Duke Paxley, Marry Me

Chapter 2

You stared at Odette who was snickering at you.

“Do you really have to bring that up? That was like 3 years ago,” you stated before rolling your eyes to the sides.

Odette was not wrong at all. One of the reasons you did not want to cross path with the duke was due to your rejection. Back when you were still younger, Duke Aamon was the epitome of an ideal man—responsible, skilled, intelligent, and physically attractive. But when you had the courage to confess to him, you came to know of who he really was. He was a proud man who claimed that a noble lady like you who was not from a family as great as the Paxley was not compatible for someone like him.

Thinking about that, you could not help but get mad at him all over again as if your rejection just happened yesterday.

“But seriously though,” Odette finally said, her teasing side lying low. “This is somehow a karma for him. After he told you of how inferior you are to him, but suddenly getting engaged was just like him swallowing back what he spitted out.”

You smirked at that remark as you got up from the sofa. You gave Odette a meaningful stare.

“Oh no,” she said. “Please, do not tell me you want to see the duke right now.”

“Why not? It is the festival today and he is schedule to make an appearance this afternoon.”

That being said, you rushed Odette to get changed so you could both go to the festival. Since there would be no way out for you in the arranged marriage, you will create an opening. Talking with your father or even to Mr. and Mrs. Paxley would be of no use so the sole person you would have to face was Duke Aamon. If he disagrees with the arrangement, then surely, they would find someone else whom he likes to become his wife.

Arriving at the plaza, you could not help but groan at how crowded the place was. The main road was closed and stalls after stalls of food and beverages lined up to the end. The waft of spices in the air made you forgot the very purpose why you attended the festival. You dragged Odette to the nearest ramen stall and ordered two bowls.

“Hey, aren't we going to go and see Aamon?” Odette whispered.

You lightly hit her on the arm and smiled. “That could wait. I haven't had breakfast yet and for sure, you did not as well. We cannot just go to battle with an empty stomach. That's like suicide.”

Odette flashed a smile and mumbled, “In short, you just want to eat.”

While the two of you are enjoying the ramen, several familiar faces passed by the stall and one of them was the rebellious son of the Paxley household, Gusion. You did not want to get involved in his business but Odette, who believed your lie about admiring the duke's younger brother, called him out.

After ordering for himself, Gusion sat across from you.

“Where's Lancelot? I have been calling him last night but he never answered,” he asked.

Feeling relieved that he seemed to have no idea of the news about your soon-to-be engagement with his brother, you replied in the stead of Odette.

Leaning close to him, you said, “He spent the night in her apartment. I just saw him leave this morning.”

Gusion simply smirked while Odette narrowed her eyes on you with blushing cheeks. Just when you thought that you had someone on your side to tease your friend, Gusion had other plans.

He shifted his gaze at you while still wearing a grin and said, “Do you know what my brother said upon knowing that you will be engaged with him?”

You glared at him because it immediately ruined your mood. But Odette grabbed that chance to get into your nerves.