Without knocking the door, she entered under the keen eyes of the maids, to show her authority.
Ethan was sitting on the office desk of his father and trying to read his papers. He had a face full of annoyance as if he would throw all the papers and moments.
She sneered. Did he think he was a genius? He would read all the papers by himself and would learn everything!
Her face filled with disdain as she walked in. but when she reached beside him, her facial expressions changed and filled with worry.
"Oh dear! You are looking too worried. What happened Ethan?" she feigned ignorance as she eyed the papers and her eyes narrowed on them with her face turned darker.
"What are you reading here that made you so worried?" This time her voice trembled a bit so she failed to notice his shocked and then embarrassed face or she did not care for it since she had more important things to see.
"Ah, i.. I was just trying to read the papers. I have missed many classes so I am still not proficient in it.
I think Elizabeth was right. I still lack in many prospects and hurrying everyone to make me duke.
What difference would it make between me and leo? Aren't we both greedy for the same thing!
Sigh! On a second note, why should I care who is the duke when I could have a free life and enough money at my disposal.
It is not like I have many desires. We can pay the loan you have taken and then marry.
I read that my father has three more palaces. We could go and live in one of them after marriage to avoid arguments or ask for a separate estate we can handle!" He turned to look at her face to observe her every reaction.
He realized that it was not in his abilities to be the duke with so much work.
His father managed all the activities of the empire. Trade, foreign envoys and even criminal files had filled his table.
He was sure he could not manage so many things even if he would take classes for a decade.
She tore her eyes away from the files unwillingly and stared at him with a smile,
"Of course, if you want to live in a separate state as a rich commoner instead of being the archduke, then it is your will.
All i want is you, i did not need the position or power. You are the one who will decide.
But make sure that you think well, in case you regret later." she pressurized the last line when he sighed and nodded.
Even he was not sure if he would let go of the position now, how he would be treated by Leo after the death of his father.
He knew that Eli and Leo did not like him at all. That was why it was necessary for him to be in a higher position or he would be disposed of by them.
"I know, I will try harder." she patted his shoulders like a stern teacher pat the shoulders of her student after getting a better reply after the wrong one.
As if telling you still need to learn a lot.
"You can try all you can after having the meal. Come here." she held his hands and pulled him towards her when he shook his head with a smile.
This was the peace he wanted in his life. After working hard all day, he wanted to have a light meal with her and then sleep while holding her in his arms.
He did not care if he was a duke or baron or just a rich commoner. As long as they could afford good food and have a peaceful life together but he wondered if he would ever have one?
He sat down on the chair and looked at the food. It was his favorite.
"Chicken soup and cheese cornbread." she nodded her head with a bright smile on her face.
Only a fool could be so happy with such a simple meal after living in the house of the duke as his heir.
He really was not cut for being a duke with his authority but a simple farmer.
She hid her eyes that were full of contempt with her hair and started eating together.
"You know Hannah. I feel that we should talk to Eli and Leo and clear our misunderstandings.
What if their behavior towards us changes once they know that I did not want the position anymore. Then we could have a happy life together." he took a deep sigh as he said so and her hands on the fork tightened.
If he would talk to them then all the traps she had woven around them would fail. After coming this far, she was not going to let go!
Her eyes fell on the table where the papers were still scattered and her eyes turned darker.
"Of course, you should talk to your father too. Why not have a good family get together once he wakes up.`` This was the only way she could stall time.
And since the father would never wake up, she did not need to worry about their conversation.
He nodded as he stared at his father with a look of worry in his eyes, "i wish that he would wake up sooner. I am suddenly feeling alone." his voice turned softer and distant as he continued to stare at his father.
Theo, the only one who had treated him better, was also gone due to the illness of his father. He was sent to handle the other tasks so no one knows that the duke is sick, or it may create chaos in the vassal families.
"Yes, he would but now it is time for you to rest too." so that i could do what is needed to do!
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