16

Edward watched in pain as the little girl ran away down the street. The food vendors around saw the whole scene that unfolded before them but pretended not to have noticed as they went about with their jobs. Who would show how they truly felt when the person in question was their Duke? Of course, they would feign normalcy.

Edward, now filled with shame, stood up to his feet m, adjusted his hat and climbed unto his horse. He bit down his lips as his hands shook. He took in a deep breadth before whipping his horse and riding away.

It was not the first time something like that happened to him. Mother's occasionally brought their children closer to themselves as Edward passed as they stared at his face in horror.

He had resulted to using a mask to pass by the market but he found it to be itchy so he did away with it. The hat seemed to be more comfortable but it didn't solve his problem. People still looked at him with disgust.

He pulled his hat lower so that his face could be covered t