Love me, Mr. Duke
Chapter 23.Duke's Childhood Story

...~Love Me My Lord Duke~...

I looked at the ceiling of the room while taking a deep breath and exhaling it slowly. I hold my chest which still feels pounding. This overflowing feeling I've never felt before.

"Why has he been acting this far...?" muttered.

I turned around and looked at the wall, trying to recall what had just happened.

"I don't want to think about it, I'm so tired right now."

I let out a long sigh, I pulled out the blanket and opened my eyes trying to sleep.

As my consciousness grew more and more lost, the last face I remembered before falling asleep was Carxen's blushing face.

The morning arrived. As usual I would eat breakfast in the dining room alone. Then to the library meet Alfonso for class today.

I'm really trying hard to be the hostess at the Callisto residence. Even outside of class I never read books, for one reason or another. Still when I was studying I really put all my skills into action.

I turned my eyes out the window as Alfonso tidied the thick books on his desk.

"Do you want a walk out?" ask Alfonso.

I immediately turned to her, "To be honest I want to go where the knights train."

Alfonso smiled warmly at me, "Then let me accompany the Madam there this time." Alfonso offered his hand to me. I smiled slightly and grabbed her hand, "Alright, please help her, Alfonso."

As long as I walk with Alfonso, I don't feel awkward at all because he told me about Carxen's childhood.

From childhood, Carxen received a difficult education, because he was prepared to become an heir.

"As long as Mr. Duke grows under the watchful eye of the previous Master and Madam. He grew up in loneliness and isolation. All the burdens and hopes of the previous Master and Lady were burdened to the Duke because he was their only child."

Alfonso stopped his steps when we arrived at the training ground of the knights, "Tired of learning and hard-learned, lack of rest, not even playing time..."

"All that Mr. Duke faced in order to keep the Callisto family. The pain, the pain, the pain, the anger, the fatigue and the sadness, all he faced himself."

Alfonso continued to stare at Carxen's back with a sad-looking look.

It turns out that I'm not the only one going through such dark times. I used to think I was the child who suffered the most. But it turns out that what Carxen's up against is a lot heavier than what I'm dealing with.

I saw a pair of shoes in front of me, "What are you doing here?" the sound succeeded in making me jerk, and immediately raised my head.

"Is there something wrong with my face?" Carxen slightly frowned.

I shook my head quickly, "Not at all! There's nothing wrong with Master Duke's face!"

What should I say now. This is really awkward. Back there the knights were watching us.

'No, wait a minute! Brown-eyed and brunettes man! Not that guy....'

"Master of the stick...?" muttered.

The man walked over to me, "I am Gavin De Borbon, the commander of the second army. I salute Duchess Callisto."

He bowed for a while then straightened his back, "I'm sorry for my impoliteness, which was unaware of the Duchess at the time."

'Ap-What?! Squad commander!'

How many times have I opened my eyes, the one standing in front of me is the man I met on the night of the festival.

"The Duchess...?" Gavin looked at me in confusion while scratching his nape.

"Have you ever met my knight?" Carxen looked at me sharply, a dark aura as if coming out from behind him.

"Miss Viola!" the warm voice made me flinch.

I immediately looked back, seeing a girl in plain clothes walking up to me while carrying a wicker fruit basket hanging on her arm.

"Miss Shanon...?" I said slowly.

'Wait. What is Miss Shanon doing here? Don't tell me she's also kstaria?'

"Miss Viola?" cetus Carxen is full of emphasis.

I almost forgot he was still here. I dare not look at Carxen. I can feel a sharp gaze piercing through my back right now.

"Miss, what are you doing here?" Shanon held my hand while smiling warmly.

'I should have asked that.'

"Shanon's..." A tall, broad-shouldered man suddenly came between us, and whispered to Shanon.

I don't know what the silver-haired man whispered, for sure Shanon's expression instantly changed, startled.

"I pay my respects to Duchess Callisto, sorry for the carelessness I've done. I deserve to be punished!" Shanon immediately bowed.

"I hope, Miss Shanon will continue to treat me as usual. Aren't we friends?"

Shanon immediately straightened his back and smiled gently at me, "If that's what the Duchess wants. I will be honored and gladly accept it."