The breakfast was absolutely a chaotic mess but not in a way that they were being loud and throwing off everything from the table. It was too quiet, only the sound of their cutlery could be heard throughout the dining room.
No one was trying to speak ill of who or whatnot. Even Helena chose to shut her mouth and only minded her food, as did the two—the Duke and Alexander eating quietly at the dinner table.
So Felicia just minded her plate and finished it first before anyone could. Alexander even told her to eat more but she has to decline. She felt like her stomach could burst out any minute from now. She'll be too full if she eats plenty.
After breakfast, she went back to her room to wait for a few more minutes. She planned on talking with the Duke and having his permission for someone to teach her how to wield a sword.
She knew how to use a knife, just a few swings and thrusts that she can already kill a person with but a knife and a sword are two completely different things that need to get worked on sooner.
She can't just stay like a dumb girl forever. She may know things but not how to use a powerful weapon to her advantage. The reason why she wanted to have someone as a trainer for her to equip such talent.
Also, she won't end up helpless just like what happened yesterday night when someone came inside her room and almost had the chance to kill her. She didn't want to repeat that mistake once again.
Although she did manage to kill the assassin, it was not enough for her.
After a couple of minutes idling in her room, she decided to stand up and fix herself with the help of Olivia who was always gossiping about random things that happened outside.
It wasn't of help anyway but it's interesting.
"Thanks for the help, Olivia," Rachelle said sincerely towards Olivia and left her room to storm inside the Duke's office. It's urgent anyway so she's not waiting for his time or hers at all.
Whenever Rachelle would bump into someone, whether it was a male servant, a female, or someone of a higher position like one of the Duke's servants, they would bow their heads, showing her respect, not trying to offend or anything.
It's like a different view to her right now. The last time she approached the Duke's office, it would've been filled with scornful looks, a lot of bees swarming, filled with mockeries and disdain towards her.
But now, everyone has changed. They started to fear her even more. Back then, they weren't scared of her, they continued to play with her but after what happened for a couple of days, they completely started to act so carefully whenever she was near.
She deserves such a thing, since the beginning. Do they think that she too will change their treatment after her harsh period? No.
They said forgiveness is the key to claiming peace of mind. But that doesn't work for her. To claim the thing called peace of mind must be through revenge. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
As she arrived, she knocked on the door three times and entered his office. The old man was sitting, facing the documents and didn't bother looking at her despite her entering his secluded space.
"What do you need?" He asked immediately. It's as if he has already figured out that it was her from the very beginning which she just chuckled. Still treating her coldly, ey? Well, after sending his one true love, he has the very reason to do so.
"Good Morning, Your Grace. I would like to ask you for a favour. Don't worry, it's not too much nor very hard to accept." She said, bowing her head and performing a curtsy before raising her head to look at him with a sweet smile.
"It all depends on hearing what you want." He responded, still didn't bother looking right directly into her eyes.
"I'd like a teacher that will help me train how to use a sword." She stated. Her expression was serious, firm about her stand. The Duke was caught off guard as he accidentally let go of his pen, smudging the paperwork that he was doing.
"What?" He asked, obviously startled by her brazen request to learn how to use a sword. "What did you say?" He asked once again as he couldn't believe what he just heard.
"I want to learn how to use a sword." She answered him firmly. "Last night's tragedy is so terrifying that I think I will not attain a proper rest knowing that there might still be assassins left to enter our castle. What happened last night traumatised me to my core that it will haunt my dreams forever." She explained, looking sad to support herself.
Of course, that's bullshit. Indeed she was scared a little when she decided to kill the assassin, but after everything that went through, it's not even worth feeling scared. That's bullshit.
"Women don't use swords, Felicia. For what are the jobs of the guards roaming if they can't keep up with their job? No. That won't happen once again." He blatantly rejected her favour and didn't even consider her reasoning.
"Your Grace, if I may ask," she started, wanting to let out the sass inside her but she had to stop herself. "Where were those guards that you are talking about when the assassin got inside the Duchess' room? There was no one patrolling." She asked.
"Plus the fact that the guards were nowhere to be seen, wouldn't it be more reasonable for me to handle how to use a sword and not depend on those slacking idiots? Who would protect me if I faced danger? No one." She even added.
This man is too stubborn. He won't even listen to her explanation. "Felicia, a sword is not a damn hobby for women. Women don't use swords, they use quills, pens, and pencils to write. Women read, not use swords for their entertainment. I had already tightened the security, accept it already." The Duke responded, glaring at Felicia for still arguing with him.
She's stubborn as a mule, still trying to get her way towards the thing that she wants. That's why she is, fighting for what she wants.
"Your Grace, tightening the security still won't help everyone inside. Even if it is not a sport that is for women, I believe that it is efficient to protect one's life by practising the use of swords. I did not request it for the sake of committing crimes or using it on someone but as a way to defend myself." She argued, almost glaring at the Duke.
"You will be accused of waging a war against the emperor, Felicia! You don't need to learn the ways of swords! Get out!" He yelled as he raised from his seat and even slammed his hands on the table to create a frightening image towards Felicia.
But Rachelle wasn't affected at all. she remained stoic and composed despite how the Duke raised his voice to her. Does that mean that he's trying to scare her because the only thing that scares her right now is not returning to her world?
"Absolutely not, Your Grace. Not until you approve of me using a sword as a defence mechanism. I will not move away or leave this office." She answered with such determination. She can't just leave empty-handed! She needs to learn a thing or two!
"Suit yourself! My decision will not change a thing!" He exclaimed to her, sitting back on his chair and grabbing his pen. This stubborn daughter of him, makes him angry early in the morning.
With such determination, Rachelle didn't back down from this challenge. She has faced a lot of hurdles and this is just an easy one for her. She will just stand there, watching him until he feels annoyed at her and accepts what she offers to him.
A couple of minutes ran by and they were still acting like the two didn't exist at all. The Duke was stealing glances from time to time. What does this child mean? Can't she just trust the guards to look after her instead of learning the use of a sword?
He sighed, he would let her stand there until she finally gave up and dropped the favour that she asked about. Maybe then she will start to trust the guards more than she obsesses about training with someone.
Women don't use swords, why would they use swords when they're clearly made for men? What bullshit is this?
He sighed, clearly the girl would feel very tired of standing too much. It has been an hour, she will eventually give up and retreat to her room. She won't bother him once again with this topic.
But as he raised his head, he still saw her standing while facing him. Her expression was very determined, he didn't see tiredness in her eyes. It was glimmering with something else that made him feel very troubled with her actions.
Can't she just understand?!