"Lady Celia, you should get up," Celia heard her maid say.
"Not yet, I want to sleep a little bit longer today."
"... are you sure?", came the skeptical answer.
"Yes, Father wants me to stay in my room anyway," she mumbled, slightly drunk with sleep. She had written to the Grand Duke five days ago. But no answer had yet been received . Only then it occurred to her that he might refuse. The fear of it had kept her up all night. If she couldn't have him, she didn't want anyone! Who could ever have eyes for another man after seeing his picture?
"To be clear it is your decision not to get up," continued her maid.
"Yeah, it is," Celia replied.
Suddenly she heard a rustling noise and shortly afterwards footsteps approaching her bed. "I'd like to have that in writing then."
I beg your pardon? What was the matter with Lora today? Slightly annoyed, she opened one eye and looked directly at the quill that her maid held in front of her face. Celia knew her well enough to know that she wouldn't rest before that. So she submitted to her fate and signed the piece of paper that Lora had prepared.
"Well, hope you are now satisfied."
"Absolutely, I wish you a good night's sleep."
"Thanks." With that she turned around again and went back to sleep.
It wasn't until much later that Celia finally got up because her mouth was dry. Fortunately, Lora had put her breakfast and a cup of now lukewarm tea beside her bed, from which she gratefully took a sip.
At that moment there was a knock on the door and Lora reappeared. As if she had felt that her mistress was now awake.
Celia gave her a friendly smile. "I think today will be a good day. Has a letter arrived from the Grand Duke in the meantime?" She inquired curiously and took another sip.
"The Grand Duke and his secretary are in the drawing room."
(* cough *)
Celia coughed a hand over her mouth, that's how terrified she was. "You mean the letter from the Grand Duke written by his secretary is in the drawing room?"
Lora's expression remained unchanged. "Grand Duke Dumain and his secretary are in the drawing room," she repeated these ominous words again.
"How long has he been waiting there?"
Her maid took out her pocket watch to take a look. "Exactly 3 hours and 22 minutes."
Celia felt the color drain from her face. "You should have woken me up! Why didn't you ..." In the middle of the sentence, Lora held a piece of paper in front of her nose and she stopped to read it.
I hereby certify as Lady Celia Arinella Fleuret, that I have ordered my maid Lora to let me sleep. As a result, I am aware that I will have Grand Duke Domain serviced and take full responsibility for it.
Below that was her signature from the morning.
Lora took the note from her again and rolled it up. "You should always read what you sign," she pointed out to her mistress.
Celia let herself fall on her chair and stared into the void. Over 3 hours. I'm dead. She couldn't survive that. Still, she would have to see the Grand Duke ... if only he had informed her about his visit beforehand.
"Unless you want to keep the Grand Duke waiting any longer, I would suggest that you should get dressed."
Good plan. "It would be great if you could hurry today. It is best to take the yellow dress, the patches are not immediately visible on that one."
While Lora got the dress, Celia looked at herself in the mirror. The scratch her father had left on her cheek with his ring was now as good as healed. With a little powder her guest would definitely not notice anything.
She was also glad that Lora actually finished her in no time at all. Though they couldn't make an elaborate hairstyle, which is why her maid only tucked the front strands back a little. Celia very much hoped the Grand Duke would like her. She couldn't score with punctuality, so for the time being, all she could count on was her appearance. "Well then, on into the fight."
With nervous steps she went to the drawing room with Lora. According to her maid, her father was not in the house, so she could talk to her guest in peace for the time being.
When they got to the big door, she noticed how her heart went crazy. Take a deep breath, everything will be fine.
With her gaze lowered slightly, she entered the room and curtsied. "Your Grace, forgive me for making you wait so long. My name is Celia Arinella Fleuret. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Suddenly she felt someone take her hand and Celia looked up for the first time. She looked straight into two beautiful deep pink eyes and was immediately mesmerized by them. Without breaking eye contact, the man raised her hand to his face so he could place a kiss on it. "Grand Duke Alek Cassian Dumain. The pleasure is mine."
Celia felt herself blush slightly. Somehow it went very differently than expected. The man standing in front of her was not at all what she had imagined. She had thought he was a rough and cold person. But instead he even smiled at her and politely led her to her seat. He didn't even utter a word about her letting him wait for this long.
When they were both seated again, Celia was able to take one more look at the Grand Duke. The picture she had seen of him, however, could not do justice to his beauty. His jet-black hair was combed back lightly and a single strand of which had become independent fell into his face. It made him look slightly daring, especially with that little half-smile on his lips. Not to mention those perfect cheekbones! The only thing that actually gave him a bit of a villainous look were those sharp pink eyes who continued to look attentively at her. Like a predator watching its prey.
If this were actually the case, she would have no chance. While she could guess his muscles even under his clothes, his movements were so incredibly smooth. She never met a man like him. In addition, he was really tall, he topped her by at least 15 inches.
It was incomprehensible to her how such a fine specimen of a man could still be single. There must have been women before her who were willing to take this risk. Maybe he was very picky? Could her appearance even appeal to him?
Suddenly she felt incredibly shabby. The hair, which was all messed up, the dress with the slightly hidden patches and long out of fashion. She looked again at the Grand Duke, who was sitting across from her with crossed legs. He almost seemed to blind her with his good looks.
Celia sighed inwardly. Looks like Plan B probably failed as well. If she couldn't impress him with good manners or good looks, all that remained was her character.
"I suppose it was my letter that brought you here today," she started a conversation.
The Grand Duke's smile widened a little and he leaned forward slightly. "I have to say, you piqued my interest."