"Your grace, the duchess is here to see you"
The pen in his hands paused and he looked up to see Corren's expressionless face. Just yesterday, he strangled her. Now that they were in the capital, he expected her to report to her father but not only did she not leave the mansion, she didn't appear before him for neither lunch nor dinner. There was no news from the Marquis nor any summons from the King. That meant she did nothing about him, choosing to hide from him until his anger settled. It was the same way she did things back in the southwest.
"Let her in"
The door opened and she walked in, curtseying to greet him. Even when she lifted her body off the floor, her gaze remained lowered, not meeting his eyes.
"I received an invitation from Count Selene for a tea party he's holding in his mansion. I've come to request permission to go"
"I'm too busy to attend something that's an obvious waste of time"
"Your presence isn't required, your grace. I just need permission to go"
She hadn't once addressed him as husband nor has she tried to gain his affection or favor. They had been married for a few months yet she acted like he was a stranger, always keeping a suitable distance from him. It was just what he wanted but why did it tick him off so much?
"You have permission. You may go"
"Thank you, your grace. May I…..ask one more thing?"
"What is it this time?" he asked with obvious irritation.
"Would you be going with me to meet my family before her majesty's birthday?"
It was a custom for the newly wed couple to greet the bride's family after greeting the groom's family. If he didn't show up, the marquis would use it against him. But he wasn't willing to see the marquis or acknowledge that the man's daughter was his wife.
"I have more pressing matters to attend to"
"In that case, may I be allowed to stay in my family home until after the celebration?"
"Do what you like"
"Thank you, your grace" she bowed, excitement dying her tone. She seemed more than pleased to leave him, taking off as soon as she was allowed to go. A part of him wanted to call her back and keep her locked up in his mansion till she had no other choice but to stay with him.
After a while, Corren came back to inform him that she had left. The pen he was using snapped and he nonchalantly selected another pen from the pile.
"Do you want me to bring her grace back?"
"No. It would seem she isn't ready to take on the mantle of a duchess, going to frolic around with her family instead of fulfilling her duties"
"But she has fulfilled her duties, your grace. The Duchess has resolved all the cases given to her, doing so under two months. She is yet to be rewarded by you but you've already shelved those cases"
"Why…..does it sound like you support her?"
"I'm merely amazed by her. She lives her life quietly and doesn't seem to be a spy for Marquis Adamantine since she barely exchanged any letters with her family in the first place. Despite all that, she acts like a guest, no, a prisoner in her own matrimonial home. I feel she's a bit pitiful in that aspect"
"I cannot give her my heart"
"I'm not asking you to. I'm asking you to respect her a little. At the very least, you could show up in her family home and respect her family. The Marquis is someone you can make a good ally if you use him well"
"He seems to respect the king"
"Marquis Adamantine is someone who respects profit rather than person. If you show him you can be a good ally, he would support your rise to the throne financially and would make the other nobles follow you"
"But for that to happen, I have to make his daughter my queen"
"To be honest, your grace, that's the best option you have. The Princess seems to have moved on. If you still wish to make her yours, you can make her your second wife when you take over the throne, sparing one member of the royal family to gain the heart of the people"
"This plan….has too many loopholes"
"But it's worth a shot, no? Have I ever lied to you, your grace?"
"No. I'll prepare to meet Marquis Adamantine then"
"Count Selene sent an invitation to you. Would you be attending?"
".....I'll think about it"
Natalia didn't think it would be easy to get permission to stay with her family. However, it was only one part of the problem. The other part would be her father. He had to agree to let her stay. If she stayed in her family mansion, she would be able to visit her business more frequently.
The gates opened wide to let them in. The Adamantine family had a long history of wealth, remaining the richest family in the capital for several years. They had their rise and fall but the patriarchs of the family were gifted with excellent financial abilities that helped the family stay afloat. Her father in particular was gifted in making profit and gathering people to his cause. For what he had, he lacked many other things, building a family that would honestly rather watch him die than help him.
Sebastian ran out of the house the same time her carriage arrived. The smile on his face widened as he ran to embrace her.
"You haven't seen me for just one day!"
"It's been one day too long! I've been so worried about you"
"As you can see, I am fine. Where is father?"
"In his study. Duke Kristen didn't come with you?"
"No but he allowed me to stay here until the party's over. I need to talk to father so he would allow me to stay"
"You don't have to worry about that. I made you a promise that I would take over the family as soon as I get home, right?"
"Don't tell me you did something foolish?"
"Nothing like that. Let's just say father would have no choice but to go into retirement after her majesty's birthday"