"Hey, red-head. When will you stop glaring at that paper? Do you have nothing else to do?"
Gloria was used to having Donovan in the kitchen, where she often stayed to chat with George, her little brother, and the chef in the Crown mansion. But the butler remained quiet for the past ten minutes since he came and it bothered the head maid.
"What's in the news?" Gloria asked for the nth time. She frowned when the butler continued to ignore her.
Marching towards Donovan, Gloria snatched the paper. "What is wrong with you? I've been talking to you for minutes," she grumbled, checking the headline.
"Uh. They have the Master's photo here." Gloria's face darkened when she noticed something. "Who the hell dared to print this image? Master's scar isn't this bad," she complained, pulling the butler's arm and shoving the paper onto his face.
"Look at this, Don. They're making fun of the Duke!" Gloria screamed in anger. "Those people have no idea how lucky we are to be here, serving in the Crown Duchy. If they knew how kind the Master is, they'd leave the capital to move here!"
"Ignorant fools!" Gloria exclaimed, crumpling the paper in his hands.
Donovan was concerned about it too, but something else caught his attention. The butler was also having a hard time. He wondered whether to tell the news to the duke or not.
"Oh. It seems like they're finally going to resolve the murder case in the lady's engagement," George blurted as he read a page on the news.
"What do you mean?" Gloria asked his brother and checked the other updates on the paper. "I can't believe this. Master's fiance received a summon from the emperor! Hey, red-head. Aren't you going to tell the duke about this? He will throw a fit if he finds out his fiance is getting dragged deeper into this case."
In the hope of someone grasping his reasoning, Donovan nodded his head. "You're right. This news should reach the Master's ears as soon as possible. I wasn't sure at first, but he looked pleased after returning from the party that night. He must have considered the lady as his future wife," the butler mumbled.
To get summoned by the emperor, it was either the person called would receive a reward or a punishment. In Calista La Forte's case, it could be the latter.
"Then what are you still dawdling about? Go get Coton to tell the Master about this!" Gloria had her hands on her waists as she ordered the red-haired butler.
"Did I hear someone calling my name?" Coton appeared out of thin air, startling the hell out of the others. "Oops! I'm sorry. You should really get used to it though," the duke's aide shrugged.
Gloria wanted to scold him but chose to let it go, as there was something else more important.
"Nice timing, shorty. If you're here, then it only means you have free time. Now, listen to me and go to the duke to tell him about this." Gloria showed Coton the news. "Lady La Forte, our future duchess, is in trouble. The Master needs to go back to the capital to help her!"
Coton took his time reading the article. His eyebrows met when he understood what was going on.
"I guess I'll have to fetch the duke, huh? Then what about the monsters attacking the border?" The aide could already guess what his master would do in that situation... And it could only mean one thing.
"You'll have to take his place, shorty," Gloria said, patting Coton's shoulder. "It looks like you'll have to go to the frontline this time. Don't worry, I'll have George prepare you a feast when you're back."
Coton groaned. When he came to the Crown Duchy, he was offered a job as an aide, not knowing he'd also be the Duke's replacement when needed.
"Do you believe that a fragile young man as I am could beat those monsters?" Coton grumbled as he looked at the head maid's eyes. "How about you go instead, Glo?"
"Having cold feet already? Just because you're a different race means you're exempted from this task," Gloria mumbled. "Anyway, you're not that young either. Aren't you the oldest among us here?"
The head maid grinned when she saw a hint of annoyance in Coton's face. "You can do it. Besides, you'll need to work on those flappers on your back," she added.
Coton was left with no choice but to give in. He knew the others wouldn't stop until he did what they said. "I'm not even a warrior type," he pouted.
"You're not, but it's not like you couldn't kill a bug," Donovan commented. "I'll give you a nice massage when you're back. If you want, you can have the rest of my hair dye—"
"Nah. I don't need to dye my hair, Don. As for the massage, I prefer a young and beautiful lady doing it for me," Coton interrupted. He sauntered to the kitchen counter and filled his pockets with bread.
"What? I need snacks. I'm not going to war with an empty stomach," Coton said when the others gave him a pitiful look.
In the Eastern Border…
Damian had been fighting monsters for two days straight. To keep his territory safe from the monster invasion, he decided to wipe them out as soon as he could.
The sound of his sword slashing through the monster's flesh went on for hours. Damian's breathing remained calm as he continued his duty to protect his people, ignoring the pungy smell of blood reeking from the monsters' carcasses.
"Your Grace! Yo-hoo! Can you hear me?"
The duke stopped swinging his blade when he heard a familiar voice. At first, he thought he was only hearing things, but there was nobody else aside from a certain someone who'd call him out despite being in the middle of subjugation.
"What are you doing here?" Damian frowned when he spotted his aide floating above him. "Did something happen?" He asked as soon as he noticed the changes in Coton's appearance.
Coton nodded his head. "Lady La Forte was summoned by the Emperor this morning. If you leave now, maybe you'll arrive in the capital by evening—"
"Take care of the monsters, Coton." Damian sheathed his sword. "I'm going to the capital," he said.
"Uh-huh. I guess you need to," Conton replied. "Bring home your fiance if necessary. The emperor won't be able to do something about it if she's in the territory," he added.
Damian pursed his lips. "I know."