Life Becomes Duke's Beloved
Dried Tulip

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Armand walked up to give one of his soldiers his saddle strap and walked slowly closer to where Abela was. Armand realized that many pairs of eyes were watching the two of them. But he didn't care, he was just this close to the woman whose smile was getting wider.

"What makes you look happy?" Armand asked softly with his low voice.

"Because I know you guys managed to defeat that monster." Abela answered lightly, her attenuation not completely falling on Armand. He looked at Calix who was watching them from afar. Abela furrowed her brows, her feelings alone or indeed Calix was looking at her.

"What do you see now?" Armand realized where Abela's gaze was.

"Young and handsome guy over there." Abela pointed at Calix with her fan. And laughed out loud when he saw Armand's expression.

"Your face looks scary when you look at me like that" Abela said.

"Just give it up." Armand turned his face. Piqued.

Abela's laughter changed with another smile, she extended her hand at Armand. Armand was flirting in his place. Staring at Abela's hand hanging in the air, onto Abela's beautiful face that looked brighter.

"Come ... Let's go for a walk." Abela persuades Armand. He knew, Armand wouldn't be tired of that easy fight just now. His armor even looks shiny love, never seen ever touched by dust.

Armand had not yet welcomed Abela's hand, instead he had one soldier come closer to her. Take off his armor and give it to the soldier. And instruct the captain to bring their troops back first. As long as he did that, Abela had already lowered her hand again.

"Where? Your hand?" ask Armand.

"This hand is so tired waiting for you to know that." Abela sounded annoyed as she said that. Making Armand share a smile that he never showed anyone else, other than Abela.

"Where are you taking me?" armand asked, he extended his hand.

Abela simply glanced at the hand, replying to Armand's treatment earlier.

"I can't possibly walk around here in a harness, right? So I let go first," Armand gently persuaded.

Abela is actually still upset, but she finally welcomes Armand's hand and pulls it. Go through the crowds, pass people pretending not to be interested in them.

"Collect ...." Abela pointed to the jewelry store.

"What's up here?" Armand asked not because he did not know, he was just curious what made Abela pull him to this place.

"There's a lot of beautiful jewelry" Abela replied. I don't know why his eyes look more radiant than usual.

Armand simply responded with a thin smile and a head-drap. Take Abela into the shop. Looking at his excited manner saw all the jewels one by one from the very first start Armand let go of his hand grip.

Abela could not hold back anymore, it had been a long time since she had mingled with so many people. Or just buy a piece of jewelry. Basically Abela really likes these sparkling things. That is why in his castle - the castle of witches - there are so many things that are shiny and beautiful.

"Can I buy some?" abela asked Armand who was standing not far from her.

"Hn. As much as you want" replied Armand.

Abela narrowed her eyes, feeling Armand was extremely arrogant. But finally a grin rose on Abela's face. He opened his fan dramatically and looked at the shopkeeper.

"I buy, this." point Abela to one of the pearl necklaces in the display case. "Till there." Abela pointed at the end of the display case. "I buy all, Duke de Rhodes will pay." Abela said in satisfaction then turned to look at Armand who was still flat-faced.

Abela raised her eyebrows, "Duke?" call Abela.

"No problem, I said just buy as much as you want." Armand grinned at the end of his sentence. Armand was unsure what motivation Abela had to ask Armand to buy her this much jewelry. In the past, Armand needed many reasons just to buy him a pair of earrings.

Abela whom Armand knew was like that, she did not want to hang herself or feel indebted to anyone including Armand. Independent women who sometimes suppress their self-esteem as a man who is even able to do anything or bring anything to his face.

Armand handed the shopkeeper a blank check and instructed them to deliver everything they bought to the Estonian Duke's residence.

"Is there anything else you want to buy?" ask Armand softly.

"Am I used to this? Asking you things like this?" asked Abela curiously.

"No, sometimes you'll get mad if I buy more than two gifts. The only thing you like is rich dried tulips that I decorate myself on parchment." Armand stared into the distance, like he missed someone who was clearly in front of him.

"It feels so weird talking about yourself." Armand stared fixedly at Abela. "Talking about yourself as if we were talking about someone else."

"You're right. So ... Send me too." Abela looked at Armand, needing to look up a bit to look at his face because of the difference in height.

"What?"

"The dry tulip ..." - Abela with a smile.

"Well, I will dry all the tulips in my garden" Armand replied, holding Abela's hand.

"Don't overdo it," Abela replied twisting her eyes.

"That's the easy thing. What else do you want to buy?"

"Some dresses," Abela glanced at the ignorant Armand. "One dress shop." Abela laughing.

Armand was more amused than surprised. The corners of his lips were always drawn upwards. And his face was shining looking happy.

The scene was a warm conversation in the eastern territory of the Duke's residence in Estonia. The war general who always expressed coldly when he received the orders of his brother who was also the King. Looks very human when together with the lady he brought.

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"Your majesty and madam look very happy." Calix muttered after sipping his tea.

Today all of her workers are made to be surprised by the shipment from the jewelry store and the dresses that make it to their castle. Apparently the king's sister, this guest bought a lot of gifts for her lover.

"I don't know what to comment on that." Armand as usual responded flatly. "Especially if the person who should be staring at us is considered very happy with me is staring at someone else."

Armand looked at Abela who was blatantly staring at Calix with sparkling eyes.

Calix smiled awkwardly aware of the situation at this round table from the start. For one last courtesy before releasing Armand's entourage home, Calix invites Armand and Abela for tea. But ever since the three of them sat down, Abela somehow did not stop looking at him.

"The letter came from the palace." Calix tries to distract Armand and Abela. "The king wants me to face him. I think it's about Wilhemn's daughter."

"What's wrong with that princess?" asked Abela suddenly. A cold tone sounded as he asked. Abela's memory of the arrogant princess somehow irritated her.

"Because I am not married even though I have passed the standard age in this kingdom to get married." Calix somehow felt the need to explain this. Bizarrely.

"The king will marry you to the princess?" Abela felt impressed that she could still be so formal right now.

"I don't know, but I think that's the reason I was called to the palace." Calix answered again.

"The princess is very evil and looks cunning. She is very beautiful. But I don't think he's worth the Duke of Estonia. You deserve a better bride. Aren't you going to marry her anyway?" Abela looked at Armand. Abela's question made Armand feel quite upset. But he managed to hold back his anger.

"So that princess doesn't deserve to be paired with the Duke of Estonia but deserves to be my bride?" ask Armand to Abela. Armand's face was still smiling but somehow made everyone tense up. Except Abela who was still acting leisurely sipped her tea.

"Cold-blooded humans like you are very compatible with devious people. Like the common criminals."

Calix widened his eyes hearing Abela's reply. Really, what this woman was thinking. Will Armand really tolerate what Abela says?

Contrary to the tension that felt stifling to people, Armand laughed out loud. Not a terrible laugh. But a laugh that really seemed happy, a red hue adorned his handsome face. The expression of his feet softened, his usual intimidating stern jaw became visible adding to his good looks.

"You know very well that I'm in love with you, don't you, Abela. You know I can't do anything." Armand played a pinch of Abela's long unraveling hair.

Abela who received the declaration of love just smiled faintly on top of her cup. Calix shook his head at Armand's stupidity in front of him. If he had bad intentions on Armand. The easiest thing that pops into his head right now, of course. Abela's.

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