Life Becomes Duke's Beloved
Orlando

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Orlando was still locked up in his room when Bastian arrived. Lui Butler of the Isla family welcomes Bastian with a tired and worried look. Their mistress hasn't been home in a long time. Farm and house work that he had to handle on his own at one time. Although assisted by other workers, Lui still felt there was too much to do.

His young master did not look well. What more he heard made the entire mansion worried. Kidnapped and now wounded. What Duke Armand was thinking was taking his mistress to a dangerous place.

Bastian entered without knocking on Orlando's bedroom door. Bastian knew Orlando was in a bad mood. When Bastian entered, Orlando was sitting beside the window. Hugged Mossie who was curled up in his lap.

"Hey ..." said Bastian slowly.

"You coming?" asked Orlando sounding indifferent.

"Yes ... I'm coming again. Dad says he can't come yet" replied Bastian quietly as he sat on the sofa. Looking at the glum face of Orlando who was very clear.

"Yes ... It's not your fault you're disappointed" Bastian said. Bastian knows his father is busy. But just for a moment, he should have met Orlando even if only for a moment. To calm this child a little.

"How's that woman?" ask Orlando slowly.

Orlando's question didn't surprise Bastian. Bastian knew the first thing Orlando asked him was the woman. Bastian reviewed a thin smile, trying to look calm.

"He .... " Bastian paused, "It doesn't look okay yet. His face was still pale. He also has not moved from his bed as well" Bastian explained Abela's condition this afternoon when he visited.

Silent for a long time after that, Bastian noticed Orlando stroking Mossie's body. The child's expression had not changed at all. Still makes Bastian afraid of mispronouncing.

"You're worried about him?" ask Bastian carefully.

"What about you? You worried about him?" Orlando asked her back, still not turning to look at Bastian.

"Yes ... Honestly yes ...." Bastian answered slowly. He was afraid that Orlando would blow his frustration. Lately Orlando has always had a reason to push him away. From the little things they never talked about. Big things Bastian can understand why the fight happened.

"Good ... It doesn't matter to anyone, does it?" a sarcastic tone came out of Orlando's mouth.

"What do you mean?" bastian asked narrowed his eyes.

Bastian knew, Orlando had already started trying to argue with him. Not that Bastian feels like he's going to lose. It's just that Bastian always disliked the awkwardness between them after that fight.

"Anybody can be your mother .." Orlando said.

Bastian did not immediately reply, he was speechless staring at the blond young man whom he already considered his own sister.

"I think you're right" replied Bastian. His two hands gripped the handle of the chair quite firmly.

"For me, who's lost my birth mother since I was a baby, it's easy to replace her with someone else." Bastian shouldn't have said that. But somehow he couldn't hold back his emotions this time.

Orlando finally turned to look at her. His face was still flat, his sight had changed. Those blue eyes looked at Bastian sharply. Until a wrinkle is seen between his eyebrows.

Bastian knows he's wrong. He shouldn't compare himself to Orlando. Comparing suffering to people who are down is not wise. He should have sympathized, not made it seem like losing Orlando wasn't something big.

Bastian sighed softly. He looked down at the floor. The shadow of Abela's smiling face as she called out her name was visible in plain sight. Orlando won't know, what Bastian feels for his mother isn't just because she's his father's lover.

Bastian is also missing, of course. Maybe between him, his dad and Orlando. Orlando is the most powerful to accept reality. Accept that her mother is dead. And that woman is someone else. Unlike Bastian or Armand who still seem to deceive themselves.

They still hope they don't know the truth. Those who still wish that what the woman said was all nonsense.

Bastian tries to calm down and restrain his emotions by biting his lower lip. He waited for Orlando to spill what was on his head.

"From here, in a place that may soon be absent." Orlando said something Bastian didn't understand. What does it mean that nothing is soon?

"After my mother's death, my father's uncle will come as he once did. Claiming everything here." Bastian said again.

"You worried about that? About your title?" bastian asked raise his eyebrows.

"You, you won't understand the Count," sizzled Orlando.

"Look, no one can take it from you. Your mother, she's not gone yet" Bastian said.

"He. Nope. My mother." Orlando pressed down on every word he said.

"Yes. I-i know. At least his body can still stand and live." Bastian didn't understand what Orlando was trying to tell him. Orlando already thinks Abela's gone. And he's prepared for the next possibility that happens when Abela's really gone.

Bastian was silent for a moment, Bastian no longer found Orlando's gaze. All Bastian could see was Orlando's lips curling downwards.

"You know, who possessed your mother's body? San what's the purpose?" ask Bastian to start again.

"Why should I know?" ask Orlando slowly.

"Listen, she can't just wear your mother's body. You have to make him pay. Make a contract with him. And take advantage of that contract." Bastian sounds a little manipulative. But he had no other choice to help Orlando.

"You want to protect what your parents built, right? This house, your company, the people here? But you can't do it alone right now. Because you're a minor." Bastian explained in detail his understanding.

"You can make that woman protect her for you" Bastian continued.

"Until when?" orlando asked, although his facial expression did not change. He sounds a little interested.

"That's ... We can talk about it with that woman directly." Bastian's not sure exactly. But Ghotel was supposed to do the contract for Orlando. Bastian believes the witch is not as bad as she heard.

"What's the fastest way to protect my house?" ask Orlando again. Orlando did not want to bet for a long time. He wanted to finish with just one step.

"I'll think .." replied Bastian.

The two of them were both silent and immersed in each other's thoughts. When Anna - Abela's servant - came in with tea and snacks.

"I'm sorry I've been serving tea for so long for young master" Anna said politely.

"The two of you look very serious," Anna said before sighing lightly. "Hopefully the mistress and lord of the Duke will soon be married. So you can really be brothers" Anna said.

Bastian widened his eyes slightly. He looked at Anna who was serving tea. Their eyes met, a smile was seen on the servant's face. Bastian smiled as well as he already felt he had the answer. Yeah why didn't he think about it.

Bastian leaned his back in a relaxed manner now. Waiting for Anna to leave the room.

"Hey ... Orlando ... I know a quick way to protect what's yours" Bastian said.

"Yes?"

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