Edward barely held back from screaming his throat out.
They system chimed in the background, pulsing happily.
[ +1 Affection (Duke Myrvale) has been added ]
He gulped, then stole a quick glance at Emilia.
She was staring at him with dazed eyes, her hands trembling from the sheer shock she had just endured.
Yup. He decided. I'm dead.
Before Emilia had a chance to pounce on him though, the duke, his radiant smile still etched onto his face, pulled him to a tight embrace.
At the same, of course, someone else walked into the room.
It was man who looked very rugged, he had a very serious expression. But when he saw Edward being embraced by the duke, he stopped right in his tracks.
Edward's eye's widened in surprise when he recognised who the man was.
It's the knight from yesterday!
He stood frozen near the doorway, a stack of documents in one hand. For a long moment, he simply blinked—once, twice—as if his brain had completely crashed.
"Calen," the Duke greeted him warmly after letting go of Edward, his voice still thick with happiness. "Good morning."
Calen straightened, fist over his chest in salute. "…Good morning, Your Grace."
His eyes flicked toward Edward.
Then quickly away.
Then back again, like he couldn't stop himself.
Edward stiffened under the strange gaze. He couldn't help but be suspicious, Calen's expression was unreadable, but his ears were strangely red.
Why is he looking at me like that?
Is it because of yesterday?
Before Edward could further descend into panic though, Emilia stepped in-front of him like a guardian angel of discipline and etiquette.
"Sir Calen," She said, her tone flat. "You're late."
"I was... delayed" He muttered, not entirely certain in his own words.
She stared at him. "By what exactly?"
Calen cleared his throat. "Paperwork... yeah, paperwork."
Edward looked between them.
That was such a blatant lie!
The dark circles under his eye's were almost like he had painted it on!
Before Emilia could interrogate Calen further, the Duke waved his hand dismissively.
"Come on now, go easy on him Emilia. Sit, Calen."
Calen hesitated, then reluctantly took the seat opposite to Edward.
Edward tried to drink tea to hide his discomfort, but his hands were shaking just slightly from the sheer tension. And Calen noticed. Of course he did.
For several seconds, no one spoke.
The air tightened even more.
Edward could feel Emilia's gaze burning into his back like a branding iron.
He could practically hear her say; Sit straight, Elbows in. No slouching.
Another moment passed before Calen cleared his throat.
"It's... good to see you again, Young master." He said, doing his best to avert his gaze from Edward.
A long moment passed, then Edward froze when he realised he was supposed to reply.
Say something normal... NORMAL... something a human would say.
"I..." He fiddled his hands, searching for the word, then blurted out the first thing that came to his mind.
"I live here."
Calen blinked.
The duke smiled fondly like that was somehow the best reply he could have given.
Emilia looked like she was about to pass out from the shame.
Edward wanted to disappear, literally.
Inwardly he pleaded to the system.
please... please.. take me away...
When no one spoke, he reached for his teacup to hide his face and drank.
....Which he immediately regretted.
It was hot. Hot enough to melt his lips.
He inwardly screamed, not having the courage to even flinch at the pain, not even being able to let go of the tea cup, because he was sure that Emilia was going to send him straight to afterlife if he did something as idiotic as that.
And of course, he held the burning tea in his mouth like the idiot he was, while his soul left his body.
Why does this have to be my life.
He held back the urge to punch the blue shimmering panel that was hovering just at the edge of his vision.
He put down the cup slowly, his arms trembling, and his eyes slightly tearing up.
Meanwhile, the duke spoke, unaware of his suffering.
"So," He looked at Calen. "You stayed up all night helping the search party the other day right?"
He then turned to Edward, his big smile still flashed on his face.
"Don't forget to say your thanks to Sir Calen D'Arvis. He insisted on leading them all by himself."
Edward glanced up, intrigued. Calen quickly looked away.
"I didn't do anything special," the knight muttered, straightening his gloves like they suddenly needed a lifetime of attention. "I was simply doing my duty."
The duke gave him a look filled with gratitude. "Thank you."
Calen cleared his throat again. Before he could say anything though, the doors swung open once again, and another visitor entered.
A tall slender man with silver glasses and calm, black eyes walked in. His hair was also raven black, neatly tied behind his shoulders. His expression was controlled, like that of the politicians Edward had seen on television.
"Armand." The Duke greeted, his voice erupting in a cheer. "It's rare seeing you here."
"My apologies," Armand said with a small bow. "I heard Young Master Edward had joined you for breakfast. I wished to welcome him back personally."
Edward stiffened.
He searched for the words, then making sure that it was not something dumb he spoke.
"Thankyou for joining us." He bowed to Armand.
Edward sighed interally.
Finally! A normal sentence!!