman stormed away, General Erwin remained rooted in place. His gaze swept the surroundings, and then—inevitably—it locked onto Eveline and Saerom. Their hearts skipped a beat, caught in that intense moment. But General Erwin merely turned around and left, his demeanor composed.

Eveline exhaled, her voice trembling.

"Erwin saw us," she whispered.

Saerom nodded, still reeling from the unexpected sighting. Eveline's dramatic tone followed:

"He's going to kill us now."

Saerom's curiosity piqued, and she asked,

"Who do you think that woman is? And why did she do that?"

Eveline's response was uncertain:

"I don't know."

The girls stood, gathering their courage, and continued toward the training hall. Fear lingered—the specter of General Erwin haunting their every move.

As they reached the training hall, Eveline glanced around before entering, and Saerom followed closely behind. Their eyes scanned the area until they spotted Alex and Leo, both engrossed in their training. The moment the girls came into view, Alex and Leo's faces lit up. They set their swords aside and walked over.

Leo quipped,

"Looks like we have two cute surprises here," his gaze lingering on the girls. Saerom replied,

"It's been a while since we last saw you guys, so we decided to come by." Alex directed his attention to Eveline and said,

"Good choice, you two."

Seated together, they chatted about everything going on. Alex summarized,

"The usual—just training." Leo nodded in agreement. Then he posed a question:

"Are you two free anytime soon?" Eveline exchanged a glance with Saerom and answered,

"Well, kind of. This week, we're working in the kitchen since Robert isn't here, so we do have more free time." Saerom chimed in,

"Yes, fewer kitchen duties."

Leo's eyes sparkled. "Good," he said.

"What about the four of us doing something together?" The girls nodded in agreement,

Leo continued,

"Is there anywhere special you two want to visit?" The girls pondered, lost in thought. Saerom replied,

"Well, I don't have any specific preferences." Eveline added,

Neither do I. Anywhere works.

Alex chimed in,

"What about visiting one of the nearby villages? I heard a new clay shop opened there." Eveline's eyes sparkled with interest.

"That sounds fun! I'd love to try making a cup," she exclaimed. Saerom nodded, satisfied with the idea.

They all agreed to visit the clay shop tomorrow after finishing their work, settling on 6 pm at the time. As they discussed their plans, a man interrupted their conversation. He greeted Alex and Leo, and Leo invited him to join them. The man turned to the girls and said,

"You two must be Saerom and Eveline." 

The girl observed the unknown knight—he exuded an air of quiet confidence. His dark brown hair fell in tousled waves, framing a face marked by the piercing gaze of his blue eyes. He added, 

"My name is Matthew, by the way." Saerom and Eveline exchanged glances, and their minds raced back to yesterday. Matthew—the one Dina had secretly crushed on since childhood.

A group of knights walked by, engaged in conversation. Among them, someone inquired,

"Where is Duke Zella? I haven't seen him today." 

Saerom's ears perked up at the mention of Zella's name. She scanned the surroundings but found no sign of him—unusual indeed.

As the girls bid farewell to their companions and stepped outside, Eveline suddenly voiced her concern,

"Where is Duke Zella? I haven't seen him today." Saerom nodded in agreement, equally puzzled and yet stoic about it.

"Why are you asking me? I don't know," she replied.

"Good thing he's not here to annoy me."

Eveline observed Saerom and remarked,

"He's always around you, but not today. Weird."

The girls continued their stroll, but Saerom's thoughts remained fixated on Zella. She shook her head, attempting to banish those thoughts, but they persisted.

Meanwhile, Zella sat in a meeting with a group of men. His gaze wandered to the window, and he whispered,

"I'm already missing my beautiful love. Can't wait to see her."

In the meantime Saerom and Eveline stood side by side, their eyes fixed on the massive wooden wall adorned with swords. Each blade gleamed, a testament to the knights who had wielded them in battles long past.

