I left the castle with Duke Claude as my escort. King Cedrick was furious because I am engaged with Duke Claude. One of the most powerful Duke in the Kingdom Seiya and Telbia. I don't really understand how we got into this point but at least I am safe. Safe from Prince Harold.
"Lady Calla must've been confused about how we got engaged." Claude suddenly talked.
"Ah! Yes! Would it be alright for me to know how?"
Claude chuckles and tucks my hair on my ear. "Do you believe in reincarnation?"
I froze. What! Does that mean that Claude is just like me? I looked at him and doubt him. He just laughs and pats my head. "Sorry, It's just a terrible joke. I do not believe in reincarnation but I do believe in fate. You see, when you were 3, I met you and we used played a lot."
Yeah, like when I was 3, I was still confused. I did not realize that I was reincarnated in the novel and became one of its characters.
"You suddenly told our parents that you wanted to be my bride."
"That's a freaking lie over there!" I shouted then I stood up and bump my head. I just remembered that we are currently in the carriage. Duke Claude pulled me down to sit down.
"Unfortunately, I am not lying. You could always ask your parents or your brothers."
"Duke Claude, I also do not agree to marry you. I do not have any affections towards you." I honestly said to him. "Let's annul our engagement, Duke Claude."
I want to at least marry someone I love in this world. The thing that I haven't done and deeply regret when I was on Earth.
Duke Claude looked surprised. Probably because I am the only one besides Stephie who rejected him. I am hoping that he would accept my offer.
Duke Claude sigh. He blankly stared at me. "I also don't want to marry you but I have no choice. I need you to do your role as my fiancee. If you play along for a while then I am willing to annul our engagement."
Could it be that he needed me to get rid of a woman named Marissa Dale who was said to be chosen by God? Marissa fell in love with the Duke and so she tried to seduce him. In the original story, Duke Claude asked Stephie to pretend to be his fiancee so he could get rid of Marissa because she is evil. Abusing people because she has the power to do so.
"Then I will accept it."
The carriage suddenly stopped moving. I did not notice that we already arrived home.
"Good! Then I am to inform you that you are moving into my home tomorrow." Duke Claude stepped down the carriage and lent me a hand to go down because wearing a gown means you could trip anytime.
"Could I bring my maid and butler?" I asked.
Duke Claude smiled and he patted my head with his big warm hand. It suddenly made me blush especially that he is smiling like an angel. "But of course. I'll see you soon, Tory."
He stepped into the carriage and I watched it move away. Why must the author of the story create Claude to be devilishly charming? Why did the author create Male Characters handsome or Charming!
I felt someone tapping on my shoulder, It is Thomas and my new maid Stephanie. "Milady, welcome back home," Thomas said.
This is a bit annoying. Now that I noticed it, Thomas was skinny when he arrived here but now that he gained fats, he also looks quite attractive. Why is everyone attractive though?
"Milady, is there something wrong?"
I waved my hand and walked towards the door to Hamilton's humble home. "Nothing is wrong, Thomas. I want you two to pack our things because we are moving to Duke Claude's residency. I need to talk to my father for a while."
"As you wish, Milady." The two retreated and I quickly went to my father's office where I caught Mother holding father's collar.
"You dare to officially accept that Lennox's son to be engaged with Tory behind my back!"
"Wife, it is the last will of Duke Florence and we needed to accept it so that Tory wouldn't enter the royal family!"
They did not notice me and so I knocked on the door three times. Their eyes widen when they saw me. "Tory!"
"Mother, Father. I am here for the explanation that you owe me."
"I am leaving." Mother said. "Rick, give them their afternoon snacks."
I sat down on the couch and our snacks and tea arrive.
I looked at my father as we drink our tea in silence. Mother left a while ago because she is deeply furious. After all, I am still 15 and I am too young to be engaged. Mother said that it would be better for me to get married at the age of 20. She doesn't care about the rule in this Kingdom. I am happy for her concern but like what I have heard from Father before, It is better for me to be engaged to a Duke than a Prince. The Royal Harem is indeed dangerous and threatens life.
"Father, please explain to me how I am engaged with Duke Claude." I broke the silence by asking him that.
Father sigh and puts down his teacup. Clearly, he is tired and a little bit sad. "My dear Tory, do you remember your first trip to the palace?"
I nod and he continues to talk to me in a serious manner. "Dear, he is the one that I wanted you to meet but at that time your grandfather, The King of Telbia suddenly summoned him for he has the talent and skill to help people. Dear, when you were 3 years old, Duke Claude often come here to visit when his parents are alive." Father chuckles and added. "You suddenly appeared in the middle of our meeting while dragging young Claude and announced to us that you want to be his bride. At that time your mother was not around and so she did not know since I did not tell her. We all know what would she react in this matter after all."
I felt the heat all over my face. I could not believe that I really did that! Shame on me! "Mo-moving on." I flusteredly said.
"Duke Florence quickly agrees about it. I too agreed about it for one condition that the two of you must be in love when you got married. Unfortunately, Duke Florence died with his wife and left Duke Claude at a young age to be the head of his family since he is the only child from the main family."
"Well, that's quite hard."
"That's true. Duke Claude had a lonely childhood ever since his parents died. Tory, Dear, this might be selfish of me but I want you two to get married. Of course, I will not force you into marriage if you really don't want to."
I hugged my father. I already agreed to annul my engagement with Duke Claude once his problems are solved. I feel sorry for not telling the deal that I have with Duke Claude and also feel sorry for Duke Claude.
But today's happening is quite suspicious. Duke Claude and Calla were childhood friends but they never get engaged in the story. Something tells me that when I was 3 and am very confused about my identity, something happened. Really big happened. What could that be?