Grand Duke Cajarte

Chapter 7

Grand Duchess Madelaine Cajarte

I took a deep breath first before twisting the doorknob. My destination was right before my eyes, his office. What could it be? For me to set my feet in this hell.

As the door made a way, the first thing I saw was his serious face. Sitting on his chair with the usual stacks of papers on his desk. He wasn't alone and I thought I could breathe freshly with the idea. Having to think that, it never last until I notice who were the two outstanding gentlemen beside him.

On his right hand, was Sir. Josh. Standing fully equip in his uniform armor. Waiting for the order of his master. Then, unto the other side was Jackson. The Head Butler of the manor. Despite his age, he should never be underestimated.

It took all of my courage to be daring and greet the Grand Duke with the best respect that I can as what my teacher instructed me. "Good evening Your Excellency."

"Let's skip formalities, shall we?" He rests his chin on his folded hands while his elbows were on his table. "Afterall, you're my wife now."

My lips pressed into thin line. "You called for me?"

I don't want to admit it. And I don't want to accept it. The fact that he's my husband legally.

Never mind in bothering to draw near to him. I firmly stayed on the ground confidently with the exit behind me in case for something happen such as an urgent situation. Or is it just me, imagining things? Because the truth, the longer I stay here, the more I became anxious.

"Josh, my knight had mentioned. That you suggested this path." He pointed the map pertaining to the road I advised. "Would you mind explaining it to us?"

"Y-yes. That might be true."

"Pardon me. However, I can't hear you from such a distance." He has this face with a smug look. Teasing me by using his aqua blue eyes. "Can you come closer?"

My hands turned cold; it became numb hearing those words. I bit my lips feeling contrary to his ordered, though I still obeyed. Just like a terrified mouse stepping on a beast's trap.

I did not dare, to make such noise with the heels that I'm wearing. Nor the soft sound of the puffy frills swaying with each other sewn around my dress. I did not dare for my mind was too engrossed on how should I swallow the lump that was stuck inside my throat.

"Hmm," he smirked. "Probably, you're just new in Arello but Ivium is a far Dukedom and this road was rumor to be block by the rocks."

"I'm confident that it was a shortcut. You can investigate it first for yourself."

As I was said. My knowledge from reading, was the only thing I can rely and the power that I should take advantage to survive in this place. I've never experience to put myself in the middle of the battlefield. Although, discussing war?

I promise that I can ride along.

The gods may have favor me this time. Grand Duke Alcide Cajarte might not know or the people inside of this room. Their library, have a bountiful of information.

A merchant who loves to travel. As he visits many different countries, every single detailed that he knew was completely written in his journal.

He'll go far to travel the whole map even if he'll run out of money. And Ivium wasn't an exception. That kind man who just want to learn various cultures while selling his products met its fate at that road.

Before he closed his eyes, for his final breath. He wrote with his trembling fingers on the blank page that will be the last, that the path was blocked by the heavy rocks that no number of men can remove it.