Chapter 41: 41: An Offer From The Duke
Eden blinked as he watched Leo step out from the room. He stood up as he watched them below.
"What’s the noise all about?" Leo asked again, staring.
"It’s the Grand Duke" One of the men said.
"The Grand Duke is here"
"What’s he doing here?"
"That’s strange"
They all murmured as someone said.
"Your Grace. We’re here to take down this evil being. the evil wizard of EL" The leader of the gang announced.
Leo paused as he stared at Eden and then looked at the men. "What evidence do you have to prove that he’s the one?"
"Well.. he... We’ve seen his posters" Someone claimed.
Leo hesitated again and then said "He is dressed in a rich looking fabric.This young man is certainly a noble. So why are you harassing him?"
He questioned them as they stared at each other for a while without saying anything. They didn’t know what to say.
"You should go find other things to occupy your time with. And not waste it on catching false people. Understood?’
It wasn’t a suggestion. It was a command to leave. And they understood it. No one dared question the Grand Duke, so they nodded and left.
Before long, they were out of sight. And Eden was spared.
While Eden let out a sigh of relief, the Grand duke walked down the stairs to meet him.
"We meet again so soon. And I saved you this time around. It must be fate" He claimed.
Eden stared at him and then smiled "This fate really is interesting"
"I guess so. Since I saved you, why don’t you thank me? Having a drink with me up there is enough to thank me" He offered.
Eden stared at him. He could read through him.
Eden was sure Leo already knew who he was. And he was now sure he was the one who sent those men. He had staged all these.
Eden knew Leo’s Character. And was sure he had set it up to arrive at his ultimate intention of making it all natural and having a meal with him..
Leo knew who Eden was. And that was what Eden was sure of. And so he was plotting a way to get him by making Eden let down his guard.
Eden thought to himself "Oh dear Grand duke. I’ve read the book, so I already know your every step"
Or at least most of his steps.
"I’m sorry. I can’t have a drink with you. I have more important things to do" Eden said casually. They were obviously going to meet sooner.
"Something more important? I wonder what it is" Leo asked.
Eden now stared at him with a smile "I’d rather not say"
"You..." Damian who stood beside Leo was already getting pissed. He wished to snap at Eden but Leo stopped him.
Leo then said "The tea is already set upstairs. And won’t take much of your time to enjoy some with me"
"I’m sorry but he’s here with me" Elvis’s voice came from the entrance of the restaurant.
They all turned to see Elvis majestically walk into the restaurant.
For the first time, Eden was glad to see him.
"He’s here with me on a task. So I don’t think he’ll be able to have some tea with you today" Elvis was now standing with them.
"Is that so?" Leo stared at Eden and now stared at Elvis "I wonder what amusing relationship The extinguished Crown Prince has with this interesting young man"
"Nothing much. He’s just my valet" Eden said as he stared at Eden "One that went missing for a few seconds"
"I didn’t go missing" Eden said "You didn’t come pick me up"
"I wasn’t supposed to" Elvis snapped.
"Then what are you doing here?" Eden questioned.
"On a stroll" Elvis claimed.
"I wonder who strolls in a restaurant" Eden questioned.
"Me. I stroll wherever I want" Elvis said, a hand behind him.
Eden rolled his eyes as he mumbled "Just say you missed me"
"Why would I miss a servant" Elvis heard him.
"Whatever" Eden muttered.
Leo Watched them bickering, surprised. "I didn’t know The Crown Prince was already close enough with this young man to have such a bicker with him"
"We’re not close" Elvis said "He’s just a servant of mine, so don’t misunderstand. I’m here for you instead, Grand duke"
Leo stared at Elvis now "Oh. I almost forgot what we had to do today. Pardon me"
"No worries. If you don’t mind, let’s get going. I have to return soon to report to my father" Elvis explained.
"Sure enough. Let’s go"
Grand Duke Leo led the way, followed by Damian.
Elvis glared at Eden who also had his eyes on him. Eden shrugged as Elvis turned and walked off.
Eden followed behind.
********
Eden was left alone in the Royal Carriage that Elvis came with.
Elvis was outside on a horse. Riding side-by-side with Leo close to the carriage as they discussed the matter ahead.
It was a case whereby an old man had confiscated some goods and materials that were supposed to be taken from Enor down the Palace. And the Royal Palace would distribute these goods to people who needed it.
But some unknown gang had stolen these goods on their way to the palace and an old man was keeping these goods in his custody.
Eden had gotten the gist of this while in the carriage, eavesdropping on the conversation Elvis and Leo were having outside.
He didn’t remember reading this plotline in the book at all. Although there was mention of the crown prince going out for some official task, it wasn’t explicitly mentioned what he went to do
Perhaps it wasn’t that important to the plot. So they didn’t bother talking about it.
"But Your Grace, if he did something as wild as that, why can’t we just kill him and take it all back?" Damian, who was behind them on his horse, asked.
It was actually a good question, since the people who stole these goods had offended the royal family. Death was an easy sentence to pass.
"He’s not someone that we can kill easily and not expect a war outbreak" But Leo explained.