One crazy duchess.

Chapter Eleven.

Rose.

I walk up to the brown wooden door and lift my hand. Am nervous, that is for sure. I inhale deeply before knocking on the door.
We haven't talked to each other since we had that big talk and everything is now weird between us.

"Come in." I open the door slowly and walk in.

"There... there's a letter from my brother. Am sorry I opened it but I thought it was meant for me because he used his personal stamp and it had no name on it." 
he nods taking the letter, not saying a word. I think I ruined my marriage.

I turn wanting to leave but then remember something else.
"Also, there's a carnival tonight in town. I would like to attend, if you do not mind." I tell him and he looks at me for a long second.

"You can do whatever you want princess." he grumbles going on with his work. I want to scream and shout at him but then that would only make things worse so I silently walk out.
I sigh when the door closes after me.
"I am sorry." I whisper before walking away.

***

"Rose! Over here!" Leila waves a distance away. I walked to town, alone not wanting to bother Mary. After all she is only sixteen.
A smile forms on my face as I walk towards her only to see two other men next to her. I am surprised to see the duke here but I try to hide it as I acknowledge the count before I am pulled away by his wife.

"This is the only night I get to live to my wildest without a baby bothering me so I want to get wasted." she whisper shouts as she leads me through the crowd.

"You kind of read my mind." I reply as we find our way to a wine store.

"I will take the strongest licker you have sir." Leila talks to the owner as I look around. People are happy and are enjoying themselves with the lanterns lit everywhere. I smile.
"This is the only occasion where everybody mingles with one another, regardless of status, money and class." she tells me and I nod.

"I have never seen anything like this. It is spectacular." I tell her looking around at everything.

"Where did you live? Under a rock or something?" she asks chuckling.

"No. On top of one but I was very hidden because of my betrothal to the duke." she looks at me.

"Am sorry. But this is not about our sorrowful stories but," she lifts up the flasks she just got." A night to get wasted!" she continues to scream and hands me one.

"What kind of licker is this?" I ask, opening my flask and smelling it. I cough.

"I do not know, nor do I care. Now come. I will show you a great spot to watch the whole town." before I can speak, I am pulled away and I go apologizing to everyone we hit on our way.

"Wow! This is beautiful." I gasp, standing a top of a cliff not far away from town.

"I told you." she laughs and takes a seat at the edge and I join her.

"So, what is this whole celebration about?" I sip the drink and grimace. Bitter and strong.

"It used to mark the beginning of the summer, the harvest season but now, since we stopped growing so many crops, we just do it out of habit." She sighs. I open my mouth to speak but she cuts me off." But, no. No more serious questions. I want to know more about my friend." I point to myself and she nods chuckling." Yes you.You know, your the first person I have met who is not a pretender 'lady' like the rest. Yet, before marrying the duke I have never heard of you and trust me, I have been to a lot of places and met a lot of people." she elaborates and I take another gulp of my drink. I can tell her the half truth, but then what will happen when she finds out the truth? Will she react like the duke or worse, tell everyone. I sigh.
I open my mouth but then I see a scene below that makes me wish I was drunk already. Leila follows my gaze and gasps.

"Rose, I know what you are thinking but th-"

"I know. Am ok with it." I gulp down my drink. I need to get drunk until I cannot remember anything.

"Ok with what?" I choke and go into a coughing fit as I turn. I look down at the couple making out and then look back at him. He sits beside me and takes the flask from my arm. I look at him again and then below. Am I drunk? I shut my eyes and open them again.

"She thought you were that guy." Leila points to the scene below and I elbow her."Oww!" he looks at me with a weird look before lifting the flask to his mouth.

"That is Bob the merchant." The count says next to Leila and bursts out laughing. This man finds everything funny.

"Shut up Noah." Clarence and Leila say in unison. I sigh looking up at the stary sky.

"Do you want this back?" he asks and I shake my head.

"No, I think I have had enough for the night." I attempt to get up but the ground sways and I end up on Clarence's lap.

"Uuuhh! Looks like you too need to get a room."Leila coos and I try to get up in embarrassment but his hold on my waist gets tighter.

"Stop struggling and relax." he whispers and a shiver runs down my back.

"They are even whispering. I think we should leave." Noah stands.

"Sure." Leila gets up too.

"No please." I try to get out of his hold but he will not let go.
"Can you please let go?"I ask.

"No. " He whispers before facing his friends. " Your going to have sex, are you not?" they nod.

"Yes, in the woods like a normal married couple." Leila comments and Noah laughs. Am uncomfortable with all of this.
They wave and leave.

"Stay here, with me." he whispers. And what is with all the whispering?

"Can I get off of your pap first?" I ask, breath shaky.

"Will you run?" he asks. I shake my head. He releases me and I get off of his lap and sit next to him.
"Am sorry."

"No, I should apologize." I argue.

"I guess we all have things we are sorry for but I think it is time we turn on a new leaf. Begin our relationship a new." he says and I nod. He moves closer.
"Well can I kiss you?" I turn so fast I almost break my neck.

"Wha-" before I can finish, his lips are on mine and just like that, he takes my first kiss.