Life Becomes Duke's Beloved
Not Mom

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"You ... Not my mom, right?"

Orlando's question was unexpected. Abela blinked her eyes twice. He was confused how to react. Should he lie?

Orlando's gaze moved on Mossie again, who seemed to understand what Orlando and Abela were talking about.

"Orlando ..." call Armand loud enough. The man rushed down the stairs. Obviously just heard what just happened. Armand had already pulled out his sword, just in case. His eyes were staring at Mossie.

"You okay?" Armand asked Orlando, slowly getting closer to him.

"Yes, this huge creature saved me," Orlando replied flatly.

"Are you hurt?" ask Armand again.

"No ...." Orlando said slowly, "I think," he continued more slowly.

Abela could see Orlando staring at her with the tip of an eye. Armand came at an inopportune time. Before Abela could have a chance to react to Orlando's question. Or ... Abela thinks too long?

"Dad will help you," Armand looks like he'll be holding Orlando if Orlando allows it. But Orlando refused, he shook his head slowly.

"Before that ... Abelie ... Can you do something with your pet?" ask Armand. The cold tone is back. As if it was his true nature.

Abela glared for a bit before calling for Mossie. It didn't take long for the big cat to turn into a normal cat size.

Just as everyone was focusing on the huge creature, the sound of Orlando's laughter suddenly sounded. Laughter that looks fake and empty. Orlando released Armand's hand that was on his shoulder. Then go deeper.

"You guys. It's bad at lying." Orlando stood up after saying that. He walked towards the exit. Get everyone on standby.

"Orlando." Bastian. No one knew when the boy was there.

"Here, I'll take you home" said Bastian calmly.

Neither Armand nor Abela stared at each other through the corner of their eyes. What's gonna happen next?

Armand was about to say something, before catching Bastian's head. The boy grabbed Orlando's shoulder and walked out of the house.

"Mossie, follow them" whispered Abela.

"Don't you dare ...." Armand fizzed to hold Mossie off jumping from Abela's embrace.

"He understands, he's not going to hurt the kid" Abela said.

Mossie managed to jump in and out before the door closed. Armand was still staring at Abela sharply. He grabbed the woman's hand and slightly dragged her to come with him. Throw it into one of the rooms closest to their place.

"You tried to kill your son!" not a question but an accusation Armand is now telling Abela.

"You crazy? Why did I kill him!" Abela said not to ask.

"You ... You came at an inopportune time ! I hadn't even had the time to lie when he asked me if I wasn't his mother" Abela said somewhat shouting. He might be blaming Armand. But he doesn't care about that.

"You !" armand's turn is screaming right now.

"What's? You don't like me lying? Do I have to honestly say that I'm not her mother?" Abela realized she was venting her anger at Armand.

"It's easier for you to know if he's dead. Aye right? Faster more ba.." Abela's words were cut off by Armand's grip on both of her shoulders.

Abela could clearly feel Armand's anger. Not just from the tight grip of his hand. Or from his sharp eyes but also from the aura that lit up around his body. The aura that always looked blazing blue looked slightly dark this time.

"If only you weren't in this body ...." Armand hissed, his lips tight as he spoke.

Abela believes Armand must be controlling her power and anger.

"I don't care if you kill me again, ' Abela replied equally coldly.

"Why? Why should I fulfill your wish?" armand asked, the corner of his lips raised next to him. His smile looked very scary.

"If you want to die" Armand brought his face to Abela's ears. "Don't die in front of me" whispered Armand. His tone sounded extremely cold and dangerous.

Abela did not reply anymore, she bit her lower lip a little hard. A taste of iron felt at the end of his tongue. Armand looked at those bloody lips. The hand that gripped Abela's shoulder, slowly slipped away and moved to her chin. Armand separated Abela's lips with his thumb. Pressing Abela's tongue, made Abela even more alert.

"I told you ...." Armand said very quietly and flatly. "This body is not yours" he said before moving away and releasing Abela. Walk out and close the door hard.

.

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Morning at the Armand residence, everyone was not in good condition. Workers, work more carefully. As if afraid to make a mistake. Tony was always on standby to prepare for anything that might happen.

Last night was intense and stressful. Bastian didn't come home, probably stayed at Orlando's. Armand didn't come out of his office either. And Abela sleeps in the recreation room on the first floor.

Tony instructed the waiter to prepare breakfast. He was preparing a dining table when Abela appeared in his hunting clothes.

Compared to Armand, Abela looked more approachable this morning. Tony smiled before pouring water into Abela's glass.

"Your master didn't eat?" abela asked, clearly making a boundary between herself and Armand.

"Mr will be down soon" muttered Tony softly. A little unsure.

"I will eat first then" said Abela indifferently.

Just as he was about to bribe his soup, Armand walked into the dining room. Abela was tense. But stopping the movement of his spoon in the air would feel awkward. So by trying indifferently, he started eating again.

As much as Armand could not look at Abela, he felt he had always done the wrong thing lately. His emotions affect everything he does.

Like yesterday, of course one would be confused by his suddenly good attitude and then turn bad again. Armand always tried not to blame Abela. In the end, though, his efforts always failed. Or perhaps, he could not accept the fact that everything that happened was his own fault.

Armand tried to eat even though the food was tasteless.

"If you're done, let's get going." Armand stood up from his seat after eating not so much.

Abela nodded and followed him from behind in silence. Until they get to the door. Two horses were waiting for them. Abela glanced at Armand who had already climbed onto the horse. Once again, Abela followed Armand. Abela smiled wryly, there can't be any words of tranquility this time.

When they finally rode their horses towards the palace. A lot of things popped up in Abela's head. Everything was something he did not expect. Orlando's face filled his head. Perhaps his body's memories were controlling his current emotions. He owes the kid an explanation. Does he have time to pay it off?

'Reserve yourself, why should you be tied to it.' Abela smiled wryly as she thought that. He realized he was a nobody, he was precious just because this body was precious.

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