My Dear Duke(BL)
Chapter 82: Friends(1)

Chapter 82: Friends(1)

’Wow. It’s good to have a rich friend.’

Asher couldn’t help but think when he saw the carriage full of children’s toys, food, sweets, and even clothes.

"This is all for little Anne."

Karl said proudly and Felix just stood there stunned, staring at the carriage with the same expression as Asher. Felix had witnessed this kind of carriages multiple times before but he still can’t help but get surprised at this guy’s generosity. Anne is very privileged, isn’t she?

"What is all this?!"

Felix went to check inside the carriage and when Asher was standing behind alone, Karl walked to him and handed him a pouch which was quite heavy.

"You won."

Asher accepted it with a smile and quickly hid it as the prince had asked him to not let Felix know about their bet. They didn’t want to upset the duke anymore.

"He is a good person. Take care of him well. And...if one day you feel like you can take a step closer, don’t hesitate to do it. Because he might never do it himself. Good luck!"

Asher silently listened, confused but at the same time, not confused.

He felt weird that this man he met just three days ago was giving him such advice literally asking him to be by the duke’s, his friend’s side.

So, do they really want a commoner like him to stay with their friend? Or did they mean just as a servant? Maybe this man meant something totally different from what Asher was thinking?

Asher and Felix soon departed from the palace by that same carriage filled with all the gifts for Anne.

Stuffed in the carriage, they finally arrived back at the mansion after the uncomfortable ride ended.

Then, Felix called the servants to empty the carriage.

Soon, all the things were transferred to Miss Anne’s room, Asher also helping with whatever he could.

"You went to see brother Karl?!"

Anne excitedly asked Felix who finally managed to send back the carriage. Seeing the things carried to her room by the servants, Anne happily asked Felix who watched as the carriage left past the gate of his mansion.

For Anne, it wouldn’t even be confusing as to who sent this many gifts. She knew. It’s definitely brother Karl.

It was brother Karl that gave her this many gifts. Even Felix wouldn’t spoil her this much. Even though he basically takes care of her everyday.

She was grateful. But seeing this many good things at once makes her very excited.

And, these occasional carriages that come to their mansion and then her favourites getting piled up in her room, make her very biassed toward Karl sometimes.

’Right....should I call brother Lucas and Karl uncle now? My father is not my brother anymore. So they shouldn’t be brothers too, right? Will brother Karl be sad if I call him uncle? Yeah...He will be. I will just call him brother. For brother Lucas too. And, brother Ash too.’

"Can I go and check all the gifts?"

Anne excitedly asked and Felix nodded. Anne immediately ran to her room, looking around from where to start exploring.

There were cakes too!

’I love brother Karl so much! Oh my god!’

Anne straight went to the cakes and had a taste, going to her own world, not in a rush to see the gifts anymore, getting distracted by the sweet taste.

She could never get sick of this taste.

.....

"Did he tell you anything weird? You can tell me."

Asher was called to Felix’s office because he wanted to make sure his friend didn’t mess with Asher. He knew Karl wouldn’t harm him but he was just like Anne. Their personalities were quite similar and they always behaved the same way.

Doing it their own way. Both are weirdos.

Like Anne says weird things, most of the time, Felix hears the same from Karl too. It’s sometimes amazing and never fails to surprise Felix every single time.

It’s so weird. It’s like she is Karl’s daughter not his given the situation as she is very similar to Karl with their thinking process...

So he was sure he had said something to Asher. Since he spent almost three days with him.

And, the fact he didn’t know Asher was missing for three days made him quite nervous.

How did he not even think to check on Asher once?

He did think of Asher. But when he went to see Anne, while also wishing to see Asher, he wasn’t there and Anne didn’t say anything either. He also didn’t ask about him because he didn’t want to answer Anne’s never ending questions.

It’s his mistake.

"No duke...he was just wondering if I was taking advantage of you."

Asher answered the duke with no hesitation.

"He didn’t threaten you or anything, did he? Please be honest with me. I want to confront him if he did something wrong to you."

The duke said to Asher, trying to press him more.

"No...He was actually quite nice."

"...Is that so? If something is bothering you, you can just tell me or ask me."

"No duke. Don’t think of anything. Everything was fine. I was quite shocked but he treated me well and I didn’t really have a bad time."

Asher said with a little smile.

"I see...I am sorry about that. I didn’t expect him to kidnap you."

The duke apologised.

"It’s not a problem duke. I see he is having fun messing with you."

Asher said, reassuring the duke.

"...Obviously he is!"

The duke said after a groan.

"He told me about how he and you met. He sounded really proud of you, like a father talking about his son. And...he called you son too. Haha."

"Haa...He always calls me son. It’s been like that for years. I am used to it by now."

"Duke has good friends."

"Hah, do you think so?"

"I am sure the duke is very close to them. You seemed very appreciative of them too."

Asher said in a gentle tone.

These friends must be one of the few things the duke cherish from his past till this day...

It must be good to have friends, at least some people that knows you and care for you...