Life Becomes Duke's Beloved
Second Prince

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Abela was still a little dreamy staring out the window of the horse carriage that brought her home from the palace. Early today looks beautiful, the city of Romano is seen shining by street lights lit by magic stones.

Some of the townspeople began to be seen pushing carts. Or open their shop.

"What caught your attention?" armand asked breaking the silence.

Abela tightened her armand suit wrapped around her small body before replying, "I was stunned, not seeing a single abandoned child."

"The temple takes care of them under the protection of the kingdom. It was the crown prince's idea. I can't be proud of that kid." Armand smiled at the end of his explanation.

"He's very kind, '" praised Abela sincerely.

"He looks like his father."

"That's ... Too risky." Abela commented without any intention. But make Armand smile disappear.

"Is that so?" armand asked as he closed his eyes again.

"You and the King have a strong bond. That cannot be denied. That bond makes you this great risk everything for the safety of the king. I'm amazed, by the way your parents educated you." Abela smiled thinly.

"But still. I've only seen Bastian once ...." Abela knew her words were wrong. "Say that, because I don't remember the previous meeting, '" the correction says.

"But ... I felt something else inside him. My hair bristles at the smile of the boy after killing someone."

"Baustin ... Will not dare to claim the throne. His relationship with his cousin is also very good. After all, she's fourth after me. He must kill me first to become king."

"If that time comes? What are you gonna do?"

"Defender, what you're worried about won't happen." Armand still closed his eyes.

"Armand everyone knows why you don't have children from all the noble wives you've married."

"I've guessed, I don't like you being close to Rewelin." Armand grunts.

"I didn't hear it from Rewelin. The workers in my house are so excited about everything you're related to."

"What's the reason?" armand asked a little defiantly.

"You don't want your successor to have the support of a noble."

"The answer is not accurate." Armand still did not open his eyes.

"I just don't love them" Armand said.

"Not loving doesn't mean disinterested, I don't believe passion and love are the same." It was Abela's turn to speak with her eyes closed.

"So what is going on between us?" ask Armand.

"Come ...."

Armand opened his eyes to look at Abela's expression as he said that. Only a flat face with closed eyes did Armand find. Armand smiled obliquely with his wry eyes. His forehead wrinkled as he felt his chest hurt a little.

I don't know why Armand didn't want to continue this conversation. Armand crossed his arms in front of his chest. His lips were tight when he swallowed. In fact Armand should be able to accept. He and Abela may have been over long before the accident happened. They could be inside this horse carriage right now just because Abela lost her memory.

The horse-drawn carriage stopped right in front of Abela's house, Lui , Hana and a few servants scattered out to greet her mistress. Armand came out first to help Abela down.

Abela smiled at Hana and walked towards the door. Then he felt that something was strange, unusual. Abela looked back. Staring at Armand who was still standing by the horse carriage.

"You're not in?" ask Abela.

"You want me to come in?" Armand answered with a question, a faint smile on his tired face.

"It's okay if you want to go home. Whatever it is," Abela replied indifferently. He took his eyes off Armand and turned around ready to enter the house with some maidservants who were bowed stiffly at Armand.

"You want me to prepare a room?" ask Lui.

"No. I'll just go home." Armand smiled at Lui who was still bowing. "Today, your mistress broke my heart again. You know that, Lui?"

"The lady's just not in good shape. Please Your Majesty understand." Lui managed to answer calmly behind her surprised face earlier.

"Yes. I know," muttered Armand before boarding his carriage again. Leaving Abela's house.

.

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According to the soldier on guard, Armand did throw some things. But that's all. Tony took his breath before entering along with a few male servants. He saw Armand asleep in the chair. Some vomit and broken glass splattered on the rug carpet.

Tony orders the waiter to move Armand to the bed. But they did not manage to do so, because Armand had already opened his eyes.

"Is your majesty okay?" ask Toni worried.

"G ... I drank too much" replied Armand. He pressed his forehead with his index finger.

