"I take it that my father had already informed you of why I am here."
Luke gazed at the slim back in front of him. It had been a long time since he had seen Lady Chalice. He couldn't help but be surprised at how she had grown up so beautifully over the years.
Lady Chalice was his and his sister's benefactor. She was the one who took them in back when they were still wretchedly living in the slums and had almost been convicted of thievery. If it were not for the intervention of the younger Chalice back then, Luke would have been crippled.
She was the light at the end of their tunnel. Luke from then on had been silently admiring her, secretly protecting her. Though he was not able to serve her closely like his sister Lucy did, he still wanted to do something for her.
However, Luke saw how she was conspired with by the people around her. The fact that he could not do anything to help hurt him. He could not even enter her eyes much less help. Thus, he had no choice but watch as she slowly fell into the malicious ploys of women and continuously blackening her own reputation. He retaliated to them for her through subtle means. Untraceable. But that was something only he knew about.
A lot of people, due to the rumors, believed that Lady Chalice was a man-chaser. But Lucy and him knew that she wasn't. She was brash, yes. Wayward, true as well. But chasing men? Chasing the crown prince? That was something instigated by those close to her. In the end, it led her to a calamity. Luke regretted that he was not even there to save her from being trampled upon by those horses. But he was far away in the Amaranthian fief, managing it for her.
Luke knew such feelings for his mistress was forbidden. He was not allowed to like her. He can't. She had already suffered enough. And him pursuing her would only disrupt the equilibrium. Aside from the fact that Duke Amaranth would certainly turn livid. After all, both of them do not want to put her in the midst of danger. That was why even if he had to miss her all the time, Luke stayed put in the fief.
But the circumstances seem to be playing with him. Lady Chalice actually asked to be banished to where he was. Luke worried about it for days, when he received the missive from the duke.
It wasn't until he saw her walk out of the carriage and stare at him that he threw all caution to the wind. He just relished the fact that his beloved was here.
However, Luke almost regretted this when his Lady Chalice proceeded to tease him till he was red with embarrassment. Luke had no choice but to bear with it all and act cool, suave, and composed. Even when he was obviously about to explode internally. He shivered at the possibility of these kinds of scenarios repeating themselves.
Luke roused himself and paid attention to what the woman in front of him said.
"Yes, my lady. The duke sent us an express missive about your arrival at the fief. He had informed us that you are here to manage the fief as the proxy Lord."
Luke answered. Truthfully, he was slightly skeptical when he came to know about it. From what he previously knew the Lady was smart but she was extremely averse to studying. The matters of the fief would overwhelm her if she had a weak fortitude. Although Luke held special feelings for his Lady, he was a realist. He couldn't let emotions cloud his judgement. Especially if it involved the welfare of many people.
Then again, though he was doubtful of her capacity as a proxy Lord, Luke also thought that Duke Amaranth may have his reasons to give her this responsibility. After all, Lady Chalice is his only heir.
"Luke, I am aware that managing the fief is still beyond my capabilities for now. But I am willing to learn. All I need is for all of you to give me a chance to try. And of course, I'd be relying on you."
Luke took note of the firm resolve in her voice, which was also expressed in her beautiful face as she turned to face him. There seem to be something different in her. Her actions a while ago had taken him off guard but he just took it as her usual brash behavior. Though it was something she had never done. After all, Chalice never did took notice of him. However, the lady in front him now had a fire in her eyes. A raw determination to achieve the goal she had set. The Chalice he knew had long lost this kind of confidence.
Luke had to be honest, not only did it made him admire her more, it stirred something in him as well. He had to say that Lady Chalice is talking to him just as how a proper fief lord should.
However, as he pondered her words Luke realized something was off. He immediately refuted.
"Me, my lady? I'm afraid it should be William you should tell that, too. I am merely his assistant." He replied humbly with his head down.
---
Chalice raised her brow at Luke's answer. She smiled a knowing smile.
"Now, Luke. We both know that is not the truth. It is actually you who really manages the fief. William is the one who assists you."
She saw him stiffen up at her words. Seems like Chalice hit the nail. She had seen the way the servants had acted a while ago. Their body language screamed servility and respect to this man. Though barely noticeable, it did not escape her eyes. After all, it was something she was trained to do in her past life. To be observant of even the minute and negligible actions around her.
"I don't seem to understand what you mean, my lady."
Chalice squinted her eyes at him. This guy! Does he really think she was that dense?