Chapter 5

A red and brown carriage entered the dukedom. Count Owen was again marveled by how the people of the dukedom functioned, the clean market stalls, children happily running about, men on their way to work. He was staring at the streets, when the Duke’s mansion came into view.

It was a white palace, which the roofs and flags green; signaling the Marcus family color. Three towers stood upright, each with a balcony. The crest of Marcus, the head of a wolf with green eyes with two swords crossed behind the wolf head was stationed at the top of the middle tower, which was obviously the Duke’s residence.

Count Owen wanted this. He had worked hard to have a portion of this immense wealth, only for the daughter he was using to get it ruin it all. He never did it for her benefit, but for his. He cursed his daughter in his mind.

The gate of the mansion flew open.

‘Count, we’ve arrived.’ The count quivered. He was here. He took a deep breath as he stepped out of the carriage. Butler Amon was standing at the entrance of the gate, a shrewd smile ran along the corners of his mouth.

He bowed as the Count stepped forward. ‘I humbly welcome you to the Duke’s residence.’

The Count looked around, as though he didn’t hear. ‘I don’t understand,’ looking away, he said out loud. ‘Why is a Butler the one to welcome me?’

Amon’s eyebrows lowered, he stood upright. ‘Count, Lord Quinn is cruurently in the study with the Duke, you arrived early so the Duke asked me to take this place.’

‘I see...’ Count Owen gave him an intimidating look. His right arm followed his sentence. ‘I guess I’ll have to go by what the Duke says.’

‘I will lead you to the garden.’ Amon bowed again. He was ticked off, but composure was a part of his job. Ugh. The pride of this family is a really disgusting one.

They walked in silence as Amon spotted the Count acting nonchalant, though, in reality he was amazed, surprised and greed was shouting from his eyes. Amon turned left into a passage that had no walls, just pillars. This was clearly the passage to the garden.

The garden was quiet, with the creamy scent of gardenia flowers all around the garden. Their white petals showed the coolness of the atmosphere as the Butler and Count walked turned towards an opening. Going further, the Count saw a table, the Duke seated, with crossed legs, wearing a waistcoat on a completely buttoned long sleeved shirt, reading a book.

The Count stopped as he quickly inhaled. Amon felt a sense of pride. He stepped forward, announcing his presence.

‘Your Grace,’ he bowed as the Duke looked up. ‘Count Owen is here.’ Amon stood up and looked towards the Count’s side.

The Count was dazed, upright and standing. He suddenly felt Amon’s stern look on him after a few seconds. ‘Er-Uhm...Your Grace...’ he finally greeted with a stiff bow.

The audacity... Amon’s eyebrows twitched as he looked on at the Count. The Count rose up with a nervous smile. ‘I-I’m glad you’re gave me t-this audience, your Grace,’

The Duke stared at him coldly, the atmosphere becoming chilly as his green eyes darkened.

‘Have a seat, Count,’ he stretched his right arm towards the chair right in front of him, behind the table. The Count anxiously nodded, seating on the chair as quickly as he could. Despite the fear of the Duke, he couldn’t help but feel disgusted at the presence of the Butler in his meeting with the Duke. He couldn’t hold himself.

‘D-Duke...’ He still carried a vapid smile on his face. ‘Our meeting, it’s private isn’t it?’

‘Got a problem with Amon being here?’ The Duke asked, his right hand curled into a fist seated under his chin.

‘Er-No, no your Grace... I just thought...’

‘This is my territory, count, your thoughts are insignificant.’

Count Owen gulped. Didn’t he call me for a peaceful meeting? Why is he so rude?

‘Ah-forgive my ignorance...I don’t see any problem with it too.’ He rubbed the back of his head, acting with all sincerity. Amon stayed quiet, not even fazed by the conversation going on.

‘So?’ The Duke asked, with his fist still under his chin.

‘Your Grace?’

The Duke sighed. ‘Count, you’re smart, surely you didn’t think I called you here for just a chat?’

‘Ah, Duke, yes, I was carried away. Please reconsider this marriage. I have punished Tanisha in the way that was needed. She’ll go through the duchess official training again. You need not bother about the resources you need, House Owen will certainly provide whatever is needed. We won’t get in the way so-’

‘Get in the way? You being here has already gotten in my way.’

The Count gulped. It wasn’t going to be easy to win him back as he thought it would.

‘Listen here, Count. You said in your letter that I should ask for whatever I needed just for this engagement to be decided on again.’ The Duke’s hand left his chin. He continued, ‘However, it seems to me that you just came here to suggest what you think would pacify me.’

The Duke suddenly placed his left hand on a pile of documents beside him. The Count only just realized what was on the table.

‘This is a list of the assets I found out House Owen has. And I have to tell you, you have a lot of hidden assets.’ The Duke smiled at him, his teeth covered. ‘Care to give me that in exchange for the marriage?’

‘Your Grace, House Owen does have a lot of assets, which of them would you like to own, I’ll send the possession documents as soon as possible.’ The Count was flawless in saying all of this.

‘Ah...Count, I never thought you’d be this cooperative.’ The Duke grabbed a document of the pile.

The Count smiled back at the Duke, ‘It’s just one of House Owen’s values, since we’ve reached a conclusion, I’d like-’

‘The Southern mine.’

‘Your Grace?’

‘What I want is the southern mine.’

The expression of the Count’s sudden change in face was one that Amon could not explain.

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