EHI

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The sultry smell of roses wafted past her nose as she glided down the stairs.
She was asked to expect this, but a drawing room filled with every type of flower wasn't what she expected.
"My admirers went all out," she thought.
Each bouquet was tall and extravagant, but only one stood out.

A single red rose with white petals, wrapped in a mini white basket.
Peeling off her glove, she gently touched each petal.
Taking in the scents, wondering how they could be so delicate yet rough, as tiny thorns poked out of its stem.
"Intriguing"." Who sent this?" she questioned her maid, who had been standing behind her in awe.

"I do not know, m'lady."
"Perhaps there is a note," she replied, craning her neck searching for it.

Ehi brushed off some petals and saw an envelope peeking out of the box.
Trembling slightly, she reached for it.
She hadn't been courted before and had no idea what to make of everything.

The letters were written in the most beautiful handcraft she had ever seen.
Each curve and stroke seemed to whisper the content of the note to her.

➰➰➰➰

"Like a rose, your scent has left me restless"
"Like the thorns, you pricked my peace"
"Like the petals, I am hopelessly falling for you."
See you soon m'lady~~
➰➰➰➰

Her heart thrummed so fast, that she clutched her chest.
Blood rushed to her face. If she wasn't black, it would be beet red, for sure.

"Why do I feel hot?" she fanned her face.
"I should not be acting like a blushing bride", I have no time for romance", she chastised herself.
Picking up the basket, she hurried to her bedroom, biting hard on her lip to keep her from smiling like a Cheshire cat.

She flung herself on her bed and let out a frustrated scream.
Couldn't it be the first, second, or fifth man she danced with?

Last night was a whirlwind, she was too focused on not letting their charade slip and didn't bother to take note of the men she danced with.
She could barely recall their names or faces.

No one was bold enough to make an impression or have a decent conversation except.......
"That rake!!!" egotistic, pompous son of a bachelor, she enraged with more colorful words in her local dialect."
"Hi, I really can't stand him and hope I never see the horse behind him has a face ever again", she cursed.

Turning her attention back to the flower basket, she traced the content of the note with her fingers slowly.

_____________

'M'lady, you are called upon," her maid entered.
"By whom?" she asked, looking up from her book.
"Lady Constantine, m'lady".
She placed the bookmark and headed to the drawing room.

Familiar voices could be heard as she got close, but there was one she didn't recognize.
"Perhaps an acquaintance stopped by", she thought.

"Ohhh dear, ohh dear!!!".
"Here she comes", lady Constantine scurried excitedly towards her.
Her eyes fell on the person who had plagued her thoughts for hours, standing behind lady Constance, with his hand clasped behind his back, looking innocent.

He could fool anyone with his false charm, but she knew better.
The slight smirk on his ridiculously handsome face proves that he is anything but.
"What are you doing here"? She sneered.
He was spotting a full-on smirk now.
"I believe you got my note, m'lady".
"Forgive me, but I couldn't wait."
"I couldn't bear to be apart from your beauty for too long,"
he mocked, dramatically clutching his chest.

Her eyes twitched as she thought of the fastest ways to snap his neck without any consequences.
She had hoped he wasn't the mastermind behind the flowers and was eagerly awaiting to meet the man behind the insightful gift.
Of course, now, she is simply disappointed it came from the infuriating Duke.

"Now, dear, let us not forget our manners", the duchess playfully chastised.

Glaring at him, she curtsied.
"We meet again m-lord"

Bowing slowly, he skimmed his fingers on her gloves and placed a gentle kiss on it.
His action erupted a warmth that crawled down her spine.

"Uhh hmmm", the duchess interrupted to ease the obvious tension.

"If I may ask, what brings the esteemed prime minister to my home", lady Constance inquired.

"I would like to officially make my interest in Lady Ehi known."
"I also seek your permission to take her on a walk to the park, with a chaperone
of course," he stated.

The duchess's playful demeanor changed instantly.
"I believe it's no news that your reputation among the ladies is not the best."
"But I watched you grow, and saw how well your father raised you,
bless his soul", she rushed out."

"So I trust that you will do and act right by my dear niece or there will be hell to pay," she said, whispering the last part sternly.

"Bring the gentleman some tea while he waits for the lady to prepare", she announced, going back to her usual cheerful mood.

"I. .I... I assure you, m'lady, I hold no ill intentions towards Lady Ehi."
"All my actions are completely sincere", he stuttered.

Ehi could never get used to how scary this woman could be.
The duke looked like he was about to wet his pants, but she was impressed with how he held himself well against her mood swaps that usually make grown men weep.

She walked to her room, raining curses on silly etiquette and social rules.

"Breathe, woman, you can do this."
"Be civil and ignore his flirty antiques, and you will be fine", she cheered herself.
Or she could ruin his day like he just ruined hers.
She would rather spend the day with her head buried in a book than be with some egotistic son of a bachelor.

Bright ideas swirled in her head, as she walked towards the carriage.
"Let the real fun begin", she smirked.

___________
NOTE

Hello everyone.
It's been a while since I updated EHI and I was excited to write this chapter because EHI needs some joy and light after going through so much darkness.
I hope you enjoy this joyful phase, everyone.
———-
I just graduated, and I am officially a degree hotter lol😅
Updates will be done regularly now.
Thank you for joining me on this journey.