The Echanting Duchess

Chapter 26: A Sleepless Night

At the estate of the Duke of Kargaz of the North

The estate of the Duke of Kargaz looked as peaceful and quiet as the night. Yet certain shadows around were continuously moving around the estate from midnight until now.

Leonor was pacing back and forth inside the duke's study room. It was where the duke always placed the coordinates whenever he used a teleportation stone.

She never caught a wink for an entire night. Given her advanced age, Leonor was almost dizzy from panic and fear while thinking about what could have happened to his dearest duke.

It was the day before yesterday when the estate received communication that the duke would teleport alone due to some sudden changes.

Sebas was currently out of reach while the knights were still traveling back.

And now, knowing about the gist of what has transpired during His Majesty's birthday celebration and the dangers that might happen towards the duke, Leonor could not help but be anxious and be in fright.

Estian was also inside, preparing a calming tea to lessen the tension in the room, and help Leonor to calm down even for a little.

The old, poor Terry was also on standby at the room across the study room just in case any unforeseen things might occur.

"It's going to be three hours past midnight soon! Where is he?" Leonor asked with a shaky voice. If one could see the state of Leonor right now, one would not be able to relate the stern, calm, and always sharp Leonor to the current one at this time. Her waist-length orange hair was let down and unkempt. Her skirt was already wrinkled from all her tossing and clutching. Even her brown eyes were red and swollen from not catching a wink.

"We wait, Leonor, come, have a sip of this tea first," Estian calmly urged Leonor to try his newly prepared tea. Because of his calm demeanor, Leonor could only look at Estian with a bewildered expression on her face.

"You still have time to prepare tea? Really, Estian? At this time? I don't even have time to drink water for the entire night, and here you are! Tea? Ha!" Leonor exclaimed. But looking towards the smoke from the plume of steam from the cup of hot tea and the inviting aroma around it made Leonor gulp in thirst. She just realized how dry her throat was.

"Drinking tea will invigorate you, Leonor. You will have more energy to wait for His Grace then," said Estian as he lifted the cup and brought it to the still-standing Leonor.

"Hmph! If that is not the case, then your tea would have been for naught!" Leonor carefully took the cup from Estian's hands. As soon as she got the cup of the newly brewed tea, she slowly blew onto it and took a sip. Leonor even took a seat on the couch.

Estian saw that making tea was effective. At least it brought silence in the room instead of the sharp and crisp sound of Leonor's shoes against the marbled floor.

Leonor caught Estian quietly smiling as he sipped on his cup. She just rolled her eyes at him. For she knew that even though the guy was as quiet and calm as usual, he was one of the duke's closest and trusted subordinates. Thus, the fear and anxiety that Leonor was feeling were what Estian was also feeling right now.

It was just that as the butler of the enormous and famed estate of the Duke of Kargaz, Estian was distinctly not just your average person.

Hearing the sound of the ticking clock, Leonor didn't take her time to finish her tea. Estian saw that her cup was already empty.

Estian was about to pour another cup for Leonor when a white light suddenly flashed inside the dimly lit room.

Both Leonor and Estian quickly stood in alarm and anticipation.