Love Amidst Wars

forty-seven

"Now, Miss Juliette, His Grace told us to make you choose at least four dresses. The modiste can design it for you," one of the maids of the manor sighed, almost giving up at Juliette's determined refusal, "I have enough dresses. And besides that, this is a bit absurd. The kingdom is recovering from the sudden invasion, and people have lost their lives, their wealth and their homes. What if they all find out that the Duke is spending lavishly on jewellery and gowns just for me? He'll be the talk of the town, and I'm going to feel guilty for being the reason for it."

"What is with all the commotion?" An annoyed voice was heard coming from the entrance. The maid widened her eyes in shock before greeting the lady, "Your Grace! Did you have a nice journey on the way here?"

Duchess Eleanor sighed before approaching them, "Excluding the moments where people came up to my car and begged for whatever they wanted, I'd say everything was fine. You must be Juliette Anderson, the Viscount's daughter."

"Yes, Your Grace."

The Duchess's charismatic aura made Juliette anxious around her. As the Duchess approached her to take one good look, she gulped in fear as her breath hitched. "How are your parents?" Lady Eleanor asked before taking a seat on the sofa. Juliette took a seat across from her and cleared her throat, "They passed away."

"Well, I've lost too many friends along the way during the invasion as well. Fortunately, Jake had sent me to our private manor on the outskirts of the kingdom."
Juliette nodded and avoided her gaze, fiddling with her dress. Lady Eleanor noticed her demeanour and scoffed before leaning back on the couch to give some space for the maids to serve her tea. "What brings you here, child?"

"I had nowhere to go," Juliette sighed heavily, "I have no family anymore, and my home was destroyed. His Grace was kind enough to let me live here for a while."

"Based on how you're acting right now," the Duchess sipped her tea, "You're feeling guilty. You feel like you're a burden to me and my son by living here. Is that correct?"

Silence. No answer. Which made the Duchess scoff and placed down her teacup, "I actually don't know what my son sees in you. Clarissa was the better choice. She had a higher status than you. I have known her ever since she was little. You, however, I know you so little. Therefore, I am unfamiliar with the intentions you have against my son. Whether it is good or bad."

"Your Grace—"

"If you feel guilty that much, fine. You will not live here for free. Go ask the maids whatever job you can do here. Sweep the floors, wipe the windows, cook, serve tea, whatever you can to get rid of those guilt of yours."

Juliette watched how the duchess excused herself and left. She could finally breathe properly and let out a huge exhale. The previous maid scurried towards her before patting her back, "Miss Juliette! Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. I just need a moment to think."

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"Rot in hell!" One of the militants spat in Johnny's face. The soldier sighed before wiping it with the hem of his sleeve, "I asked you very nicely to make both of our jobs easier here."

He nodded, signalling Benjamin to continue torturing him with the burning coal. Benjamin continued pressing the coal onto the militant's back. The room was filled with his shrieks and screams of horror. The doors to the dungeon opened, and Jake walked in with a stone-cold expression, watching all the militants helplessly kneel on the floor. He dragged a chair towards them before sitting down, "Now, which one of you killed Viscount William?"

"Why should we tell you?"

"Because I can torture you right now. Other than burning you, I can rip out your mouth, impale you with sharp tools or maybe I should scoop out your eyes?"

"No wonder they call you the psychotic Duke," the militant chuckled as his saliva drooled to the floor.

"I was so close to capturing the Viscount's daughter. Maybe if I did, I could play with her as many times as I want before I kill her just like her father—"

Jake angrily kicked his stomach before burning his back with the hot coal, "Wrong answer. Now let me ask you again, and make sure to answer carefully because if you don't, I will cut your stomach open and feed your insides to the dogs. Why did you invade the kingdom?"

"Seeing you come here in your fancy Duke attire... Are you not ashamed, Your Grace? The others have lost their family, their wealth, their homes... And yet, you managed to still live a lavish life. Maybe I did a favour for the people by blowing up the palace and killing the monarchs. How is your friend, the prince, doing? I heard he wasn't there when the palace blew up. Losing both parents must be so hard. Maybe I should've sent my men to hunt you both down and kill—" the militant shrieked loudly, surprising everyone when Jay suddenly came and burned his back with a lump of coal.

"Your Highness," Jake breathed out. Jay grimaced at the sight in front of him before turning to the Duke, "Kill them instantly. I don't think we need any answers from them."

"Yes, Your Highness." Benjamin and Johnny nodded before killing all the militants there. Jay left the dungeon with a frustrated expression. Jake stood there, watching the death scene unfold in front of him before leaving all the work to his fellow soldiers.