"You two…" The duke''s voice cut through the moment, bringing us back to reality.


    I released Aria from the hug, feeling a twinge of embarrassment as the duke addressed us. "Oh, right, excuse me, Father," I replied quickly, guiding Aria to take a seat nearby.


    Aria''s cheeks flushed red, and she looked visibly flustered as she apologized to the duke. "Forgive me, Your Grace," she said, bowing slightly. It was clear that she was addressing him formally, her nerves palpable in the air.


    I took a seat opposite the duke, directly facing him. There wasn''t much space, and Aria attempted to squeeze in next to me, but finding it too crowded, she reluctantly returned to her seat on the sofa next to the duke. Though disappointed, she seemed to understand the situation and didn''t press further.


    As we settled into our seats, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of tension in the air.


    It was clear that despite the warmth of our reunion, there were still unresolved issues lingering beneath the surface.


    Meanwhile, the duke''s gaze shifted between Aria and me, suspicion evident in his eyes. It was clear that my embrace with Aria had caught him off guard, but her subsequent behavior seemed to only deepen his surprise. Perhaps he never imagined such a scene unfolding before him.


    Aria''s demeanor betrayed her true feelings, despite her attempts to maintain a poker face.


    The way she looked at me, with a hint of adoration in her eyes, and the subtle signs of nervousness, like the slight reddening of her ears and the unconscious smile that tugged at her lips whenever she nced in my direction, spoke volumes.


    It was evident to anyone paying attention that Aria harbored feelings for me.


    "It seems the two of you have gotten close…." the dukemented, breaking the tense silence that had settled over the room. His words were measured, his expression unreadable as he observed us both intently.


    Aria appeared too nervous to speak, a surprising shift from her typically confident demeanor.


    It struck me as odd, considering her nature, but then again, her rtionship with the duke hadn''t been particrly close, based on my recollections of their interactions.


    In our family, with the exception of Lilliana, the duke was more of a figurehead, a patriarch and authority figure rather than a father in the traditional sense.


    "Well, a lot can happen in the academy, you see," I interjected, offering an excuse to fill the awkward silence. "Our misunderstandings were resolved after we talked things out," I added with a forced chuckle.


    In reality, our reconciliation had involved more intimate activities than mere conversation, but there was no need to divulge those details to the duke.


    Afterall I can''t exactly say ''We fucked and worked things out right?''


    What mattered was the present, the fact that Aria and I were on good terms now.


    My exnation seemed to give the duke pause, his expression shifting slightly as he considered my words.


    It was clear that he found it difficult to believe, especially given Aria''s previous animosity towards me.


    But for now, it was enough that we were able to sit together in rtive peace, bridging the gap that had once divided us.


    "I see..." the duke responded, his tone somewhat neutral. It seemed that he wasn''t inclined to delve further into the specifics of our reconciliation, which was a relief.


    He had never been one to pry into his children''s affairs, and I suspected he was already well-informed about our circumstances in the academy, likely through Lilliana''s watchful eyes.


    "So, why did you call for me, father?" I inquired, redirecting the conversation back to its original purpose.


    As I posed the question, the duke seemed to snap back to attention, refocusing on the matter at hand. I couldn''t help but feel a sense of impatience; I was eager to get this discussion over with and move on.


    It was clear that whatever reason had prompted his summons was weighing on his mind.


    ….


    Watching his two children, the duke couldn''t help but feel a sense of surprise at the sudden closeness they exhibited. Aria''s embrace of Adrian, filled with the happiness of someone in love, was a stark contrast to the animosity he remembered between them.


    "Father, can''t we kill that brat?" The duke''s thoughts drifted back to the day when Aria had vehemently demanded Adrian''s removal.


    "It wasn''t my fault; he was the one who blocked my way!" she had insisted, her frustration palpable.


    He also recalled the incident when Aria had unleashed her magic directly at Adrian, a reckless act that had nearly resulted in his death.


    Despite their youth at the time, Aria''s deep-seated hatred for Adrian seemed to stem from something more profound, rooted in her own feelings and perhaps influenced by histe wife, the current duchess of Tellus.


    Yet, despite these past conflicts, the duke couldn''t ignore the present reality unfolding before him. Aria''s sudden change in demeanor, her warmth towards Adrian, was unexpected, and he couldn''t help but wonder what had caused this shift.


