No matter how Gabriel wanted to hide Maria from his father, I know that it won't solve the problem right now.

Today is the day where we have to let Maria go with her father. At first, Maria was hesitant to go back with the duke but when I explain to her the details of my plan, she agreed. We cannot go against the duke, and since the duke knows our connections to the merchant's guild we cannot use Leonardo's connections to run away from him.

We have to stop running away.

I glanced at my brother. "The Duke is here, go to Maria and help her to prepare things. I will talk with the Duke." My brother weakly nodded at me. I smiled and rustled his hair. "You'll see her in ten days idiot, ten days is not that long"

Gabriel only clicked his tongue and glared at me. "You'll understand my anxiety once you got married, Sister," My brother told me.

"And who will I marry? It's not like I have a lover" I laughed hard while pinching my brother's cheeks. "That's a pure bullsh*t lil'bro. I'd rather devote myself taking care of you and Maria than marrying someone"

"You can't really say that. You will be a lady soon, many men will ask your hand in marriage" My brother puts my hand away from his cheeks. "I am not a child anymore, so don't bother yourself taking care of me. You have done a lot to raise me"

I covered my mouth with my hands. My little brother is really a grown-up. My baby brother is a man now! I'm so proud!

"Where did you take my little brother?" I asked teasingly, but instead of answering me, he just turned around and left me alone to go with his lover. "What a rascal, hmmph!"

I rolled my eyes while going to the duke's carriage. I saw a white-haired man come out. He glanced at me as I go in his direction. "Welcome to our humble home, Your Grace. Come in and I will serve you a tea" I said with a smile on my face.

He nodded and I lead him to our living room to serve him tea. "Maria is still preparing her things, just wait here, alright?" I said casually, I didn't bother to speak formally in front of him, that's a hassle and the Duke doesn't seem to care about it.

But Allan, Duke Evan's personal knight seemed to be annoyed with it. 

I gracefully poured the tea into our teacups. "Where did you learn tea etiquette?" I stopped and glanced at the duke. His eyes were at the teapot on my hands. 

I didn't notice that he is observing me.

"I was a prim and proper noble lady. Of course, I know these simple things" I replied to him. Allan's face seemed to be in shock. "Simple things like this is simple as breathing"

"Pardon me, Your Grace, but this Lady... was a noble?"

A soft chuckle appeared on my face. "Well, because of a certain person, I am planning to retrieve my original status" I spoke while glancing at the Duke. 

Damn it, his face doesn't really look like Maria's father. I wonder what's his secret behind his youthful face! Are you really Maria's father? I can't even stop looking at his face!

"Original status?"

"Daughter of a Marquiss and stuff" I replied. Allan froze into his spot when he heard me said that. "The duke doesn't seem to inform you, Sir Allan, but yes I was a noble. Daughter of Marquiss Antonio to be exact. It's a long story but to summarize it, Gabriel and I got separated from our father"

"That's..."

"How did Maria ends up in your care?" The duke suddenly asked. His handsome stiff face seemed to be curious. I did not tell him this information yesterday, so I can understand.

But I don't know how to answer his question! How will I tell him that I invited his daughter to run away from him? I'm afraid he will see me as a kidnapper. "Uhh, about that..." I hesitatingly said. "Well... I met her at the town of Ibanez..."

Damn it, where's Maria and Gabriel when I need them? Just go down already! I can't say that I bring Maria home like a kitten!

I quickly grabbed his tea and puts it in his hand. "Your Grace! Taste this tea. It is really delicious! You should try it" I also grabbed the bread at the table and shoved it on his mouth "This bread is a better partner of this tea haha" 

"..." -Duke

....

F*ck what have you done?

"Madame!" Allan shouted.

I gulped. Duke Evan was not moving. I decided to look away and act as if nothing happened. Let's just wish that I'll still be alive later.

The Duke surprisingly chewed the bread on his mouth ah he glanced at me. He also obediently took a sip on his cup. "Delicious" He replied.

Delicious?

Am I safe?

HAHAHA bullsh*t Gabriella, How can you be so shameless?

"Y-yeah, I was the one who baked that bread. Delicious right? the sweetness and the cheese fillings inside make the great taste..." I scratched my cheeks while saying those shameless things. "Would you like to try, Sir Allan?"

The knight glared at me.

"...Anyway, about Maria. I'm afraid that she might be a little wary of her surroundings at your residency. Please inform me if there is something happened to her. She is pregnant so please don't do anything that will stress her out"

"I'll inform you" He only replied. 

A bright smile appeared on my face. "You're very considerate, Duke." I took a small sip from my teacup. "I am sure that your daughter and your grandchild will be well while in your care."

Look at this man, he will be a grandpa soon but he doesn't even look like a grandpa! I need justice! How can he achieve that youthful look? I can't find the logic anywhere! His white hair doesn't even look old!

Currently can't stop looking at this old man's face. 

Lol, I'm originally old as him, right? Simping won't hurt a little bit. It doesn't matter if he will become the boss villain...

Speaking of the villain...

His rebellion will start 6 months from now, to calculate the situation. Ibanez will fall into great chaos. If I won't change the future...

I glanced at Duke Evan.

Maria and Gabriel might suffer too.

Right now I can't do anything to contradict the duke, If he wanted to take away Maria he could do that and we can't stop him. The reason why I wanted to take back our real status is not just to let the duke marry his daughter to my brother but to also establish a great power to protect them in case of something terrible will happen.

It feels like the novel is bringing back its lost character into the plot since the story itself is not yet finish.

I wish that terrible thing won't happen.

I took a piece of bread and bit it. Damn it, Where are those two? What took them so long?

I'm sure they won't dare to run run away.

Don't tell me...

"Gabriella" I heard Maria called my name.

Nevermind.

I quickly stands up and glanced in Maria's direction. I noticed that her eyes were a little red and puffy. Despite her icy looks, she's really adorable! 

Maria gave a glance at her father who is sitting in front of me. "Father," She said blankly. 

My brother held Maria's hands as soon as they came in my direction. Gabriel gave a blazing gaze at the Duke. "Take care of my wife until I get her from you," He said in determination.

The duke's face doesn't seem unfazed but I noticed a flash of sourness on his face. He didn't bother to reply to my brother's remark. "Maria, let's go" He only said. 

My brother and I send the Duke and his daughter off the carriage. My brother left a small kiss on Maria's lips and forehead before telling her that we will get her.

The Duke glanced at me and my brother for one last time. "Young man" Duke Evan called my brother. "I will wait for your proposal to Maria in ten days" He coldly said to my brother, A chilling aura came out from his body but my brother doesn't seem to be affected by it. "If you fail to do your agenda in ten days. Do not expect my daughter"

I gulped when I heard him said that. How cold. 

"I will" My brother blankly replied.

The carriage began to move and disappeared on our sights. "See you again... Maria" I spoke.

My eyes went up to look at the blue sky. Tomorrow we will gain our original status. I wish problems will not occur.

"Sister, let's go to the Merchants Guild," My brother told me. "We need to talk to Leonardo"