Saerom's eyes widened in awe, and she couldn't help but exclaim,

"Wow, this looks cool!"

She reached out, fingers brushing against the hilt of a broadsword. Eveline nodded in agreement, leaning closer to examine the display. The swords varied in shape and length—some elegant rapiers, others sturdy claymores—but all held a certain allure.

However, as Saerom attempted to return the sword to its place, it slipped from her grasp. In their joint effort to prevent it from falling, they accidentally pushed the entire wooden wall. The cacophony of clashing metal echoed through the courtyard, and swords tumbled like dominoes. Some blades collided, leaving nicks and scratches on their polished surfaces.

Before the girls could react, General Erwin's stern voice cut through the chaos. "What did you do?"

 he demanded, his eyes narrowing at the scene before him.

Frozen in place, they couldn't even turn to face him. Erwin stepped forward, his armor clinking, and stood before them. Their gazes remained fixed on the ground, unable to meet his piercing grey eyes.

He assessed the situation and declared,

"I need to inform Duke Akai about this." With that, he strode toward the palace, and the girls followed in his wake. Eveline whispered,

"We're in serious trouble." Saerom replied anxiously, "We are doomed."

Inside the mansion, they stood behind General Erwin, facing Duke Akai's office. The door loomed before them, and Saerom's heart pounded. General Erwin knocked, and Akai's voice beckoned them inside.

As Erwin opened the door, Akai looked up from his desk, his expression unreadable. Papers were scattered, forgotten, as if the world beyond his office held more significance. Right behind Erwin were Eveline and Saerom, their faces flushed with guilt.

Akai placed the papers he held in hand on the desk, and his gaze shifted to them. The girls stood on the side, while Erwin stood in front of Akai. He began, looking at the girls who were still looking at the ground. 

"The sword's wall got destroyed," Erwin said matter-of-factly.

Eveline and Saerom's bodies flinched, remembering the sound of metal meeting wood, the swords tumbling like fallen soldiers. Akai's voice was calm when he asked, "And?"

Erwin continued, "Here you have the two who did it. It was the new swords that we got days ago."

Saerom whispered, "That's why they looked so shiny."

Erwin nodded and said, "I just wanted to let you know."

Akai's gaze shifted between the girls. "Thank you," he replied, his crimson eyes assessing them. Erwin nodded again and left the room, leaving the girls alone with the Duke.

The air in Akai's office felt heavy. Akai's gaze remained fixed on them, and he inquired, "How did that happen?"

Saerom looked at Eveline, who was already looking at her. She took a deep breath and said, 

"We were wandering around when we spotted the sword wall." She swallowed nervously and continued, "I grabbed a sword, and as I was about to put it back, it felt…Eveline tried to grab it—"

Before she could finish, Akai's eyes bore into Eveline. He looked at her hands, making sure she was unharmed.

 "You wanted to grab the sword with your bare hand?" he asked, his voice steady.

Eveline stammered, "Yes, I mean, I…" Her words trailed off, lost in the weight of the moment.

"You heard Erwin—it was new swords for the knights of Westallia Palace." Akai's tone remained measured, but the gravity of the situation settled over them like a storm cloud.

The girls fell silent, their hearts racing. Akai stood up from his chair and walked toward them, now standing in front of Eveline and Saerom. His crimson eyes bore into theirs, and he crossed his arms. 

"What do you think should happen in this situation?" he asked, his voice low.

Saerom stammered, "I… we are good with anything you decide, Your Grace."

His gaze shifted between the girls before he added, "Perhaps it should be up to Erwin to decide."

Eveline glanced at Saerom and whispered in Atheni language, "No, please

Saerom whispered back,

"I know, but we have no other choices." Duke Akai, understanding their dilemma, pressed further,

"Do you two have any other options?"

The girls exchanged glances, and with newfound courage, Eveline spoke up.

