The duke's wife is a man

CHAPTER 14

Jaey slowly sliced the meat on his plate, the sound of metal hitting against ceramic echoed through the silent breakfast hall.

The meat that usually tasted savory was bland, it was as if he was chewing on rubber. He could already tell that he was going to get indigestion. While Jaey had a blank look on his face to hide his nervousness, Zeon had his eyes on Jaey, his eyes glittering with amusement.

"Is the food not to your liking? Zeon asked, his voice slicing through the silence.

The small flinch made by Jaey did not go unnoticed by Zeon, the corner of his lip rose up as he tapped on that table with his finger.

"No, it's fine" Jaey answered, relieved that he did not stumble on his words.

"Then why do you look so uncomfortable?" Jaey's breath hitched as he tried to squeeze out words and reasons.

"No I'm not uncomfortable, your grace." Jaey answered and forced a small smile on his lips, hoping that his smile wasn't quivering. "It's just my first time dining with you, so I feel a bit nervous" he added, holding his silverware tightly.

"You'll get used to it." Zeon said and rested his chin on his hand, eyes intently staring at Jaey.

"Sorry?" Jaey asked, not understanding what Zeon meant.

"It seems I've neglected my wife," Zeon smiled "I'm afraid if I do not change you might get sick of me, so starting today I'll be joining you during meals and my free time."

The strength Jaey used to hold his silverware tightly disappeared like a passing wind and his hands unknowingly dropped the silverware. The sound of metal falling painfully echoed through out the room.

"Is there something wrong?" Zeon asked.

Jaey's mouth ran dry and every sort of scenario run through his head. He felt conscious of Zeons stare and he tried his best to come up with excuses.

"I'm sorry, I was just surprised..." He said and hid his hands underneath the table.

"Aren't you busy your grace?"

"No." Zeon smirked.

"I'd feel bad if his grace set his work aside because  of mere rumours." Jaey reasoned.

"The rumors of me neglecting you weren't just rumours. Are you perhaps rejecting me?" Zeon said pressuring Jaey. Jaey grabbed on the cloth on his lap, in attempt to stop his hands from trembling.

"No!" He blurted out as he noticed Zeons smile drop. Realizing his sudden outburst he tried to clean his mess "I just feel overwhelmed your grace." He explained.

"I'll do my best to get you used to my presence." Zeon laughed. "I'll see you later," Zeon said as he stood up from his seat
"Jaey" he whispered as he walked past Jaey, putting a hand on his shoulder and leaning in closer to his ear.

As the door closed from behind Jaey he let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and clenched his fist. He sat by himself for a few minutes before abruptly standing up and walking towards his room.

"That crazy-" he blurted as soon as he locked the doors to his. He could still feel Zeons gaze on him and his breath near his ears, sending shivers down his back.

Would I be able to survive here? He asked himself as he slid down on the floor, his head leaning on the door.

The situation in the breakfast hall made him feel like fresh meat hanging in the middle of a tigers den. Jaey sighed as he gripped on the laces of the dress he was wearing, he was sick of it.

He closed his eyes for a moment to calm himself and suddenly burst out laughing, unable to believe what he just went through.

"Let's try to think positive." He whispered to himself. "If I'm near him, I'll be able to find a way to slip the poison in." He said, as he touched the small vial around his neck and tried to reassure himself everything would be okay.

▷▷

"Haikan," Ridge suddenly said from the other side of the desk. "What" haikan replied in a sour tone.

"You know the head of the Hawk informant, right?" Ridge asked, as his hands continuously writing on the piece of paper before  piling it up on the other side and repeating.

"Yes," haikan answered, mirroring the same busy movements as Ridge.

"Lord Jaey received three letters. All three were suspicious." Ridge said.

"Maybe you're just being paranoid." Ridge replied, not really paying attention to what ridge was saying.

"One of them was from Lady Linda, Linda mayhem." Haikan suddenly stopped but continued writing. "And? What did the letter say?" He asked.

"The wedding."

"Aren't the Mishka and Mayhem close friends. You're just over thinking things. We've been keeping lady Linda in check." Haikan replied.

"The second letter was probably not meant for Lord Jaey but for Lady Janella. It was a letter from an anonymous person sent through the Hawks informant."

Haikan stopped and dropped his pen before looking at Ridge in a serious manner. "This won't be easy. The Hawks are unbreakable, they value their costumers requests and privacy." Haikan said.

"What do you need to know?" Haikan raised his brow at ridge who was still focused on the paper works.

"Who sent the letter, their relationship with the Mishka and what do they have for Lady Janella to reach out to them." He replied.

"Why? What did the letter contain?" Haikan asked, wondering why Ridge needed to find Information about them.

"The sender knows something about the Mishka and the kingdom itself. The Mishka's might be up to something..." Ridge said without even sparing a glance towards haikan who had a troubled expression on his face.

"Don't get your hopes up," Haikan said as he stood up from his seat and draped his coat on his shoulder. "This might end fruitless..." He said.

"Coming from you? I don't think so" Ridge smiled.

"I'm off." Haikan laughed as he left Ridge alone in Zeons office.

"That cunning prick." Ridge suddenly said as he realized Haikan had left most of the unfinished paper work to him.

"Right, there was also the third letter..." Ridge whispered to himself as leaned in his seat. He didn't understand what the context were. All he knew was that it was for Jaey and Jaey came with an ulterior motive, but the sender ultimately told Jaey not to do anything and stay.

Dear Jaey

Hold on for a bit longer. Forget what you came there for and stay, you'll be safer over there just until I sort out Everything.

It would've been easier if lord Jaey did do something, ridge thought.

If Jaey was on the move, for sure he'd be caught sooner or later. But there wasn't much that Jaey was doing inside the manor.

Ridge sighed before glancing at the pile of paper surrounding him Wondering if there was an end to these paper work. Maybe it was better to stay in the war field, he thought but continued to finish the piles of paper.

The most important letter, the third letter, the letter Jaey had failed to read would lead him to make the wrong choices.

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Hello everyone! I haven't been looking at Wattpad lately because I was studying for a scholarship exam and I didn't expect to have this much readers 😭

At first I couldn't believe this was my account because I remember only having 800+ read and then I finally noticed it a while ago🧸

Anyways, thank you so much! I enjoy reading the comments it gives me encouragement to keep writing, I'll do my best to finish the story!