Life Becomes Duke's Beloved
Monster Expedition

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Abela sipped her tea in the gazebo in the middle of Rewelin's flower garden. Rewelin invited him to tea. Abela had no reason to refuse the invitation.

"The dress that madam wears today, is very different from the usual dress in Romano" commented Rewelin.

"Does it look weird?" ask Abela.

"No, the dress is beautiful. But it might not be easy to find it."

"Armand bought me a lot of dresses while we were in the east. In the territory of the Duke of Estonia" Abela replied.

Abela sighed, lately every time she heard or mentioned Armand's name, her feelings were heavy. Abela hasn't seen Armand since the dance. And Armand as usual didn't try to reach him. And somehow made Abela disturbed.

"I heard from my husband, Armand is going on a monster expedition along with the Estonian Duke and Crown Prince."

"Monster expedition?" Abela asked repeating the information she heard.

"Madam doesn't know?" Rewelin did not expect that Armand did not tell Abela about it.

"Armand didn't tell me. No more precisely he hasn't contacted me at all since the dance." Abela looked annoyed as she said that.

"I don't think he's changed at all." Rewelin smiled in sympathy. "I'm grateful I didn't spend my life with her."

"That's quite a comment .. dangerous ...." Abela put down her cup.

"At least Armand looks to love you," said Rewelin, she closed her eyes as she said that, her hair-child strands carried by the gentle wind. The mature woman looked beautiful and graceful. Abela could imagine how beautiful she was when she was young.

"Madam Delacour must also have had a happy memory with Duke de Rhodes."

"Let's know, I've known him since he was a toddler. Armand and I grew up together. I got engaged to her when I was ten. How old was he at the time ... Hm ... Fourteen I think." Rewelin opened her eyes, Abela clearly saw the anger there.

"My age was fourteen when I always heard the problematic rumors about the second prince. How he broke so many young lady hearts. Or get into a relationship with a lady older than him. Or suddenly found drunk in the middle of town." There was anger in every Rewelin remark that made Abela unable to comment.

"Therefore the King advanced our marriage. I was only sixteen at the time. Can you imagine my fear of accepting the reality of being the prince's wife." Abela finally saw a smile on Rewelin's face.

"Madam knows, on our first night. I was scared and crying in the closet. So when he found me he laughed and said he wouldn't do anything." Rewelin looked at Abela again.

"As long as I was his wife, he never touched me. He shouldn't be that good. So when he came home after disappearing for a long time and took Bastian. I won't feel heartbroken."

"So, Bastian was born while Armand was still married to madam?" abela asked carefully.

"Yes ... Madam's right. One day the second prince disappeared, the father-in-law who was also the king at that time asked me to wait patiently. He's finally back."

"Did the madam really object to the boy's presence?" Abela asked again.

"At that time ... I'm still twenty years old, madam doesn't think I'm going to act like an adult right?" Rewelin drank his tea again.

"At that time the pressure was exerted not from Armand but from my family. They wanted my son to be Armand's successor after seeing Armand's second and third marriages. Somehow reminds me of my family's old greed."

"I heard about that too." Abela smiled, "At least, Madam looks happier now" Abela said sincerely.

"Yes." Yeah."

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

"Take me to the house of Armand," Abela commanded her soldiers and charioteers.

They looked at each other and finally nodded. Abela knew she had come without any prior notice, it was very disrespectful. But Armand also used to do that - visit without notice first.

Abela's goal to the Armand residence was of course because she wanted to take part in the monster expedition. Moreover, why did Armand seem to avoid it.

Abela got off with the help of the soldiers who guarded her down from the horse-drawn carriage. When Tony ran in stride followed the other waiter.

"Welcome Madam." Tony bowed to welcome Abela who was smiling from feeling guilty.

"I'm sorry I came without notice, Tony. But I need to meet with Armand" Abela said.

"No of course it doesn't matter, madam. Please come in." Tony bowed and let Abela walk in front of him.

"Master is still in the palace, madam wants to wait for him in master's room or in the recreation room."

"Just "room. I want to lie down for a while" Abela replied calmly.

A few servants entered the room following Abela. Abela started to strip off all her clothes.

"You're afraid of me?" abela asked, she couldn't help but ask.

"We're afraid the mistress doesn't believe us."

"I'm doing fine. Please prepare warm water for me. I want to take a shower." Abela smiled kindly at those who inexplicably looked happy at Abela's orders.

After bathing and wearing a nightgown, Abela immediately lay face down on Armand's soft bed. Inhaling his blanket and pillow that had the same fragrance as Armand.

He could have avoided me and ignored me for days. Abela's mind is upset. Abela took a breath and exhaled it to calm herself down. Until finally sleeping.

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

Armand looked tired as he reached his residence. Everyone greeted him as usual.

"Tony, I want to take a quick shower and go to bed. Prepare a bottle of whiskey to my room" Armand ordered.

"You want a drink tonight?" ask Tony carefully.

"For the time being, that's all that's gonna help me sleep."

"But, madam Abela is asleep in your room, sir." Tony's reply made Armand widen his eyes. He looked at Tony sharply.

"Who?" armand asked to confirm his hearing.

"Madam Abela, sir. Baroness Abela Isla" replied Tony again.

"I didn't know he was coming." Armand looked at Tony.

"Sorry sir, the madam did come without telling you in advance."

"Abela?" Armand raised his eyebrows. Abela's never done this before. This kind of attitude is completely new.

"Prepare my bath water then. And keep bringing me whiskey." Armand ruled while walking.

.

.

Armand sat on the chair in his room. Next to his hand turned the whiskey glass next to him flanking the cigars. Armand stared at Abela's face that was soundly asleep on top of her bed. He's really here. The one he missed for days.

Armand sucked his cigar and closed his eyes.

"Armand, are you home?"

Armand opened his eyes slowly and smiled faintly. Staring at Abela sat down with a sleepy face. Her sleeping dress sleeves sagged on her arms. Her hair is a little messy.

"When did you sit there?" ask Abela again.

"Since I got home," Armand replied calmly, upsetting Abela.

"And how long has it been since you got home?" ask Abela again.

"It hasn't been too long since I've enjoyed your pretty face. At least before you wake up and look ready to get me into an argument."

Abela narrowed her eyes at Armand's words. But he had to endure his resentment for now. Abela got off the bed approaching Armand. Seizing the cigars and glasses Armand held, which without a fight gave him.

Armand remained staring at Abela in silence even until Abela climbed into his lap. Sitting astride Armand's thigh and wrapping his hands around Armand's neck. Stick their bodies.

They looked at each other in silence. Their eyes locked onto each other. Dark and blue light.

Abela put on her beautiful smile at the right moment, making Armand look away at her pink lips.

"Many surprises tonight. You're the one who came looking for me for the first time, who sleeps in my bed or you who now sit on my lap."

"Which one do you prefer?" abela asked still with a teasing smile.

Armand smiled obliquely, happily accepting the challenge. He finally coiled his hands around Abela's waist. Bringing him closer.

"Give me more then" whispered Armand.

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