Sleeping Beauty Wants The Throne
17. He's the Grand Duke

Last night according to plan, Luz came home first after dancing two songs with the Crown Prince to cause disappointment from the row of single men when he saw his horse carriage through the night, get away from that magnificent building. He had already told the Crown Prince that he was tired, and that the man had even delivered Luz to the front gate.

The plus value of Evandre la Empyrean increased. For Luz, the Crown Prince is a man of understanding. He happily allows Luz to do anything for the crown princess position without asking for her help. Luz did not want to set foot in the palace with the results of cheating especially if it was up to asking for help to someone with an iron fist.

Like this morning, for example. The end of spring has arrived. Some of the old trees had already started dropping strands after strands of brown leaves to cover half the way. Luz was busy reading the book with Rose standing beside her. Ah, by the way Rose's arm started to improve after falling off the wall of the manor house a few days ago. And yes, as a result of the incident his fear of heights grew.

The main room is still empty. Luz circulated his gaze and found not a single member of the de Cera family passing by. He looked at Rose. "Just sit here, Rose," he asked kindly and patted the sofa next to him.

Rose grimaced, "Marquis Thompsville would be so angry if he knew his expensive sofa was occupied by a lowly servant like me."

"You're my friend, not the waiter" Luz argued loudly at his stance. "Ke mari's. I want to show you something."

Before Rose could answer, Maida's servant Athene came from outside with a bright face. He ran upstairs, even saluting Luz he didn't have time.

"He why?"

Rose nodded in wonder.

Both Luz and Rose they still feel at home staring at the end of the stairs where the disappearance of the figure of Maida swallowed the bulkhead of the building. But before long Athene appeared, wearing a flaming orange dress with a matching lipstick of color staring at the cynical Luz who noticed her strange behavior.

"Why look at me that way. You must be feeling jealous that the Grand Duke wants to see me, right?" Athene laughed in satisfaction and then went back to bragging. "Many fans. Not like a freak who was proud just for dancing with the Crown Prince last night."

Luz now understood. The Grand Duke of Brighton means visiting here for whatever reason. Without hearing Athene's long rant, Luz simply snorted and continued to read the book.

Replying to Athene is like talking to a rock. Vain.

Athene was furious but he didn't have time for that. Striking his feet, he went from there to the main door of the manor house that was still tightly closed. From behind the book Luz secretly saw his movements. Athene opened the door and sure enough, a dark-clothed man was standing in front of the door but his face did not seem so clear as he turned his back on the incoming light. Meanwhile Athene stared at him sparkly.

"Good morning, lady."

"Good morning, Grand Duke. The weather is so sunny outside, what made you come here?" Shamelessly Athene smiled widely. "You want to see me, right?"

Athene was one of the noble daughters that Alastair avoided because of his aggressiveness. The man smiled, but the gurat did not reach his eyes. "I'm actually here to see Lady de Cera. Is he in the manor?"

Athene's body froze. His smile slowly faded, but he was still trying to tease the Grand Duke.

"Why are you looking for a lowly woman while there's something special here?" He glanced back, afraid that the Odyssey would hear Grand Duke's remark and ridicule him. "Odyssey's no better than me."

"I'm sorry but I have nothing to do with you," replied Alastair fed up. "Can you call Lady de Cera?"

Without speaking anything, Athene turned around ignoring the bewildered Grand Duke. Explained well wrongly, explained firmly is also wrong. Women are weird, unpredictable.

While passing Luz who was sitting relaxed with a smile on the main sofa, Athene's anger intensified. He almost climbed to the top just before Luz gave a speech that struck his heart.

"Other times that over-narcissistic self-confidence control, Crystal Lady. Look, who's finally ashamed of themselves?"

"I'll get back at you!" Athene left with a flushed face. Yesterday the Crown Prince and now the Grand Duke, how could Luz get both?

Athene could not remain silent. He had to complain about this to the Marchioness.

"Put these books back down, Rose." Luz handed over all his books to keep.

Rose nodded then smiled mischievously. "Eagerly, lady. Grand Duke seems interested in you."

