Ethan stepped into the Duke's study and closed the door behind him. The room was bright, with white walls that contrasted with the dark wooden furniture. It was spacious but not overwhelming. In the center stood a large desk, which had papers and ink spread across its surface. The Duke sat at the desk, focused on his work as morning light streamed in through the tall windows.
In one corner, a comfortable sofa and a small table were arranged, inviting guests to sit and chat. A few shelves lined the walls, filled with books and various trinkets. Paintings of nature hung on the walls, bringing a touch of warmth to the room. The floor was covered with a thin red carpet, adding a splash of color and comfort to the elegant space.
Ethan didn't know what to do, so he waited.
"Kaelan," the Duke said, his voice deep and rumbling, sending a shiver down Ethan's spine. "Sit." He looked up at him. The Duke had light purple hair and golden eyes, making him look handsome.
Kaelan took a seat on the black sofa. "I received a complaint that you are not concentrating on your studies," the Duke continued, his tone cold and straightforward. An awkward tension hung in the air, hinting at the complexity of their relationship.
"I…" Ethan started but stopped. Seeing this, the Duke went on.
"You need to focus, Kaelan. You carry the name of Winchester, and despite your circumstances, there are expectations." His gaze was steady. "The others do not look favorably on you, and I cannot let your... shortcomings reflect poorly on the family."
"I understand, Father," Kaelan replied, feeling the weight of his new identity pressing down on him.
"Good," the Duke said as he stood up, his expression softening slightly. "Now, let's go have breakfast. The Duchess and your siblings are probably waiting for us."
The Duke led the way out of the study and down the hallway, their boots echoing on the carpeted floor. As they walked, Ethan couldn't help but admire his surroundings. Everywhere he looked was beautiful.
They entered the dining hall, and Ethan's breath caught in his throat. The room was big, with a long, elegant table set for breakfast. At one end sat the Duchess, a stunning woman with flowing black hair and bright green eyes. She sat up straight and wore a soft lavender gown that highlighted her delicate features.
She looked up as they entered, her gaze moving from the Duke to Ethan, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. "Good morning, husband," she said, her voice smooth and welcoming. "Kaelan, dear, I hope you slept well."
"Good morning, Duchess," Ethan replied with a soft smile as he took a seat across from her. The smell of freshly baked bread and savory pastries filled the air, making his stomach rumble.
When he looked up, he noticed the two staring at him. He tilted his head in confusion, wondering if he had done something wrong. He recalled that Kaelan always referred to the Duchess as "Duchess."
The Duke cleared his throat from his seat at the head of the table. "Where are Cedric and Lily?" he asked.
"We're here, Father," Cedric said, surprised, as he and Lily were taken aback by seeing Kaelan smile for the first time. They had been on their way to the dining room when they stopped in shock after witnessing it.
The two siblings quickly took their seats, Lily next to their mother and Cedric beside her. Cedric, with his black hair and striking golden eyes, looked just as handsome as the Duke, while Lily's light purple hair and green eyes reflected their mother's beauty.
As the family gathered at the table, a quiet curiosity filled the room. No one spoke at first, but everyone could feel that something had changed when Kaelan smiled. The Duke glanced at him briefly before turning his attention to the meal.
"Let's eat," the Duke said calmly, but with authority. With that, breakfast began. The family soon noticed something different: Kaelan was eating happily, truly enjoying the meal, which was unusual. It was the first time they had seen him this content. The Duchess exchanged a glance with the Duke, while Cedric and Lily watched their brother in quiet surprise.
After breakfast, Ethan stood on his small balcony connected to his room, looking out at the expansive grounds of the estate. The fresh morning air felt pleasant against his skin as he waited for Kaelan's teacher.
The story hadn't mentioned anything about the teacher, leaving Ethan uncertain about what to expect. The Duke had said that the original Kaelan wasn't focusing on his studies, which made Ethan sigh. Did the original Kaelan not like studying?
He considered how different he was from Kaelan, since he actually enjoyed learning. Also, Cedric and Lily had their own teachers, so they weren't studying together.
Suddenly, he heard the door open, interrupting his thoughts. Ethan stepped back inside his room, bracing himself for the lesson ahead.
Ethan saw a man dressed sharply in a tailored suit walk in and close the door behind him, locking it. Ethan froze as Kaelan's memories flooded back. This man was Kaelan's teacher, a count in his 40s, who had started giving lessons to Kaelan when he was six.
The count looked him up and down before saying, "Let's get started." He set down a stack of papers on the study table. Kaelan's body shivered in fear as he took his seat, knowing what was coming.
The count handed him a test paper and leaned in closer, scanning the answers. "You got all of this wrong," he said, a mocking smile on his lips.
Ethan looked at the paper completed by the original Kaelan. He glanced down at the questions and answers, realizing he knew this lesson; it was the same as in his own world. He saw that the original Kaelan had actually gotten everything right. Confusion washed over him. Why was this man saying everything was wrong?
"Is it different here?" Ethan wondered, looking up at the count, who was watching him with a dark, unsettling gaze. "See? It's all wrong," the count sneered. "Let's begin."
As the lesson went on, Ethan felt the count's presence looming over him. The teacher's hand brushed against his shoulder, lingering for a moment too long, making him uncomfortable.
"Hmm, today you used a different soap. It smells nice," the count remarked, leaning closer and inhaling the scent of his skin with a voice that felt unsettling. Ethan struggled to concentrate on the lesson, feeling trapped between Kaelan's memories and his own discomfort.