Love Amidst Wars

thirty-three

Jake held Juliette's hand to lead her outside as she giggled and waved at the commoners goodbye. His lips curved into a small smile as he felt relieved she had a great time.

"I didn't even realise I came here only in my nightgown and cardigan," she chuckled as her cheeks reddened slightly.

"I don't mind. You look perfect as always."

"You're deceiving me, Your Grace," she walked next to him as they headed back to her manor. He tried stealing glances at her to figure out what she was thinking the whole way back.

"You know, after seeing how outgoing you were tonight, I don't understand why everyone calls you a wallflower," he scoffed and crossed his arms.

"I didn't become a wallflower willingly. Nobody ever asked me to dance."

He looked at her and nodded, taking a deep breath of the fresh midnight air. "For a Viscount's daughter, I never expected to see you dance and drink like a drunkard tonight."

"Bold of you to say that. Aren't you the one saying you don't mingle with commoners and you despise them?" she mocked him back, furrowing her brows at him.

He laughed and distanced himself away from her to avoid her glare. As he brushed his fingers through his hair, she admired him and turned her face away blushing.

"Tonight was actually fun, Juliette. I'd never thought I would ever dance with you."

"Easy for you to say. I'd never thought you'd turn out to be such a terrible dancing partner."

"Hey! I'll have you know that I am an amazing dancer."

"Really? Then why did you step on my foot three times?" She looked at him questioningly with a smirk. He frowned and sighed, "Hey, those were just advanced moves. You wouldn't understand. You always spend your time watching at the corner."

"Right, right. So were those advanced moves called 'stubbing your toes' moves?" She teased, earning an irritated grunt from him. She laughed upon seeing his reaction and stopped the teasing, examining his pouty expression.

"You know, for a person who keeps on dismissing herself from parties, you're awfully hard to stay quiet," he said.

"And you're shockingly terrible at not making snide comments about everything."

"It's not my fault you're easy to tease," he finally grinned a little before walking ahead. She followed from behind and realised they finally reached her manor.

"Well, my lady, it's time to say our farewells. I trust you can make it up to the steps without falling over?"

Juliette rolled her eyes, "I'll be fine, thank you. I can manage a few steps without your help."

"If you say so. But I'll be the one laughing when you trip on your skirt and fall down the stairs."

"And I'll be the one laughing when you stumble and crash into a wall on your way home, Your Grace," she teased back, earning a shrug from him.

"I'm not that drunk."

"Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that, Your Grace," she finally entered the premises of her manor and glanced at him for the last time before entering her home.

He smiled a little before finally making his way back to his home.

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As soon as Juliette entered her room, Alice was already waiting for her eagerly, curious about how her night escapade went.

"My lady! You're back! Tell me everything!" Alice said as she took Juliette's cardigan.

"It was... eventful. But I had a good time."

"You can't just say one little sentence like that and not give me any details, my lady! I need to know everything," Alice made her sit in front of the vanity table before brushing her lady's hair.

Juliette smiled contentedly before taking a deep breath, "Promise you won't overreact."

The maid nodded continuously and looked at her in the mirror. "I promise I won't, my lady," she leaned in eagerly, her eyes widened in anticipation.

"So, he brought me to this secluded bar where no nobles would find us. And he made me so comfortable being around him."

Alice squealed out of excitement as she placed down the hairbrush and pulled a chair to sit facing Juliette.

"And?!"

"Oh, Alice. I wish you were there to watch what happened. When the bar owner asked who I was, he introduced me as his friend instead of saying that he was courting me or something. And I really appreciate that. In fact, it made my heart flutter so much, I almost melted there."

"My lady! I never knew the Duke was a gentleman. I only heard of from the rumours and they aren't good ones as well"

"We danced, we drank, we laughed, we talked. It was... perfect. This night was perfect. Everything felt so surreal and amazing, Alice. I never had fun where everyone made me feel included and acknowledged. The Duke listened to everything I said instead of ignoring me and made me feel noticed for once."

"That is wonderful, my lady!" Alice swooned upon hearing the story.

"Whatever it is," Juliette got up and started preparing her bed. "This shall not reach my parents or the public. Are you able to keep this between us, Alice?"

"Yes, my lady! You can count on me. I will never tell anyone about this. And I'm so happy you finally get to have fun after a long time, my lady."

"Thank you, Alice," she thanked and watched as her servant excused herself before leaving. Juliette lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling for a while.

She recalled the moment Jake's hand touched her waist as he guided her on the dance floor. How deep his eyes were boring into hers. And how sweet and enjoyable the words that he spoke to her.

She closed her eyes as her lips curved into a small smile.