Natacha ran off as fast as she can in her luxury wedding gown as she ran from her wedding. Her wedding was set to be with an old viscount she felt disgusted. This man had so many wives before her.
"Natacha! Come back our I'll break your legs!!" Her stepmother cried in the background of the cathedral.
'I have to find the Duke, God gave me another chance! I must not better stupid to waste it!'
Her legs were tired as she kicked off her heels and ran barefoot through the streets as a few maids her stepmother sent ran behind her. Natacha turned a sharp corner and ran through the street the Duke was staying.
'Almost, there!'
She gritted her teeth as she fully sprint lifting her dress even more. As the gaurds at the entrance prepare to their defensive stance.
"Halt!"
Natacha slowed down as she came close to the gaurds as the maids high tailed her. As she ran up to the gaurds in
"I need to see the Duke! Please!" Cried Natacha as she was stopped by the spears.
"I'm sorry. The Duke is not expecting an audience at the moment. Especially a maiden who is getting married today." The gaurd stated as he shooed Natacha away.
"My marriage is with the Duke!" Natacha breathed heavily her corset was loosening.
"What the duke doesnt-" the gaurd was cut off my Natacha screaming the Duke's name as she fell to the floor in pity.
"Duke Astor! Duke Astor! I pledge marriage to you!"
"Miss, Natacha! You are marrying Viscount Helbert! Have you lost your mind!?" One of the maids caught Natacha's arm pulling her up roughly.
"Miss you better get going and listen to your maid-!" The gaurd was agitated but cut off by a familar voice.
"Marrack, stand down. She means no harm." A tall man with blonde hair and red eyes was walking slowly towards the gate.
"Miss Emil, today is your wedding to Viscount Helbert. What made you come all the way here? Especially to my manor..."
"Your Grace, my stepmother have married me off to Viscount Helbert to pay debt. She made a rumor that I loved Viscount Helbert and was pregnant with his child! I want justice! She even said she will break my legs!" Natacha shook off her maid's hand as she stepped forward to the Duke.
"You seem hellbent to get out of this marriage. Why should I help you? You know trespassing is grounds for death." the Duke crossed his arms in slight annoyance.
"Your Grace! Don't mind my daughter! She's speaking nonsense, she does love Viscount Helbert! It's just wedding jitters!" The sound of Natacha's step-mother made her nervous but angry at the same time. As she trembled with anger the Duke noticed and smiled mischievously.
'Oh, nonsense? I'll show you nonsene!'
Natacha Step-mother curtsied as she walked up to the Duke. Viscountess Emil smiled as she walked up to him and grabbed her hand.
"Don't touch me! You sold me off!! You also stole my inheritance!" Natacha cried as shook her hand away.
"Why you-"
"To make matters simple...I'll marry Miss Emil. Miss Emil if you can prove that your stepmother sold you off and sold your inheritance you can stay as Duchess if not you must divorce me. Under my protection, I'll marry you right now, pay your debt and clear your name."
"Your grace..." Natacha blushed as she stood up and walked up to him.
"Your Grace please reconsider, what about Viscount Helbert-?" Viscountess Emil said nervously as she looked up at the Duke.
"Call the priest and tell him a private wedding should be held at my manor." The Duke grabbed Natacha hand in the heat of the moment. Fixed her raven locks back into a bun without hesitation.
As time passed and a priest have arrived but next to him was the Viscount himself. Agitated as he walked over to Natacha and grabbed her arm.
"Quite bugging the Duke and come back to me! This is our wedding day and all you did was humilate me! Quick apologi-" the old man replied in anger as he dragged Natacha away forceful.
"It's you who should apologize, Viscount Helbert. Isn't it wrongful that you are marrying your daughter's best friend?"
"What?" The Vicount looked confused as he glanced at Viscountess Emil she only signaled him to kneel.
"She is going to be my wife instead. I'll pay you what she owed to you." The Duke smirked at the fearful man on the floor as he kneeled.
'I almost forgot Millie, she also set me up for this.' Natacha thought as she saw the young girl sitting in the coach. She looked over nervously with a smile.
'The inheritance...I won't get it!' Visount Helbert thought as he heard those words of Natacha getting married to the Duke.
The priest cleared his throat with a grin causing everyone to be at attention.
"Alright commencing the ceremony!"
Everyone was in a shock at the priest words as he commence the ceremony. The young lady of house Emil and Duke Astor was to be wed. Millie watched in silence as she bit her lip. Viscount Helbert was embarrased and Viscountess Emil was in utterly shocked.
"The ceremony is finished, now the young lady of Emil is the Duchess of our country!" Smiling in relief Natacha held her chest. As the Duke notice he held her hand post ceremony.
"Everyone can leave, let me enjoy my wife in peace. If not you will be executed." The Duke announced as he carried Natacha away.
As the doors closed and the Duke glanced at Natacha who was dumbfounded at his actions. The Duke hummed and walked away.
"Everything has a reason." He said calmly as he walked away from her towards his study.