65 Eve before the storm (1/2)

Lancaster Mansion.

Amelia and Rachel could be seen waiting at the dining table. Luxurious and delicious looking dishes filled the table. Each dish were treated like works of art as the content was neatly and thoughtfully placed, bringing out the aesthetic beauty in food. However, the food had already all gone cold as they waited for the Duke to return home.

”I'm sorry, my dear. I was a little caught up with work.” Duke Ignis apologised as he enter the dining room.

”Sit down, we'll talk over dinner.” Amelia nodded. Work commitments couldn't be helped. ”Go reheat the food.”

The servants came and took the plates away, leaving the family of three at the dining table alone.

”I heard you sent my steward out on a task?” Ignis had a bitter look. His own right-hand man was being ordered around casually by his wife. Was he the duke or was she the duke? He may seem imposing and dignified outside, but at home, even he had to listen to his wife. He was a henpecked husband.

”Yeah, I wanted him to watch over someone secretly in case of any mishap.”

”Oh? To send the steward to watch over this person, he must be very important. Who is he?”

Sebastian may just be a steward of the duke household, but he was a 7th step awakener. His status wasn't any lower than the marquises of the kingdom.

”The prince.”

”You found him?” Duke Ignis was pleasantly surprised. He knew how hard his wife had been working to find him these days. It's good that she doesn't have stress over it anymore.

”That child is very good. I'm very satisfied with this son-in-law of ours.” Amelia nodded with a smile.

”Oh? What is good about him?” Duke Ignis narrowed his eyes for a moment before glancing over his daughter. He thought she would protest against the engagement like usual, but she was strangely quiet.

Feeling her father's stare, she lowered her head with a blush. She might seem like she wasn't paying attention, but her ears were wide open as soon as her parents mentioned Leon.

”Can't you see I'm quite lively and not tired? It's all thanks to that child's tea.”

”Tea?” Duke Ignis mood soured. ”Don't you know tea keeps you wide awake? You might not feel it now, but it will only hit you harder later when it wears off. That child is clearly harming you!”

”What do you know? What he gave me was herbal tea. It's not really tea in the truest sense. Don't run your mouth if you don't know anything.” Amelia defended.

”What? Tea that isn't real tea?” Ignis was baffled by her words. What nonsense is that? Wasn't I just being concern about you? Why do you defend a child you just met so vehemently?

Glancing over at his daughter again, she was also giving him a disapproving look for accusing Leon's good intentions.

”Hmph! I'll let you have a sip to know, but a sip is all you get. Amelia grunted. ”Prepare the herbal tea!”

Amelia's firm articulate voice was heard in the kitchen next door and the maid, Lily soon got to work right away.

The herbal tea was gifted to her and useful for Rachel. She was also a tea connoisseur. She liked the tea very much. Amelia wasn't willing to share her herbal tea with her duke husband.

She was only willing to part with one sip to convince him of its extraordinariness.

The tea came out before the food and it was as she had intended, one sip was all Ignis get.

His eyes lit up as he fell the warmth soothe his being and brought him a strange calmness and relaxation he hadn't felt in a long time.

”Cough* Erm... Dear, I did not taste it well. Can I have another sip?” Ignis rubbed his hands and asked carefully. The herbal tea was incredible.

”No.” Amelia flatly rejected.

Ignis winced at his wife's flat rejection.

”Cough* Well I admit the tea is good, but I must also see for myself whether or not he is suited for our daughter.”

Both daughter and wife looked at him with

disdain. Would he dare break off the engagement if the prince wasn't good enough for his daughter? Most likely it was an excuse to ask for some herbal tea himself.