FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS, Magnolia excitedly finished her tasks one by one. From sending out invitations, to finalizing the dinner menu, and deciding on flowers and tableware for the dining table.
Since it was her first hosted dinner party as Duchess of Salicera, she wanted everything to be perfect. Compared to the Flocks' party, this was a very tiny one, but Magnolia felt even more pressure because Daniel's aunt was going to be there. Paula was supposed to arrive in the afternoon.
"I think I will wear the blue one." Magnolia finally decided on a dress to wear. Clara helped her get into the indigo velvet dress, then she spent the next half hour perfecting a hairdo, until someone knocked on the door. A maid appeared and bowed to the duchess.
"Your Grace, Lady Kalph's carriage has reached the outer gate and will be arriving soon."
'Oh my.'
"Thank you, Lydia."
Magnolia put on the sapphire necklace that Daniel had gifted her. She looked at her reflection one last time, took a deep breath, then left her room. The duke was already at the front entrance when she reached it.
"You look beautiful, as always." He kissed her gently, which made her skin burn. She looked at him puzzled.
"Please do not do that in front of all the maids and knights," she whispered.
Daniel grinned. "Why not?"
"It is embarrassing," she hissed this time.
"I cannot promise anything when you look this gorgeous."
Magnolia could only stare at him, speechless and with a face as red as a tomato. "You are too much, Daniel."
Satisfied with the reaction he got, Daniel gazed back at the inner gate of the castle, where a carriage entered the property.
"There she is."
Magnolia followed his eyes and saw the black and gold carriage. Her heartbeat quickened and she felt sweat streaming down her back. She took another deep breath and put a smile on her face.
"Aunt Paula," Daniel called as he made his way to her. Paula took her nephew's hand and descended the carriage steps. Then she cupped his face with her hands and smiled at him.
"You look happy, my dear." She hugged him.
"Let me properly introduce you to the reason why." He gently guided her to his wife. "My dear, let me officially introduce you to my aunt, Lady Paula Kalph, the Royal Doctor of our kingdom. Aunt Paula, this is my wife Magnolia Van Konigl, Duchess of Salicera."
"How do you do, Your Grace?" Paula bowed to the duchess, and even if a duchess should not, Magnolia still curtsied to her.
"Please, there is no need for formalities between us, we are family," Magnolia uttered. "I would be delighted if you called me Magnolia."
Paula smiled at her. "Only if you call me Aunt Paula, like Daniel does."
Her request startled her a bit, then she smiled back at her. "It would be my honor, Aunt Paula."
"Alright, shall we go in?" Daniel ushered both of them in. "You must be tired."
"Well, I am not young anymore, let us leave it at that." They laughed.
"If you are too tired to join us for dinner, I can send a dinner tray to your room," Magnolia offered.
"No need dear, let me just freshen up first. I want to eat with you."
"Of course. Lydia, please show Lady Kalph to her room."
"Yes, Your Grace."
Daniel slipped his arm around his wife's waist. "You were nervous for no reason," he whispered against her cheek.
"I hope she likes the food. I told the chef to make all her favorite dishes." Magnolia was so focused on her thoughts that she did not even notice Daniel's arm.
"How did you know what her favorite dishes are?"
"I asked Henry to inquire about them." Daniel chuckled. "Why are you laughing?" She frowned.
"You are just so cute when you are nervous." He held her chin up and swiftly stole a kiss.
"Stop teasing me, Daniel." Magnolia tried to take a step back, but Daniel tightened his grip around her waist.
"I think you are the one teasing me with these lips." He gently caressed her full lips with his thumb.
"Daniel, please." Her voice was shaky.
"Fine." He released her after a moment.
"Let's wait for your aunt in the sitting room." She quickly walked away, in case he decided to tease her again.
'What is he thinking? This is not the time nor the place.'
After freshening up and changing dresses, Paula joined them in the sitting room.
"Shall we move to the dining room?" Magnolia asked. "Dinner is ready to be served." The three of them moved together and took their seats.
"Is your son not joining us, Magnolia?" Paula asked.
"Not tonight, he will be with us for breakfast tomorrow though."
"I cannot wait to meet him." Magnolia smiled warmly at Paula as the servants started to serve the food.
"So, anything new in the capital?" Daniel started.
"The capital is the same as always, too crowded, too noisy, and the poor are getting poorer." Paula took a bite of her veil.
"What about the palace?" Daniel asked, directly this time.
He knew his aunt did not like gossiping, but if there were any rumors going around, she would be one of the first people to hear about them.
"I doubt it is an appropriate topic for dinner, dear." Paula sipped her red wine. "There was one rumor that intrigued me, though."
"What is it about?" the duke asked, curious.
Paula had all of Daniel and Magnolia's attention. "Well, everyone is saying that the Duke of Salicera is madly in love with his wife."
Magnolia choked on her food and Daniel stared at his aunt for a moment before letting out a full throat laugh. Paula joined him as they both laughed while Magnolia's flustered face burned.
"Well, those are not rumors, Aunt Paula." Daniel winked at his wife.
"Is that so?" Paula grinned.
After dinner, they moved back to the sitting room and were served more drinks. Then, Daniel dismissed all the servants.
"You can speak freely now."
"Well, trouble is on the horizon, Daniel. A few nobles have been attacked over the past few weeks."
Daniel sighed. "Any deaths?"
"No, just injuries, only a handful," Paula explained. "It feels more like a warning than retaliation."
"And let me guess, the Barons Faction is behind it?" the duke asked.
"That is what the officials think. All of the attacked nobles have magical powers."
Magnolia watched as Daniel's expression tensed up.
"Hmm, what is the king saying in all this?"
"I think he will be contacting you very soon to discuss the issue, along with the other noble families. This has never happened before, so I am sure he needs counsel."
"Well, House Van Konigl is ready to go to war and destroy those ungrateful bastards, and anyone who dares go against the very foundation of our country." Daniel took a sip of his whiskey.
'War?'
Magnolia squeezed her glass, uneasy, as dozens of questions bounced around in her head.