Seeing the tall gloomy mansion, Natalia was glad she got out for a few days. Sebastian refused to let her hand go as they walked out of the carriage, welcomed at the doors by Corren.
"Welcome back home, your grace" he bowed.
Home. It sounded so foreign and so far away. She had never considered this place home in either of her lives. But the place where she was constantly abused and belittled couldn't be called home either. Except in her mother and her brother's arms, she had never known home.
"Thank you, Corren. We would be leaving for the capital today, correct?"
"Yes, your grace. I had the servants pack up your clothes….."
"There is no need for that. I already prepared the clothes I need for this trip. Since we're leaving soon, we'll be in the garden until it is time to depart"
"....Yes, your grace"
Natalia walked towards the garden, taking Sebastian along. It was well taken care of at least, filled with flowers that were otherwise rare in the capital. The smell was refreshing and it was a good opportunity to stretch their legs after the long carriage ride.
"This place looks sinister no matter how many times I come back. Harboring all sorts of beasts in one house…..no wonder you're convinced he'll take the throne. I can't imagine living here for long" Sebastian shuddered.
"Yes, it's dark and terribly lonely. The Duke grew up in this kind of environment. In a way, he's also pitiful"
"Are you feeling pity for him after how he treated you?"
"I just said he's pitiful. He's not the only one who had a troublesome childhood. Even her highness is very pitiful"
"Are you going to expose that pair of adulterers in the capital? I'm sure if you did that and asked his majesty to dissolve the marriage, he would agree"
"Would he? Duke Kristen loves her so much yet he didn't fight to marry her. If our marriage is dissolved, he'll be forced to marry her to protect the honor of the royal family. His plans would be ruined and we would suffer for it. This pawn would wait quietly until the danger is past"
Her words irritated Sebastian but with one look into her eyes, he regained his patience. She also wasn't happy with the situation but she was patient.
"Y-Your grace, w-w-what are you doing?"
Fredrich loomed over her, his gaze piercing her eyes. She looked away, unable to meet his fiery gaze. His hand and body trapped her in place in the dark corridor with no one around for miles.
"You've been avoiding me, Alana"
"So you noticed. Well, since the lady of the house isn't here, I cannot arbitrarily see the duke anyhow I want"
"Do you...want me to divorce her?"
Alana's eyes widened. If it was like her past life, Natalia was already preganant with their first child. If he divorced her now, it would draw the ire of the royal family and the Adamantine family. It was a bad idea.
"Is your grace's respect for family values that flimsy? You've barely been married for three months, yet you wish to divorce your wife? Even if you divorce your wife, why would you think I want to marry you after that? What's my assurance that you wouldn't divorce me for another woman?"
"I would never do that!"
"Yet you're about to divorce your wife for me. If you were going to be like that, why didn't you marry me in the first place?"
"I...made a mistake. I'm sorry Alana"
"You're an incredibly selfish man, Duke Kristen. I would not like to be accused as an adulterer since I already have low marriage prospects so please don't make them lower with your thoughtless actions. Did you think if you kissed me, all would be well and forgiven?"
"I..."
Alana sighed. The more she thought about it, the less she understood just why she was so captivated with him. He wasn't the thoughtful and kind man she thought he was. No, he was a horrible monster in human flesh.
She pushed on his hands and he let go, letting her walk away. She walked right out of the house, straight to the garden to clear her head. Once she was there, she heard a crisp, clear laughter. When she looked up, she saw Natalia and Sebastian walking and laughing, admiring the flowers. Alana felt a pang of pain in her heart. The only person she had that type of relationship with, that she shared something so close and precious with, was Fredrich.
'I know now. The reason I fell in love with him was because he was the first man to be so kind to me. That's such a pathetic reason'
Alana built up her courage and walked up to them. She saw the hate and distrust in their eyes before she even approached. She wondered if they would have that sort of expression if Fredrich wasn't in love with her. No, the two were distrustful of strangers. The Adamantine family was always curt but polite and somewhat friendly when they needed to be.
"We greet her highness" they greeted.
"I greet you a good morning too. I enjoyed my stay here at the Duke's mansion but it would've been more enjoyable if the Duchess was here too"
"I apologize for that. I simply wished to spend more time with my family"
"I was serious about wanting to maintain a good relationship with you, your grace. May I visit you in the capital?"
"....you are always welcome, your highness"
Neither party could trust each other still their path was intertwined. The siblings excused themselves and left the garden to her, making her sigh sorrowfully. Being brought back to the past didn't mean it would be a better life. But she promised herself to work harder.
The carriages were lined beside each other and the teleportation circle was just a few miles away on the borders of the Duke's estate. Although he wasn't satisfied with the arrangement, Sebastian rode with Alana and to her surprise, Natalia entered her carriage, just to find the Duke seated there.
"Oh, I apologize. I thought this was my carriage. I would excuse myself now…."
"Sit" he said in a tone as cold as ice. She shuddered and took her seat. The carriage started moving and the atmosphere was so terse, that she felt like she couldn't breathe. She kept her gaze low and out of the carriage.
Although she was quiet and seated so gently, as they drew closer to the teleportation circle, his hands reached for her neck, slamming her into the iron-rimmed chair of the carriage.