    In Lilliana''s reports, there had been no mention of this newfound closeness between Aria and Adrian.


    If Adrian''s im that they had grown close during their time at the academy was true, then why hadn''t Lilliana reported anything to him?


    It was a puzzle that left the duke with more questions than answers, and he couldn''t shake the feeling that something significant was happening beneath the surface.


    The duke mulled over the situation, contemting the sudden change in Aria''s behavior. He briefly entertained the idea that Lilliana might have rebelled against him, but quickly dismissed it.


    Lilliana had always been fiercely loyal, and he trusted her implicitly. As his heir, she understood his intentions better than anyone, and he couldn''t imagine her betraying him in any way.


    So why had Aria suddenly acted like this? The question lingered in his mind, but he hesitated to investigate further.


    Delving into the matter could potentially sour the alreadyplicated rtionship he had with Adrian.


    In the past, he might have pursued the truth relentlessly, but now, it was impossible. As the hero, Adrian''s existence was a matter thatplicated not only their familial rtionship but also international politics.


    ''I''m sure the church is quietly protecting him right now'' the duke thought to himself, acknowledging the influence and protection Adrian likely enjoyed as a hero.


    It was a frustrating reality, but one he had to ept. For now, he would keep a watchful eye on the situation, wary of any further developments that could impact his family or his political standing.


    All information concerning Adrian was likely closely monitored by the church, with only select details permitted to pass through certain intelligence channels.


    Even in the ck market, any information about Adrian would be limited, ensuring that only a fraction of the truth reached outside ears.


    Any attempts by the duke to dig deeper into Adrian''s past would undoubtedly raise red gs, alerting the church to his inquiries.


    Despite theplexity of Aria and Adrian''s rtionship, the duke recognized that it was not without its vulnerabilities. There were undoubtedly ways he could exploit their connection to his advantage, though he had yet to determine the best course of action.


    "So, why did you call for me, Father?" Adrian''s voice broke through the duke''s reverie, prompting him to refocus his attention on his son.


    Adrian stood before him, his ck hair slightly longer now, cascading over his neck, and his ashen gray eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty.


    Over the years, Adrian had grown closer to his mother, his features bearing a striking resemnce to hers.


    The duke''s heart clenched at the thought of Adrian''s mother, a memory he had long tried to bury resurfacing in his mind.


    Despite his efforts to forget, the memory lingered, a reminder of a past that continued to haunt him.


    "Hehe~ Freddy the baby just kicked!" her voice echoed with joy, her hand gently resting on her growing belly.


    "I guess my child is as feisty as his mother," the duke added yfully.


    "Who are you calling feisty?"


    The duke couldn''t help but reminisce about the happier times, remembering the radiant smile on her face as Adrian kicked inside her growing belly.


    Everything had seemed so perfect back then, before his own foolish choices had shattered their happiness.


    If only he had made different decisions.


    Perhaps things would have turned out differently.


    Maybe she would still be by his side, and their family would be harmonious, just as his first wife had wished.


    But dwelling on such thoughts was futile.


    The past was set in stone, and all he could do now was face the reality before him.


    Reaching into his coat pocket, he retrieved a letter and ced it on the small table in front of them.


    Aria and Adrian looked at the letter with curiosity, their expressions reflecting a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.


    Adrian opened the letter slowly, his eyes widening slightly in shock as he read its contents.


    "Adrian Vulter Tellus, by the orders of the emperor, I''m here to take you back to the empire," the duke said aloud, his voice steady as he absorbed Adrian''s reaction.


    Then, with a calm demeanor, he looked back at the duke, a smile ying at the corners of his lips.


    "How about a no?" Adrian said casually, his words hanging in the air, the room falling into a stunned silence.


    The duke''s mind reeled at the audacity of Adrian''s response.


    Did he just casually ignore a royal order?


    Not just any royal order, but one issued by the emperor himself.


    If Adrian weren''t the hero, the duke would have been well within his rights to order his execution on the spot.


    The absurdity of the situation was almost too much for the duke toprehend.


    Adrian''s nonchnt refusal, delivered with a smile, bordered on sheer recklessness.