Evil Duke, Please Be Gentle!

Ethan was sitting on pins and needles as the man who should be his father did not stop staring at him even for a second in the whole journey.

He did not speak a word neither gave him a chance with that look on his face that was telling he was not interested in anything that he had to say.

He finally took a breath of relief when the carriage stopped and he came out of it. The pressure he was feeling was making him suffocate.

The old man was really strong and dominating even at this age! He shook his head as he decided that he was never going to share a closed space with him alone.

It would have been better if he would have waited with Eli in the old palace.

Just as he walked out following the old man his eyes widened. Though he had been staying at a grand palace before, it was not his.

But this..! Could this be his new home? He stared at the vast and grand building with his agape mouth.

He had to crane his neck to look at the end of the big towers when he was already 6 feet. He was sure that more than 100 orphanages could be formed in this large mansion or palace where he used to live before and his room would look  no more than an ant mole.

"My lord!" The chorus sound brought his attention back in front of him where more than a dozen maids were standing on each side welcoming the old man when he straightened himself and adjusted his clothes.

He wanted to leave a good impression and did not want to look like a country bumpkin in front of his servants.

He waited for the duke to turn and introduce him as he waited patiently but nothing happened.

The old man nodded his head and walked in without giving him a second glance as if he had forgotten about his presence, making Ethan embarrassed who was sitting there like a fool.

With a deep breath, he followed his so-called father who treated him like thin air hoping there would be anyone like the girl who would treat him kindly.

It was not like he wanted to come here in the first place.

His eyes stared at everything like a child had seen the world for the first time. Everything was so grand, elegant and majestic that he could not keep his eyes away from anything.

The big fountains that he had seen in the center of town were incomparable to the majestic fountain in the garden which had large statues around it.

The big clock tower that was touching the skies. The orchids on the other side were full of apples and oranges and the soft smell of nectar. The vast garden full of rare flowers and then a vast building in the middle of it.

With the size alone he could assume that it would have more than 100 rooms. There were two roaring lions on both sides of the entrance door as they entered into a large hall that could cover half of his old town.

There were two large staircases on both sides while the room was full of more grand statues and paintings with furniture having gold and rare gems engraved on it.

A man that was around his age came to greet them but halted when his eyes fell on Ethan who once again adjusted his clothes.

"My lord, he is..?" There was more of a surprise than curiosity in his face that made Ethan wonder if he knew about him already.

"He is going to stay here. Prepare a room for him in my chamber and assign him a good maid that has tight lips.`` The old man nodded his head as he waited for him to walk but Ethan did not understand and continued to stare at the old man.

He did not know what he was supposed to do when he saw his father leaving. Should he follow him? With that thought he started walking behind William only to be followed by Theo who had been assigned the task to take care of him.

"Young master, the lord is tired and would rest in his room until dinner. Why don't you take a bath and get some rest before meeting the other members of the family." Theo spoke in a polite voice but with a hint of advice as he saw how his master was looking annoyed.

Ethan waited and thought about it and then nodded. Resting in a peaceful room would be better than following an erupting lava where he had a constant fear of getting burnt.

"Young master, you must be confused about the sudden changes so if you have any doubt and question, you can look for me. I am the butler and caretaker of this palace and can answer almost all of your questions.

Since your arrival was a bit sudden, I was unable to prepare a room to your liking. I request you to understand and give me some time.

I will make sure to design the room up to your liking soon." Theo continued to follow Ethan only to stop on the corner most room of the third floor.

With a hint of hesitation, he opened the room that was as grand as William's room.

"Oh my, it is more than perfect and i do not think that you need to change it.'' It was much more than with his personal office column, sofa set, a side book chamber, washroom, playing area and bed room.

The room looked more like a house except the kitchen. There was everything one could think of yet it looked spacious enough that more than a dozen could stay there comfortably.

"I am glad that you like the room. Do you need anything else?" Ethan stared at the old kind man with hesitation.

He found him much better than his cold father and thought it would be better if he would ask him then thinking about it alone all day.

"That.. Do you know where my mother is and why she did not come to meet me?"