Life Becomes Duke's Beloved
Ratu

Abela looked at herself in the mirror, amazingly, that was what Abela thought when she first saw her reflection. This woman was very beautiful, with the silver dress she was wearing. This time her servant did not wear a low-collar dress, but the collar of her dress almost covered half the neck. The waiter said it was palace protocol. Abela didn't care much, she wanted to know why the Queen invited her just for tea.

"Mr Duke, it's waiting for you in the drawing room." Hana informs Abela. Abela only responded with a brief nod.

Abela was stunned to see Armand wearing his full warrior uniform. He was many times more dignified looking, usually he would just be relaxed around Abela. But not this time, there was a thin tension that Abela could see from Armand's facial water.

"You look tense," said Abela welcoming a kiss of Armand on the back of her hand.

"I was just stunned," Armand replied quickly.

"Because Abela is beautiful?" Abela spoke in third person, giving Armand a chuckle. In Armand's eyes maybe Abela was trying to sound cute. But to Abela herself, she wanted to hint that she was not the Abela that Armand knew.

Abela, feels she failed to do so. So he just smiled, as Armand walked side by side to the horse carriage.

"So, tell me about the queen's majesty." Abela asked as she sat down.

"Hm ... I told you that you lost your memory, so he won't ask you anything difficult. He is one of the people I trust. So don't worry too much" Armand said, trying to calm Abela down.

"Accept ...." Abela muttered softly.

"Just .. there might be one more person joining. I hope you're not affected by what he's saying." Armand's words made Abela look at him. So there's going to be something. Thought Abela.

Abela smiled before throwing her gaze back out the window.

"It's too early to calm down then," Abela murmured softly, the mutter could be heard by Armand who hid the worry with his small smile.

................

Arriving at the palace, Armand was quite astonished. Abela, who did not remember anything, was not fascinated at all when she entered the palace. He even looked very natural, his gaze was very confident.

Which Armand did not know, in Abela the witch named Ghotel was very familiar with this palace. Not once or twice, centuries ago he was invited to come here.

Abela looked around, the palace had already changed a lot, to the extent that Abela remembered only one had not changed. Is a crystal ornament that coats all the frames of the king's paintings from time to time.

Abela was quite stunned, this kingdom was not even half her age. All the kings Abela had seen had fought with her. Only one is not, the current king. Abela looked at Armand as they stood in the painting of the current ruling king. Yes, the king sent his brother on appeal to choose his own fight.

"What are you thinking?" ask Armand curiously.

"Nothing." Abela answered quickly.

"It's very clear you're lying" Armand said with a small smile.

"Why? What are you worried about?" Abela returned Armand's smile.

"I'm afraid you're more interested in my own brother," Armand replied not completely seriously.

"What am I interested in is the man who sends his sister to every war that happens."

Abela's reply left Armand flabbergasted. She looked at her lover fixedly, "You can't say such a thing inside here. Don't tell that to anyone else." Armand warned Abela.

"I know," Abela answered briefly.

"I'm beginning to worry about leaving you alone" Armand said.

"Don't be like that ... I'll be fine." Abela took her breath before entering a door.

Abela made a curtsy move by slightly lifting her skirt and looking down. Until the Queen told him to sit down.

"How are you? I was very worried when I heard about the incident that happened yesterday," the queen immediately held Abela's hand just after she told Abela to sit down.

"There have been many incidents around Armand. Behind this. I hope you agree with Armand's wishes to take you to his residence immediately."

As Armand said it seemed like this queen was indeed close to the two of them.

"There seems to be a reason why the Baroness did not immediately move to the Duke's residence. I hear your relationship has been strained lately. I hope it's not because of me." A girl who looked very young and had an innocent face suddenly entered in her conversation with the Queen. Abela looked at the girl in silence. What does his word mean.

"Hearing those rumors made me feel guilty and uncomfortable." Again the young lady said things that Abela could not digest at this time, just what would Abela give if in this situation.

Abela stole a look at the slightly tense-faced queen. Bizarrely. Thought Abela. Is the person Armand was referring to this young lady?

All the young noble girls who were in this room were ladies in waiting queens. And Abela did not realize that there was one man sitting with her and the queen. Who did not even stand up as Abela greeted with ethics earlier.

Abela smiled, then faced the queen again.

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry if it has made you worried. I'm really fine. Duke Armand indeed repeatedly asked me to stay in his residence. But my heart still felt heavy leaving my home. There are many people I love and I have to protect."

Overdoing it, that's what Abela thought about what she said to the queen. In reality Armand had never revealed that idea. Maybe because Abela often built a line between them.

The queen looked at Abela with a look of sympathy. It was in contrast to the young girl sitting with them. He seemed to hold back in annoyance as Abela ignored him.

Abela saw a small lot rising on the young lady's lips. His face came back haughty, he lifted his cup and started drinking.

"It would be difficult actually Madam, if my marriage and Duke happened. What will be spread in our society if you stay with us. Especially the kingdom where I live will definitely not stay silent."

The girl's words shocked everyone there. Abela glanced at the queen who seemed to be holding back emotions. There must be a reason why the queen tolerates all the sassness that this young girl does. So Abela just put her hand over the queen's. They looked at each other until the tense queen's face relaxed.

"You are right, your majesty. There is no way a legitimate wife and lover can live on one roof and not cause controversy. But sometimes it can be tolerated. Remembering the harmony seen outside the house is more important than inside the house itself. It was no longer a strange thing from the view of the nobles. Especially, the nobles in this kingdom already knew very well. Who's been Duke's lover all this time." Abela gave her final victory sentence.

Abela called him noble just guessing from the words that came out of the girl. It seemed that she was not from this kingdom and her social status was higher than just a noble lady. After all, sometimes the enemy always shows his nostrils if they are too arrogant. Abela knew who the enemy was after her.

With her words, Abela did not only attach importance to this fight for her. But it seems to be for all the noble ladies who are in this room. They seem very satisfied. Their expressions were more visible when the young lady with a forced look, saluted before leaving the room. Followed by two ladies who are not from this kingdom.

"You know, Abela. I always wish you'd done that a long time ago," said the queen looking more relaxed as she was gone.

"Memory loss turned out to be good as well, your honor. I really don't remember who he is" Abela replied honestly.

"She was the princess of the kingdom of Wilhelm in the western contingent. He's here on a peace mission. They want to build an ally by marriage. Because the prince is too young for the princess. They asked Armand to marry her."

"Didn't they think Armand was too old for their daughter?" Abela said that casually and realized her mistake. "Excuse me your honor, I mean duke Armand."

"It's okay, you can call him casually. After all you are the closest person to him right now." The queen breathed a tired sigh.

"A lot of things happened these two years that we can't imagine before" the queen said.

"What does noble mean?"

"I mean the witch, since she's gone. More people are getting greedy. Because there's nothing else they're afraid of." The queen looked forward as if looking into the distance.

Abela felt something enter her. Whahuh? Is my presence that important? Inner Abela.

"You know Abela. All those monsters were like looking for his lost master." The queen shook her head with a sad look.

"But I am grateful that the witch is gone. So miserable living alone for thousands of years." Abela muttered softly.

He did not know what reason made him come back to life in someone else's body. But the queen's words somehow made her feel appreciated.

...****************...