A woman is left to deal with the horrible past behind her husband and admist all this, she must protect that which is the source of her living. It is a rough ground when dealing with resurfaced revelations.
I must have fallen asleep after all my crying. I was about to turn when i noticed i was sandwiched between someone's arms. One held my waist the other was underneath my head like a pillow. "But i have a pillow", i thought alarmed. The chest heaving up and down made me realize that the person was really tall. Who could it be? "you're awake", the person said. "Richard, i mean sire, i mean Lord...", he placed his index on my lip and shut me up. "Richard is just fine". He replied. He made no effort to change the position we were in. My cheeks grew red and my heart was hammering against my ribs. "um... aren't you uncomfortable i mean...", i was blabbering and stuttering. I was so embarrassed. He just placed his thumb on my cheek and stroked it lightly. He looked dreamily at me. "Do you hate me that much?" that was a tricky question. Truth be told, all the servants found him easy going but with me it was different. Well first impression they say, lasts longer. And the impression he gave me was that of a brute. "I'm not all that bad", he continued, "i must just remain tough in the eyes of people, that's how i keep the balance". I looked up at him. His eyes, they were so green and it seemed cold like he has seen a lot of bloodshed, which he had. But for a moment, i saw a calmness in them that was so magnificent. It reminded me of the sea. I felt captivated and imprisoned within them. Suddenly, like he was possessed or something, he looked away and made to turn the other way. I don't know why and what got into me but i held him back. "tell me everything that's bottled up inside your heart". I reached up and touched him on his chest where his heart supposedly was and it was beating so fast. But his face remained calm. He smiled and i won't lie, it was the most beautiful smile i had ever seen. He looked different in that instant. "you won't understand even if i tell you Ari". The way he said my name was just so beautiful. I matched his humor, "try me". He just chuckled and held my hand that was on his chest and kissed it. Then he kissed my head lightly and stood up to leave. Get some rest, tomorrow I'll take you around Lavigne. I watched him leave and the moment he did, i let out a breath i didn't know i had been holding. My heart was frantically beating. "what if it's all a ploy to give him an heir like he said before, stay strong Ari". The next morning i woke up with a smile. I was determined to not let anything spoil my day. My dreams were filled with only him and it made me stupidly happy. I thought i said stay strong Ari. I got dressed in the finest silk. I wanted to look my best for him. I must be crazy.
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A maid came in later to tell me to wait for his Lordship in front of the palace. After my failed escape attempt, i had never set my eyes on Edna. It was unsettling and so i had to ask the maid. "please can i ask where maid Edna might be? I haven't seen her in a while now". The maid just ignored me like i hadn't just ask a question and responded with, "his Lord shall join you in a short while". and left. How rude
Few minutes later, he came to where i was. A coach came to a halt in front of us and he held my hand and led me down. The way he held my hand was so tender. I blushed and hoped he didn't notice.
We rode for a few minutes and i marvelled at how beautiful Lavigne was. We came to a halt in front of a florist shop. I got down and picked a beautiful sunflower. I saw he was puzzled as to the reason i chose the flower but i smiled in response. When we had gotten to an inn, he decided to ask me as we are lunch. "how do you see Lavigne?". I smiled and replied, "it's beautiful, very, if i might add". He leaned in closer as if he was examining me, "do i have something on my face?", i asked and moved my hand to grab the napkin, but he held it and kissed it. "do you know how charming you are?", he asked. I looked away from him and replied, "why has thou just noticed?". He chuckled. "why did you pick a sunflower?". I was baffled by the question because a flower is a flower. "All the ladies I've ever...", he wanted to say something but decided against it. "I've just never seen anyone who would pick a flower that's not the rose my dear". He finally said. I just smiled and replied dreamily. "it the first flower i ever watched bloom. And i did so with a special person that made me feel special so i must treasure it". He just nodded in response. And we are silently after that.
We were shown our rooms and he stepped out for a bit. I was curious but i decided against it. Some hours later and he still wasn't back. I decided to look for him myself.
I walked a few metres from the inn and saw another inn but it was slightly more sophisticated than ours. I walked up to the inn keeper and asked if they had see the duke. "aye mi lady. He is in with the Lady Scarlet of Audinburg". Lady who now?.
I nodded and stepped in. "i would advise that you do not disturb them miss". Said the inn keeper. I turned angrily to face him. "i am his fiancée so if you know what's good for you, you would step aside and show me to his room now". The man just stepped aside. "fine you won't take me to his room, I'll just have to find out myself". I huffed and stepped in. I asked a few questions and lied to a few that i was here on business. Some made lewd jokes when i said it was on business. I finally found it.
I was about to open the door when i heard the discussion, "does Cordelia know of your plan my lord?". "Her brain is too small and she is not as smart as you are". He replied. "why didn't you marry me instead?". She asked. I heard some sound like he was kissing her. "because...", he paused and i heard the sound again. "you're married and you're nothing but a mistress that's all". "but i could be more Richard". I heard him chuckle. My throat was becoming dry and my eyes teary, "don't ask for too much dear and just do what you're paid to do". "Paid to do... What does that mean". "don't worry your grace, they won't know what hit them". I heard the sound again and it turned to moans few seconds later. I covered my mouth to keep myself from crying. I couldn't believe i was about to fall for this man.
I must never forget that he is nothing but a brute. I slowly walked away until i got to the corridor where i broke into a run. I didn't go back to the inn. I just kept running until my eyes were blurred by my tears. I had run so far without knowing it.
Soon all the energy left me and i stumbled and fell. I made no attempt to get up. I stayed that way until the darkness took over me. *************************
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