My Dear Duke(BL)
Chapter 53: The Duke’s Secret Lover

Chapter 53: The Duke’s Secret Lover

Felix had a lot of things in his mind as he knew he had to look after the things he missed. But before all of that, he had to go and visit the royal palace. He was suddenly summoned for an important matter and he must go.

He didn’t really get a good sleep even though he slept the whole night. But it was still enough that he didn’t feel sleepy. Still, it kind of felt uncomfortable and his head slightly hurt.

Despite this, he immediately left for the royal palace in the morning to see why he was asked to come there.

It turned out the North Archen empire had sent an immediate letter to every main guest explaining what exactly happened and apologising if they had offended any guests.

It turned out to be like this.

According to their traditions, they don’t hold rituals for the dead from royal families. They respectfully bury them right when they discover the dead body as it was a belief the royals’ weakest state shouldn’t be seen by others.

So, they had already buried the emperor by the time they informed the guests about his death.

After the burying, they would do something called ’Watering’. They basically set fire to the place where the royal was found dead and then put off the fire with red rose water in the meaning of cleaning and erasing the signs of his unfortunate incident. So they had set fire to the emperor’s bedroom, then put it off. After that, they again purify the whole royal palace with rose water. Including every corner of the royal premise.

It was all new to Felix and he felt some things sounded extreme but it was their tradition and he wasn’t suitable to judge.

So now, they had sent apologies because some had sent their displeasings through letters.

Because of that, they were now giving their apology and explanation as to why they were in a hurry to clear off. As for the new emperor, they have decided it too.

They also don’t hold any ceremony for it. Felix already knew it because he had learnt some things about the North Archen through books. But he didn’t know their funeral rituals went this far though.

And, as expected, it was the third prince that took over the position as the emperor’s wish.

After knowing all the things, Felix thought he could leave but he got to know something else too.

The counts...

They will be beheaded in public next week.

Felix totally forgot about them for the time being. So...was that how things were going to end finally?

Upon Felix’s arrival back, he went to the office and started working again. He drowned himself in all the documents he had to review and got busy with it all, not even noticing the time passing.

Knock knock!

"Brother..."

It was Anne. Felix asked her to come in and watched her enter the room with a smile.

"Brother is busy as soon as he comes back. You didn’t even come to see me."

Anne said, pouting, before jumping onto Felix’s lap and leaning on him. Felix silently stared at her because she seemed weirdly clingy and affectionate.

"I was going to talk to you when I finish work. You did not cause trouble when I was away, did you?"

Felix gently rubbed her head and asked.

"No...nothing. But I was bored because you brought brother Ash with you. I am not letting you steal him away from me anymore."

Felix grinned at her spoiled behaviour and shook her head instead of being gentle.

"Brother Ash is mine. Not yours. So I am gonna bring him everywhere with me."

Felix said to annoy Anne but to his surprise, she showed a mischievous smile and was ready to argue.

"How is brother Ash yours?"

Anne asked and Felix was speechless.

Right...how was he his? He felt defeated in front of Anne’s big eyes staring at him with joy.

"Sigh...If he is not mine, how could he be yours? Give me a reason."

Felix asked back.

"Hehe...brother Ash let me kiss him. So he is mine. Like you are mine too!"

So...if kissing makes him hers, he and Asher also kiss and it’s a big kiss. So is he specially his?

Felix couldn’t help but crack a laugh as he found himself reasoning the way Anne was thinking. He didn’t want to argue because he might end up telling Anne they also kiss, more than she does.

"Okay okay. Brother Ash is yours."

Felix said and watched Anne grin even widely.

"But I can share him with you. But...you must promise you won’t scare him."

Anne said and Felix paused. Why would she think he scares Asher?

"What do you mean? Why would I scare your brother Ash?"

Felix asked, not thinking much.

"I know."

Anne only said that in response. Felix pestered her to give a proper answer because he felt she was trying to imply something.

"I know..."

Anne again said with that same mischievous smile.

As Felix was about to ask again, she got off from his lap and ran away.

"I know! "

Anne said and ran away leaving Felix there, shocked, surprised, embarrassed and confused.

’What does she know?!’

What does she know?

What did she mean by that?

Felix was scared she knew their secret affair.

Did she know it?

When Felix finally shook off his doubts, Anne popped her head in from the door and screamed at him.

"I know brother Ash is scared of you. So don’t scare him. Be gentle with him!"

Felix immediately calmed down and laughed in secret thinking how much he panicked, thinking she knew about their relationship.

But could she really know?

Okay, but Anne was wrong, wasn’t she?

Why did she think Asher is scared of him?

A person scared of him wouldn’t dare to kiss him and say something so daring, right?

Felix smiled lightly recalling the kiss and feeling quite light headed.

’Sigh...I am getting distracted by these two like a fool.’

Felix went back to his work and at the end of the day, he got to get a good sleep that made all his discomfort go away...

.....

’I slept well!’

Asher woke up feeling refreshed and thought back about the discomfort in the ship. Maybe if he ever gets an offer like this, no matter how good the destination is, he might just refuse.

"I should go and see Miss Anne today."

Asher got up and saw the dead bug he carefully put in a pill bottle. He wanted to make sure it wouldn’t get crushed so he wrapped his meds in a paper and put the bug in his pill bottle.

’Right...I should ask why she didn’t tell me about her hobby. I deserve to know...’

Asher got up and went to take a bath. But then, he heard some servants gossiping. He stopped and waited there, listening to them without going to the well.

He does like others’ tea. What could he do? He can’t close his ears. He will end up listening to them unknowingly anyway.

Alas, they were talking about the duke. He didn’t want to miss it.

"Duke came back yesterday. I thought he would not come back for a month."

"I heard something happened there so he had to come back."

It was all just the things about his comeback and Asher didn’t think it was important.

However, what he heard next made him go numb all over.

"He brought Asher with him to go when we all had been working for him more than him. I think the rumour is true. They have something going on."

Asher felt his stomach getting hot inside as the nervousness kicked in.

’What rumour?’

However...

It soon stopped when he heard the rest.

It was just too hilarious.

"Yeah, I also now think he is really the duke’s secret lover that came to spy on us servants."

"...."

’Wait! seriously?! There was such a rumour?!! Me? His lover?! Why would they even assume that?!’