𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒' 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐆 | 𝘷𝘢𝘥𝘵𝘥 𝘹 𝘔.𝘺/𝘯 |

(4) Who's The He I Came To Be?

".......," 

A satisfied smirk tugged at my lips as I switched off the choices function.

It seemed a little audacity was all it took to raise the prince's interest.

Though, I wasn't sure if that was necessarily a good thing.

Still, having some control over the situation – however limited – was a definite advantage.

୨⎯ "  ??????'ʂ ΡσƲ  " ⎯୧

My heart hammered against my ribs as I hurried down the hallway, the Grand Duke's summons echoing in my ears.

Ever since the news broke about the Duke's surprise interviews, the servants had been on edge.

"He wants every damn thing fixed!"

Some whispered, their voices laced with a mixture of fear and anticipation.

Was he preparing for a visit from royalty?

Or had some terrible secret come to light?

I, for one, couldn't fathom what had gotten into His Grace.

The Duke had always been a distant figure, a man of routine and stoicism.

His pronouncements were few and far between, delivered in a voice that brooked no argument.

This sudden flurry of activity, of individual meetings and inquiries, was completely out of character.

A shiver ran down my spine as I reached the heavy oak doors of the Duke's study.

Taking a deep breath, I knocked once, the sound resonating in the sudden silence that had fallen over the hallway.

"Enter,"

Came a voice from within, a voice that seemed different somehow, a hint of something… unfamiliar… beneath the usual sternness.

Steeling myself, I pushed open the door and stepped into the study.

The Duke sat behind his massive desk, his back straight.

His usual mask, a blank canvas that hid his emotions, was firmly in place.

Yet, there was something different in his posture, a subtle shift in his gaze that sent a jolt through me.

୨⎯ "  (Ყ/ɳ)'ʂ ΡσƲ  " ⎯୧

The door creaked open, announcing the arrival of Sandra, a young, redheaded maid.

I straightened in my chair.

"Sandra,"

I greeted, my voice firm yet laced with a hint of hidden amusement.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice."

Sandra, wide-eyed and slightly flustered, bowed deeply.

"Of course, Your Grace. It is an honor."

I gestured to the chair across from me.

"Please, have a seat. There's no need for formalities today. I simply wanted to have a chat."

Sandra's eyes widened further.

A chat?

With the Grand Duke?

This was unheard of.

Hesitantly, she perched on the edge of the chair, her posture rigid with nervous anticipation.

"Relax, Sandra,"