"....what?"
"Yes my lady, Should I bring you more medicine or should I go get your outfit for breakfast?"
"Yes, Bring me my outfit."
'Calmar duchy, Ivor, Sylvia....blonde hair, azure eyes....fuck! Ha....it's to be expected, everything comes with a price. I got transmigrated into the most shittiest novel I was reading and that too just for fun?! Like you could have transmigrated me into 'harry potter' or something couldn't ya? And to top it off....this is Sylvia's body? The villainess's lackey who carried out her orders....and dies at the end of the novel because of having her drink spiked by the villainess herself!'
The air around the duchess grew increasingly despairing for a while.
"Ma'am we brought these dresses today, let us help you get ready."
'Ha...whatever.'
"Wait- I have to try on all of them?! Isn't that a bit too much for just a simple meal??"
"My lady it has been a long time since you had breakfast with the duke, so please cooperate with us!"
"But still-"
.
.
.
.
"The duchess is attending breakfast? Are you sure? If this information turns out to be false..." Ivor menacingly turned around to glare at the informant.
"I- I am sure my lord. The duchess's private maid has informed the chef too about this."
"Renauld! Ah, you may leave."
"Yes my lord, you called?"
Renauld, a man in his early 20's, one of the few people the duke trusted with his life and secrets, came in view. One of the smartest men who graduated early from the academy and was now serving the duchy as the duke's assistant. He had striking platinum-gold hair with green eyes. The illegitimate son of a baron, who had entrusted his everything to his noble friend and master, Ivor.
"Prepare the best outfit for today's breakfast. And make sure it matches the duchess's taste as well as her colour theme. We don't have much time. And tell them to hurry!"
"Right away." He gave a hearty grin at his friend's dishevelled state before turning around to pass on his orders. After all it wasn't everyday you got to see the Archduke of the mighty empire of Crensia to be all over the place.
.
.
.
The maids and the helpers started preparing the table for the breakfast, which was in no way ordinary.
The duke was already seated at the table, looking around for any mistake and occasionally fixing his hair.
"Lady Sylvia Calmar is entering!"
"She never comes.....she is always so cold to the duke....she never talks to him too"
The whispers of the maids could be heard all along the way,'Geez this woman should have maintained a good relation with her husband at least. And shouldn't they respect me as their mistress? What's with this back-bitching?'
"Good Morning Ivor, I am sorry- can I call you that?"
"Ahem! Sure, you can, And good morning to you too Sylvia. You look.....nice as always.."
'Well I guess 2 hours of selecting among those dresses and accessories weren't worth it if he was only going to say "nice".'
"You look quite radiant as well. I see, you put much effort into your outfit today."
"I am honoured by your compliment Sylvia"
'Damn the novel DID not do justice to his beauty! How could this woman not love her husband! And he doesn't seem to be indifferent to her either like that novel described. They seem to be on good terms. But about those maids...note to self: I need to do something about them later.'
She took a seat beside Ivor, too hungry to notice his dumbstruck reaction.
"The duchess never sat this close to the duke..."
'Rumours, whispers, they keep buzzing like those flies.'
The food was served in the plates but not even the helpers could conceal their surprise at the change in the behaviour of their lady. She smiled more than usual, she politely thanked them every time they served her, she was a lot more pretty than usual, and there was a lot to account for this change.
"So, my lord, how is your work these days? Hope you are not over-stressing yourself?"
'yes just like this, you don't have to love him to be his wife, just keep an amicable relationship. and avoid all death flags. easy! '
"huh? Yes, It has been good. The mining business with your father has also progressed quite a bit. How about you duchess? I heard that you had a headache yesterday."
"I see....I am quite fine now, my lord. Except there is this constant buzzing near my ears whenever I am being served. I don't know but it just makes me feel sick to the stomach. It just might trigger my headache yet again, but don't worry too much about it though."
And at once all mild whispers stopped at once. The dining hall became dead quiet except for the cluttering of the cutlery.
'Hm..Serves you guys right. The steak is very well cooked by the way. I will give them that'