In the Baker house, I survived that hellish night mostly alone, with Zoe's help, to save Mia. But the madness of that village? No way I could've gotten through it solo. My trusty daughter Eveline, Heisenberg—who allied with me for freedom and died with his mechanized Soldat legion and Sturm—Chris and his Hound Wolf squad who saved Mia behind the scenes… and the Duke.
That portly, enigmatic merchant supplied me with weapons, ammo, and healing items. He fed me when I was starving and shared critical intel about Rose that neither Eveline nor I could've known. All of it "just a service" or "part of the business," he claimed. His name, meaning "duke" as in the highest noble title, hinted at a connection to the Four Lords or Miranda, but who knows? He was at least a trading partner to Dimitrescu and Heisenberg. A mysterious figure, sure, but undeniably one of our saviors. My body could collapse any day, but if I ever see him again, I owe him a thank-you.
"Is this the residence of Mr. Ethan Winters?"
"That voice… Duke?" I said.
"Duke!?" Eveline gasped.
One day, the intercom buzzed. Eveline and I answered, and there he was—the Duke, the merchant who'd helped us in the village. Opening the door revealed his familiar, massive frame… and a horse-drawn cart behind him. Did he really ride that here? More importantly, how'd he know where I live?
"I've acquired some fine meat and fish," the Duke said. "Thought I'd share a meal with a friend."
"Really? That's okay?" I asked.
"Woohoo! Duke's cooking!" Eveline cheered, practically dancing.
Thanks to her powered-up state, Eveline could eat now, so she was thrilled. Since we couldn't fit him in the house, I led him to the backyard, where Mia and Rose looked stunned.
"Oh, they don't know," I said. "This is the Duke, a merchant who helped me in the village. He aided in saving Rose. A savior, right up there with Heisenberg."
"Chris not making the cut is hilarious, but yeah, agreed," Eveline snickered.
"Pleased to meet you," the Duke said. "I'm the Duke. Mr. Winters here was a valued customer. Need anything? I offer great deals."
"Uh, hi…" Mia stammered.
"Oh, you're the Duke from Dad and Sis's stories!" Rose said brightly. "Nice to meet you!"
Mia was bewildered, but Rose greeted him warmly. The Duke hummed contentedly, setting down a cooler and shuttling back to his cart for a portable stove, frying pans, and enough plates for everyone. I helped carry them.
"After we parted, Mr. Winters, I barely escaped the village's explosion," he said. "Since then, I've been wandering, trading from town to town."
"You could've called to say you were alive," I said.
"Well, I didn't have your number," he chuckled. "Only recently found your address. My information network is quite impressive—business thrives on intel, you know."
"Clearly," I said.
We'd moved to a new house, and tracking us down was no small feat. Then, the Duke pulled out green, red, and yellow herbs, chopping them with a knife. Curious, I asked.
"What's that?"
"A bit complicated," he said. "Just before coming here, I miraculously reunited with an old friend who'd become a… Servant, was it? I don't know much about it, but I sold goods to their current master, who gifted me these tricolor herbs as thanks. The yellow one's rare, found only in a certain European region. Makes for an excellent seasoning."
"Got it. Glad you reconnected," I said.
"It's been tough, though—weapon sales have dried up," he said. "How about some for self-defense?"
"I'm covered," I replied, thinking of the agents watching us—part surveillance, part protection.
"Hm, pity," the Duke said.
"I've got your back, so we're fine in a pinch," Eveline said. "Oh, right, he can't hear me. Maybe I'll reveal myself later to freak him out."
"Oh, that reminds me," I said. "That special item you gave me… I lost it in the fight. Sorry."
I bowed, feeling guilty. In the final battle with Miranda, low on weapons, the Duke had given me a hand cannon—a friend's keepsake. I'd thrown it to finish her, and the explosion took it. I felt awful for losing something so precious. But the Duke's breezy voice cut through.
"No worries," he said. "It's unfortunate, but weapons are meant to be used. Sitting in my collection, it'd just gather dust. It fulfilled its purpose in your hands. That's its destiny."
"Is that how it works?" I asked.
"Merchants have a duty to trade, just as items have their own purpose," he said. "It served yours, like you saved Rose as a father. What's wrong with that? …Now, while we chat, my greatest masterpiece is ready!"
"Wow!" we all gasped.
The Duke arranged the dishes on a makeshift backyard table. The aroma was divine—Rose was practically drooling, and I had to wipe her chin. Even Mia muttered, "I've lost…" under her breath. The spread looked that good.
"Rare bird Tochitură, rare beast Ciorbă de Vitel, and rare fish Sarmale, all flavored with tricolor herbs," the Duke announced. "Dig in, together!"
"Hold on, I'll call our other family member," I said.
"Oh? Not a three-person family?" he asked. "A new child, perhaps?"
"Actually, someone you know," I said.
"Ho?" he replied, intrigued.
I raised my scarred left palm, pouring a healing vial—crafted by me, since I can't buy from the Duke anymore. I'd learned to make them back at the Baker house. Eveline's presence overlapped, gripping my arm, as I whispered our familiar phrase.
"Hello, Eveline."
"Hello, Ethan."
My left arm morphed, sprouting a Molded-like head that greeted in a physical voice. This was our family's way of dining as four. Eveline's tiny hands ate politely, though I was stuck using just my right hand—a small price to pay.
"Well, well," the Duke said. "Could you be Miss Eveline?"
"You… knew?" I asked, stunned.
We exchanged looks. The Duke, unfazed, seemed delighted.
"Indeed," he said. "I sensed Miss Eveline's presence beside you, though I couldn't see her. Lady Dimitrescu and the others could in the castle, so I figured that was that. But to perceive her myself? An honor. Let's dine together!"
"Uh, yeah…" Eveline said. "I suspected you in the village, but… you're actually pretty cool?"
"As a merchant, I'd be thrilled if you bought something," he chuckled.
"Oh, I want that Mr. Everywhere!" Eveline said.
"Hey, who's paying for that?" I shot back.
We started eating, chatting away. As expected, the food was leagues better than anything we'd had before. It felt like strength surged through me. I glanced at the Duke, who smiled warmly.
"I hoped it might help your body hold together," he said.
"You're too much," I said, awestruck by his service.
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