Love in the Air Short Stories

Butler Duke

Phayu has loved Rain ever since he first saw him at a masquerade ball when they were both young. He was captivated by his gentle smile, his sparkling eyes, and his kind heart. He knew that Rain was the son of a somewhat powerful count while Phayu was the son of the most powerful duke.

When Phayu became old enough, he had the family butler teach him everything there was as he wanted to disguise himself and work as Rain’s butler. When the butler felt that Phayu had learned everything that he could teach him, Phayu used his connections to relocate Rain’s personal butler to a family that paid more and had himself hired as Rain’s personal butler.

The moment they met each other’s eyes, they knew instantly that they were fated mates. Rain’s father didn’t believe or acknowledge fated mates matters so disregarded the exchange as something trivial.

In public, they kept their relationship cordial, while in private, they got to know each other away from curious eyes. In time, they fell in love and wanted to ask permission to marry. Phayu had told Rain in one of their discussions that he was the heir of the Crimson Tiger Dukedom, the most powerful dukedom in the kingdom, second only to King Pakin.

Before they could ask permission to marry, the count told Rain he had arranged a marriage with Stop, the son of a marquis, who was known for his depravity and deceitfulness. Rain voiced his displeasure and said he did not want such a wicked man and that he loved another. His father would not hear of such things. Stop’s father was paying a rather handsome dowry and locked Rain in his room, only letting his people in.

Phayu was heartbroken when he learned of the arrangement, but knew Rain didn’t want it as they had promised to wed. Rain had already accepted his family ring, there was no going back. The arranged marriage was in a month, during this time Phayu arranged everything for a quick escape. He sent word to his parents about what was going on and that he’d bring his mate home soon and to please have everything ready for a wedding when they arrive home.

A few days before the wedding was to take place, Phayu sneaked into Rain’s room through the balcony, only to find the shell of his beloved. During the month leading to the wedding, Rain fell into depression and refused to leave his room or help with the wedding planning. When Rain saw Phayu, he thought he was one of his delusions and cried. Phayu calmed him down and asked him if he wanted to run away to his home together. Rain said yes, knowing whether it was a delusion or not that he would always say yes to Phayu.

They carefully snuck away through the grounds and into the forest nearby where Phayu has a carriage waiting for a quick getaway. They travelled through the night to the harbour to the waiting ship, as they were boarding they heard word of how the count was looking for his runaway son to marry Stop so he could pay his gambling debts. The ships were ordered to stay until they got there to search, but as Phayu was from a more powerful family, they were able to ignore that order without repercussions.

They arrived in the dukedom two weeks later with a welcome party waiting to greet them along with a feast later that night. Phayu’s family loved Rain and were glad Phayu could have such a cute mate.

Their wedding was a private affair or as private as one could have with only their dukedom and King Paking and his family invited. It was a grand wedding, it had everything that Rain wanted. Phayu remembered their talk of Rain’s wedding and sent instructions ahead when he sent word to his family.

They had several children together who were spoiled by their grandparents, but they good and kind child children, always happy and friendly to everyone they met. They ruled over the land when Phayu’s parents decided to retire and be nannies to their children as Rain wanted to raise his children himself, the way his mother did before she mysteriously died.

Their eldest was the fated mate of Phayu’s best friend Prapai and his fated mate sky, Prapai was the son of King Paking, but that’s another story.

As for the count, he eventually found out that Rain had run away with his personal butler, He searched everywhere before he was killed by bandits, He never did find out that Phayu was the son of the most powerful duke, just as well, he would have tried to get money out of them. He wouldn’t have succeeded, but he would have been a nuisance to the family.