"Sebastian Leopold Ashbourne, son of the Grand Duke and heir of the Ashbourne Family. The only nephew of her Majesty, the Queen, and the Commander of all imperial soldiers that leads his trope to a continuous winning war-

The maid spoke as she gasped an air before continuing to speak.

........My saviour-Ahhhhh~"

As the maid giggled, holding a broom in her hands, daydreaming about Sebastian, who was changing himself to leave, the head maid arrived at the hall angrily, throwing a dart with her eyes.

"Back to work!"

Her voice echoed throughout the hall and frightened the maids, who'd earlier been gossiping about the young duke.

-Goodness!"

She added as they secretly rolled their eyes at her.

The hall was then eaten by a deafening silence the moment Sebastian stepped down the stairs wearing his same noble attire befitting for a commander, which made all the maids and even the head maid eyes drool over him.

...............

"Go-good morning, My Lord!"

Greeted by the headmaid just to be ignored by him, but instead of feeling shame, all of them were mesmerized by his face, sniffing the fragrance that was covering his body from afar.

......Enchanting......Ack!"

The maid was immediately snapped out of her fantasy when she was hardly smacked in the head by the wrinkled old lady.

"Ouch!"

She then clapped her hands for them to get their attention.

"Everyone. Go. Back. To.Work!"

Seeing the headmaid leave the hall, the girl took it as an opportunity to secretly walk straight towards her peers.

"Hey!"

She called, whispering in her ears.

"I saw a lady get out of Young Duke's room last night."

-Again?!"

"Shhhhhh-Quite!"

They both immediately turned their heads to look around the scene, covering her friend's mouth as she spoke.

"...And guess what she was wearing." 

She paused, grinning.

"......"

"A thin nightgown and her look was a mess..."

"From bed?!"

Ahhhhhhhh!!!"

They both giggled oblivious to the sound of clicking sandals coming down from stairs as the grand duchess passed by them.

Feeling the intense glare coming from her, all the servants were startled before going back to their assigned tasks as if nothing had happened, frantically sweeping and dusting the floor and ceiling.

"How is it? Do you like it?"

He frowns after looking at his watch before fixing his tie.

"Ha—Is that the first thing you would say after seeing your son coming back from war?"

The duchess's eyes widen like she made a mistake slipping her tongue.

"I-I just want you to have fun. You're a great son, Sebastian, and a soldier on top of that-

She paused looking anxious.

.....Bu-but you're not immortal, you will need someone to take care of you."

He smirk.

"Why is there to worry? Mother."

She saw him form a playful smirk before gazing into his eyes. A cold, piercing look like ice.

"If I were to marry someone, I'd make sure that my marriage was different from yours and father'."

She was left speechless as if someone had taken her tongue to answer. 

The Duchess just stood at her place like a statue watching  Sebastian leave, walking towards the marvelous car where he found his father quietly sitting at the back of the driver's seat without daring to even take a glimpse at the Duchess, pretending as if she was just a wind in his sight where she didn't exist.

'Ha- What did I expect?!'

He sighed.

"...When did he even acted like she wasn't dead?!"

He thought before lifting the door to open.