Duke of the North Refuses the Villain Route

Chapter 2-Tea Time

"So, what do you think about the new Grand Duke, Ary?" Nysander asked.

Aryssa smirked at him over her cup of tea. "I should be asking you that, Nys," she said. "You're the one who came here with an ulterior motive."

"We came here under Father's orders."

"Which you happily followed because you had something to discuss with the current Grand Duke Valtoria," Aryssa said as she placed her cup down. "You could have just sent a letter! The crazy and stupid stuff you do just for love."

Nysander only rolled his eyes.

Piping hot tea and various snacks lay on the table as they had their tea time inside Valtoria Castle's greenhouse. The icy mountains that could be seen through the glass, created quite the contrast with the various greenery and flowers that grew around them. The late Duchess had been the one to create the greenhouse if he remembered correctly.

"For the last time, I did not come here for matters regarding Kassie and me," he said. "I just want to take a look at his character, you know? Before I'm crowned, which is years away from now, I want to at least know the people who will be working closely with me. Valtorias are the defenders of the North after all."

Aryssa paused from biting into a cookie and gave a deadpan look in her eye. "You want to get to know him so you'll know how to ask him to break his engagement with Kassie."

Gods and Fairies above! When will she let it go?

He was about to retort when a rustle came from the bushes to their right. Their guards went alert and moved closer to their side. The rustle grew louder and was followed by a tiny and cute "oomph" as a figure came tumbling into the little clearing.

"Stand down," he ordered when he saw who it was.

A small child no older than five sat on the grass. In his hands, he held a net and a glass jar containing a gold-red butterfly. He was covered in leaves, dirt, and small scrapes but he had a huge smile that caused Nysander and his sister to smile as well.

"Hello, little one," Aryssa called over. "What has you so happy over there?"

The child finally noticed their presence, and his cerulean slit-eyes widened at the sight of them.

He clumsily fell on one knee, bowed, and raised his forearm parallel to his forehead. "Aleron Valto...Aleron Valtoria greets Your Highness Yimper—Imperial Crown Prince, and Your Highness, Second Princess."

His kneel was clumsy, he stuttered, almost mispronounced a word, and still had the net and jar in his hands. In the first place, a bow would have sufficed as kneels were reserved for first meetings and official occasions. But...he was already so much better at greetings than their younger siblings back home. In addition, he was just adorable to look at, mistakes and all.

Aryssa clapped her hands and a maid went to help the child up. "Wow, you already know those greetings? Who taught you?"

"No one," the kid said. "I saw people do it yesterday when you arrived."

Observant and smart. Did he know who they were and what their positions entailed?

"That's amazing!" Nysander said to him. "Would you like to join us? I'm quite interested in the pretty butterfly you have there."

"But...I'm too dirty."

Aryssa clapped her hand and their maid came over with a handkerchief. With a murmured "Excuse me" she reached for the child and wiped his face and then hands. As she did so, Nysander's eyes narrowed at how thin the child was.