Asher, the Duke of Stormont, was renowned throughout the kingdom for his strength, wisdom, and unyielding demeanor. Despite his accomplishments and status, he was a man of few words, reserving his speech for matters of significance. He neither sought companionship nor indulged in frivolous relationships. However, one individual stood by him through every storm—his loyal butler.

Asher's childhood was marked by profound loss. His mother, the former Duchess, succumbed to a debilitating disease when he was young, leaving a void that his father, the former Duke, could never fill. Consumed by grief, his father immersed himself in work, neglecting his only son. Deprived of parental love, Asher often found solace in a secluded garden, a place where he could shed his tears away from prying eyes. It was in this secret haven that he encountered his future butler for the first time.

The boy was a commoner, adept at sneaking in and out of places unnoticed. Asher discovered him napping under a tree one day but chose not to report him to the guards. Instead, the two boys began to talk, forging an unlikely friendship. Asher confided in the boy about his loneliness and the neglect he suffered, while the boy did his best to comfort him. Their bond grew stronger over the years, with the boy no longer needing to sneak into the dukedom; he was welcomed as Asher's closest friend.

While Asher's life was fraught with hardship, his friend faced even greater challenges. Born to a commoner merchant, he had a sister named Ruby, who was the apple of their parents' eye despite her manipulative nature. In contrast, his kind and selfless actions went unnoticed and unappreciated. He endured beatings for asking for a simple toy while Ruby's desires were met without hesitation. As he grew older, his parents only warmed to him because they needed his earnings to sustain them. Despite working numerous jobs, he never spent a penny on himself, giving everything to his family, who only smiled at the money he brought home, never at him.

Years passed, and Asher's father perished in a war, thrusting Asher into the role of Duke of Stormont. During this tumultuous period, his friend stayed by Asher's side, providing unwavering support. He sacrificed his own jobs and livelihood to ensure Asher did not succumb to grief. Recognizing his devotion, Asher appointed him as his butler, offering him a handsome salary. Moreover, Asher trusted him implicitly, conferring upon him powers second only to his own within the dukedom. The butler was profoundly grateful, feeling a sense of purpose and belonging.

One day, the butler's father demanded he run an errand for Ruby. Overwhelmed by the pressures of his duties at the dukedom, he forgot and returned home empty-handed. Ruby’s crocodile tears flowed freely as their father’s eyes burned with fury.

"You worthless ingrate!" he bellowed, his voice reverberating through the room as his hand connected with the butler’s cheek in a resounding slap that sent him sprawling to the floor.

"How dare you forget something so simple for your sister? After everything we’ve done for you!"

"I regret the day you were born," his father continued, his voice dripping with venom.

"You’ve been nothing but a burden and a disappointment. Your sister is ten times the person you’ll ever be! You think your pathetic attempts to please us mean anything? You’re a mistake. A useless, contemptible mistake. I wish I had never had a son like you."

His father leaned in closer, yanking his hair harshly, his eyes cold and unfeeling.

"You are a stain on this family, a blight. Everything you touch turns to failure. Every time I look at you, I’m reminded of my greatest regret—bringing you into this world. If it weren’t for your sister, I’d have thrown you out long ago. You should be grateful we even allow you to stay under this roof. You’re nothing but a shadow, a ghost of a son. Don’t ever think you’ll amount to anything more."

The room fell silent, the weight of his father's cruelty hanging in the air. Ruby’s crocodile tears transformed into a smug smile, satisfied with the chaos she had wrought.

The butler remained on the floor, the sting of his father’s hand and words lingering long after the room fell silent, the bitter taste of his father’s loathing lingering in the air.

The next day, the butler moved through his duties in a daze. The usually meticulous servant, known for his perfectionist tendencies, found himself stumbling through tasks he could perform flawlessly even in his sleep. He misfiled important documents, left trays unpolished, and even allowed a fork to clatter to the ground—a mistake so uncharacteristic that it drew concerned glances from the other staff.

Asher observed these lapses with growing concern. His butler had always been the embodiment of efficiency and precision, handling every duty with a quiet grace that belied his humble beginnings. This sudden clumsiness was alarming, and Asher’s worry deepened when his butler forgot to bring him crucial documents for the day's meetings.

During a particularly tense moment, Asher intentionally wrote an incorrect scroll and handed it to his butler, expecting him to catch the mistake. When his butler read it without a hint of his usual attentiveness, Asher's concern turned to alarm. It was clear that something was profoundly wrong.

Asher grabbed his butler's wrist, turning him to face him.

"What's wrong? You know you can't hide anything from me. Tell me, did you cry? Your eyes are red, and I know this that you didn't fall and make your cheek go red and swollen. Tell me this instant what happened."