It has been a year since Henry Ashford inherited the title of Archduke.
In that ti there is no trace of the child he once was. He had to grow up as fast as he could to rule the archdukedom. Even the boy's gaze beca serious and imposing.
True, his real identity he could not hide only in front of his secretary. While in public he still had to wear the mask of a defenseless child.
It was a kind of security tactic. No one should be able to guess the young head's true abilities.
During this year, through hard work-Henry had accomplished many things. For one thing, the Ashford family was no longer the center of ridicule. On the contrary. More and more people began to say that a new era had dawned for the family.
Second, the perfect reputation Henry had once aspired to was finally within reach. Gaining power and people's approval at the sa ti was the key to a successful future.
In the eyes of the people, he would beco the most beloved aristocrat in the empire. It would also minimize the risk of possible rebellion in the future.
And to bolster this position, Henry not only worked, but also attended various charitable events from ti to ti. Eventually he would get to the point — that people would idolize him even more than mbers of the imperial family.
And for that, in fact, all it takes is a little money from the family fortune…
This ti, too, the young man was on his way back from yet another campaign. He rode in the expensive salon and looked out the window — while the secretary across from him was finishing his work report.
As the year passed, Henry Ashford had grown trendously. He had grown in stature, and his features had beco sharper. Now he truly resembled a young man. It was only the cold look in his brown eyes that made him look like an adult.
The boy silently watched passers-by in the capital as the carriage was on its way back to the archdukedom. At one point the secretary turned to him to inform him of business.
— Tomorrow you have an appointnt with Count Christie. His Majesty also summons you to the palace to reward you for your public deeds…
Henry waved him off.
— I rember.
The secretary sighed.
— I will edit your schedule for next week, and let you know if there are any changes…
Henry waved his hand again, and the boy realized he didn't want to be disturbed now. So he obediently remained silent.
Andrew Noyles had started working at Ashford Manor a year ago. He was ten years older than his master. The young man's unassuming appearance: which included a cap of blond hair and a lanky build.
He had learned three cardinal rules during his ti here: be quiet in ti, obey his master's orders without question, and stay out of the way. He was like a chain dog — who at any mont could get not only the carrot but also the stick. Andrew knew this well.
In any case, his present life was much better than the previous one — so he did not complain. Not everyone was able to get into the Archduke's office, especially in such a role.
Knowing that any wrong move could cost him his life — Andrew always did what he was told. And this ti, when he realized that the young master was not in the mood: he shut his mouth just in ti. Ashford always felt tired when he had to play to the audience for a long ti.
The carriage rode in silence for a long ti. Until Henry suddenly raised his hand and ordered the carriage to stop.
— I'm hungry,» he said, «Go and buy sothing.
Andrew looked out the window and noticed that they were standing in front of a candy store. He got the hint almost imdiately.
— Lemon cakes? — The secretary suggested.
Henry humd and looked away.
— I don't need to tell you again.
The secretary smiled absently.
— Wait a mont, Your Grace. I'll get it.
In all his ti at the manor — Andrew found the young Archduke much more ascetic than most adults. Despite his young age: he had no desire to have fun or do other things typical of his age. In everyday life, the young man also adhered to certain rules and routines.
Thus, the secretary discovered only one «weakness» in him. Henry Ashford was partial to sweets. Perhaps that remained his only «childish» habit.
The secretary obediently left the carriage to buy the lord's favorite pastries. The Archduke was left waiting for him inside.
But when the lad returned he found that he was no longer in the salon. The secretary looked around in surprise until he spotted Henry in one of the back alleys.
«What was His Grace doing there?»
Andrew followed him and saw that there were several holess n lurking in that nook. But the Archduke focused his attention only on one of them.
A little girl with a mop of blond hair — was on her last gasp of hunger. Henry looked at her strangely.
— Your Grace, what are you doing here? — The secretary turned to him.
— This…
When the young man accidentally saw her, he could not believe his eyes at first. This child was an exact copy of his dead sister. The sa blond hair, facial features, and voice. This is exactly what Adelina Ashford would have looked like when she was ten years old if she were still alive.
The only difference was the color of their eyes. The little girl's were not brown like William Ashford's, but large and gray. But the Archduke was not in the least embarrassed by this little nuance.
Noticing the lord's interested glance toward so refugee, the secretary was even more surprised.
— Your Grace…
— What do you think of my adopting her? — The man suddenly asked.
— What?!
Andrew Noyles's mouth dropped open.
— Sir, what do you an?
— I want to take her into the Ashford family and make her my little sister.
The secretary continued to be perplexed.
— What gave you that idea all of a sudden? — he hesitated.
— Wouldn't it reflect well on my social status? — Henry explained, — «The Archduke of the Empire took in a commoner and gave her a chance at a new life. No noble aristocrat has ever done that.
— Perhaps, b-but… There are plenty of good asylums in the capital! Why would you take soone from the streets?
Andrew could not hide his disdain. His family was also of average ans, but still they had never descended to this level. Apparently, the girl had been living on the streets for quite so ti. Who knows, maybe she's also contagious?
— Because that's what I want,» the boy snorted.
— But still…!
— Are you going to argue with ?
The lord's icy tone involuntarily made the secretary stop. It beca clear that the matter was out of the question.
Andrew Noyles obediently stepped aside, and Henry approached the child. The girl finally awoke from her hungry fainting spell and raised her head.
Seeing the aristocrat in front of her, she was instantly frightened.
— W-who… Who are you?
— I am the Archduke of Ashford,» he answered.
— The Archduke?
The girl's eyes fluttered open.
Henry held out his hand to her and said:
— Co with . From now on, I am your brother and you are my little sister.
— I–I…!
Terribly excited by this sudden turn of events-the commoner hurried to say sothing, but he interrupted her.
— Nothing else matters. Just rember your na. Your na is Adelina Ashford now.
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