The Granduke Evil
Chapter 6

Ethan Clark Dawson is the ruler of the Northern region of the verhant empire, He inherited the title of his father who died of illness, that is what people know, Actually the cause of the previous Grand Duke died due to long-term toxic effects, Similar to Countess Etienne. Ethan who knows the truth is looking for the mastermind behind his father's deliberate murder.

But after handing over the title of Grand Duke to Ethan in the empire, he gets a direct mission under the orders of the emperor to exterminate the monsters in the southern region. But in the middle of the journey of the troops led by Ethan was intercepted by a group of assassins, Ethan suspects they are a man of the crown prince of the verhant empire. Because the crown prince himself has a pretty bad relationship with Ethan, Because after all Ethan still has imperial blood because his father was the son of the second wife of the emperor before him and there is a pontension if he becomes his next emperor in the future, he said, Although he is not the current crown prince.

Ethan who broke away from his army managed to kill two hitmen who followed him. But he did not know where it was, with a body full of injuries he continued to walk without direction, until finally fainting from exhaustion.

"Then when I woke up, I was in his body. What the hell is all this, my time is in the body of the antagonist who will be killed at the end of the story. In this life I must die again." Ethan said that he was soaking in the bathtub while lighting Musk-scented candles, in order to relax the mind. " Huh..." Sighs.

" Why does it have to be like this anyway, I'd rather just die after the accident, don't go into another world too. Well if it's like this I have to survive, can't if I follow the story." He said, While drying the body finished cleaning itself.

" ethan! Open the door, until when do you keep quiet in the room huh! It's been two days huh." Shouted someone while knocking on the door.

"There's Grace, that kid is sometimes very hearted but also careless, he sometimes looks very cute and soothing even though sometimes like an adult. I had two days banning people from entering this room after that. I also want to see the Count." Ethan who was still wearing a kimono towel opened the door. " What's up, Grace?"

Seeing Ethan dressed like that made Grace startled and opened her eyes wide, then turned her back. " Have you just finished your shower?" Grace.

" yes. "

" Surely, he opened the door in a towel, it wasn't a sight I should have seen." The guman is in the heart.

" What's the matter, Grace, is that you hurt your face to be red like this." Ethan asked as he placed a palm on his forehead to measure body temperature.

" Ah don't know, hurry up put on your clothes and go to the dining room uncle is waiting! " She said and left Ethan.

" Why is that kid? He who knocked on the door, now just left. I wonder how old he is. Although his body is tall but his behavior is like a child. Like a teenager just having puberty." His murmur was deep in heart, then smiled faintly.

***

After eating together, Ethan goes straight to the count's study. There they spoke four eyes.

" How is your highness?" Tanya count started the conversation.

" Don't call me that, just call me your usual mister."

" It can't be like that, however your standing is higher than mine."

"Well... You can call me that on the outside, if you talk like this, just call me a name." Ethan.

"All right, Ethan." Reply, "what do you want to talk about." Reciprocity.

" When did you know that I was the Grand Duke of Dawson County?" Ask Ethan.

" It's easy that I can tell from the mask that is attached to your face, there is a carving of your family emblem, there, it's not an item that can be in the hands of just anyone plus in this empire you're the only one who covers your face." replied the Count,

" I then sent my men to go to Dawson Castle and ask what happened." Connect her.

" So yes." Ethan replies, then thinks of something.

" Do you really not remember, how the hit man attacked you."

" No, then what happened?"

" After the mission under the emperor's orders, your troops returned to the residence of course without you. They reported everything to the duchess, but after I've investigated something strange." Count.

"Any?"

" Yes strange because the extermination of monsters in the southern region went smoothly, it was the report that reached the emperor. While you were attacked on your way there."

" It's like it's been neatly arranged."

" Right, is there someone you suspect Ethan of?" Asked the Count with a serious look.

" For the time being I suspect the crown prince sent those assassins." Ethan answered while thinking if it was true what he said.

" I also think like that, then how do you decide?"

" My decision is yes." Ethan said, "because you've been looking this far, how about I ask you for your advice." Connect her.

