She was already awake, she had already gotten ready and as soon as she heard the knock on the door and Ronnik talking to her she went out immediately. They greeted each other formally and somewhat awkwardly.

"Mr. Edmond, follow me," Ronnik said.

Elinora followed him into the halls of the mansion and gazed around.

The duke's mansion was much larger and brighter than her home. The walls were painted with beautiful light-colored designs and the decorations were expensive but simple.

Finally, they came to a large door. This must be the duke's office, Eleanor thought, and her anxiety grew.

They went in. The room was quite large as well.

The first thing Elinora noticed was the large desk in the middle of the room, in whose chair the duke sat bent over some papers. There was also a bookcase with shelves of many books, which caught Elinora's eye and she began to process it further.

She was so distracted by observing the desk that she didn't notice that the duke was calling her too only when Ronnik nudged her.

"Edmond Jaden, 23 years old, son of Count Paul Jaden, a graduate of the Gordian Academy in good standing, chosen by King Davian for his high qualifications," Duke Alaric read from a paper and asked without raising his eyes to look, " Are these all accurate?"

"What do you mean, Your Grace?" asked Ronnik, obviously confused.

Duke Alaric looked at Ronnik in silence for seconds before answering.

"I asked if the man you brought me is indeed Edmond Jaden."

With that answer, Elinora became so nervous that she lowered her gaze without looking at either of them. She couldn't understand why the duke would ask such a question.

What was the matter? Do you think he realized that I'm not Edmund? What would I do if he did? What would happen to me?

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Ronnik continued to be confused by this answer.

"I don't understand you, Your Grace."

"He doesn't look like he's 23 or particularly clever. He looks younger, he's small too."

The Duke looked for the first time at Elinora who was embarrassed by what she had just heard but relieved as well.

At least she didn't understand me, she thought.

"That's Edmund Jaden, Your Grace. I went myself and picked him up from Count Jaden's house."

The duke rose from his chair and approached Elinora. He stood before her and looked at her intensely. She felt very uncomfortable but could do nothing but stay in her seat.

"I don't think he's good enough for the job. He looks stupid."

Elinora blushed but said nothing. She didn't disagree with him, she knew she wasn't right for the job and that she would be completely useless to him but she couldn't help it.

She had to protect her family, a family that had never treated her like one of their own.

The duke stood there waiting for an answer from Elinora.

"I-I...can prove to you that...I am the right man for the job. I will be quite useful to you," she managed to say at the end with a deep voice.

The duke smiled, which confused her. She couldn't understand what he was thinking or feeling, and it scared her. But he didn't seem to dislike her or want to hurt her. That thought reassured Elinora.

"I'll wait for you to prove your worth and a reason to keep you by my side," he turned and returned to his desk "Now, let's get to work."

Even at that moment Elinora still didn't fully understand the job of the aide and what she was supposed to do but as time went on she got more and more used to it.

Her tasks were not that difficult and the duke was competent enough to do most of it himself. Ronnik also helped her with everything she had to do that day.

All was going well when a servant knocked on the door and announced that a man was outside asking to see Duke Alaric. He let him pass and then told Ronnik and Elinora to come out.

In the hallway, Ronnik turned to Elinora.

"Stay outside the door just in case. I have a job to do outside. If anything happens, get inside and if you need to intervene."

Elinora agreed and stood by the door. Nothing was done until after some time there was a scream and someone shouted, "You're lying to me! Stop lying!"

After that there were louder voices. Elinora couldn't ignore what was happening and ran inside.

When she went in what she saw was something she had not expected.

Duke Alaric was seated in the armchair and the man was standing over him with his hands around his neck.

Elinora was shocked by the sight but could not sit still and do nothing. It was not a good time to freeze in fear so she ran to remove the man's hands from the duke's neck and pull him away from him.

But she soon realized that this man was much stronger than she was.