Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 198: Can You Be Truly Happy?

Chapter 198: Can You Be Truly Happy?

Tillian’s office was unusually dark. He didn’t feel like having all the lights on, somehow, he felt more comfortable that way.

He reclined in his chair, his strong arms crossed in front of his chest. His sharp red eyes were watching the man who had been pacing back and forth along the tall bookshelves lined up to the duke’s left for almost half an hour now, completely silent. The man’s hands were joined behind his back while his eyes absent-mindedly glided over the volumes lined carefully on each wooden shelf.

Finally, Leif paused before one of the tall bookshelves in the middle of the wall, and touched a leather-covered book, his voice lazy as he said,

"My lessons must have been quite useful... She seems to be very much in love with you. With you and everything else that is you. She thinks of you as her... family."

The prince’s words made Tillian’s face grow darker. While it was true that Leif was his mentor and helped him a lot when he was trying to win Aideen’s heart over, his evident arrogance was never a positive trait.

"Your Highness... I appreciate everything that you have done for me up to this point. You are right, your relationship advice was very helpful, I’ve learned a lot thanks to your teachings. But don’t you think that––"

"I know," the man shifted his attention from the books to the duke and continued, "I know what my father promised you. I know everything about your agreement, Your Grace. Don’t take me for a fool."

Tillian’s lips twisted, "Then why are you here? Why now?"

Now, it was Leif’s turn to become dark and serious. It was the second time that he heard this question today and each time, he had no idea what the right answer was.

"Awakening the dragon’s powers is far more serious than you think. She has a duty to fulfill. She has responsibilities. She has to be Queen. That is her destiny."

With a heavy exhale, Tillian finally left his seat and walked up to Leif, his steps heavy with subtle anger and determination. Standing right before the foreign prince, he assessed him with his red eyes, and said sternly, "She will be Queen, Your Highness. My Queen. Just like your father promised. Nothing will change. No matter what."

Leif couldn’t help but scoff. He then placed his heavy hand on top of Tillian’s shoulder and asked, "Do you think that will be enough?"

Duke Valentine offered him a rather bewildered expression. The man curled his lips into a grin, offering his companion an answer to his silent question,

"A woman of such powers... Do you think she will be satisfied with being just a queen? A king’s queen?" He scratched his chin and continued, "She has a bright future ahead of her. She can create her own fate now, make the whole world bow down before her. So why should she limit her life to this? What can you offer her that she cannot get herself?"

Tillian hesitated. Leif’s question touched a nerve somewhere deep inside his body. His hidden insecurities overcame him once again.

Indeed, was it really enough? Enough for someone like Aideen? He spent so many years hoping that it would be enough; and even if they were not fated to be together, all he wanted was for her to be happy and fulfilled. Would she want more while being by his side? Would she want to leave because of that?

How many times had he asked himself that question already? Had he ever been close to finding an answer?

’No...’ Suddenly, Tillian felt as if an enormous weight was lifted off his shoulders; Aideen had so many chances to leave while she was by his side. When she developed her magic abilities; when the Chief Paladin came to take her to the Holy Church; when she left the castle guided by Utar’s voice... Then why didn’t she?

She was always his. She loved him. They loved each other. And that was precisely why neither of them could leave; he was certain. Aideen was his queen. She had to be.

Thus, shaking Leif’s hand off his shoulder with a look of irritation, Tillian finally replied in a colder tone,

"Whatever she needs, I will give her. More power, more land, more freedom... Isn’t it what true love is about? To make sure the other person is happy no matter what?"

"Selfish love, maybe..." The man scoffed again, but his eyes betrayed his real thoughts. "Then what about you, Your Grace? Will you be happy? With your life filled with nothing but sacrifice, can you be truly happy?"

The duke nodded, "Aideen’s happiness is my happiness. I will do everything for her. You know it. Don’t make me repeat unnecessary things."

Leif was left with nothing but a sigh brushing over his parted lips, "You young fools will never stop surprising me..."

He then fell onto the leather couch in the middle of the study and added, "I can’t go back to Utar without Aideen, you know. My father expects the two of us to come together."

Duke Valentine raised his eyebrows while his lips stretched into a disgusted smile. It suddenly dawned upon him––he might have yet another unwelcomed guest residing in his castle indefinitely.

"What are you trying to say, Your Highness?"

The prince offered him an awkward grin, "You might no longer need my advice on your relationship, but Aideen might want my advice on raising the baby dragon. Who, if not the man of the dragon blood, could be more helpful in such matters?"

Tillian exhaled and wiped his tired face with both hands. The man had a point. And he hated that he was right about so many things.

With a pained expression, he said, "Only if Aideen agrees to it. If she says no, you’re out of here."

Leif smiled again and nodded.

A long silent pause hung between them as the conversation seemed to have come to its natural conclusion. The foreign prince suddenly stood up, then slowly walked up to the window behind the duke’s desk and died his eyes on the dark scenery outside the castle, his voice calm as he said somewhat carefully, seemingly addressing no one,

"The situation on the continent is shifting rapidly, Your Grace. Something is not right, we all can feel it. And the center of it all... Is Geraldion."