Love Amidst Wars

forty-six

"This is my new home," Juliette said as she awkwardly stepped aside to let the Duke into the cottage. Jake entered with a curious expression, scanning the whole room. He sighed as his lips curved into a small frown and said, "It's cosy, but are you sure it's comfortable?"

"I couldn't afford to complain or whine, Your Grace. It was crucial at that time. As long as I had a place to stay, I was fine."

He let out a heavy sigh as he felt the sudden weight on his chest. He gently held her shoulders and lowered his gaze, "I'm so sorry for being late. If only I had arrived sooner, maybe you wouldn't have–"

"It's not your fault, please don't blame yourself. You were away, working to protect the kingdom and promote peace. If you had been here, I might have lost you."

He tenderly took her hand, treating it as the most delicate thing in the world, and placed it against his cheek. A tear rolled down his cheek as he leaned into her touch, yearning for her warmth.

"Your Grace," she furrowed her brows, "I'm truly alright. Remember, I'm the daughter of a soldier. I can take care of myself even when you're away."

He chuckled lightly at her attempt to lighten the mood. He nodded slowly and released her hand gently, "Come with me then. Come live with me."

Her eyes widened at the sudden offer. She glowered slightly, "You cannot be serious, Your Grace."

"The maids will help you with anything you need. I'm sure my mother would love you. And we can–"

"Your Grace," she interrupted, "I cannot accept that. That is too much. Just you visiting me is enough. I can't possibly make you welcome me into your home."

"Juliette–"

"You should go," she sighed and walked past him. However, he did not want to back down. Not anymore. He did not want to do anything that would cause her to be out of his sight.

"Then marry me."

Her heart dropped. It was too much for her to process. She turned around instantly, "What?"

"Marry me. Then you'll have a reason to live with me."

"Your Grace! You are being absurd!"

He held her hand and pouted, "Don't you want to marry me? Don't you love me?"

Her cheeks reddened at his cutesy. It was a side of him she witnessed for the first time and it was doing wonders to her heart, she swore she almost had a heart attack.

"A marriage is something serious, Your Grace. You can't just fool around like this."

"So you done want to marry me?"

"I did not say that! I want to but–"

"So you want to marry me?" His eyes brightened as if there were sparkles in them. He took a step forward, "You said it yourself."

She raised a brow, still frowning and wondering why the man that stood in front of her, was so different from the one she met in the forest for the first time.

The front door opened out of the blue, Johnny was standing in his formal attire with his fellow military comrades. They all widened their eyes in shock and immediately saluted the Duke, "Your Grace!"

Jake's playful demeanour instantly changed into a cold one as he released Juliette's hand. Johnny cleared his throat out of awkwardness, "We were looking for you, Your Grace."

"Took you long enough."

Juliette scoffed at the audacity of the Duke to even say that. He was busy convincing her to marry him and now he was blaming Johnny for taking such a long time to find him.

"We have made the arrangements for your private manor, Your Grace. Miss Juliette's room has also been tidied and decorated," one of the soldiers nervously announced, avoiding the Duke's gaze.

Juliette crossed her arms and sighed, "Your Grace, I am fine staying here."

"Well forgive me if it sounded like a question. I want you to live with me, Juliette."

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"Welcome, Miss Juliette," the maids greeted as they began arranging her belongings in her new room. She stood at the doorway, frozen into place as she tried to process everything that was happening. She was a bit relieved to find that she had her own room but at the same time dwelled on how or what to talk about when she bumped into the Duke.

Moving into your lover's house was a bit step. But it was normal if you were married. She was not and she had just started to get to know him romantically. She stepped into her new bedroom and looked around, examining all the details of the engraving on the ceiling and walls.

"Do not worry, my lady. I can assure you His Grace is a very loving man."

She widened her eyes and began panicking at the things that might happen if she lived with him. "Wait! How loving–"

"You're already unpacking your things?" A voice interrupted her. The voice she was so familiar with. She turned around and chuckled nervously, "Your Grace."

Jake stepped inside, "So do you like it? I chose the second biggest room in this manor. Mine is the biggest. We can share if you want."

She could not help but laugh at how silly his offer was. "You're quite forward, aren't you? Just offering to share your room like that."

"What can I say? I'm a hospitable host," he smirked proudly, earning muffled laughs from the maids at how silly their banter was.

"Hospitable, or maybe just a bit presumptuous?"

He shrugged, not bothered by her teasing. "A little of both, perhaps. But I only make that offer to selected individuals."

Juliette pretended to consider his offer. "Hmmm... and what makes me so special, exactly?"

Jake moved even closer to her, his voice dropping lower. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's your charming personality, or your captivating eyes, or the fact that I find you incredibly attractive."

She widened her eyes and pushed him back to maintain a distance between him, "Oh I'm feeling so tired now. You should leave now, Your Grace."

"But—"

She closed the door in front of him and leaned against it, holding her chest as she felt butterflies threatening to burst out of her stomach.