The duke's wife is a man

CHAPTER 10

Jaey fidgeted with his fingers as he looked down on his lap at the laces stitched unto his dress like it was the most interesting thing in the world in his attempt to avoid the duke's eyes, which in turn  the duke, instead of Jaeys face was staring at the top of Jaeys head.

It was an awkward and suffocating situation for Jaey, nothing but silence and the sound of their breaths alternating pattern.

After a while Jaeys attention was now directed outside where the people of the dukedom where going about their day. Children were dancing and throwing flowers at the carriage and people whispered and cheered for the duke who had now arrived.

It was another 25 minutes when they reached a Clearing and a mansion was seen from the distance. It was already obvious to Jaey that the social standing between a duke and a viscount was big but seeing it up close intimidated him.

The carriage stopped infront of the mansion where the maids and men servants lined and in front was the head maid and the head butler to welcome the duke. The carriage door was opened the the duke got off and walked inside without sparing a glance to Jaey nor did he help him off the carriage. It was an awkward situation for the knight who had opened the carriage door. Jaey though didn't mind.

Before the knight could help Jaey off he had already gathered his dress and got off the carriage.

"Greetings, your grace. I am key the head butler"

"Janella mish-coventry." Jaey said a bit embarrassed by the mistake. "It's a pleasure to meet you" Jaey added with a smile.

"Likewise, your grace. Would you like to see the mansion? Or would you like to rest first"

"If it isn't too much of bother, I'd like to look around"

"Of course your grace"

Jaey followed from behind key as he showed Jaey around.

"It's been a long time since the duke has returned from the capital, It was only once five years ago when the dukedom was given to my lord so the mansion hasn't been occupied but it was maintained by the vassals. "

Jaey stopped infront of the garden. It was empty, there were no flowers blooming  it was a shame to say because it would've looked lovely with different kinds of flowers.

"The garden was left empty since no one was here to take care of it. Would you like to adorn it?" Key asked when he noticed that Jaey had stopped walking.

"And the duke?" Jaey asked.

"He has no interest in the garden he'd rather spend his time in the training grounds. It would be a huge delight to everyone if you'd handle the garden"

"I'll think about it..." Jaey said and continued walking. Key took a glance at the dull garden and followed Jaey at once. It seemed to him Jaey was fond of the garden so he wondered why Jaey Wore a troubled expression.

"This is where you'll be staying at, your grace. If you need anything else please tell me and we will do our best."

"Uhm...would I be sharing a room with the duke?" Jaey asked a slight blush crept its way to his face. It sounded wrong when he had said it out loud.

"They decided to wait until you've adjusted since it was a rushed engagement and you didn't have an opportunity to get to know the duke instead you'll be having room sharing once a week until you're comfortable enough with the duke but if you'd like-"

"No! It's fine, this is fine." Jaey said before key could finish what he could say. Things were working out for Jaey, if he had to sleep in the same room as the duke his disguise would immediately be exposed.

"Your grace, please excuse this old man's insolence but please be patient with the duke he may act vicious at times and look cold but he just doesn't know how to approach other people. I've watched him ever since he was born at the sun's palace till now and he has been through a lot so please take care of him" key said softly and bowed at Jaey.

Jaey was unable to answer right away and could only bite his inner cheek as he mustered up a smiled "yes, of course."

"Thank you, then if there is nothing else please take a rest." The door closed with a soft click and Jaey fell to the floor with trembling hands.

The head butlers sincerity made Jaey doubt himself and his motive. The thought he had desperately tried to shake off and think about was sitting right infront of him.

He had constantly reminded himself that what he was doing was for his sister and had forgotten that the duke himself was human no matter what other people called him. Jaey trembled as he hugged himself it wasn't dying he was afraid of but the thought of murder and blood on his hands frightened him and made him anxious.

His Gold hair stuck to his face and his breathing was ragged.

"Young master?" Albert immediately locked the door and rushed to his master's side.
"Have you taken your medicine my lord?" Albert asked kneeling beside jay with a panic stricken face. Jaey shook his head.
Albert was about to stand up when Jaey held unto him with his shaking hands.

"Everything will be fine, master." Albert said as he kneeled beside jaey once again, Jaey clenched his chest every breath he took was painful and his eyes were getting blurry "don't... don't leave..." Jaey said through his breathes and glossy eyes and albert couldn't do anything but stay beside Jaey till he was stable enough to take his medication.

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"Did something happen, master?" Albert asked as he was washing Jaeys hair in the bath. Jaey closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Nothing note worthy of. How was the atmosphere here in the dukedom?"

"The servants don't really know anything about the duke so I couldn't get information about him and the head butler was very tight lipped. Only rumours about him on the battle field and high society."

"That's fine, I already have a slight idea of his public image." Jaey said before standing up and wearing a robe.

His eyes went to the small vial placed on top of the vanity, what Jaey thought was the poison given to him by the viscount was instead a milder poison similar in color replaced by the duke himself.

Jaey wore a night robe and sat down on the couch as Albert dried his hair.

"Aren't you afraid Albert? You should leave while you still can." Albert's hand stopped moving and he frowned.

"The moment you picked me up from the streets I have already dedicated my life to you, master."

"Without Janella it wouldn't have been possible..." Jaey whispered with a soft smile.

"I am indebted to you both." Jaey laughed and took the towel from albert. "You can go back to your room now albert. Tomorrow  evening is room sharing with the duke and that might be our last evening..."

Albert was silent and wanted to stay but it looked like Jaey wanted to be by himself so he did as his master said.

"....As you wish. rest well, your grace"

Jaey frowned and recalled the head butlers words.

The sun's palace

It felt like there was something amiss, why would the illegitimate son be born at the sun's palace? Jaey shivered. Whatever the royal family was hiding it was better for him to forget what he had heard for the good of his family.

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Sorry for the late update (,,> <,,)