"Can you decide instead of General Erwin?" Saerom wished he could say yes, but Akai responded,

"And why is that?" Eveline swallowed and continued in a low voice,

"He is scary. That's why."

Akai pondered how she could find Erwin scary but not him. He glanced at Saerom, who seemed to share the sentiment. Finally, Akai relented.

"Fine," he said. He looked at Eveline and continued,

"From now on and until next month, you have to clean this office every day, Eveline." Then he turned to Saerom.

"You," he said,

"Have to assist Duke Zella for the next month. He requested help, and you're the one I've chosen."

Saerom's eyes widened as she thought of all people—why the Duke idiot? Meanwhile, Eveline sighed in relief, something Akai noticed. He subtly smiled as he settled back into his chair.

"You can leave now," he said. But as the girls turned around to exit, he added,

"Not you, Eveline. You're staying." Eveline exchanged a glance with Saerom, and Akai continued,

"Duke Zella isn't here today, so you can leave." While looking at Saerom.

As Saerom stepped outside, a sense of relief washed over her. She had been worried about encountering him today, but it seemed he was absent. She murmured to herself, "I kinda miss that idiot."

Glancing around, she quickly corrected herself, realizing that someone might have overheard.

Entering the kitchen, Saerom spotted Theodore the head-chef, who appeared to be leaving. She interrupted him, asking,

"Teddy, where are you going?" He replied,

"Just a little trip to the town. I need to buy some ingredients." Saerom's eyes widened, and she looked up at Theodore with puppy eyes.

"Can I join you too?" she asked. Theodore smiled and agreed,

"Sure, I didn't want to go alone. Actually, I was about to look for you and Eveline to ask if you wanted to join."

Saerom hesitated.

"Well," she said,

"I don't think Eveline can join. Duke Akai needed her for something." Theodore nodded understandingly, and together, they made their way outside the palace.

Back in Duke Akai's office, Eveline still wore a hint of relief—no need to face General Erwin today. Akai, perceptive as ever, remarked,

"You look too happy for someone in trouble." Eveline stammered,

"Aaa, I… I'm not happy." She avoided Akai's gaze and stepped closer.

"It's just that man," she continued, "he's so scary. I don't want to be around him."

Akai raised an eyebrow.

"Why? Did he do something?" Eveline shook her head.

"No, he didn't. It's just…." Akai nodded, trying to understand. Eveline answered in her mind "there something about him which reminds me of something I want to forget"

But she distracted by asking,

"Why do you want me to clean your office?"

Akai leaned back, considering.

"Well," he said,

"What do you think?" Eveline tilted her head to the side and answered,

"Since I ended up in trouble." His expression seemed to say, "There you have it." She excused herself to retrieve the cleaning tools.

As Theodore and Saerom wandered around the town, searching for fresh ingredients, Saerom spotted Peter. She asked him how he was doing, and he replied,

"I'm Fine." Peter greeted Theodore, and then he inquired if they needed help carrying their items. Saerom flexed her arm, showing off her muscles, and confidently declared, "No need! I'm pretty strong; I've got this." Theodore and Peter chuckled at her spirited response, and together, they continued their shopping adventure.

As Eveline descended the grand staircase, the air grew cooler, and the scent of aged wood enveloped her. The storage area was a dimly lit space, filled with forgotten relics from the castle's past. She had come here on a mission: to retrieve supplies for cleaning the office. Her arms cradled an assortment of items—dusters, cloths, and a small broom.

Just as she turned to leave, something caught her eye—a feather duster. It stood out among the mundane cleaning tools, its soft bristles resembling delicate plumage. Eveline hesitated, then reached for it. The handle was smooth, and the feathers fluffed up as she lifted it. She imagined it dancing through the air, leaving a trail of magic in its wake.

With the feather duster in hand, she ascended the stairs, her footsteps echoing against the stone walls. Eveline had a habit of barging into doors, she entered Akai's office without knocking. It was a familiarity that had developed over time.As she pushed the heavy wooden door open, her arms full of cleaning supplies, Akai glanced up from his desk.