"I don't think it's like that." Luz's intuition told him that the Grand Duke had other affairs. But come to think of it, they don't know each other. "Prepare drinks and snacks for our guests."

"Well, milady."

Luz walked over to the Grand Duke who was still standing in front of the door. The crystal cursed Athene, while the Grand Duke was their guest but why did Athene not allow the honorable to enter?

"Grand Duke Brighton, sil—"

Luz glared in shock, staring at Alastair from top to bottom with a judging look. Is he really that Grand Duke? Who just got a special title from the king?

But as soon as possible he returned his facial expression. Luz cleared his throat awkwardly, then shifted his body. "Please come in."

The Grand Duke of Brighton nodded then followed Luz's steps towards the large sofa that was placed in the middle of the room. His carved black robe gave off a strong impression of prestige, but Luz would not be daunted just because of that. He'll still collect the Grand Duke's debt all the way to the end of the world, period.

Luz clucking. Oh my God, look how miserly this man is to give five pieces of silver in compensation!

"I'll call Ochonner first, you don't mind, do you, if you wait a minute?" Luz was about to move on before Alastair answered.

"I didn't come here to meet Ochonner" replied Alastair.

"Oh yeah, then for Marquis Thompsville?"

"not too. I want us to talk to both."

Luz fell silent. The maidservants who were mostly devoted to the Marchioness always went back and forth around the main hall. It would be unsafe to talk about something confidential here. Parchment, yes, must be that thing. The Grand Duke must have wanted to protest himself because such an important letter was thoughtlessly tied at the foot of his horse during his time at the market that day.

"What if we just talk on the balcony, Your Grace?"

Alastair nodded. "No problem."

Luz walked away followed by the Grand Duke behind her. They climbed to the fourth floor, a place where the most beautiful scenery in Sormenia could be seen from here. The birds that usually look far, can be seen from a close distance even the rainbow looks very charming with a full circle of colors.

"So?"

Alastair did not speak. His eyes are still down there. "Why did you put an important parchment at the foot of my horse?"

"Very frankly." Luz chuckled and sipped her tea a little. "Aren't you going to have a little pleasantries with me, Grand Duke?"

"I need a quick answer."

"Well, how else. It forced me to do it that day. But ... You still keep it, right?" ask Luz expectantly. "Oh, I just recognized you, Grand Duke. That time you just returned to war, right, do you remember?'

Alastair nodded. "The camel is in my house" he replied before looking back at Luz cynically. "I just got to know you, too. You may as well, but please don't change our subject."

Luz sighed tiredly. The Grand Duke could not be manipulated, he was opinionated and resolute. Until he gets an answer, he probably won't give up. A typical human with a high level of ke-keboan, maybe if in New York Grand Duke could be CEO.

"It contains my agreement with the Marchioness about the title of Crystal Lady."

"That's all?"

"Yep. He can get it at any time if I put the parchment inside the manor. There are many rights that I can get if I can bring a good name to de Cera. Please just keep it for a while until I pick it up again, Grand Duke."

"Then why are you hiding it to me?"

"That's called a hunch." Luz replied with a big smile, as if chatting with an old friend. "I feel like we'll see each other again soon."

Alastair. "On what basis is such a hunch?"

"On your debt of course."

Alastair nearly chokes as Luz pronounces it without a burden.

"Is something wrong?"

Alastair. Ha, ferreting out the intent of the Odyssey doesn't seem as easy as Alastair thought.

"But, Grand Duke." Luz paused, then smiled gently. "Please keep the parchment a secret to anyone including Ochonner."

"Why should I do it?"

"My success is in your hands." Luz sighed then touched the back of Alastair's hand on the table. The man gasped, in contrast to Luz who was used to physical contact during his time in New York, Alastair who incidentally was always busy handling war affairs almost never touched women in his life.

"b-good. Quickly grab that thing before I throw it away." The Grand Duke stood awkwardly while chortling. "Thank you for your time, Lady de Cera. Then I'll excuse you."

"Wait!"

Alastair turned around, he raised next to his eyebrows.

"Can I ask for help?"