My Dear Duke(BL)
Chapter 64: Anne Is Not His Si-?

Chapter 64: Anne Is Not His Si-?

Felix cherished Anne and tried his best to adjust to the new environment where now he was a big brother. So did Lucas as he was basically a parent to Felix first, then Anne.

He even joked how Anne should call him grandpa since Felix, the naive and very innocent young boy had to be taught many things by Lucas who had a lot of experience and was tough with every hardship he had to go through. It’s weird how he was better at a lot of things than Felix when he never had anyone to teach him growing up. It’s amazing and it just showed Felix how strong Lucas was.

Felix admired him a lot. He listened to Lucas’s every advice and always seeked help only from him. It could say Lucas basically raised Felix. Felix himself would not deny that.

Lucas was like the kind and considerate parent Felix never had. Rather than a friend to accompany him or help him, Felix eventually realised Lucas was like a father that guides his son through life with advice, support and care. It’s the perfect example to describe Felix’s and Lucas’s relationship.

It was strange they were just apart from a year in age but Lucas was a lot mature than him about aspects of life. Still, Felix accepted he had to learn a lot of things and followed Lucas’s lead which was why Felix is very respectful of Lucas and always obeys him without arguing when he strictly orders around.

It felt reassuring to have Lucas around to give him some advice.

And, it felt even better when he knew he could trust Lucas with his life.

It was that.

Lucas was a good person that stood by Felix and Anne when they needed someone to rely on.

Anne also loved Lucas growing up.

So for obvious reasons, Lucas became one of the few people to know the truth of Anne’s presense in the mansion.

When people of the noble circle got the news of a little baby’s sudden appearance in the Griffin mansion, of course they were interested but none approached or inquired Felix for information.

So, for the outside world, the truth of the arrival of his sister were all rumours since everything remained a secret between Mary, Felix, Lucas and his father’s secretary who passed away shortly after.

Some rumours said that Anne was a child that was kidnapped and then saved by the young duke upon finding out.

Some believed Anne was an affair baby from the previous duke.

Then some rumours said she was an orphan Felix adopted. No one knew the truth and people believed their own beliefs.

Felix himself had no idea how those started and what base they began with. But, as long as it didn’t dig deep into ugly pasts, he was fine with all those predictions.

So, that’s how it ended with Anne entering the picture.

And yeah...Lucas was happy about this too.

He spoiled her a lot and loved her like his own sister.

That’s how Anne became a part in the happy family that Felix only had Lucas in.

And...Felix could say things indeed ended there.

His mother’s death was known to him.

No one bothered him anymore.

He had a company in the manion.

Everything was turning for the better.

In his mind, this sudden change into better was all because of the little baby, Anne.

He adored her a lot.

His sister.. the star that brought him luck...

....

"I never had such a hard childhood. You did well duke. I would never be this strong."

Asher, as he listened, felt his skin crawl with the details. It was way worse than he thought. He never expected such a long series of tragic events fold in one’s life.

So...Anne was an abandoned child.

She was the duke’s half sister that he undoubtedly raised with love and care.

He could still be kind after everything he went through.

"So...what is bothering the duke now?"

Asher asked and the duke started shaking slightly as he said how he went to meet the count who got caught doing that same business again, kidnapping Anne also and getting the death penalty.

"What did he say that shocked you so much?"

Asher asked curiously but gently as he didn’t really want to sound like he was interested in the story but indeed worried for him.

"It’s related to Anne."

"...Miss Anne?"

"He said to me... Anne isn’t my sister. Not in any way my sister. Not even half."

The duke’s trembling got worse and Asher had to tighten his hug and comfort him.

But, how did that make any sense? Didn’t the duke say he checked their blood by magician long ago and got confirmed they were indeed related?

’Seeing the count know about it, then, could it be that he intervened there in some way?’

"Duke, you have raised her so far. So I still believe you love her like your own no matter what you discover now."

Asher said confidently. Before the questions, he should assure him and calm him down. So Asher said in a gentle tone as he questioned everything himself and answered all himself, guessing.

Asher thought this sudden reveal of the unexpected must have shocked him that he had raised a stranger. But, the duke would not suddenly be heartless to abandon Anne because of this, right?

"Yeah...Of course I love her. I love her no matter what."

The duke was shaking terribly again.

It must be terrible to end up in another mess after a long time again.

"She is not my sister. But...she is still related to me. She is...she is related to me. I never knew..."

The duke mumbled and his wrap around Asher tightened.

Asher who was quite taken back by his sudden startle flinched, but paused as he was confused now.

He said it was not his sister.

Then, how is she related to him?

Asher couldn’t figure it out.

By the way, how does the count get involved in between Anne and the duke? It seemed important to make sense of all these.

"Duke...calm down... it’s alright. Calm down."

Asher did his best. But then, the duke broke into tears. Unlike before, sobbing loudly, even hiccupping.

It made Asher pause his movement again and feel the duke shaking while crying in his arms. Never had he imagined he would be holding the crying duke...It’s a strange feeling.

The duke was crying a lot. H-how? How could something make him cry? Don’t noble men always have an ’image’ to protect? Is the duke feeling that much sadness that he cries like this and doesn’t care about it anymore? Why?! What made him cry like a toddler?

Asher pitifully looked down at the duke’s face on his chest and stroked his hair, feeling sorry for the duke. He looked pitiful despite always showing up as a cold and cruel man in front of Asher.

It’s more saddening and made Asher nervous because if something made this man cry like this, then it must be something really really bad, right?

Yeah, it’s bad enough to make Asher feel the pain himself.

It might not be the same to someone else but hearing about his past, Asher understood why it made the duke sad like that...

This was all bad.

Through the duke’s cries, Asher then heard the duke’s mumble again, his voice carrying pain and despair.

"She is my daughter."

"?!"

Asher had never been so shocked and caught off guard like that before.

He felt his skin crawl, getting goosebumps as he gasped out loud to the point he came to the realisation later and had to cover his mouth to prevent from the sound escaping.

’...W-what?!’

Asher had to rethink if he heard it wrong because...

’D-daughter?!?!’

Was this happening for real?!

No way this is true.

What is going on?!

H-how?!

Miss Anne...is the duke’s daughter?!

That’s what the duke said, right?

He didn’t mishear it.

But, how?!

’Don’t tell me...’