The Duke had attended a board meeting held in Elnervale Administrative hall.
The ever-so-perfect duke had listen carefully to the dignified voices of business men and nobles. They discussed about matters in the duchy land of Elnervale.
Although, the province remains calm and safe—far from the worries of being a corrupt duchy. Nonetheless, the people wouldn't complain of their current state. In fact, the duke himself would take actions, even if it were a mere inconvenience.
He wanted a perfect state.
Because there will be no perfect state without a calculated duke.
So, Duke Laurus, had a concern that he thought thoroughly in his head.
"A farm…" He voiced out as he huffed his smoke. The men turned their heads to him, obtaining dominance and grabbing their attention once they shut their nosy mouth. "I have received notice from them… that they are facing spoilage despite the crops being unharvested."
"And how does that concern to the tally of our problems?" One old nobleman asked.
"Your thoughts…." He narrowed his green piercing eyes. "Even a child would feel smarter hearing your words."
The nobleman choked on his breath, and the men that filled the room exchanged glances, while some whispered with with their back hands.
"Apologies Duke…. But count Jielert meant if there were anything you want to further investigate?" Another nobleman asked with confidence, he levelled the same authority as the great duke.
"Oh." He nodded agreeably, accepting his stubbornness.
Laurus stubbed his cigaret in the ashtray, as he tapped his finger on top of the documents, choosing carefully his wise words.
"Investigate other farm co-ops if they had the same issue as Ferlin farm. If that were the case, then there must be a problem to our lands." He answered, bringing satisfaction to his words.
All nobleman pleasantly agreed to his idea, exchanging nods to one man to another.
One man, Marquis Olheimn, the one who defended Count Jielert, had given a proud stare to Laurus, curving his mouth into a smirk. And Laurus met his eyes, as if he was applauding him in his mind.
The meeting ended later on.
All men were to leave the room, and so as Laurus. His private secretary neatly clears all his documents that were lying on the table. Only then Laurus realized the Marquis Olheimn had approached him.
"You grace." Olheimn cleared his throat to grab Laurus' attention.
"Marquis Olheim, I believe that the meeting is now concluded." He declared.
"This private discussion is just brief. Perhaps, a discussion between our houses, duke." He smiled galantly.
Laurus raises his chin as he was predicting of what words would come next.
"Please proceed." The duke furrowed his eyebrows.
"I suppose the agreement between me and your late father must come to light now." Olheimn clasps his finger— calm and composed—excited to announce. "Iris had come of age now. She is now twenty-four and turning a year older in autumn. I suppose she is now eligible for engagement!"
"Ah." Laurus let out a quiet hum and smiled. "If that's the case, I'll make arrangements for the official engagement."
"Finally," Olheim said, beaming "What an outstanding gentleman you are." He praised.
Laurus had no other further meetings after. The automobile's engine start and he is now set off to rest in his grand estate. His thoughts are currently stirred on the business talks and the state's matter from earlier. He wouldn't let him rest his own mind.
The Duke laid his head back and closed his eyes, as he could feel heaviness on his eyelids. He then rubbed his eyes using his thumb and middle finger—shaking the tiredness away.
He then remembered there were tons of documents to review.
Coffee
That's right. He needed caffeine to keep him awake. He straigtened his head and ordered his chauffeur drop by to a nearby coffee shop.
Upon arriving, they chose a small coffee shop that is located at the downtown of Aileen.
The shop was small, yet it was unique compared to the other shops that were nearby. It had an outdated architecture, and the place looked like a forest that is inside a box.
Laurus was escorted by his secretary, but he insisted that he would buy his coffee on his own.
He stepped out of his vehicle. He fixed his clothes as he gave a nod to his secretary who later went in back the car.
Slowly, he made his way to the shop.
As he opened the door, the door bell chimed then—
SPLASH!
Hot coffee was spilled everywhere!
His cream-colored suit had been stained! From the polo he wore underneath the cream vest, then to the sleeves of his clothes!
It was a steaming splash that blasted on him!
Laurus had closed his eyes when the incident occured. Droplets of coffee reached his cheek dripping down to his neck.
Then, he opened his green emerald eyes—cold and sharp.
The woman before him, blonde with soft red undertones, looked startled, she was frozen. She scanned the man that was infront of her, judging by his clothing and his posture—he was definitely a noble!
Her blue-gray eyes had reached his, only to meet green insulting eyes.
Her voice hitched.
"I am definitely sorry!"
Nervously, she took her handkerchief and started patting his sleeve.
He gripped her wrist.
Her pupils shrank and she stopped breathing for a moment. Milena didn't know what to do next! In her mind, Dear deities, she was already praying to spare her life from embarassment. Please, please, I pray…. Let him loosen his grip!
Eventually, he did. It seemed that the Gods had answered her call!
She let out a sigh that was only loud to her ears.
"I sincerely apo—"
"You shouldn't be careless."
The cold voice cut her apology. And Milena had choked on her words that weren't able to escape her throat.
"I…"
She clutched onto her handkerchief tightly, fidgeting her fingers, and brainstorming words that she could gather.
Pilmer, his secretary, glanced on the car's mirror, he blinked, then realized what was actually happening. Immediately, he bolted out of the vehicle.
As Pilmer approached, he saw the current state that the duke is in. He was dismayed by this.
Definitely a rare sight to see the duke like this!
Immediately, Pilmar offered his handkerchief to him.
He accepted it.
Milena felt disgraced upon him accepting the handkerchief. Wherein he rejected hers!
He starting wiping the coffee splatters on his face to his neck. He didn't bother wiping the larger stains that had already soaked into his clothes.
He turned his head to Pilmer.
"Let's go."
Pilmer nods to his command.
Milena, who stood before Laurus, didn't know what would happen next, she thought she was already digging her own grave.
Only for Laurus to turn his back against her. Without saying anything. Without a word.
Pilmer immediately reached for the back door of the vehicle to escort his master.
Laurus didn't bother the moist of the stain. And instantly, the scent filled the automobile once he entered.
He didn't need caffein anymore. The coffee that splattered him had already lifted his heavy eyelids.
Milena couldn't breath. Not until their vehicle had already faded her sight.
She now had calmed herself down from the terror. All she could remember was the terror of his green piercing eyes.
He must be a scary master.
Immediately, she took pity on his private assistant, Pilmer. She saw how much disbelief had taken over his face.
He looked intimidating.
She thought to herself. What a man to reject her offered kindness! She wanted to shout! She wanted to run!
But no, she kept her composure.
She was already crying inside. She never felt humiliated as ever!
Milena could only remember that his green sharp eyes spoke authority.
And to only feel better she reassured herself that surely—she wouldn't run to him. Ever again!
But his face… his figure…
He was ridiculously familiar. Something she had seen multiple times already.
She picked up her drop paper cup that once held her coffee earlier walked over to the trashbin.
As she turned around, her eyes had caught the front page of a news paper.
Her heart dropped.
That man…. earlier…. He is the Duke De Venstein!