His eyes followed the movement of her silhouette, obscured by the objects she carried. Eveline's face remained hidden, but her presence was unmistakable. Akai's lips curved into a half-smile.

"I don't think I heard any knocks on the door," he remarked, his voice dry yet amused.

Eveline shifted her weight, struggling to find a balance between the broom and the feather duster. "I was holding a lot of things," she explained, her cheeks flushing. "So, I didn't knock."

Akai placed the items she'd brought on his desk, arranging them neatly. Eveline's gaze fell upon the feather duster once more. She waved it in the air, searching for the Enchansis word for "feather." Her mind raced, but the elusive term remained just out of reach. Finally, she looked at Akai and said, "This thing…"

He leaned back in his chair, feigning ignorance. "Yes, what's the name of this thing?"

Eveline's embarrassment deepened. She was from Athenia, where Enchansis wasn't spoken in her country. But the word eluded her. Before she could respond, Akai interjected,

"Feathers. It's a feather duster."

Her emerald eyes sparkled.

"Feather! That was the word I was looking for!" Eveline's enthusiasm was contagious.

"I brought it because it looked so cute," she added, cradling the duster like a cherished pet.

Akai raised an eyebrow. "Cute?" he repeated, amused.

Eveline nodded, stepping closer. He leaned against the edge of his desk, watching her. She lifted the feather duster to his face. "It looks like a bird," she declared.

Duke Akai acknowledged her observation, appreciating the whimsy in her eyes. Eveline carefully placed the feather duster on the table and began her cleaning mission. Akai pointed at it. "You're not going to use it?"

She shook her head. "No," Eveline replied, her tone serious. "It's too pretty to be used."

Akai's laughter escaped—a rare sound in the solemn mansion. Eveline's determination only fueled his amusement. But, it was the second time Eveline had heard him laugh, and she secretly thought to herself, He should laugh more often.

Meanwhile, in the village, Theodore and Saerom decided to take a break from shopping. Theodore kindly offered to grab a drink for both of them, an invitation Saerom couldn't refuse. They headed toward a charming little store, its bell tinkling overhead as they stepped inside. Saerom's eyes widened—the interior was beautifully adorned, a haven of colours and scents.

A soft voice welcomed them. Saerom turned around and saw a girl, perhaps around the same age as her and Eveline, sitting in a wheelchair. An older man stood behind her, gently pushing the chair. The man greeted Theodore, said

"Hello, Theodore! It's been a while since I last saw you. How are you doing?"

Theodore replied,

"I'm fine. Yes, I haven't been to town in a while. Miral, how are you doing?"

The girl in the wheelchair smiled and responded,

"I'm doing fine, thank you." Theodore then gestured toward Saerom and continued,

"This is Saerom." Saerom greeted them, and they nodded back with warm smiles.

Back in the office, Eveline diligently attempted to tidy up the space. However, the high shelves posed a challenge—she couldn't quite reach them. Standing on her toes proved futile. Akai, observing her struggle, couldn't help but smile. Eventually, Eveline gave up and turned toward Duke Akai, frustration evident.

"I can't reach that," she declared.

Akai quipped, "That, you don't remember its name either."

Eveline gave him an annoyed look. "Of course I do," she retorted, "it's a shelf."

Just as Akai was about to respond, a knock interrupted him. General Erwin's voice filtered through the door, seeking permission to enter. Before Akai could reply, Eveline took a few steps closer to him, now standing right beside his chair. Akai gestured for Erwin to come in, and as he did, he greeted Duke Akai.

"I wanted to inform you," Erwin continued, "that we've ordered swords and a few new items for the training hall." Akai nodded in acknowledgment.

