Duchess Of Sebria ✔️

Drowned By The Hands Of Love

25

Flashback

Her waves of laughter were ringing in the air as he yanked the bridle. It wasn't her first time riding a horse but she had always enjoyed it as her first, even Pegasus neighed when her laughter subdued, she patted near its ear and laughed a little louder when it jerked its head.

The horse had two riders. One was the duke and the other was his secret duchess. They were on a meadow of Sebria named Carmen. Around it were some enormous mountains standing tall. On their right was a long lake that stretched for as far as they could see, the hills behind the river belonged to the duke. The lord of five states had gifted it to his son. The greenery around them was mesmerising and refreshing. The clean air that she inhaled killed every bad memory that was a part of her life. She closed her eyes and escaped from her reality, even if it was for a minute. She erased everything that did not belong to this moment. She only remembered him and the warmth his closeness brought within her.

The duke pulled the bridle, making the horse halt on a hill. She opened her eyes and breathed deeply with a full smile. They reached one of their favourite spots. She loved sitting on the cliff, above that flowing lake. Sun gazing was never this addictive as it had become with him.

He was first to climb off Pegasus. He held out his hand which she took and bounced down. He tied the white mighty horse while the girl stroked its fur.

"Shall we?" He offered his hand again. Whether she noticed it or not, he liked holding her hand. He liked her proximity. It had always calmed the pain banging inside him.

"Yes," She took it.

They reached near the cliff. She was about to step on the dry mud when he jerked her back. He first made sure there was no poisonous snake lurking in the bushes or grass. Once done, he stepped down on the huge displaced rock that was hanging in the air, only backed up by the mountain. There was no guarantee it wouldn't break any minute.

He held out his arms. She innocently licked her lips, her cheeks were tinted red which made a smile dance on his lips. She bent a little and placed her hands on his shoulders as he grabbed her by the waist. He put her down on the rock and sat beside her.

She immediately fetched their lunch from the fabric bag and ate it together. She made it for him. He loved eating her food. She brought mangoes as dessert. Though it was his favourite fruit but it wouldn't be his choice of dessert, yet he never complained. He enjoyed her pleasantries to the fullest.

"Have you ever thought of diving into water off the cliff?" He asked as he popped a slice of mango. Her morsel got stuck in her throat but she forced it down. She glanced at him and timidly shook her head.

He smiled. "Do you trust me?" He asked with an uplifted brow. Her throat got parched. She did trust him but he didn't know she was afraid of many things, one of them was tombstoning.

"Y...Yes,"

"Then, shall we?" He stood up and offered her his hand. The girl gulped and looked at his hand, shaking her head. He faintly frowned.

"It will be fun, trust me and besides, you have me to count on," He said softly. She was still unsure. Her heart was racing now.

"I...I don't want to do this," She told him.

"You said you trusted me," He feigned offence.

"I do, but I'm..." She bit the insides of her lower lip and cast her eyes down. He noticed and crouched to her level. Pulling her chin up, he peered into her crystal grey eyes.