Life Becomes Duke's Beloved
The Star and the Sky

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The sky was already dark as they exited the magic portal. It took two days with a horse to arrive at the witch castle. Abela looked around, there seemed to be no sign of monsters dwelling there.

"It's so quiet, isn't it, madam?" ask the crown prince of his horse.

"The last time we got here, uncle was like a madman, he wiped out all those monsters" Cesar said.

"I mean Your Majesty, Duke Armand?" Abela knew who else the crown prince called an uncle other than Armand. But still, Abela did not want to be impolite by not responding.

"Yes ... Who else, if not him madam. When madam was kidnapped ...." Cesar did not continue his words. The young king-to-be was seen gulping his saliva nervously. He looked at Abela's gaze.

"Sorry ... I shouldn't talk much" Cesar said.

Abela raised her eyebrows looking at Cesar's behavior, but her astonishment was answered as she turned to the right side. Armand was staring intently at the two of them.

"Your highness, what if we rest and camp here?" ask the team captain to Armand.

"Yes, it's too dark to continue the journey" replied Armand.

"Do we need to set up a tent?" ask the captain again.

"No need, I'm sure everyone is strong enough to sleep on the ground" Armand replied. I don't know why the revelation felt directed at Abela. The look of the team captain on Abela was also more convincing to the tent's intentions for him.

Cesar looked at his uncle in disbelief. How could Armand possibly be so cold. But compared to Cesar, Calix looks more upset.

"If you're worried about me, I'm fine" Abela said, making the team captain stop looking at her and return to his original position.

Abela got off her horse, when everyone was down. He drank from the drink he brought. He just wanted to wash his face with water. He walked slowly towards the voice that he was sure of the river sound.

Armand held him by holding his hand, "Where are you going?" tanyanya brief.

"To the river ... I'll just wash my face" Abela replied calmly.

Armand looked at him, before bringing him into the lush trees. Surely there is a river behind the trees. Armand let go of his hand and sat down under the tree. Abela glanced at him briefly before drawing closer to the riverbank and began to wash her face.

Cold felt on the skin of Abela's face. This water was quite refreshing to take off all the fatigue he felt all day. His mind is still in Orlando.

Abela looked up at the clear night sky. Stars look a lot in the sky. The wind hit his body. It brings in cooler air.

"Thank you" Abela said slowly. But it could still be heard by Armand.

Armand did not react, he still looked down at the ground.

"I know you hate me so much, but you still want to fulfill my request. Someday ... If I could ... I also ... want to fulfill your request." Abela closed her eyes. Feeling the wind hit his face that was getting colder.

Abela did not turn her head to Armand, she did not want to know what kind of expression the man displayed.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to ask of you" muttered Armand.

Abela smiled towards the river, "Of course, I know. What can I do for you? If there is, I know what it is. And that's beyond my ability."

Abela understood, if nothing Armand wanted other than the real Abela came back to her. But of course it's impossible. What can bring to life the dead?

"Maybe there is ... What you can do ... But I'm not sure if I want it or not" Armand said, not raising his face.

"Is that so? Then tell me that you already want it" replied Abela. He turned around to walk closer to Armand.

"You want me to wait for you to wash your face too?" abela asked after arriving before Armand.

Abela was actually a little surprised by Armand's gesture, Abela glanced at Armand with the corner of her eye. Armand's face from the side looked even more attractive than where Abela was standing. Abela smiled realizing Armand's good looks.

"What makes you smile?" ask Armand in a flat tone.

"none. I just thought that you were really good looking from here," Abela replied honestly.

"Hhhh!" Armand snorted, not believing what he heard.

"You know ... I'm telling the truth" Abela said again.

"Just give it up" Armand replied indifferently.

The two of them came from behind a dark tree hand in hand. Steal the attention of everyone who is surrounding the campfire. Feeling everyone's attention on him. Abela tried to remove her hand from Armand who still insisted on grasping it.

Armand took her to a comfortable place under the tree and told Abela to sit there.

"Wait here" Armand said in a commanding tone.

Armand turned around leaving him and returned with a bowl of soup and a grilled chicken skewered. Armand handed the bowl of soup to Abela without saying much and sat down beside her.

Abela glanced at Armand before drinking the warm soup. It was very warm as it passed through Abela's esophagus and quite delicious on her tongue.

Abela passed the bowl to Armand. Who received it in silence and drank one gulp as well. Armand began to tear the thigh of the chicken which was still a little hot and gave it to Abela.

Abela chuckled as she accepted it, making Armand raise her eyebrows.

"G ... Sorry ... I'm just amazed, I'm sure you actually hate me. But you don't seem to be able to ignore me." Abela stole a look with the corner of her eye.

"You're right .. according to you ... Why am I like this?" Armand asked while chewing his grilled chicken.

"Maybe ... You're just kind ... It can't be because of this body, right? You can't ignore it." Abela answered carefully.

But his caution failed, as Armand's face looked stiffer than before. Armand did not answer. He just eats in silence. Abela also did not expect that Armand would always respond to her. But what Abela knew, every time the roasted chicken in her hand ran out Armand would pass a new piece. Without talking, without looking.

.

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Armand looked up at the sky beside the sleepy-looking Abela. His head was always forward and backward before he realized he was asleep and suddenly woke up. All that Armand noticed through the corner of his eyes. Armand didn't budge the least of their suits after dinner.

The night air was getting colder, the stars were getting brighter up there. Armand smiled towards the sky. It could be the second time he lets the woman he loves leave this world without letting himself try harder to keep them.

No. gabe. From the beginning it was all his fault. From the beginning he managed to persuade Bastian's mother to come to the palace with him before Bastian was born. That woman must be alive raising her child. If only, after Abela lost their baby-to-be and Armand agreed to part with her. It's possible he'll survive and the attack won't happen.

Armand even knew Abela's assailants were those of Wilhelm. But all of that ends with executing the culprit alone. Armand manages to resist his urge to fight again, as he thinks Abela is safe. Then, what Armand wants right now.

Armand gulped his saliva still looking towards the sky, as he felt something fall slowly onto his shoulders. Armand glanced at the golden strands of hair that now dominated his gaze. A few strands tickled his neck.

The short breath of Abela's lips was clearly heard. Armand closed his lips as he remembered the woman. His body is here. But the woman has actually disappeared. Armand consciously or not, stretched out his hand and reached out to Abela's shoulder. Bringing him closer to his arms. Enjoy the soft atoma lily that smells from her hair.

Damnit. Armand in the Heart. He wanted to hug this body more often like he used to. Why can't he let himself do that easy thing. If only he didn't know the truth.

Armand smiled incisively as those ridiculous thoughts flashed through his head. There was nothing worse than the truth he knew. But there's nothing better when he doesn't even know.

Armand just wants this all done. Hope everything is finished soon.

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