Captive Heart

Chapter Four 7/14/22

It'd been two days since that incident. I hadn't seen the Duke once. It was as if he was avoiding me, when in fact I should be the one avoiding him, after that death scare.

I was sitting in my room when I heard someone knock.

"Come in."

"M'lady. The Duke has picked out a few dresses you can choose from, for the wedding." She bowed. "Anything you may need, request it. He said."

"Thank you." I watched the maids roll out a plethora of dresses. Rack after rack after rack.

A few, my ass. As if.

I wanted this wedding to be as cheap as possible. I had no intention of taking money from the Duke since I couldn't already afford the dowry. He told me not to worry about it.

"Right..." I chuckled. "A few..."

"M'lady! This really is a little. The Grand Duke hardly spent a penny. Please choose."

I want to faint.

I stood up and started thrifting through the dresses. Dress after dress. Enough for a headache.

"I really am not good at choosing. Could you pick out a few for me?" I said. "Then I'll choose from there. Please, Fiona."

"If you wish." She smiled. She quickly pulled out three dresses, each varying in different styles. She then laid them out on the bed. The first one was quite simple. It was laced in flowers, made to perfectly fit my curves. The second one was definitely a lot more frilly. It had a long train, far too much for me. Finally, the last one was what caught my eye. It was blue, perfectly cut, not too much. It had a flower in the center of my bosom and a long snow-like veil.

"The third one."

"A great choice. I'm sure the Duke will be pleased."

"Pleased?"

"Yes? He was hoping you'd choose that dress. His mother made it for his future wife. Something that would perfectly represent the North and its beauty." Fiona gently took the dress in her hands and hung it in my closet. Then finally shuffled everything else out of my room, returning it to its original state.

Soon it reached night. In the North, nighttime was beautiful and still quite bright. I could see from my window the Grand Duke practicing. He was half-naked. His toned muscles tightened with each blow and sweat ran from his face. His hair was tied up. But one thing that irked me was the scars that ran all over his back. Battle scars I presumed. Or maybe... childhood trauma. I had many experiences with that. But I was not as bold as to show those scars. They were best hidden. I wanted to bring the Duke something. I wanted to confront him for avoiding me. It was best to resolve any problem before our permanent marriage. The kitchen staff had already baked cookies. Perfect for taking. I packaged them up and headed outside with a thick coat around my shoulders.

Not long after the training ground came into view. It was far bigger than I imagined. The Duke had his back turned against me, but the moment I stepped into the circle. It was as if he sensed me and instantly turned around.

"Grand Duke!" I stepped back frightened.

"... Lennox, what brings you here?"

"I- there were cookies in the kitchen, I wanted to bring you some."

"Princess. I must speak with you. About important matters." He said, sternly. I followed after him, cookies in hand, unsure of what to do. He took me to the stables. Somewhere much more warm and quiet.

"Yes?-"

"Lennox... why have you really come for my hand in marriage?"

"Because- because, my family- my- my- family needs this," I said, flustered by his piercing stare.

"Stop lying."

"I'm not!" I adamantly said. "I'm not."

"You have a choice... to either step out of here dead or alive. And that completely depends on what you say." He snarled, unsheathing his sword.

"Duke. I don't think you really want to know."

"I'm the one who determines that."

"Why? I thought everything was going well."

"Princess... you underestimate me. I never, never, let my defenses down. I've already made that mistake." He pointed to the scar on his face. "I did some research. No one has ever asked for my hand in marriage. And after a day of digging, I found out that the Royal Family had decided to pay yours, a mighty sum. I believe it was payment to adopt you under Royal lineage, and that payment was only finalized after they found out about our marriage."

"I'm sorr-"

"Just tell me it was a ploy to control me through you. And the only way the adoption papers could've been finalized, was if you, and you alone, signed them."

"Grand Duke!" I fumed. "What a bogus assumption. I've never signed any papers. I promise. I have no foreknowledge of this whatsoever. It's understandable for you to believe that, but I promise. I know nothing."

He inched closer. "Well then... tell me the actual reason."

"Grand Duke. I-I just want freedom."

"I'm afraid... that isn't enough."

"...from my family."

"How ironic... you said this marriage was for your family. Now it's against." He sneered. "You really aren't good at fabricating stories, aren't you."

"I know it's hard to belie-"

"It is."

"Grand Duke if you wish to know."

"I do. Since there's also a blizzard storm outside. I believe we have all night."  

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OHOHOHOHOOHOHO this is too much fun :)))) Happpy reading my flower buds! :>