Chapter 109
During the takeoff, Su Bin occasionally glanced at Allen.
“Worried?” Allen smiled at him and said, “We’re flying with B-country’s airline this time. When I bought the tickets, I requested special services for hemophiliac patients. There are medical staff on board and emergency equipment. There shouldn’t be any major problems.” Allen held Su Bin’s hand tightly.
The grand arrangements left Su Bin amazed. However, after learning about these safety measures, he felt relieved. As long as Allen didn’t lose consciousness, he himself was his own doctor. Su Bin was concerned about a recurrence of the fainting episode he experienced before.
With Allen’s company, the ten-hour flight was not unbearable. They chatted, slept, watched the latest movie, and enjoyed the high-end dining services in the first-class cabin. Time quickly passed.
Upon arrival in City D in the late night, when Su Bin saw the familiar Bentley car, he exclaimed, “Robert is also in City D?”
“He has been working for the Louis family for over twenty years. Now, he only follows me,” Allen explained.
Seeing Allen, Robert, displaying rare personal emotions, said, “Young Master, I’ve missed you so much.”
Allen smiled, “I’m doing well, Robert. Happy New Year.”
Taking a step forward with Su Bin, Allen introduced him formally to Robert, “Robert, I want to officially introduce you. This is Mr. Su. He is no longer just my friend… I have accepted him as a member of the Louis family. He belongs to me; he is now a part of me.”
Robert showed a surprised expression, “Do you mean…”
Allen smiled, “As you understand.”
Su Bin muttered, “…”
Robert frowned, “But he is a young man.”
“Robert, if you can’t come to terms with it for a while, you can temporarily consider him as my younger brother,” Allen suggested.
After a moment of hesitation, Robert bowed slightly to Allen, “Young Master, congratulations on gaining a family.” Then, he nodded slightly to Su Bin, “Mr. Su, I hope you treat the Duke well. I wish you both a lasting happiness.”
“Thank you, Robert,” Su Bin replied.
“Please get in the car,” Robert said.
While in the car, Su Bin felt uneasy. Seeing his troubled look, Allen asked, “What’s wrong?”
The conversation just now had too many confusing elements for Su Bin. For instance, after Allen introduced himself to Robert, what did Robert understand? What did he mean by “can’t come to terms with it”? What did Robert imply by saying “treat the Duke well”? There was too much information for Su Bin to process, and his mind was on the verge of exploding.
Allen said, “Feel free to ask anything.”
Looking at Allen, Su Bin hesitated, “Are you a Duke?”
This was the first time someone else had mentioned Allen’s true identity to Su Bin. In fact, he had already guessed that Allen held a prestigious position when he accidentally discovered the “secret” outside the medical building at M University. However, he had refrained from asking more due to his role as a regular roommate.
Allen smiled at him, “Yes.”
Su Bin, still in shock, stammered, “I don’t quite understand the aristocratic system in B country… Is being a Duke a high position?” Honestly, the only reason he knew the term “Duke” was because of a famous pen brand, Duke, and in his mind, Dukes looked like the old men with curly hair on the Quaker Oats packaging. However, Allen was so young…
Before Allen could answer, Robert, unable to listen anymore, interjected, “Mr. Su, in B country, a Duke is the highest-ranking noble next to the king or prince.”
Su Bin muttered, “The highest…”
Though Robert’s tone was not heavy, it sounded slightly annoyed. He seemed to want to say more, but Allen stopped him.
Looking at Su Bin, Allen explained slowly, “Our country’s political system is different from China’s. B country practices a monarchy and has preserved aristocratic privileges for a long time. Although the status and glory of nobility have diminished in modern times due to the influence of equality ideologies from countries like the United States and France, the common people there still maintain a reverence for nobility.”
Su Bin was speechless. He was taken aback by Robert’s words. If what Robert said was true, did it mean that Allen’s position was higher than that of a prince?
orz…
Su Bin tried hard to recall if he had done anything disrespectful or offensive to Allen. The more he thought about it, the more apprehensive he became. Even though he was not a citizen of B country, deep down, he still had a genuine awe for the powerful and privileged.
Hugging Su Bin’s waist, Allen asked, “Are you scared?”
Su Bin honestly said, “Very surprised…”
He realized that he would be going to Allen’s home shortly and became anxious, “Will there be other people at your house? How should I talk to them? I’m afraid I won’t speak well…”
Moving his hand up, Allen held Su Bin’s head, twirling his earlobe with his fingers, and said softly, “There’s no one else, only me.”
“… Only you?” Su Bin thought of Robert’s words just now and immediately had a bad guess. Could it be…
Allen’s next words confirmed his speculation, “I have no family.”
