Life Becomes Duke's Beloved
Chapter 2: Armand de Rhodes

Armand stared at the parchment on his desk. He massaged the base of his tired nose. All those parchments are reports of an attack on Abela.

Armand knew half of the people he knew were his enemies. People who try to get rid of it for a lot of reasons. But still, targeting the people closest to him was already out of bounds. And Armand can't just shut up.

"What do you think Ray?" armand asked his assistant.

Ray looked at the alert of his Master. "I hope your Majesty is not rash in making a decision," he said carefully.Armand nodded slightly in response.

"They are the ones who want you to ascend the throne." Ray looked down at the office floor, not daring to look at Armand. Armand narrowed his eyes before throwing his face out the open office window.

"They don't want me to ascend the throne, Ray. They just want to take advantage of the chaos of the possible showdown" Armand said calmly.

"There are rumors in the city, my lord. Some were spreading out if the young master was actually the second prince." Ray still hasn't lifted his head.

"Omong is empty, Bastian is my son." Armand's voice felt extremely cold as he said that.

"And sir, ever since that evil witch went missing. No one could control the monsters anymore. Although we can avoid attacks with spells made around our kingdom, by the witches who are in the royal tower."

"You're right Ray, it's my fault I killed him too soon. But .... " Armand did not continue his words. It was then that Armand clearly heard the voice of the magician saying thanks for Armand successfully killing him, with the sword he had.

Armand has since had a premonition, if the witch had intentionally made the monsters lose control in order for people to hunt her down. Since having that feeling Armand has always felt regret.

"No, Your Majesty, your decision to finish him off is the right thing. Remember many of our fallen soldiers. Every time the witch troublemakers."

Armand was still staring at the sky out there through his office window. The sky was very bright, in contrast to the days of two years ago. Armand still remembered the tense moments. Each sky turns red. Everyone would hide in the bunkers they made underground in their homes. Hiding from the monsters that were deliberately released by the evil witch.

"Today, if I have nothing to do. I better go to Abela's house. There may have been another attack." Armand stood up and tidied up his clothes. Ray just nodded politely.

"Solve the rumors about Bastian today as well as Ray." Armand's orders before he disappeared behind the door.

**

Ghotel is still unfamiliar with the lives of the people he has possessed. This woman seems very kind. Everyone likes and respects him. All the letters came full of sympathy. Or the general public who stopped by his residence just to deliver a simple gift. Ghotel was impressed, in his long life no one dared to approach or be friendly to him. Everyone is always scared.

Ghotel remembers, every time he wants to make friends with other people. That meant he had to go undercover and hide his identity. No one has ever accepted him for who he is.

"Madam Abela, Mr. Duke Armand said that he would visit" said Lui, butler Abela.

Abela simply responded with an awkward smile. From his conversations with the servants. Ghotel knows that Abela and Duke have a special relationship. It seems that they both care about each other. Even their children are close.

But Ghotel hasn't been able to get used to the physical touch Duke has given him. It felt very strange, not just the touch of his skin, his gaze alone had made Ghotel nauseous. It was hard to imagine that the person who had finished him could behave as gently as that.

"Mrs, what is the madam waiting for. We'll help you dress up" said Abela's eager waiter. Ghotels can only resign when they dress them up.

"Is Duke Armand going to stay over, madam? Does the lady need a nice nightgown?" ask the waiter who was combing Abela's hair.

"No." The ghotel answered too quickly. "I mean, I don't know," he said again.

Ghotel did not reply, deep inside him, he felt guilty for taking over the body of this kind-hearted person. And feel even more guilty if it turns out he is only temporarily in this body until the owner returns. What if Abela comes back and things have changed because of Ghotel?

"What ... Arland, ekhm ...." The ghotel cleared his throat, it was still difficult for him to casually mention the person's name. "Did he always treat me so well?"

"Of course, ma'am. Mr. Duke was very kind to the madam." The servant said it cheerfully while styling Abela's hair.

**

Armand casually sat in the recreation room of Abela's house. Waiting for the hostess to come. He had already confirmed earlier that he would visit. So the owner of this house should not keep him waiting too long.

Armand smilingly greeted Abela who entered with a bent face.

"What's pissing you off?" tanya Armand looked at Abela from head to foot.

"Because you came, those servants made a fuss over dressing me up."

"Is that so? I'm flattered, usually you never change clothes before you meet me" Armand replied with a laugh.

"really?" Abela looked at Armand a little pleased, it meant that she would not need to dress up first if Armand came again.

"Right, a couple of times I'll just walk into your room when you're in your evening dress." Armand said it calmly, he hid his smile behind the teacup that he lifted to the front of his lips. Abela's expression was very comforting.

"So? Have you tried to remember yourself?" tanya Armand started a serious conversation.

"I've been in this body for two weeks ...."

"Get into this body?" Armand cut Ghotel's sloppy words.

"I mean wake up and don't remember anything ... I think this woman ... I mean, I'm a good man." Ghotel stuttered a little.

Ghotel realized, there must be a reason why he had to get into Abela's body. Maybe the Gods just wanted to make him feel how to be a normal human being. Or the Gods wanted him to do one or two good deeds before the Gods exchanged his soul for the real Abela.

"You think of something else ..." said Armand slowly. "At a time like this, Orlando should have come home. But it would be safer if he was in the school dormitory. Sorry, for a while you can't meet her just yet, Abela." Armand looks sorry.

"It's okay," Ghotel smiled weakly, he didn't know who Abela's boy was. But for some reason, it made him so melancholy just by hearing the name of the boy. Is this just a memory of Abela's body and mind?

Armand looked at Abela, his lover with an unusual look. He slowly approached and sat down beside Abela. His hand reached out to Abela's hand, dipping it gently over Abela's black glove. Armand smiled, looking at Abela's eyebrows raised next to her.

Abela flinched as Armand's hand pulled her waist closer. Armand's face was very close to his. Abela gulped nervously. While Armand grinned before gluing their lips together.

.

.