Binding Fate: Betrothed to the Otherworldly Duke

Chapter 6: Whispers of a Forgotten Memory

A sharp pain lanced through my head, catching me off guard. The utensils clattered against the porcelain, a stark dissonance in the tranquil morning as the food tumbled to the floor. I leaned forward, a grimace carving through my composed façade, the pain slicing through my thoughts.

Henry was at my side in an instant; his usual impassive features creased with concern. "Your Grace," he uttered, but I silenced him with a swift, dismissive gesture.

"I am fine. Just a passing migraine, is all," I asserted, though even I could hear the tremor in my voice, a betrayal of the lie I was trying to sell. Henry hovered for a moment longer, his eyes betraying a storm of worry despite his stoic demeanor.

I picked up my fork again, forcing myself to continue eating, each bite a deliberate act of defiance against the discomfort that lingered like a shadow draped over my shoulders. I had been raised to conceal any ailment, to dine with the seamless grace expected of those of noble birth, but the food before me had lost all flavor. Despite my best efforts, I knew the men around me could see through my performance, recognizing it for what it was—a mere act for the sake of duty.

Finally, conceding to my body's protests, I dabbed at the corners of my mouth with an ivory napkin. Standing with a grace that belied my inner turmoil, I nodded to them and walked out of the small dining room where we had all gathered for breakfast, leaving the uneaten food behind.

The journey back to the study chamber felt like a trek through time. Each step echoed against the ancient stone walls, resonating with the weight of centuries. The portraits that hung on the walls seemed to watch me, their stoic expressions a testament to the strength and resilience of the North.

As I walked through the halls of the guild headquarters, I could not help but recall the history that had been ingrained into Belmont and me as children. This place within Aeloria had existed long before the creation of Lumicrestia, and its long history could be seen on its walls, just like at the ducal mansion.

I remember Father reminding us that the Northern Territory had been the final piece in the war against Elirius and his horde. Its allegiance with Lumicrestia secured victory, and because of this, the North retained a level of independence unknown to the other conquered lands of the kingdom. Though the King of Lumicrestia still ruled over us, we were allowed to handle our concerns however we wished, without royal involvement.

The heavy door to the study chamber creaked open as I entered. I was momentarily shocked to see Theo perched like an erudite raven upon one of the worn armchairs in front of the altar. He didn't bother to lift his gaze from the red leather tome cradled in his hands.

"Finished with your breakfast so soon, Your Grace?" he quipped, the words leaping off his tongue with a casualness that contradicted the formality of my title.

Crossing the threshold, I allowed no response to escape my lips. I advanced toward my desk, an imposing slab of mahogany that was right behind the altar. The air around Theo seemed to vibrate with unspoken knowledge. I knew that my earlier discomfort at breakfast would not go unnoticed by the man who always seemed to catch whispers before they became rumors.

Theo had a peculiar knack for being the first to know anything that transpired within the mansion's walls. When I ascended to the role of Duke, this trait prompted me to delve into the secrets of the estate, probing into the network of hidden passages and concealed alcoves I suspected Theo of utilizing to his advantage.

Ever meticulous, Theo had documented these mysteries with the precision of a cartographer, producing a portfolio replete with maps and notes that divulged the mansion's most clandestine corners. Out of curiosity and needing to measure his efficiency, I pored over these revelations, pacing the corridors and passageways myself, stopwatch in hand, gauging the time it took to traverse the mansion's arcane shortcuts.