The Duke's Substitute Wife
Do you still love her

"Your Majesty," Armand said following Duke Cristin's tail. He was worried at his condition when the blood came out again from his hands.

"We're home." Duke Cristin rode his carriage, but his direction was still staring at the two pair of people.

Arriving at his residence. Duke Cristin asked for some time alone. He rejected Armand's offer to re-treat the wound.

Duke Cristin sat on the edge of his bed, he looked at his drawer, picking up something he had been keeping tightly. Duke Cristin opened the scroll. He stared at the smiling girl.

"It's still the same smile, but the difference is your heart." She was in tears.

The door was wide open, Duke Cristin had yet to notice someone's arrival. He was still serious about the painting in his hand.

"Your Majesty."

The surprised Duke Cristin, he dropped the painting. Soon he grabbed it, rolled it carelessly and hid it behind his body. Duke Cristin turned his head, he looked at Viola who was getting closer towards him.

"I want to talk to Your Majesty," Viola said. He squinted his eyes at Duke Cristin's look on the face with a panicked face.

"What's wrong with His Highness the Duke?" viola asked closer and then folded his hands.

"Ti-nothing," he replied.

"Well, why did you give me that gift? did you last night dream of drifting. Then suddenly freefall and turn your brain upside down." He smiled cynically. He had been relaxing down from his carriage, but he was surprised by a carriage carrying roses and a waiter carrying gifts. He asked Armand and his answer surprised him. He had to ask the giver.

"The Duchess was invited by the Empress."

"Haaaaa," Viola's mouth rounded. In his entire life he had never met the Empress. He still imagines such a comic and Drama story. The empress who was known to be cruel and sadistic. He also did not know what to talk about.

"Don't joke, do you want me to be cut in his hand. If you do anything wrong, don't pull me." Viola said with a squint of his eyes.

Duke Cristin chuckled, Viola is far from what he used to say. Where he just looked down and didn't want to come face to face with her. "Answer is a good man, if you don't make mistakes. You won't be cut off. I didn't make a mistake either, so don't worry."

"Hais, so you bought the gift. What is the flower for?"

Viola sat beside Duke Cristin who made his heartbeat seem to want to explode. He rewinded his body, giving Viola some distance. The heat started coming out of his face.

"It's just... Yeah, just decorate the garden." Kill Duke Cristin and turn his face away.

"O, I guess for me."

Viola glanced, he saw the hopeful look from his handsome face. "If so, why? but yes, maybe you want to decorate your house before his arrival." Viola stood up. But his wrist was prevented by Duke Cristin.

"You can take it." Said Duke Cristin loosening his face.

Why is she so cute.

"No need, I don't want it anymore. Yeah, I just want to rest."

"Wait," Duke Cristin immediately stood up. She hugged Viola so tightly. He breathed his scent so deeply. Viola who got an impromptu attack. He just kept quiet like a statue. Confused by Duke's changed attitude. During her marriage, she never received this warm treatment.

"Vio, man,"

Viola felt worried. He had to prepare himself, crashing into the waves in front of him.

"Do you still love her?" Viola was silent, he did not understand the direction of his conversation. A shadow came out of his brain. He guessed Duke Cristin saw him in the city with the Marquess. Did he buy it himself? didn't head to the palace past the Capital.

"Did you see it?" asked Viola to release her embrace. What did he expect? surely it won't happen. Duke Cristin would not scold him because there was no love in his heart.

"Yes" Duke Cristin sat down on the edge of the bed. "I hope you keep the Duke's good name. In two days we're going to the palace." Duke Cristin. Then looked back, grabbed the scroll and put it into his drawer.

Must be Abella's painting. Idih,, that is,,,

"What's wrong with your hand?" asked Viola to grab Duke Cristin's left hand. His face looked worried at the blood.

"Mira, bring me some medicine." Shouted Viola, "Why can it get hurt like this anyway?" Viola opened the bandage that had already changed color.

"My answer is Vio, do you still love him."

The two eyes locked onto each other. Viola did not want to answer. He was confused by his heart.

"If so, why?"

Duke Cristin's chest trembled. That answer really broke his heart. He should have been conscious from the beginning. Everything will not change. Viola would never love her.

Duke Cristin immediately left Viola who shouted calling out his name.