The Duke of Whishipper

Chapter 8: A Secret Holder (2)

The young boy whispered with an emotionless expression. Just as if the spoken words were nothing but simple greeting.

"I am glad to meet the person who caused the Lady's death."

However, It was a dangerous statement that could be mistaken by a third party. It could even mean Lady Rina's death wasn't natural, but the reason behind it was none other than her revived son who came back at the day of her funeral.
But there were no other listener to this whispered conversation but the speaking Eliot and Rivan who understood the former's words.

Although Eliot was saying he was glad to meet him flatly, Rivan could sense a hint of honest gratitude in his low voice. At such Rivan simply smiled. What he heard was not a lie and he knew the meaning behind it. After all Eliot was a Secret Holder.

He turned to face the blue butterfly maid and spoke with a very gentle and elegantly beautiful smile.

"Elora, would you show the guests out? I believe they finished their business here."

His words that seemed formally polite were actually said with a cold stare. As if he was kicking them out, empty handed like pitiful dogs dragging their tales behind.

"Understood, Master Rivan."

The guests felt offended at what they heard but still preferred to not face that wierd young Duke. They simply followed the high class maid out without much sound.

"Oh, Mr. Dorben."

Rivan called for the lawyer.

"I think it's better to discuss things later."

The lawyer knew there were procedures to take for the pursuance of the Will. There were other matters too as such as regarding officializing Rivan's statue as a Duke.

And being the lawyer serving the Whishipper dukedom, he had to deal with them.

Larck nodded his head as he answered.

"I understand. I'll be heading to the office."

Rivan smiled foundly at his words.
But that smile disappeared once he made eye contact with Ms. June.
The soon to be the Duke and the Head of Butlers kept silent without looking away. Not until the black haired young man spoke with a blant voice.

"We'll be having a long talk. It's been a really long time aunt June."

Ms. June clenched her lips shut hearing those words. She was extremely nervous. Calling her 'aunt' didn't sound warm. It made her recall the past of the person before her who have escaped death itself.
However, she kept a straight face as she responded.

"I understand...Master Rivan.*

Pull.

Rivan lowred his head to the pulling of his sleeve. Eliot, the one who was gesturing to get his attention, spoke bluntly.

"We will be talking soon?"

It was given for the young master who inherited part of the properties and his new guardian and head of the household to talk together. That was the front that anyone would seem to see usually. However, the situation they were currently in was anything but 'usual'.

Rivan preferred that Eliot mentioned their talking first.

"Yes. We'll have our conversation after I'm done with one thing."

He responded before turning to face the Head of Butlers.

"Ms. June, guide me to my mother's study."

June had a questioning expression. While Eliot seemed slightly interested to know the reason too.
Rivan smiled at that as he said gently.

"It's my mother's funeral. I should have my time grieving over her loss, no?"

Surprise was shown on the old June's tired face along with some nervousness. She had not taken Rivan for the grieving type, but she, nonetheless, nodded right away.

"Of course. Please follow me this way."

June turned towards the stairs followed by Rivan.

"Elora, call for Nile and make sure to take care of young master Eliot."

"Understood."

Rivan gave some instructions to the blue butterfly maid. Elora, the high class maid, bowed slightly before heading towards the young boy.

When the green-eyed young Duke walked away assured, he suddenly heard something.

"You really died once before. Didn't't you?"

Rivan froze in place, while June was greatly shocked.
They turned to the one asking. He was none other than the youthful red-eyed boy.

"The mole guy's human soul is no longer... That is for sure."

Ms. June's eyes trembled terribly. She unconsciously turned around to make sure that even the lawyer have not heard Eliot's words.
June's head was spinning for a specific reason.

The 4 years old child, the son of late Lady Rina. He died in front of her.

As a Secret Holder, she knew too much information for her good.
She didn't think much about how he revived from the dead. The real child was back and that's all that mattered. It was never good to know more about it.

Yet, the 13 years old Eliot was as sure of his death as much as her.

'As if he knows...just like a Secret Holder...'

June dismissed the idea from her head.
It was too terrible to think about it.

'There's absolutely no way he's a Secret Holder as well.'

June looked helplessly and sadly at the young master. As if she was trying to chase away a terrifying thought.

'If...he's a Secret Holder then...he has to chain his soul for the last of his life...'

End of chapter 8.