Lady of House Alba

The Duke

"It's the Duke of Alba, my lord," Vega spoke in a solemn voice. "He is waiting for you in the hall."

The shock was clear in everyone's expressions after the butler mentioned the identity of the new visitor, and only at that moment did Elena recall the man she encountered at the door of the Made's shoe store. She had not mistaken the coat of arms after all. That gentleman was too young to be the duke, but surely he was someone related to him.

"The Duke of Alba? How can it be?" The Earl Valverde was already on his feet. "Excuse me, Marquis. I have to attend to this matter at once."

"Of course, of course." The Marquis exchanged glances with his daughter. "Who would have thought we'd get such distinguished company."

Elena's interest was on that stranger now, and she would have followed his father just to take a look at the Duke and his party if it wasn't for the other people in the room.

She sighed.

Such a wasted chance.

Few people knew what the eldest son of the Grand Duchess looked like. Among the nobles, he was a very singular individual, one that never showed up to parties or social gatherings, but who was always in everyone's mouth.

People said he was his mother's right-hand man, and that he'd even fought during the Continental War being just a teenager.

Others said he was the real power in the shadows. 'The Duke of Alba ordered this... The Duke of Alba ordered that...'

Although he was considered the heir of the family in Vallas, eventually the true hair would be one of his younger siblings because this duke had not sired any children, and the one time he got married, his wife died in mysterious circumstances only one week later. Elena remembered it well because the maids used to tell horror stories about this when she was Milan's age.

What was the obscure Duke of Alba doing in the Valverde manor?

Elena frowned. There was no explanation whatsoever for his visit to their family, and the reason why he was such a mysterious figure was exactly his lack of interaction with people outside his circle. Were they in trouble?

"Elena," Her mother's severe stare dissipated those thoughts. "Miss Doria is asking you a question."

Oh.

"I'm sorry, Veronica. What were you saying?"

"I was wondering if we should go horse-riding tomorrow. I know you enjoy that activity as much as I do."

"Ah, yes. If the weather is good enough, we should go."

"I was pleasantly surprised when Verónica told me you excel at horse-riding, Miss Valverde. There aren't many women interested in those activities."

"You'd probably find that there are many young ladies who'd excel in all these men's activities if only their fathers were as kind as you are to give them the chance."

Her father had never agreed to Elena learning to ride a horse, but she still convinced one of the boys at the stables to teach her. If she could get away with it, it was ironically thanks to her parents' uninterest in her.

Thinking about her father, she turned her head towards the door again. Where was he? What happened with the duke?

"My lady, the food is exquisite. Your chef must be even better than the chef we have at home."

"Oh, thank you, my lord." Her mother's face turned red.

Now Elena sneered at the marquis' praise. The food was delicious, but she doubted he'd appreciate the dishes prepared by Old Dina more than the ones her chef brought from the capital made for him. Then why overdo it with the good words? It ruined the feigned sincerity people ought to show for these situations.

Thankfully, this was the moment the door opened.

"Again, I apologize that we didn't wait for you, Your Excellency. If the message hadn't gotten lost..." Enmanuel Valverde cleared his throat. "Your Excellency, this is my wife, Vivian. My children, Milan and Elena. And our guests, you must be familiar with them... Marquis Doria and his daughter, Lady Doria."

In any other circumstances, Elena would have struggled not to laugh at her father's obvious discomfort, but at that moment she couldn't. The pair of emerald eyes had immediately fixated on her, and she hung her mouth open in the most unladylike manner.

That was the young man from the shoe store!

He was the famous Duke of Alba? How could it be? There had to be a mistake, or was this an impostor? The duke was a man in his forties, but this person was clearly too young, it was impossible...

Apparently, he found her shock amusing if she had to judge from the smug look on his face and the grin forming on his lips. This realization helped her to regain her composure before others noticed her lack of propriety. Elena closed her mouth and pursed her lips tightly.

"I apologize for interrupting your meal, my lady. I sent a message a few days ago, but it seems like it got lost on the road..." The man directed his smile at Elena's mother, who was instantly charmed. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Oh, the honor is all ours, Your Excellency. Please, take a seat." The lady of the house was already giving instructions to a maid to bring another set of tableware.

"Your Excellency, have you traveled all the way from the borders?" The Marquis asked. "Are you perhaps planning to attend the spring ball this year?"

"I'll be visiting the capital, yes, but I don't think I'll stay for the ball." The duke answered the question, but did not spare a glance at the marquis sitting by his side, and kept looking at Elena, who felt she was burning under his intense stare. "Miss Elena, I'm sorry for not introducing myself properly this morning."

She dared to look in his direction as he addressed his words to her and had to blink at the sight of him. This man had a perfectly symmetrical face, a long nose, and a sharp chin, but what stood out the most of his appearance were his eyes, a glowing emerald that she'd never seen anywhere else.

How could someone be so... stunning?

"You two already met?" The Earl was amazed by this sudden development.

Her father's interruption made Elena remember they were not the only two people at the table. "Elena, why didn't you mention it?"

For someone who had declared to hate the people from the House Alba more than once, Enmanuel Valverde was way too excited having this powerful man giving him what could be considered a special treatment by his standards. This person who did not show his face to the point he was almost a mythical existence, now came to celebrate Milan's birthday.

"I didn't realize His Excellency's identity." Elena shied away, lowering her head to pay special attention to her dinner.

'Why am I acting like this?'

"We'll have time to get acquainted these days, I hope."

She shuddered at these words as if they were more of a threat than a friendly overture.

Ivar de Alba grinned, satisfied with this first approach to his prey.

***

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