Erwin then produced a paper, approaching both Eveline and Akai. Eveline edged even closer to Akai, positioning herself behind his chair. Akai glanced at the document, swiftly signing it before handing it back to Erwin. The general nodded and exited the room, leaving Eveline to release a relieved sigh as the door closed behind him.

Akai turned around, now facing Eveline. Her emerald eyes were strikingly clear. Meanwhile, Eveline kept her gaze fixed on the window, waiting for Erwin to exit completely. As Erwin's figure appeared, she unconsciously stepped closer to Akai, unaware of their proximity. Her rose-scent filled Akai's senses, and he noticed every little detail—the way her hand clung to his shirt, the warmth of her presence.

Eveline ensured Erwin's departure, but when she turned back, shock registered on her face. She had unwittingly positioned herself right next to Akai. Startled, she took a step back too quickly, losing her balance. Before she could fall, Akai's swift reflexes kicked in, and he caught her. Eveline's face flushed crimson as she found herself in his lap. She mumbled, "Why do I always end up in embarrassing situations when I'm around you?"

A laugh escaped Akai's lips. "You tell me," he replied.

Eveline realised she was still sitting in his lap, his arm encircling her waist. She scrambled to her feet, flustered. "That's not fair," she protested.

"I hope I'll witness you in an equally embarrassing situation soon." Grabbing her feather duster and other cleaning supplies, she declared, "I'm done cleaning," cheeks still red, and hurried out of the room.

Akai remained seated, still captivated by the lingering fragrance of roses she left behind

A carriage pulled up in front of the palace, and Duke Zella stepped out, muttering, "Finally, I'm back." As he entered, he caught sight of Eveline hurrying down the stairs. He halted her and inquired,

"Where is Saerom?"

Eveline glanced at him and replied,

"Oh, Duke Zella, you're here. I don't know for sure, but I think she's assisting Theodore with dinner."

Zella's annoyance was palpable.

"It's already past dinner time," he grumbled, making his way to his room upstairs. Not long after, Saerom and Theodore returned, replenishing their supplies. When they finished, Theodore announced, "I need to check if the knights have finished eating." Saerom nodded in acknowledgment.

After Theodore left, Saerom's eyes sparkled mischievously as she swung open the fridge door, her gaze zeroing in on her favourite fruit: watermelon. Theodore had promised her a slice, and the anticipation made her practically dance around the kitchen.

Unbeknownst to her, Duke Zella had silently slipped into the kitchen, observing Saerom from the shadows

His smirk revealed his amusement as he admired her cheerful demeanour. She hummed, lost in her watermelon reverie, completely unaware of his presence.

Zella's steps drew him closer, inch by inch, until he stood right behind her. His soft whisper sent a delightful shiver down her spine.

"Hello, my love."

Startled, Saerom spun around, but her balance betrayed her, and she stumbled forward. Zella's reflexes kicked in, attempting to catch her, but their movements collided, and they both tumbled to the ground. Saerom ended up sprawled on top of Zella, their faces mere inches apart.

Their eyes locked—a charged moment frozen in time. Saerom's heart raced as she felt the warmth of Zella's embrace. But then, his mischievous grin shattered the spell.

"I can get used to this," he teased, his voice low and husky.

Blushing furiously, Saerom scrambled to her feet, helping Duke Zella up.

Zella, his gaze unwavering, addressed her with a playful tone,

"Did my pretty wife miss me?" Saerom's mind raced—she had indeed thought of him incessantly throughout the day. But when she opened her mouth, the words that escaped were quite different:

"No, I didn't."

Undeterred, Zella closed the gap between them, and Saerom instinctively retreated a few steps. His persistence was unyielding.

"Are you sure?" he pressed, his lips dangerously close to her ear.

"Your eyes tells a different story."

Saerom's cheeks flushed, and she pushed him away, flustered. Grabbing the watermelon, she hastily exited the kitchen, leaving behind a trail of embarrassment.

Zella stood there, laughing at Saerom.

"One day I'm going to catch, my fierce kitten," he declared.