the cold duke : derrick eckhart

ten

The dukedom was pretty quiet with everyone busy doing their own things. Derrick was doing his work while Reynold and Penelope were outside training.

You laid down on the desk closing your eyes as sleep over came you.

****

Abruptly you woke up as you felt your body being picked up. Sleepily you looked to see Derrick carrying you out of the library. "Did I wake you?" He softly asks as he walked down the hall. Shaking your head you rested your head against his chest taking in his warmth, "father?" Derrick suddenly said coming to a stop. You closed your eyes not wanting to see the Duke's reaction. "Baron Walter suddenly asked to meet with you." The duke told Derrick. "Since you are already engaged, I'll reply saying no." The Duke chuckled. Your cheeks began to heat up as you gave little movement. "I'll go tuck Elianna into bed," he says. "Perhaps it's time the both of you share a room" was the last thing you heard before falling asleep again.

He laid you down in bed and left the room.

You opened your eyes and looked out the window then sun was still in the middle of setting so you weren't sleeping for long. Your mind flashed back to the letter and to what the duke said earlier.

Walters was your mothers new married name according to your best friend Iris. Since the two of you were of different status the two of you were almost never allowed to be seen together. but you didn't care and neither did she.

As you laid down deep in thought your mind went back to the letter Iris had sent you. Despite her not specifying who she was talking about you instantly knew.

It was about your mother.

Even though she warned you, you couldn't help but feel excited that after so long you were going to see her. It might be from afar but you were able to see your mother after so long of being apart. Iris may have a point she was most likely going to reject you and push you away.

The door suddenly opened.

You shut your eyes occasionally peeking. It was Derrick.

He sat at the edge of your bed, "Elianna wake up," he softly says nudging you. Slowly you tossed and turned until you opened your eyes. "did something happen?" you lazily to him getting up. He put a tray of food down in front of you. It hadn't occurred to you that you had missed dinner.

Slowly you ate your food eyeing him, from his expression you could tell something was wrong with him. "did you fight Penelope again?" he immediately gave you a look that meant you were correct. "After the hunting festival you are moving into my bedroom," you dropped your fork. All this time you thought he was upset because of his sister but he was more upset over the fact that you were going to move into his personal space.

A few days later

You looked at yourself in the mirror trying to adjust your light blue gown. "are you sure?" you asked your lady in waiting as she adjusted your hair. "Ms. Rose you look stunning i'm sure the young master is going to be blown away" you smiled at her hiding your blushing face.

The necklace and the amulet were also added to your outfit. Now you are ready to face the hunting festival. Penelope had recommended you to wear pants to join here but Pennel had said they weren't going to arrive on time.

When you had opened the door Reynold was there, he looked you up and down. "If Derrick doesn't say it i'll do it, you look stunning" he says taking your hand.

Both of you joined Derrick and his father outside. Derrick stopped midway as he stared back at you. "Lady Penelope will be here in a few" Pennel said as Derrick took your hand leading you to the carriage.

His outfit clearly matched yours, from the slick blue suit adorned with white, black and grey. He looked handsome. This carriage was big enough for five meaning everyone was going to ride.

Penelope finally came in with the gorgeous red dress you insisted she wore. "Eli you look breathtaking!" she swoons. You smile at the girl, "I told you red was your color! Pen you look beautiful" the two of you share laughs and smiles as Derrick, Reynold and the Duke enter the carriage. "why are you dressed like that" Reynold suddenly says in a disgusted tone.

You and Penelope shoot him a look, "I thought you had changed guess I was wrong" Derrick followed. "don't worry Penelope you look amazing!" you reassured the girl. "thank you for letting me borrow it" Reynold and Derrick give each other a look followed by a glare aimed at you.

"Elianna you do realize she's not 23 like you right?" Reynold says. "so? dresses don't have an age limit" you fire back. "she's a kid you're an adult" he says bickering with you.

"Enough! Penelope looks fine" the Duke quiets everyone up.

He then begins to show off his jacket, "if the two of you had been nicer to your sister like Lady Elianna and I you would have gotten a gift too" you glanced down at your amulet and looked at the Duke's. It made you chuckle when you saw Derrick's reaction.

It was clear that the two brothers were jealous that they didn't receive a present from her. "See this is why I have to arrange the two of you to get married because of your foul personalities" the duke continues to roast his sons. "Lady Elianna you are a soldier" Penelope chuckles unable to contain her laugh.

As Derrick looked out the window you rested your head against his back. "You see Duke I actually like, Derrick flaws and all," you softly say smiling to yourself. From the corner of your eye you could see that made Derrick feel better.

The castle was soon seen over the horizon. The guards were inspecting everyone. Usually to check if nothing illegal was going through.

It was soon Eckhart's turn, the only thing they had found was the mana beads for the crossbow. "Can't wait to see the mess Penelope makes," Reynold says leaning against his window. "Me too, and don't expect Elianna to clean up after you either" he tells his sister.

*****

You Penelope and Emily walked through the garden taking in everything. It was a very beautiful sight to see. From her expression she was looking for the prince.

Derrick had left you with her because he wanted to get to see his horse. "Do you think he's here?" you asked her. She shrugged but you could tell she was hoping he wasn't. "Derrick's asking for you" Emily suddenly said as the three of you looked up to see Derrick's gaze on you.

Leaving Penelope you made your way over to him.

When you see the familiar purple haired girl approach him and give him a gift.

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