"I'm sorry. I actually didn't know that a soup is supposed to be hot. I am just used to making everything hot into cold." I warned her.
That bitch suddenly leaned to her husband. Why does all the marchioness that I am meeting is such a bitch?
"So, Lady Silvestine, how do you find the west?" The duke interrupted.
I kept staring at that nasty marchioness while answering the duke's question. "The west is cool and I like it. Despite of its coolness, the flowers and plants are still healthy. The soil must be rich in nutrients. I actually envy the West right now because in the North, no plant, I mean no weak plant can stand the coldness. They die and withered eventually."
"The west must be new to you. I am glad hearing your comment." The duke answered.
I looked away and my eyes were glued to the person next to the duchess. He acted like he doesn't even care and busy minding his food. The atmosphere became so heavy and it became unbearable to breathe until the duchess broke that deafening silent.
"I am so happy that my daughters-in-law are gathering in the table. Isn't it this is one big happy family?" She tried her best to lift up that heavy cloud. I remain silent and continued my meal.
The dinner is done and before we are going to leave the dining area, the duke asks his son, Luke, to send me to my room. The princess was accompanied by her maids and also Arthur and Nate left together.
Right now, Luke and I are just walking side by side without saying a word. Until, we reach my bedroom he didn't ask a single question. The only words I heard from his mouth is, 'Sleep well milady'. Is that even considered a conversation?
The next day, the duchess invited us to have our breakfast in the garden. I am again amazed seeing that beautiful scenery while having a breakfast. Bell, choose my outfit and it is really comfortable even it is a dress. This time, Luke wasn't around. The duke excuses him and mentioned that he has to be in the barracks securing the security for the upcoming gala in two days' time.
The duke offered me instead to tour around the house, I don't have anything do anyways that's why I decided to come along. The duchess is with us leaving Nate, Arthur and the princess behind. France and his wife also tag along.
"I believe that this is the first time that a Winters visits the West. I am really glad the Lady Silvestine is enjoying her stay here." The duchess said.
"I must say that the West is truly beautiful. It is lively." I said.
"Well, even it looks lively it is actually one of the dangerous places in the kingdom. We don't have only invaders in the sea but we also have in land. The west is already handful for another trouble. The gala usually attracts possible danger, especially that the princess is here. That's why I am asking for your forgiveness in the place of my son for not attending you right not even though you are his fiancé." The duke said.
"It would be my burden if I become a hindrance to him. I think that is the least I can do for now, I should stay out of the way." I answered.
The duchess and the duke looked at me.
"Thank you for understanding." The duchess continued. "I should be truthful to you. I know that you are aware of the rumors going around about you, Lady Silvestine. Most of them are bad and not pleasing to hear. I must admit that I am also cautious right now around you. But talking with you personally widens my view. Those baseless rumors are somehow destroying your image, are you not even bothered?" She ask.
I looked at the duchess and sighed. "Thank you for your concern duchess. I am also a busy person and if I am going to let myself be bothered by those rumors, isn't it simply I am showing them that I am weak? No. I must admit that those rumors are somehow are real and some are not. But I don't care. Why would I even care? Let those mouths run around until they get tired because I believe that those same mouth will be shut in a right time." I said. Besides I will personally shut those for them. I will destroy anyone who bad mouth me, it is just I am quite handful at the moment. However, already have their names in my list.
Little did I know that both the duke and the duchess actually got touch from what I said. The truth is I am actually planning to murder those people who are bad mouthing me. I accidentally created a diversion that I am somehow a very upright and educated woman. They didn't know that I am trying my best to not mess up.
"I guess that the rumors are wrong." The duke said.
"I cannot say that they are all wrong." I cut.
"Well, even though they are wrong or true, you are still engaged to our family that's why if you need help don't hesitate to ask." The duke offered.
I just nodded. We kept touring the whole mansion and I showed them my real impression seeing the whole house. It is indeed huge. I didn't hide any expression from them because I am really impressed. The duchess starting to open up with me unlike the first time we meet each other.
That afternoon, the duke called Luke and told him that he must spare sometime with me. We ended up together and he decided to tour me around the town. Well, I would love to tour the town.
The town of Cleiden is lively as well and I don't see any guards around patrolling. I think that this is one of the reasons why there are many crimes happening in their town, no one is controlling the public. I wanted to say it out loud but those etiquette lessons stock in my head is hindering me. Lucas's notes also indicate that if ever I am in public, I should try to remain calm.
While walking in the town, girls are busy talking about the person next to me that is look like a log. He is not talking and just agreeing in everything I say. He is no fun. am I really going to get married with this person? I stop at a souvenir shops and I saw a nice ring. It has a color blue gem on top of a plain white silver base ring. It reminds me of our crest, the Winters crest. I bought it and it is actually expensive.
Luke suddenly excuses himself for a minute and he entered a shop. I stayed out. As soon he left, three men went near to me and it looks like they are trying to scare me. Do they really have to do that? Maybe this is one of the reasons why the West is called the dangerous place in the kingdom. I just looked at them and warned them not to touch me. Suddenly they left, and a kid bump me and he didn't even bother to say sorry before leaving.
Suddenly, I realized that he stole the ring that I bought earlier. There is no way he is going to take that away from me. I chased him even wearing a dress. However, the shoes are hindering me to run a little faster. I took my shoes off and tossed it aside. I chased after him until he vanished from my sight. He might out run me because of the dress I am wearing and having a bare foot but he cannot escape from me. I used a detector spell and I found him in the alley.
Is there something going on in this alley? I reached the end of that stinky alley and I found countless slaves in that area. Slavery is not illegal in the kingdom but seeing them somehow, I really wish that they are not treated like that. There are people or should I say traders, around. The kid handed the ring that he stole earlier to the trader and as if they are speaking in another language. Is that the language used at the Kingdom of Eleanor? The kingdom that the West subdue a year ago.
The trader suddenly pushed the kid and the trader took the ring. There is no way, they are going to take that ring from me. I went closer and the trader saw me. His face suddenly changes into someone who sees a possible customer.
"Hand over the ring that the kid stole, that is my ring." I commanded.
"What ring are you trying to find milady?" The trader wanted to hide the fact the he has the ring.
"Don��t pretend that you don't know, I saw you put that ring your pocket." I said.
The trader looked at me with displease look and handed me the ring. He apologizes immediately. I guess he saw that I am from a high-ranking nobility. He spoke in a language of Eleanor and warned the kid who is in the ground that he will be punished severely later. Do you think that I will feel pity? NO. As soon I got my ring, I left that place. I won't even care what would they do to the kid, beside I am aware that killing slaves are forbidden. So, I am quite sure that the kid will not die, just badly beaten yes.
I left that alley without even feeling pity. I don't know but according to the notes, I should at least pity them but I don't feel any. Maybe I am just born with this type of personality. It is getting dark and I realized that I am lost. Well, I know the way going back to the mansion so I might just walk back. I reached at the gate of the Azures' mansion and there is a commotion going on.
I walk closer and I heard Luke and the duke commanding each and guards to search for me. Why would they search for me? I am just here. I walk closer for them to notice and suddenly Luke's face changed. He rushed to me and checked if I am alright. The duke sighed upon seeing me and immediately ask me what happened to me. Well, anyone will ask seeing a woman without wearing any shoes and as dirty as I am.