An esteemed Barons daughter of High-society is forced to accept a marriage in order to save her unloving family from bankruptcy. It's her final show of love for her broken father. The Duke of the east, also known as the Imperial beast, is to be her...
There was a cloud of sadness, worry but most of all rage that hovered above the Duke and his company of Knights.
Everyone heard the Duchess crying within the carriage, the sound brought much shame to all the men. Kira did all she could to comfort the Duchess with a heavy heart.
No one spoke, as they had on the travels leaving their home to meet the Duchess and her company on the road. It was a last minute decision to do so by The Duke, to assure she would arrive safely.
It was a great shock indeed to hear his knight scouts up ahead shouting about bandits having attacked a traveling carriage, only to see the Holbrooks family symbol on the said carriage. The panic the Duke felt in those moments would haunt his dreams.
However, now the air was heavy with rage, no one had even the slightest tingle of joy to speak of. Even the extroverted Captain, who was normally the one to start jests and conversations, was silent with anger.
***
Her sobs stabbed at any pride Killian had as a leader, a Duke, a new husband. His blood boiled at the fact she had nearly been killed by a filthy, greedy bandit.
Who in their right mind would send their beloved daughter off on a far journey without any guards for protection!?... It was unheard of and unacceptable.
The coachmen who were his wife's only escort were questioned, they nearly lost their lives to not only the bandits but by the Duke's own hands. The only thing that stopped his rage from killing either of them was the fact their orders came directly from the Baron himself. The lack of protection was not their fault, so they were allowed to keep their lives.
If he hadn't decided to personally meet her during her travels, he may have lost his wife along with his mother's final gift to him, her ring. A token of her love and blessing for his future wife, mother to his future children.
The strong urge to behead Baron Holbrook danced around in his mind, for his negligence for his wife's safety. His hands gripped the leather reins to his black stallion tightly in anger.
He had no intention of causing his new wife grief by killing her father nor did he wish for her hatred that would come by doing so. So for those reasons alone, he would not pursue his rage. Baron Holbrook can keep his life.
But he would face the Duke's wrath in a different way, he swore it.
The Duke's thoughts often lingered on his new wife within the carriage, her frightened expression would haunt him. Her hazel eyes burned his skin as she gazed at him, he knew he wasn't the most pleasant to look at, but he could not deny he liked having her eyes on him. She was indeed beautiful and delicate, even her voice was soft and pleasing to his ears. She felt so light and small within his arms, yet she fit perfectly there against his chest.
She was his woman, his wife, his Duchess.
He vowed then he would never allow anyone to harm her, he would protect her against any one who dared. She was his, and he took great care in all things that belonged to him.
***
Eventually the Duchess sobs and constant sniffling ended as she fell into a deep slumber from exhaustion, no doubt.
Still the men did not speak.
The Duke stopped his company a few times on their travels, ordering his healer Knight Bram to check on his wife. But each time, Kira would announce the Duchess had not awakened. The Duke was worried for her, but did not wish to wake her, he knew she needed rest after the ordeal she experienced.
The Duchess was not hardened by the dangers of this world, she was vulnerable like a baby deer.
The entire company of Knights began to grow worried for their Duchess as she had slept an entire day, night and even till the next morning. It wasn't until the early afternoon that Kira announced to the Captain she had awakened.
The Captain was positioned to guard on his horse closest to the carriage door. The knight Bram was on his horse, traveling on the opposite side of the carriage. The Duke positioned himself to the front, leading the company, with scouts further up ahead to alert danger and a scout company further back for the same reasons. The Duke controlled the wolves, commanding them to travel alongside within the forests on either side of the road for extra protection.
The moment The Duke was informed of his wife awakening, he commanded his entire company to stop for a break. Everyone was grateful for the small break having traveled for many hours consistently, but thankfully the Duke's castle was in their sights now, not far off in the distance.
Only a few hours left at most, before they were home.
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