TOK TOK
"Mm" A grunt was heard from inside the room as a response.
The door of the Duke's office opened and a man with blonde hair stepped in. He bowed respectfully towards the Duke. It was a handsome middle-aged man. His blue eyes were mesmerizing enough, one would ignore the wrinkles around the corner of his eyes. Although he was wearing a butler outfit, he didn't look out of place.
"Your Excellency, there is a report from the Palace saying that the document is being processed"
The Duke nodded slightly. After that silence filled the office again. The Duke didn't raise his head and resumed working. However, he noticed the butler stood still not far away like a statue. The butler seemed to want to say something but he was hesitant.
"What is it, Nos?"
Nos stayed silent for a while then he stammered, "That .. Uh .. The Third Young Master.."
The Duke's hands paused, apparently surprised to hear Nos mentioning this third son. However, he kept his calm face.
"What about him?" At the thought of his youngest son, the Duke's temperament turned colder, even a bit of his aura as a swordmaster was leaking away. Instantly, Nos felt pressured by the aura emitting from the Duke.
Nos breathed heavily. With a low voice, he reported, "This.. The Third Young Master has been standing in front of the office for five days"
"So?"
Nos gulped down his dry saliva. His forehead was covered with a layer of sweat.
"..Your Excellency, why don't you let him meet you?"
"Are you questioning me?" The Duke's eyes were frosty. He didn't like it at all when his subordinate was doubting his judgment. But, he knew Nos wouldn't bring it up carelessly if there is not something wrong with the situation.
"No no!! Absolutely not my lord!"
"Then what?"
"I think the Third Young Master is .. weird"
Seeing there's no reaction from his lord, Nos continued "We didn't pay him any attention nor give him food to eat, however, Young Master Azares didn't look haggard at all. In fact, he seems refreshed. He was even humming a happy song while waiting outside"
"The Young Master didn't look like someone who is going to be banished, Milord"
The Duke's eyebrow twitched. He thought Nos would say that Azares wailed or cried out of his mind when he wasn't looking. He also thought Azares wanted to plea for mercy, that's why Azares went as far as standing for so long just to meet him.
But, Azares felt refresh?
This was .. weird.
"Call him in"
"Ah?"
The Duke shot Nos a sharp look. Nos bowed hurriedly then went to get Azares.
When Nos came back, there was a handsome tall young man following him. The young man's beautiful black hair swayed in the air. His facial features were sculpted finely. Azares stared straight at The Duke's eyes. Azares bright golden eyes looked determined.
"I greet Your Excellency the Duke"
The Duke and Nos' eyes went wide. They almost couldn't recognize the young man standing before them. The atmosphere around Azares was refined and tranquil. His gaze resembled an eagle. He stood upright like a mountain.
He wasn't the Third Young Master they knew.
Well, they couldn't be blamed for being shocked. As the Azares they knew and the Azares in front of them was like a completely different person.
---
Azares Hayndal, The Third Young Master of Hayndal's dukedom. He was known as the least favored son in society.
When Duchess Hayndal was pregnant, a lot of priests and high-grade mages came to visit. There was a rumor saying that Alissa Hayndal's youngest son will be the strongest son compare to the other sons. Because the aura of life coming from the duchess's stomach was so great, the priests said he could be a prodigy among prodigy.
Duke Hayndal was genuinely content with the news. He went around boasting about the priests' prediction. The other two young masters were also extremely happy. They didn't get jealous of their little brother and even eager to meet him. The whole dukedom was in a festive mood.
However, heaven's gift always accompanied by a calamity. As weeks went by and the pregnancy time getting longer, Alissa became increasingly weak. She would faint from time to time. Not to mention her energy would almost completely be depleted at some point. Eugene Hayndal was very anxious about the situation. He went as far as to bring the High Priest from the temple to diagnose Alissa.
The result was devastating. The High Priest regretfully told Eugene the truth. He said the baby inside Alissa needs a lot of energy to develop. As the energy the baby could get from external nutrition was too little, the baby had no choice but to suck Alissa's energy from inside. At this rate, Duchess Hayndal would die while giving birth. So, the High Priest gave Eugene a choice. That was to choose between them. If Eugene chose the baby, then Alissa would die. If he chose Alissa, then the baby should be killed before it finishes developing.
Eugene was in a torn. He couldn't choose between the two of them. Therefore, Eugene tried to find out every information, medicine, and power that could save them both, not willing to give up on this predicament. Nevertheless, his effort was in vain. The unborn baby was too unique, nothing can stop it from sucking Alissa's energy.
Alissa who knew everything regarding her youngest son's action didn't harbor any hatred. She resolutely told Eugene she would still give birth. But, how could Eugene bear to lose her?
Alissa was the light in his gloomy life. She made life colorful for him. Her presence brightens the Hayndal dukedom. The cold and crude manor always felt warm with her around. There would be laughter coming from every corner of the manor. Everyone loves her. Everyone cherishes her.
Hearing Alissa's decision, the entire people in the manor tried to persuade her, including her little two sons. But Alissa wouldn't budge. She was really adamant, that no matter what they say, it went for naught.
Finally, the day of birth came. When the Third Young Master was safely born, the Duchess's life comes to an end. That day, the Hayndal dukedom was like a torch that lost its fire.