Chapter 472 - The Duke Of Grimsbanne
[ To the Duke of Grimsbanne,
How are you faring, Your Grace? How was the weather in Grimsbanne? The weather in the South had been humid, which made us enjoy cold teas and desserts. I also enjoyed reading a book under the tree while the midday breeze blew past me. At some point, the thought of you crosses my mind.
I heard a lot about you and your achievements. The reformed, advanced education system Your Grace had founded is remarkable! Even I was amazed to read the books I had procured from the west. They are amazing.
The teachers in the south were slowly following the teachings in Grimsbanne. I am happy. No wonder Grimsbanne had produced elite scholars.
Despite that, I still can't help but think about your welfare, Your Grace. I was wondering if you enjoy the weather back in Grimsbanne as well. Have you been well? Have you been resting and taking care of yourself? All those petty worries I'm sure you'd find bothersome.
Your Grace is a hard worker, after all. And even if I know you are capable, this anxiety will remain in my heart. I wish you do not take this as an insult. It was simply a worry of a lady for her brother.
It had been five years, and I genuinely missed spending an afternoon tea with you, Your Grace. I was hopeful to see you on my son's 6th birthday a month after you receive this letter.
I missed you, Yulis. I sent you some tea I made myself for you to enjoy. It alleviates one's mood and fatigue. I hope this will help even the slightest.
I'll be looking forward to your response.
From your (lover) sister,
Lilou Roux ]
Yulis's eyes were smiling gently as he read the letter he received this morning until he read the last part. His face instantly distorted as Lilou's humor was totally something he disliked. Either way, his heart warmed up after receiving such a letter, hand-written by Lilou.
"Sister..." he whispered with eyes full of gentleness, placing his thumb to cover the word lover. That joke ruined the entire letter for him.
"You finally woke up, huh?" he chuckled, rereading the letter. Just reading it, Yul could hear her soft voice in his head.
It had been five long years. The longest five years in his long existence, but after hearing from Lilou, it was as though a thorn in his heart was taken out. He was beyond happy — too happy that he already read the letter five times.
After reading the letter five more times, Yul glanced at the little present that came along with it.
"She made this herself?" Yul wondered in a gentle tone, smiling at the thought of it. "Since when did she learn how to make tea?"
The letter brought Yul back to all the happy times in the past. Yul, Silvia, and Lilou would mostly spend an afternoon tea together. They would talk about just anything. He recalled the time Silvia offered to teach Lilou on how to make teas, but the latter wasn't the person to show interest in a lady's hobby.
Lilou would rather pick up a sword and train than socialize in high society. She would rather go to war than accept a noble tea party. She was the person who would rather wear a knight's uniform than wear a luxurious dress. But this letter... it was easy for him to detect that she had become more ladylike.
"She has a wonderful son now, after all." Yul smiled as he caressed the letter gently. "Just like Hell, I'm sure she is trying to change. How time passed."
KNOCK KNOCK!
Yul snapped his eyes at the door and caught the old butler entering his office. He was carrying another letter and didn't talk until he stood in front of the duke's desk.
"Your Grace, a letter from the capital came today," said the butler, making Yul's gentle expression die. Yulis stretched his neck up to see the crest on the letter.
"Throw it away," he ordered after just glancing at the crest. "I told you. Throw away all letters from the Capital."
"But Your Grace, how can that be? The messenger said it is important and must be read by Your Grace," the Old Butler argued, suppressing himself from wiping the sweats on his forehead.
A sigh slipped past Yul's lips as he crooked a finger. "Give it to me."
Just as he ordered, the butler handed the letter to him carefully. Yulis glanced at him before opening the letter.
[ To the Duke of Grimsbanne,
How are you, my love? The capital had been peaceful to the point it was so boring. It makes me yearn for -- ]
Yulis just skim through the content of the letter before tearing it in half.? To take out his frustration, Yulis shred the letter into many, many pieces with a poker face. The butler nearly gasped, thinking the messenger duped him.
"You," he called coldly, making the butler freeze. "Unless it has the crest of the Military General, don't give me any letters from the capital from now on. Especially from the damn woman."
"Ye — yes, Your Grace. My apologies."
Yulis rolled his eyes as the butler bowed to express his sincerity. How could he blame this old butler?
"It's not your fault. You are simply doing your job. Anyway, prepare this tea my sister made for me," he ordered as he jerked his chin towards the tea Lilou sent.
"Yes, Your Grace," the butler carefully picked up the containers before he noticed the strange designs on them. "Are these the new products from the east, Your Grace?"
"They are not from Silvia. Those teas are from the south." Yulis chuckled as he leaned back, holding Lilou's letter to read again. "I will set off to the south in a few days. Prepare everything I need and summon all merchants. I need to prepare a gift for my sister and my nephew."
The butler studied Yulis's gentle expression as he stared at the letter in his hand. The Duke of Grimsbanne was known for showing almost no emotion. He was known to be a genius with large wisdom to share. To see him smiling like this would make anyone who knew Yulis wonder if they were hallucinating.
"Yes, Your Grace." Even so, the butler still bowed and left to execute the order. As the door shut closed, Yulis turned his head to the window.
"I'll see you in a month, Lilou."
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m