" Well, come to the crown princess's birthday party in two weeks.Dead of everyone, especially the Crown Prince, I will also come, Be Grace's partner at the party, after all, the kid always goes with me if there's a party." Count said with a smile." After that, you can decide what steps you take next. If it's not wrong your mother will also come, because until now people including the imperial people only know that you are not healthy and can not go out for a while, in other words, your mother kept your whereabouts a secret even though she didn't know where her son was now." Reciprocity.

" You didn't tell my mother?" Ask Ethan.

" No, because your whereabouts also still need to be kept secret until now." The Count said seriously. " It's also only me and my two knights who know your true identity." Reciprocity.

" How do the hit men know my identity?"

" I've interrogated them." Reply Count.

" is there any information you have?"

" They're just people sent to the Illegal guild, I've looked up to the guild and got an unexpected answer." Said the count with an astonished expression, "In essence they are only given orders to kill people with red eyes, in other words they do not know your identity, he said, everything that's said is just an insinuating booze so you can acknowledge your identity." He explained to Ethan.

" Then who hired also gave orders to the guild?"

Ethan who was lazy to think who was the mastermind behind all the events made him sigh, It feels like he does not care anymore and does not want to bother to find out who did it. After hearing all the Count's explanations that answered some of his curiosity, Ethan wanted to end the conversation.

" Well, but because of the color of my eyes that are too striking is not papa? wouldn't it be better to change the color of my eyes." Ask Ethan.

" It's also true that your habit of wearing your mask and the color of your eyes has become a hallmark of the Dawson family. I'll try to find a way out." Reply count.

" Thank you, sir, and I'd like to ask you one more question. Why would you help me get this far? I don't suspect you at all, I'm just curious." Ethan.

" Because you're my best friend's son."

" That's all?"

"Too many if I explain one by one." Reply count then sipped tea in front of him.

" Well then I say no sir and I thank you for all you have given." He said while bowing his head.

" Well, do what you want to do just think of this place as your home."  Reply Count.

" Thank you sir." Ethan said and left the room politely.

***

"Ethan!!" Grace calls him who is walking in the park, Ethan turns to the voice looking at Grace who is running towards him.

" Be careful! don't run down." Sure enough not long ago the word came out of her mouth while running Grace tripped over a rock, fortunately Ethan swiftly caught Grace as she was about to fall. " I told you not to run, didn't you listen to her."

With her innocent face Grace smiled, "there will be you who catches me." Grace.

While helping her stand up, and rubbing Grace's hair. " You are this." Ethan said confused what to say, Ethan offered his palm." Now, hold my hand." Ethan.

Grace clasped Ethan's hand in pleasure, and they walked hand in hand in the garden.

" Why do you keep smiling?"

" Because I'm happy."

"Happy?"

" It's because I can walk like this with Ethan."

Ethan just chuckles at Grace's words, smiling she asks, "How old are you, Grace? "

" Fifteen years."

" Truly, I thought you were about seventeen." Ethan.

" Truly, really, I look more mature. " With a cheerful face when asking Ethan.

"  Oh, it turns out that he doesn't like to be considered a child." Say it in the heart.

" Of course, 'cause you're pretty tall. But still don't just talk if you're happy with someone else with an expression like that, it can make people misunderstand." Ethan

" But I'm really happy when I'm with you, Ethan." Reply Grace.

Ethan was silent to Grace's words, It seemed that Grace spoke he could neither argue nor fight back. The girl who had saved him, who had always been kind to him, and kept worrying about him even in danger once. Ethan smiled as he looked at Grace who was in front of him, "Are you flowering flowers." Ask Ethan.

" The flower ?"

" Yes flowers, I mean happy or your mood is very good." Reply Ethan.

" Hmm maybe." Say it while thinking. Ethan laughs at Grace who thinks hard. "pft_"

" Because of your clothes with floral motifs, to your necklaces and earrings as well, I think you're happy or happy." Ethan.

" Doesn't fit me?"

" It fits, looks so beautiful if you're wearing it and your age is Grace, you look so pretty too." Ethan said while stroking his head.

Grace blushed in embarrassment, due to the compliment Ethan said.

" Thank you." Grace.

"How strange why every near you I feel calm, all the thoughts that had filled my brain immediately disappear." The guman is in the heart.

" Where are you going after this?" Ask Ethan.

" I'm going to the library."

" Can I be with you then?"

" Of course." Grace replied with a happy smile.