"My head is about to be crushed" Armand said again before laughing softly.

"Wheel me warm water. I'll take a shower and go to the palace. And tell Bastian to come with me." Armand stood up and began to strip the clothes last night that he had not yet changed.

Armand closed his eyes while soaking in the bathtub. The soft aroma of mint leaves filled his nose. A glimpse of the shadow of the face that he had almost forgotten was present again before his eyes. Abela's crying face that asked her to leave. Or the sound of a clash of himself was clearly heard in Armand's ears. Ringing together the sound of Abela's desperate cry.

Armand opened his eyes, staring at the bathroom ceiling. Damn it. murmured slowly. Selfish. Mumbled again. Armand sighed again with furrowed brows.

...----------------...

"You have no idea how happy my heart is to see everyone at this dinner table." The king said as if humming before feeding dessert.

"You're right, your majesty, it's been a long time since we last gathered to eat together." The queen's smile was wide.

"Bastian, at the age of sixteen, I will give you the title of Count Armano, the title you will use before you take the title of Duke."

"Armano?" ask Bastian.

"That's a combination of your father's name and this city" replied the King.

"Uncle. Uncle is really not creative," said Bastian who made Cesar - the crown prince - burst into laughter that he was holding back.

"What's that bad?" The king laughed too.

"Haha ... Maybe we can think of a better name." The queen responded casually before sipping her tea.

"No ... I think it's pretty good, at least people will know I'm the general's son" Bastian said.

"But Brother Bastian, Uncle has not seemed to be all right since then" whispered Carl - the second prince - to Bastian who was clearly heard by everyone in the dining room.

"Your uncle was drunk and raged all night in his room. So maybe the digestion is bad," Bastian replied clearly making Armand glance at him sharply.

"Why? As I recall you and Madam Abela came home early from the palace." The king said it with a mischievous tone.

"I hope your memory doesn't come back that fast and realize she hates you." Bastian says it's slow but enough to get Armand to put down his fork and knife.

"Remember back?" ask Bastian again.

"No. Not more precisely." Armand replied with a faint smile. Before his face turned serious.

"Me and the Duke of Estonia are leaving soon for a monster expedition. I'll take Cesar." Armand's words left everyone speechless. The king upheld his seat and gave his attenuation to Armand.

"Reason?" ask King.

"Cesar must be strong enough to claim the king's sword that I hold. If not him who would you expect to claim? Bastian's? or Carl?" Armand looked at his brother seriously.

"Sister knows best why I have no children from the noble wives I married first. I don't want their families to influence my descendants to claim your throne." Armand looked at Bastian now.

"Bastian was born to a young girl in the village, where I spent my time pretending to be someone else. His mother died from childbirth at a very young age. And because I can't prove that I'm the second prince. No healer would help me." Armand looked back at his brother. "That's why I'm as strong as I am now."

"Forward." The King's orders calmly.

"Bastian who only has half the blood of nobles. It would only be accepted by those fake-faced people if he could prove his strength. That's why he can smile even after killing people."

"You mean the one who attacked mom?" Bastian raised an eyebrow. "I have no desire to claim the throne or anything." Bastian let out a short breath. "Didn't you always say, so the king is a hassle."

Armand smiled, "You're right. I don't doubt that. I just want Cesar to be stronger than anyone. Your wisdom and your strength. You gotta get him balanced, Cesar."

"I'm ready. I'll come along." Cesar smiled. "I will claim the sword is uncle. I'm sure I won't make this kid ...." Cesar pressed over Bastian's head, "Killing as he pleased" he continued, shuffling Bastian's hair.

"Look at you who's a year older." Bastian tries to get himself out of Cesar.

"One year I'm older than you." Cesar said it with a proud tone.

The king looked at Armand who was still smiling and glanced at him with a corner of his eye. When their pupils met Armand clearly saw the King smiling as well. While everyone was frozen in their place when they heard Carl say, "So what should I do as a second prince?"

...----------------...