In Western countries, when an adult refers to family, it usually means “parents, siblings, and children.” Since Allen had no children, his mother passed away in China, which Su Bin knew, and now he mentioned his father… Where was his father? Did he not have any other siblings?
“My father passed away when I was eight,” Allen said in a low voice.
Su Bin apologized, “I’m sorry.” He thought that after Allen’s mother passed away, at least he still had his father. Unexpectedly, his father had departed even earlier than his mother! No wonder Allen was so sad when his mother passed away; he was left all alone…
Clearly, being someone more fragile and prone to losing life than a normal person, yet staying alone, is it happiness or misfortune? Allen must have endured a lot to reach where he is today. No wonder Robert used words like “treat the Duke well.” Seeing sympathy in Su Bin’s eyes again, Allen pinched his earlobe and said with a faint smile, “I don’t have siblings, but I have many relatives, and they all treat me well.”
Su Bin remained silent.
Allen’s “home” was not in the downtown of City D or the renowned wealthy district but in the outskirts, where a mansion passed down from the Louis family ancestors stood.
After the car entered the outskirts, Su Bin looked at the dark fields outside the car window and the huge house that seemed to rise from the flat ground not far away, feeling greatly shocked.
When the car stopped, two people stood at the entrance to greet them, addressing Allen with great respect as “Duke Lance.” One of them went to retrieve the luggage from the car.
Leading Su Bin inside, Allen gave some instructions to the servants in the hall.
“Duke, you didn’t mention bringing a friend… Should we prepare a guest room now?” a woman who seemed older asked.
“No need, Mary. Arrange for him to stay in the same room as me,” Allen introduced Su Bin to Mary in the same manner as with Robert. Initially, her reaction was similar to Robert’s, but after hearing the explanation, she quickly gave Su Bin a gentle smile.
Mary asked, “Shall I prepare hot wine and snacks now, Your Grace?”
“No need. Mary, if you have pancakes, please bring them to the bedroom. We need to adjust to the time difference, and I’m a bit tired. I want to sleep now,” Allen replied.
Mary acknowledged and went to prepare. Allen glanced at the silent Su Bin and stood up, saying, “Follow me.”
Su Bin dared not ask too much and followed Allen upstairs. The staircase was covered with thick carpets, and the smooth wooden handrail was intricately carved with exquisite patterns, giving it a vintage feel.
The bedroom was spacious, with many antique items, giving it a time-traveling atmosphere.
Mary soon brought hot wine and snacks, placing them on the table. She informed Allen that she would collect the cups and plates in half an hour.
Allen handed a glass of red wine to Su Bin. “What are you thinking?”
Su Bin, feeling awkward, said, “Is this your home?”
“Are you referring to Roland Manor?” Allen smiled.
“Is Roland Manor the name of this house?” Su Bin asked.
Allen chuckled, “It’s not just a house; Roland Manor includes all the land within a hundred miles, including the forests and lakes. It’s the Louis family estate.”
“…,” Su Bin was speechless.
Allen reached out and stroked the seemingly old sofa, a trace of contemplation and sadness in his eyes. “Unfortunately, I am the last heir here. My father fought for my rights, including my current position… I won’t have descendants. After I die, Roland Manor will no longer belong to the Louis family.”
After a moment of silence, Allen looked at Su Bin and said, “Come sit next to me.” Pulling Su Bin close, Allen massaged his neck and said, “You have something on your mind.”
How could Su Bin not have something on his mind? He was gradually being led by Allen into a world completely different from what he had encountered before. This was no longer just described as “shining.” Status, power, money… Su Bin suddenly felt so small in Allen’s presence.
“Don’t let these things bother you too much,” Allen said, leaning over and giving Su Bin a comforting kiss. “Mu, just remember the content of our vows. My identity will not change how I feel about you.”
Why did someone like Allen go to China for himself? Why did he choose to promise a lifetime to himself? Each revelation made Su Bin feel shocked and frightened.
As Su Bin looked at Allen with a moved expression, he suddenly felt an itch at his feet. Then, his leg stung. Su Bin turned his head and took a sharp breath—there was a large furball squatting on his leg!
The furball’s face was brown, as were its ears and limbs. Only its body was white, resembling a raccoon.
“Th-this is… a cat?” Su Bin stared at it, tense all over.
Allen laughed lightly, staring at the cat. “Mua, go down.”
——Mua? Is that the cat’s name?
The cat clearly didn’t quite obey Allen’s command. Instead of leaving, it started sharpening its claws on Su Bin’s leg.
Allen extended his finger and quickly flicked between the cat’s nose and forehead. “Get down.”
“Meow…” The chubby cat let out a mournful cry and scurried away, rolling and crawling.
Su Bin lightly patted his knee. Wait a minute, why did Allen’s finger gesture just now seem so familiar?
