The duke's wife is a man

CHAPTER 15

Lately, Jaey has been hearing these same words very very often.

"Lord Jaey, the duke is calling for you."

"Lord Jaey, his grace is requiring your presence"

"Lord Jaey, his grace, the duke is asking for you"

"The duke is requesting you, Lord Jaey."

"The duke, your grace."

"Lord Jaey." Jaey sighed in acceptance and flashed a timid smile at Hans, the butler who delivers messages from Zeon to Jaey, mostly when Zeon calls for him which was practically every single day whenever Zeon felt like so. Hans nodded and bowed curtly just as he exited Jaey's room.

"I shall get you ready" Albert sated as he combed through Jaey's hair and dressed him in a dress that was meant for his sister, not his. Jaey looked into the vanity mirror, an unfamiliar person started back at him.

The past weeks, Zeon had been true to his words when he promised to spend more time with his beloved wife. Too much time actually. After that day, Jaey had been spending breakfast, lunch, tea, and dinner with Zeon. And if Zeon did miss a day, much to Jaey's temporary delight, Zeon would make sure to make up for the lost time with Jaey, much to Jaey's dismay.

But recently Zeon had been calling for Jaey often.

Too often.

Jaey used to feel nothing but nervousness when Zeon would call for him. Every meal with Zeon felt like his last, he imagined the pig head on the long dining table was his and Zeon would be looking down on him all mighty.

But now..

Jaey felt...nothing. Maybe tired and a bit nervous. But not the kind of nervousness like he would feel like vomiting and churning his guts whenever Zeon called for him, no, it was different. Though it felt like a chore, a tiring routine of being called at Zeon's every beck.

Albert nodded in approval as he deemed Jaey appropriate enough for the dukes presence. Jaey gave a tight smile before timidly standing up and surrendering to his fate. The door opened and standing before him, waiting, was Hans —the butler whose task was to call for Jaey whenever Zeon commanded him to—

Jaey nodded, urging Hans to lead him to his demise- err, beloved husband...

Hans walked in front of Jaey and led with a respectful silence and Jaey wondered if Hans was was as tired as him with the amount of times Zeon had called for him in a single day. And yes, Hans was very tired. Sometimes Hans would complain to himself, muttering under his breath that the duke should just relocate lord Jaey's room near his or his study.

But who was he to complain anyways, he's just a servant. But he did pity Lord Jaey walking around in that heavy fabric called dress in this heat and distance, plus the fact that Jaey looked sickly.

And he would rather not mention the fact that Jaey has been looking more sickly as each day passes to the duke. No, he likes his head connected to his neck.

Hans shook his head. The duke really has spent too much time in war. He doesn't evem know how to treat his significant other with consideration or care....how in the world would the duke make lord Jaey interested in him like this? What if lord Jaey leaves his grace?! what if his grace grew old alone after all those failed engagements was he planning to add failed marriage on his list too?!

The duke may be a brute but he still needs a companion!

As the grand duke's loyal subject, he too wishes happiness for the grand duke. He deserves it more than anyone in the empire. The blood and sacrifices that were staked for this empire was his and only his burden...