"Duchess, may I come in?" Duchess Bernice heard the Duke's voice from outside. Sighing, she replied, "Yes, come in, Duke."
The Duke entered, his face stormy. "Duchess, what do you mean I can take another woman as my wife?" he demanded.
Duchess Bernice met his gaze calmly. "It's precisely what I said. There's no room for misunderstanding."
"That's not what I meant, Duchess! I've told you countless times Vix and I had no romantic past. Why would I bring her to the Empire and introduce her as the Princess? Do you truly believe that's a lie?"
"I never called it a lie, Duke," she responded coolly. "I'm certain she is the Princess of the Empire."
The Duke's eyes widened. "What? You know? How? How can you be so sure?"
Duchess Bernice smirked. "That, Duke, is not your concern. It wasn't part of the contract, and the contract itself holds no meaning anymore."
