The Duke's Wife

Chapter 3: I Wanted It?!

Lilith's POV

A few days later, the Duke approached me in the bedroom and slammed some documents on the table, saying duty calls.

I took them all, knowing that I had accepted in the contractual marriage to fulfill my duties as his wife. The door banged open, and I sighed.

"Marianne, knock--" The maid interrupted me. "The young lady is awake," she said panting for air, probably from the dash she made from our rooms.

I get up and me and Legis walked towards Jubelian's room. "The Duke and the Duchess are here," The guard by the door announced our presence.

"Why was I knocked out...?" Jubelian asked, confused, as we entered the room.

I smiled, raising my hands. "Sorry, my fault," I admitted, seeing her confusion, and I nodded silently, indicating that I would explain later. Then the Duke approached her.

"How do you feel?" he asked, touching her forehead gently.

"Fine..." Jubelian replied softly, and I smiled, sitting on the bed beside her. "You must be hungry," I said, and she nodded, rubbing her stomach.

"Eat and rest," Legis instructed before leaving. The maids served her food, and I explained.

"Sorry... I passed on a bit too much holy power," I admitted, knowing that her body couldn't handle too much of a boost, causing her to sleep it off.

"Oh... yeah, I forgot that the first princess did have holy power, didn't she?" Jubelian nodded, and then we talked for a bit.

Time Skip~~~~~

Honestly, I didn't know how this happened. Jubelian was in my study as I looked over the monthly planning for the kitchen groceries before finalizing them.

"You know, I don't mind you getting along with me, but..." I glanced over my papers and then looked at Jubelian.

"Lilith... I just realized something," she said, calling out my first name. Since we were of the same age in the past, we had decided to be comfortable with each other.

"What is it?" I asked, looking back at my papers.

"I just realized that without my father's wealth, I'm nothing," she admitted, struggling to read the management books.

I chuckled softly. "You should study more. I'll suggest some more books, finish them by next time," I explained.

"But!!! But studying is boring," she whined, and I laughed.

"You'll be fine," I reassured her.

The week passed peacefully, and as I went to the study, I encountered a surprising pair inside.

"My, my, look who's here," I remarked, and Legis scowled at my behavior. Well, who cared about etiquette at home anyway?

"What are you two doing?" I asked curiously, sliding next to Jubelian. She deadpanned, saying, "It's quiz time with Father."

I burst out laughing at this unexpected scene. "Why are you here anyway?" Legis asked, clearly unamused.

I shrugged. "I came here for some reference on the duchy's layout."

Knock, knock

"Master, you have a guest," the butler informed us, and Jubelian brightened up. Just then, he handed her a book, leaving us alone. We looked into it.

Jubelian groaned, while I couldn't help but laugh. It was a book on 'Strategic and Tactics'

That very night, I couldn't sleep, so I went out to the garden for a night walk. As I walked, lost in my thoughts, I bumped into a man with a black hood.