"Isn't it to preposterous for me to think that I got the duke worried?" Cataleya raised. "We only met at the ball, your grace. Surely, I won't even think that I already got your attention in such short amount of time."
" Perhaps you need to be reminded that your family agreed of the betrothal which obviously was a mistake since it got you running this far away." He said in low tone of voice but Cataleya was keen to hear the hiss in there.
"I'm glad it comes to your conclusion that I don't consent in the arrangement that you agreed upon with the marquis." Cataleya already grabbed the opportunity right off the bat. The duke should also be informed of her thoughts regarding the sudden engagement.
For all she know, she was only being sold off so that the marquis will only have one less headache to take care of. She knew she was only adopted but it still hurt her that she only meant that much to the Briston.
She never thought that her father was greedy of power to cling into the opportunity to be in great favour with the duke of the southern kingdom. It would actually boost the marquis power if she ever marry to the line of Cross. The oldest bloodline of mages and noble of the said kingdom.
It was even said that the Cross was supposed to be the royal family governing the south but being a mage, they took no interest on politics as long as it didn't affect them directly and peace in the lands was maintained.
Just like this duke in front of her, he could be king if he chose to. With the amount of power he has, it won't take him any amount of sweat to rally his supporters to put him in the throne. Instead, he chose to be an envoy.
The job was no lower than noble. But for someone as great as the duke, it should be considered insulting. Peace was one of the most talks in the expedition and someone like him, a murderer was leading such a duty.
"Did you know why this engagement was arranged in such a pace, lady Briston?" The duke asked.
Cataleya's mind was immediately pulled back to the discussion that Frencia with his friends at the party. Even though she served the Baron's daughter, the king still pursue into making her pay by hanging in the plaza.
"Yes," Cataleya answered.
The duke then nodded. "Clearly, it's you who should be in desperate need to cling into me for survival. I'm not one to force someone to agree on my terms. But if you continue doing this, then let's end this right now."
Cataleya knew very well that under the duke's wing, she will be protected from any threat of her life in the east kingdom. Most especially that the king was keen to punish her severely. It would be her greatest advantage to land this kind of opportunity in a silver platter.
The duke almost had no flaws at all. Someone as handsome as he was, tall and graceful, she should be glad that she wasn't betroth to some old guy with money. But her dreams really terrified her. It felt like a premonition that she'd die in his hands with one mistake.
But she had no choice at all, she will be persecuted in her own land by the ruling king's decree. She'll be hang eventually. Being with duke, it was like playing hide and seek with grim reaper himself. Like anytime, she'd met the duke's blade.
She felt anxious as she thought of these things, sighing on the unknown reason why she had to go through these at all. In modern times, she was content in her life. She had her phone to scroll with, she managed to be good on her studies and her scholarship will be granted in full upon the final evaluation that she met the criteria to be granted such benefits.
And then, things happen in the library and she woke into another world. This world where people speak formally. Some men still have gallantry. Women covered their mouths when giggling with an expensive fans. Balls and lavish parties were thrown here and there and every time it happened she was invited and forced to bloody dance whoever dared to ask her despite her scowling.
"You heard it from the others, your grace. I'm a mad dog which means I will survive whatever was thrown at me."
"You're against the king."
"Then I shall face the king myself." Cataleya said. "I appreciate your concern regarding my safety, your grace. But please, stay away from my problems. I don't want to involve anyone in my bad decision."
The duke looked at her silently before he nodded again.
This time, it was the duke who back down in the staring and turned to the side table again. He picked up the mini table and Cataleya was prompt to positioned herself in the bed when she saw what he was about to do.
Adelard put the table in the bed, followed by the tray of food and the cup of tea. "Eat. " He just said and just left the room just like that.
Cataleya looked down on the food at the mini table and her stomach growled at the view of the sumptuous meal. She didn't waste any time and started attacking the food without much grace. She had been so hungry for long time and the taste of the rich flavour of meat melting on her mouth was definition of heaven.
After a few moments, she was done on eating. She looked at the empty plates and bowls in amazement as she caressed her full stomach. She had never ate like that in the Briston estate before. Maybe she had been ignoring what blessing she was given right under her nose when it came in abundance.
What happen in the forest gave her the lesson that she should start appreciating every little things in life from that point onwards. Maybe she should rethink about the arrangement with the duke too.