It is not a secret that rulers live in a seclusive area. It is an area that was built since the ancient monarchical era of the country. There, a broken castle was still standing against the test of time and one mile from it is where the mansion of Duke Theodore was built.
Duke Theodore is the duke of Obando, a state next to Consolacion, the state of Anthony's father. And standing before the enormous mansion made Sydnee felt powerless and small.
It was already evening when they arrived and the maid informed Duke Theodore that Lady Geneva and Catarina had gone to Consolacion half an hour ago. The two was invited for a dinner in Duke of Consolacion's house.
Sydnee wondered if Anthony also attended the said dinner. She knew little of the rulers' life so she just kept her mouth shut and silently roamed her eyes around the huge mansion. The luxury inside was a clear distinction of how the worlds of rulers and commoners were apart.
It was not the kind of luxury her father had when they had lived in a big house when she was still a little kid. No. It was not so Sydnee did not know what to do or what to think about it.
She was thrilled to see new things yet she was nervous. Her hands were sweating and small beads of sweat formed in her forehead.
"Miss Sydnee, the duke invited you for a dinner," someone said from behind.
She was startled but she immediately pulled herself together and followed the man. She did not noticed that Duke Theodore had gone away while she was astonished. A faint blush appeared in her cheeks.
Not long after, she and the man entered the dining room. Just like the living room, it was a huge area where a long wooden table was on the middle. There were a lot of foods on the table and the aroma filled the air, making Sydnee's stomach grumble out loud.
A deafening silence enveloped the whole room and the maids around the room turned their heads to look at her. Sydnee bit her bottom lip and lowered her head.
Such embarrassment!
Low laugh echoed in the whole room. Sydnee raised her head and she saw Duke Theodore sitting on one of the chairs around the long table. He gestured for her to sit and she did not waste any seconds. She immediately sat on one of the chairs across the duke.
She saw how the duke gestured for the people around to leave. After a few seconds, only the two of them remained in the dining room. The big wall clock ticked and the constant sound caused by the duke's utensil and plate echoed in the whole room.
Sydnee sat uncomfortably on her chair. She did not like how silent it was and she was nervous to eat with a duke. Except for Anthony whom she was familiar with, she was still wary on how the duke treated her. She did not know what was the motive behind his actions.
Suddenly, a husky voice was heard. "You don't like the food?"
She was startled again and gasped as she looked at the duke who was now staring at her. Sydnee blinked. She had clearly heard him talk and it was the first time she heard him talk.
Because of the lack of response, Duke Theodore knitted his brows. "What's wrong?"
Sydnee immediately shook her head and lowered her gaze. "N-Nothing. I-I'll eat," she whispered before putting foods on her plate.
The duke resumed eating and Sydnee secretly breathe a sigh of relief. She was nervous everytime the duke stared at her. His eyes were like hawks, reading her mind and soul. And as much as possible, she wanted to avoid those sharp eyes.
After dinner, the butler brought her into a huge room where she could rest for the night. Sydnee walked in without asking questions.
Earlier, the duke walked out of the dining room before she could finish her dinner. She did not see him again for the rest of the night and the she did not ask the butler who accompanied her.
Although she had just arrived, Sydnee noticed how the servants and butler around the mansion distanced themselves and the weird behavior of the butlers who served the duke. As if they had taken him as dumb person. Sydnee kept her silence in discreet.
Evening passed by but Sydnee had not seen even the shadow of Lady Geneva. When morning came, it was Duke Theodore who greeted her at the dining room for breakfast. The driver who accompanied the duke yesterday was standing at his side.
The duke smiled at her and gestured for her to sit. Sydnee return a sweet smile and sat on the chair across his.
The driver, also served as a butler, cleared his throat. "Miss Sydnee, Lady Geneva and Miss Catarina might not be home for the next couple of days so the duke wants you to stay here before you can meet your true mother."
The frank words of the butler stunned Sydnee for awhile. Apprehension shone in her eyes and it did not escape the duke's eyes, yet he did not speak. After she gather herself, Sydnee gulped and smiled at Duke Theodore. "No problem." Then she looked carefully at the duke in front of her. "I wonder who my mother is?"
The butler looked at Duke Theodore before facing her and smiled. "You will know when Lady Geneva and Miss Catarina will arrive. For now, you can explore Obando. If you are free later, the duke will personally tour you around the mansion and the broken palace."
Broken palace? Is that the palace in ruins one mile from the mansion?
But what astonished Sydnee was that the duke offered to personally escort her!
She blinked. "Isn't that... right?" she whispered.
The butler slightly shook his head.