Love Amidst Wars

thirty-five

A few days later, the most dreaded day finally came. The day of the military going for their expeditionary force. Juliette could not visit the military site due to her mother having trauma and paranoia after what happened to her father.

She fiddled with her fingers and sat in the living room alone, her legs shaking due to the anxiety of imagining any accidents occurring to the Duke—soldiers!

Alice came and served her some tea before noticing her concerned expression, "Is there something wrong, my lady? Is the tea not to your liking?"

"Not quite. Alice, today is the expeditionary force."

"Really?"

"The Duke is going to the expedition. What if something happens? What if he suffers the same fate as my father? Or worse!"

"My lady," Alice sighed as she picked up the teapot, "There's no use worrying about him here if you're not going to do anything."

"What do you mean?"

"You can always visit him before his departure."

Juliette burst into laughter, thinking of how absurd the maid's suggestion was, "How can I possibly do that? My mother has paranoia after what happened to my father. And visiting that military site would really make her lose her mind and–"

"My lady! Calm down," Alice held her lady's arms, "If you're desperate to see him, there will always be a way. You're just holding yourself back."

She thought for a while, releasing her hands from the grip of her maid's. "You're right. If there's a will, there's a way."

"And, the driver and I are willing to help you achieve your love dreams, my lady. Why don't we leave now so that you can see the Duke in time?"

"Yes. We shall do that," Juliette nodded and immediately sprinted out of the manor.

"Wait! My lady! You're still in your forest-exploring attire! It's covered with dirt!" Alice called but failed at her attempt. She chuckled to herself and continued tidying up the coffee table, picking up the teacup.

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Juliette took a deep breath as soon as the car arrived in front of the gates of the military site. The driver looked at her from the rearview mirror, "No need to worry, my lady. You look perfect."

"Thank you, sir," she smiled before jumping out of the car and running into the site to search for the Duke. She exhaled heavily as she looked around before frowning in defeat.

"Did he leave already?" she said before gasping for some air to catch her breath.

Her eyes were threatening to release tears as she felt worried that she might not get to see him at all. Her mind started playing all sorts of scenarios, especially ones where the Duke does not return at all.

She watched a couple talking to each other, the wife fixing the hat of her soldier husband. She smiled to herself as she continued exploring the site. Somehow, her legs unexpectedly brought her to Jake's tent, supposedly his office at the site.

Assuming he already left, she barged inside. How surprised she was, seeing him wiping his gun in his formal military attire.

"Juliette?"

She blinked her tears away, preventing him from noticing she felt like crying when she thought he already left.

"I thought you had already left," she hung her head low.

He placed his gun down and grinned softly before making his way towards her. He touched her chin, tilting her head to make her look at him so tenderly.

"Were you worried?"

She pushed his hand away, avoiding his gaze. "I thought this might be the last time I get to see you."

"That will never happen."

"My mind keeps playing all these frightening scenarios. Scenarios of you not returning, Your Grace."

"Don't believe them."

She scoffed, "Oh how I wish it was that easy. What if you suffer the same fate as my father? What if it's worse? This is too dangerous, Your Grace."

"But it is my duty to serve the military and protect the kingdom, Juliette. If it wasn't, I wouldn't be a soldier and a Major."

She nodded slowly and let her head hang low once again. He could not help but grin to himself, "So, did you come here to give me something to keep while I'm away? I assume you didn't, seeing how you came here in your dirt-stained dress. I assume you were running to the site. Did you explore the forest this morning?"

"I did not," she crossed her arms, trying to deceive him but she knew too well that he already predicted her answer. "I felt like going to the lake today."

"It's alright. Although the property belongs to me, it will soon be yours as well."

"What?"

"I will return. And as soon as I return, I will ask to court you."

She felt speechless and avoided his intense gaze, "Your Grace, I–"

"I insist. I will return. And by then, I will need your answer," he took her hand and kissed the back of it.

Her cheeks instantly reddened, watching him look at her with a gaze so lovingly as he kissed her hand. He suddenly pulled her towards him before leaning in for a kiss.

She closed her eyes, feeling him smiling between the kiss as he deepened it. They finally pulled away and awkwardly stood silently for a while.

"That will be my farewell kiss. And as soon as I return, I will be waiting for another one. Will you promise me that, Juliette?"

"Yeah... Umm–yeah, I will–whatever you say," she stuttered and pursed her lips. He awkwardly smiled at her before grabbing his gun and leaving the tent.