Love Amidst Wars

eleven

The days went by as usual. Juliette played the piano gracefully in the living room as her mother hummed with the melody. She was knitting a cardigan for her daughter and smiled at the maids as they helped pour some tea for her.

Suddenly, the head maid approached and cleared her throat. Juliette stopped playing and looked at her confusingly. "My lady, the prince is here," the maid announced.

Viscountess Jane immediately stood up in shock, "What?!"

Juliette sat frozen in her seat, watching as her mother made her way to the entrance door to greet the prince. After a few minutes, Jay finally walked in and sat on the sofa.

He glanced at her before flashing her a small smile before turning his attention to the Viscountess.

"Sorry to bother you at this time, Lady Jane."

"Oh, not at all, Your Highness. What brings you here?"

Juliette turned to face the both of them, giving them her full attention. He chuckled before saying, "I'm asking for your permission to let me court your daughter."

"What?" The mother and daughter asked in unison. Juliette was not shocked since he did ask her before but Lady Jane immediately stood up from her seat and held her chest nervously.

"Why is that, Your Highness?" She asked.

"I am interested in your daughter, Lady Jane. I believe she had won my heart the first moment I met her. And I wish to court her and win her affection."

Juliette stayed silent and looked at her mother hesitantly. Lady Jane approached her before whispering, "You should agree to it, dearest."

"Why?"

"It's not always you get a man to court you, let alone a prince. And if you don't like him, you can always stop."

"I don't know about this, Mom."

"Just go for it," she assured and smiled at the young man, "I'll excuse myself so that the both of you can discuss."

"Thank you," Jay smiled before bowing politely. He sat back down and looked at Juliette who was contemplating about the sudden announcement.

"We talked about this," she frowned.

"I know."

"I may not fall in love with you."

"I do not care. What I wish for is to court you and win your heart. You don't have to fall for me instantly. I will try my best to be the perfect gentleman for you."

"What if I decide to reject you afterwards?"

"Then, we can't change that. But can I at least try to win you?"

She sighed, "Your Highness."

"Juliette."

"I am unworthy of being someone you fall for. And everyone thinks that as well. You should find someone to court for in your circle. I never belong in the world you live in."

His heart broke a bit as he stood there, looking at her with sad eyes. She avoided his gaze, "You should leave."

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅

"How are you feeling, Your Grace?" Viscount William walked into Jake's tent. Jake was putting on his shirt before smiling at the Viscount, "I'm doing just fine. A bullet won't kill me."

The old man chuckled, "Really? If my daughter hadn't brought you here, you would've died."

"Where is she by the way?"

"As soon as Lady Clarissa arrived, she left with the prince."

Jake halted whatever he was doing and turned to look at the Viscount. His smile faded as he sighed, "Is there anything going on between them?"

"I don't know. They're just good friends," Viscount William said before smiling brightly at the young Duke, "You should get some rest. Avoid coming here for a few days."

Jake nodded and watched as the old man left the tent. He then followed after and left the military site.

After an hour, he wandered alone in the forest with his gun. He heard a bird chirping and began aiming at it.

Suddenly, he felt different and lowered his gun, remembering the girl who was always against animal hunting. His eyes widened when he heard footsteps and twigs breaking coming closer. He turned around and saw Juliette standing in front of him with her usual satchel.

She looked at him in shock and averted her attention to the gun he was holding. His heart broke when she flashed a disappointed expression at him before turning to leave.

He immediately hurried to her before grabbing her hand.

"What are you doing?" She tried her best to free herself from his grip.

"Don't leave."

"What? Are you going to shoot that bird and let it land on my head again? You make me sick," she slapped his hand away and glared at him.

He scoffed before running his fingers through his hair. She hated that smirk so much, that she wished to grab the gun he was holding and shoot him to death. That was how much she despised him.

She was about to leave when she felt a strong hand pulling her satchel off her shoulder. Her sketchbook fell out of her bag and earned the Duke's attention.

She immediately hurried to grab it but was stopped when he stepped on the book. Her eyes widened, seeing the page where she nicely painted the lake was now filled with his shoe print.

He squatted in front of her before picking up the book, turning the pages one by one. "What to do? It's ruined now," he smirked before throwing the book at her.

Her heart began to break into pieces. She bit her bottom lip out of anger as she glared at the cruel Duke. He chuckled mockingly when he saw her lip began to bleed.

She lunged a punch at his face and watched as he lay on the ground, holding his painful nose. She snatched the book and put it back into her satchel.

"Why do you like to ruin my mood every day? Have you lost your mind? I despise you so much! Don't ever come near me again."

She picked up her pace and left the place immediately.