'IT IS STRANGE, being called duchess.' Magnolia had never imagined, even in her wildest dreams, that she could ever become a duchess. She wondered what that horrible woman would think if she learned of her new title. Her jaw tensed at the thought of that monster.
"Mama?" Geoffrey brought her back from her unsettling thoughts.
"Yes? Did you say something, honey?" Magnolia pushed her emotions to the side and smiled at her son.
"I called you a few times, Mama," he said with a frown. "I thought you fell asleep."
Magnolia chuckled. "I am sorry, Geoffrey. I was just thinking about something," she reassured him. "Did you need something?"
"I was wondering when papa is coming home."
Magnolia unconsciously looked to the chair where the duke usually sat. Over the past couple of weeks, they have been having every meal together. It felt odd that they were having lunch without him.
"He has some important work to take care of," she explained. "He will come back as soon as he finishes it."
"Alright." Geoffrey's voice was dejected. "I hope he will finish it soon."
Magnolia nodded, then frowned. 'Why am I also feeling down?' She shook her head.
She stuffed a few bites of chicken into her mouth as if to ignore whatever games her mind was playing on her.
'I am just grateful that Geoffrey and I get to live here.'
She cut some more vegetables for her son. She knew that she should not expect anything more from the duke. She had never even thought of remarrying after what she went through with the baron. She thought she loathed all men.
'What are the odds that the Heartless Duke of Salicera who has killed people before just for looking at the king the wrong way, is actually a kind enough person to take in a widow and her son?'
She knew that this marriage was also convenient for Daniel. But he could have chosen any other woman and she would have accepted immediately. Salicera was the only Dukedom that had survived the centuries. And even if the duke chose not to have any children, any woman would still have accepted to be the Duchess of Salicera, only second in power to the Queen and the Princess.
The Van Konigl family was one of the founding families of Malorenia, and Daniel's ancestors were of royal blood–pureblood. Suddenly, Magnolia felt a chill run down her spine as she realized how powerful the duke was. Being the Duchess came with great responsibilities.
'Oh goodness, how can I be good enough for the task? Why would he choose someone like me?' She sighed.
MAGNOLIA PASSED HER DAYS IN PEACE. Spending time with Geoffrey, drinking tea in the garden, taking walks. She did not know what to do with herself.
She was so used to worrying about money, dangerous roads to the capital, feeding her son, and thieves. Her life had become so peaceful and uneventful.
Two weeks had already passed without a word from Daniel. She was starting to get anxious. She had not heard from the duke since he left, and nobody was telling her anything about how things were in the south.
'What if something were to happen to him? What would become of me and Geoffrey?'
Magnolia took fast steps to the duke's office, hoping to catch his assistant. Since Daniel left, Henry did not come every day, but sometimes he came to the office. As she lifted her hand to knock, the door flew open. She was so startled, she almost fell to the floor.
"Your Grace, I apologize."
"Lord Flock, that is alright," she said, out of breath. "I am glad I caught you, may I have a moment?"
Henry looked a bit puzzled. "Of course, please come in." He motioned for her to enter.
"I wanted to ask if there was any news about the duke." Magnolia was straight to the point.
"Yes, Duchess. I am sorry, I should have shared information with you. Please forgive me."
"There is no need to apologize, Lord Flock. As long as you keep me updated from here on." Magnolia sat on the settee.
"Of course, Your Grace. The bandits attacked the towns of Flopia and Garis, we believe they are part of a criminal group called The Phoenix," he explained. "They stole people's goods and killed everyone who tried to resist. His Grace led fifty of our best men and they have already eradicated the group, except for a few men who have escaped. His Grace should be arriving tomorrow morning."
Henry saw relief wash over Magnolia's face, and he immediately felt guilty.
'She must have been worried this whole time.'
He bowed. "Again, my apologies for not reporting sooner, Duchess."
Magnolia pushed to her feet and smiled at him. "Thank you for your time, Lord Flock. I will let you go back to your work."
"I am at your service, my lady." Henry bowed again as he watched her leave.
She felt so light as she walked away from the office. She joined Geoffrey in the garden and played with him for hours, running and giggling like a little girl.
Later, they ate dinner together and when she wanted to bid Geoffrey good night, he begged her to read a story to him. Of course, she could not say no to her cute little boy. She tucked him in and lay in bed next to him.
"Once upon a time, there was a princess who had magical powers. She loved to help people. But one day, her little sister got lost in the forest, so she left the castle to look for her. When she entered the forest, she met a fairy who was trapped under a rock. The princess used her magic to lift the rock and set the fairy free. To thank her, the fairy gave her a magical crystal from the fairy land. It had…"
Magnolia looked over at Geoffrey and found him sound asleep already. She chuckled and kissed his forehead. "Sweet dreams, my darling." She yawned and walked to her room.
"I have prepared a bath for you, Your Grace." Her maid bowed.
"Thank you, Clara. I really need one right now." She smiled at her and waited for her to leave before she stripped and immersed herself in the hot water. She sighed in bliss.
Magnolia stayed there for a long time, soaking away the fatigue of the day and all the worries she had for the last few days.
'He is coming back tomorrow, everything is alright.' She sighed again and closed her eyes, allowing her body to fully relax in the water.
'I should probably ask him to hire some instructors for me when he comes back. I cannot go around calling myself Duchess without a proper education.' She stood up in the tub and reached for the beige towel Clara had left for her.
"What are those?" Daniel's intense voice came from the bathroom threshold. Magnolia jumped in surprise and turned toward him.
"Wha–what are you doing here?" she stuttered. She tried to cover her body with the towel and rushed out of the tub, clumsily. Her foot slipped and she found herself in the duke's arms.
"What are all those scars from?" he asked again with a stern face.