"Duke. The young Aiden master is awake."

"Did you find out what really happened to him, Silvester?"

"Yes, Duke. It was not easy to find them. Someone really wanted to hurt the young master."

Can you blame them? He's like a blemish that won't go away. Honestly, if he weren't Duke Light's child, I would have dealt the end blow to him. I have never abhorred someone as much as I do him. 

"There's also something else you should know, Duke."

"Really, what is it?"

"The mole you planted in the Duke's house reported that the young master has partial amnesia."

This wine tastes different. Is it because I want to erase him from the face of the empire? Standing up from my seat, I take the documents from Silvester's hand to examine them. This could be one of his tricks to gain attention, after all. I've known him since our childhood days, he's always been a trickster. I wonder what he really wants to achieve by doing this. Should I visit him to see if he really is pretending? That's foolish. I'd rather not waste my time on that bastard.

"Any moves from the Prince?"

"It seems that the Prince is also wary of the circumstances of the young master."

I would have thought that the Prince would have acted by now, given his temper. Something is not right. I ned to know the circumstances that led to the accident that the young master was involved in.

"Is that all, Silvester?"

He nods and sees himself out. Being a Duke in training sure is tiring. On top of that, I have to deal with that child. I don't even know why my parents are friends with them. It's not like we would lose anything of value by cutting ourselves from the Duke of the North, Duke Light.

This all situation is giving me a headache. Just because we were once childhood friends doesn't mean that I'll forgive him for what he has been doing ever since his debut in the world of an aristocrat.

"Jake Graham! I know I didn't raise you or your siblings to be inconsiderate of others, did I?"

My mother bursts into the study as usual whenever anything affecting the young master is involved. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I know my voice comes out harsh, but I don't want to hear about her nagging about that bastard.

"Mother, as you can see, I'm busy."

"You will not talk to me like that, young man!"

Maybe I overdid it. 

"Now what is this I hear about Aiden Light? Is it true that he got into an accident? I hear that he also has amnesia. Is that true? Why are you not hurrying to see if he's okay, Jake?"

Now that really rubs me the wrong way. 

"Were you eavesdropping again, mother?"

"Don't you dare use that tone on me, dear. I can still whoop you," She flips her hair and takes a seat. Even though I know that my mother is a master swordsman and can probably follow up on her threats, I have never liked that brat. "He's your childhood friend, aren't you even going to ask how he is doing?"

"Mother, I haven't been at the Duke's place for years, plus I don't want to associate with him. It will ruin our reputation."

"You've changed ever since that boy bewitched both you and the Prince. It's sad, really. You're no longer my sweet innocent boy."

"Mother, please..." I don't get to finish as she walks out the door before closing, she turns to me and gives me a complicated look.

"Before, you used to call me mom, but after you got to know that boy and stopped hanging out with Aiden, you stopped."

She closes the door before I can even get anything out of my mouth. Did I really change that much? Did I use to call her mom? Running a hand through my red, fiery hair, I let out a sigh I didn't even know I was holding inside. I feel like an unfilial son to my mother. My father has also said the same thing.

Maybe I need to go and visit the Dukes' house. I dread the idea alone. Will I really hold it in if I see that jerk again? The insult is just at the tip of my tongue. Maybe I'll give him a piece of my mind.

Maybe this visit will help me get my mother off my back. Grabbing my coat, I make my way down the stairs to the dining room. I need all the energy I can get if I'm going to confront that bastard and pretend to care for him.

"It's nice of you to join us, son, for lunch."

"Father, Mother, Little brother." I nod to them. I hope I've conveyed my greetings to them.

"Your Mother tells me that you're going to the Duke's territory, specifically his house, to visit the young master?"

I set down my cutlery and swallow the meat in my mouth before answering my father.

"Yes, it seems mother has persuaded me to reach out."

My little brother scoffs, even he knows how absurd it is to associate with Aiden Light. And I'm supposed to go there and pretend that I'm glad to see that he is fine. Really, are you guys out of your minds? Everyone in the empire knows him as a villain. Children scream when they see him on the roads, no one wants to associate with him. Even the Prince who's set to take over the Empire doesn't like him.

"Jason, manners, please." My mother reprimands my little brother. I know he wants to retort, but I eye him pleadingly not to.

Lunch proceeds smoothly with everyone keeping their views to themselves, so lunch is quiet. By the time I make it out of the house, Silvester is waiting for me, my carriage already ready.

"Jake!" my mother runs towards me before I get on the carriage, "You forgot to bring flowers, he loves wild flowers, so I prepared them for him. Give it to him for me, will you?"

I agree because my father has prepared elixirs to give to Aiden. I don't even know why they are going through all the trouble. 

"Silvester, let's get going."