The door swung open and a shocked Fredrich stormed into the room. She took a sip from the tea she was served, setting it down delicately. Late into her past life, she learned etiquettes to reinforce herself in society and push herself to the position left vacant by the now married Natalia.
She rarely got the opportunity to see Fredrich rattled. She had seen other things, including the expiry of his heavenly beauty but the Grand Duke still didn't lose his cool. Still, he wasn't her hope for survival.
"Your highness, you didn't tell me you were...…."
"I had a sudden invitation from the Young Lord Sebastian who offered to take me on a tour of the kingdom. Since he was heading here, he brought me here. The Duchess....didn't seem to mind"
Does she remember her past life? She didn't look like it. She hasn't changed. The total disregard she had for me and the elegance she has, how did I think I could beat that? Why did I...even hate her in the first place?
"You met Natalia?"
"I had the opportunity to briefly greet her. The rumors underestimated her beauty and elegance. I think she's really deserving of the title of Duchess"
"Alana....."
"Why don't you take a seat and have some tea, your grace?"
Alana was aware of just how much Fredrich loved her. It was the reason he didn't marry her, unwilling to tie himself to the royal family. However, the downfall of the royal family and the Kristen Dukedom came soon enough.
They drank tea in silence, Fredrich stewing his thoughts. Alana was patient because she knew her goal. It wasn't going to be easy to get closer to the duchess but she was going to try her best. As for Fredrich, it was better not to get his attention more than it was necessary.
"Is it okay if I…..stay in the Duke's home for a few weeks? I'm not very keen on returning to the palace"
"If you want, I can arrange for a manor for you in the town..."
From what she knew, the Duchess didn't go out much. It would be hard to run into her in the town. If her father or brothers found out she was living freely under the influence of the Duke, it would cause another world of problems. Although shameful, it was better to stay in the Duke's Mansion. Shame is very miniscule compared to the value of one's life.
"No, I don't want to impose too much. It would be like I'm not even here. Please, your grace"
She could see Fredrich crumbling. He could never say no to her, she knew it.
"Corren, summon the duchess"
"Yes, your grace"
A few moments later, she arrived in the room with her brother behind her. Sebastian Adamantine was truly a sight for sore eyes. Unlike the uproar it caused when the Duke came to her palace, it was total chaos when the young lord came. The Duke was an intimidating type of beauty but the young lord was like an angel descended on earth. She literally saw a maid faint when he smiled.
When the crown prince heard that the young lord came for the forgotten princess, it caused such a scandal. News went around that the Princess was planning on taking the empty slot that Natalia left behind now that she was a married woman.
Sebastian didn't conceal his feelings, telling her straight away the real reason why he was there. He hated the scandal. In her past life, Sebastian gave everything up for Natalia. No one could doubt the love he had for his sister. He didn't even look at any other woman and barely let the princess touch him. But she was thankful to him for bringing her to the Duke's Mansion.
"You called for me, your grace?"
"Her highness wishes to stay with us for a few weeks. Please entertain her properly"
Alana imagined her reaction. Would she be disgusted? Would she be cold? Would she even acknowledge their existence? But she surprised them.
"Of course, your grace. I welcome her highness properly to the Duke's Mansion" she smiled brightly, curtseying deeply. Natalia's smile felt like an executioner's blade hanging over Alana's neck.
"My brother will also be staying for a few days, your grace. My father is very concerned about me so he's just checking on my well-being"
"Yes, yes….."
Alana was shocked by Fredrich's rudeness. He didn't even welcome his brother-in-law or acknowledge his presence. He kept his eyes on Alana the entire time. That sort of rudeness was not something she expected from the usually calm duke. It scared her.
If the Duke decided to offend Marquis Adamantine, even he won't come out unccathed. He was the only Grand Duke of the Kingdom and the man that was next to him in terms of power was Marquis Adamantine. Since the Duke was so detached from the other nobles, the marquis rallied them under his banner, building a force so powerful that even the king was intimidated. The force of the Grand Duke and the Marquis kept the Royals in check.
Sebastian's demeanor was also surprising. Famed for his extreme reactions when it came to his sister, he didn't bat an eyelash when he was ignored by the Duke. Rather, he smiled and walked away calmly with his sister. A chill went down Alana's back. Nothing was going how it was supposed to. Something was wrong and she couldn't tell what it was.
"Your highness, the room has been prepared"
Alana heaved an audible sigh of relief. The atmosphere was choking her. It was somehow even worse than the one in the palace where everyone hated her. Here, she was a pawn. Here, she was a homewrecker. Here, she was just a desperate woman grasping on straws.
"I'm sure the Duke is busy. I'll go and rest now since it has been a long journey. I will see the Duke by dinner"
She managed to escape then, going to a room more lavish than the one she had back in the palace. It was a place the young Alana would never have imagined she would stay. There was a portrait of the former duchess on the wall. It was then she finally realized the room she was brought to.
The horror didn't stop there. When dinner rolled by, Alana came to regret her decision.