It has been a week since I left my palace. I don't know if I should feel happy or not.
I can't put hope too high on my new life as the wife of Duke Ian Croford.
It will hurt me.
"You have been reading that book a lot, my lady," Shelly speaks.
Yes, it has been a week since I read the book I accidentally bought from the library. I don't have any intention of learning something.
I just wanted to fill my time.
"Do you want to learn magic, my lady?" she asks.
"N--No." I shake my head.
"I see. Why not, my lady?" Shelly tilted her head in confusion.
"I--I don't think...I--I'm capable enough to learn I--it." I look down.
It quiet.
I glance at Shelly and frown to see her looking displeased with what I'm saying.
"My lady, please don't say that." she firmly said.
"W--What--"
KNOCK KNOCK
The door opens and reveals Gerald. He bowed and smiled.
"Good morning, my lady. It's such a good morning isn't it?" he grins.
"I--It is."
"Oh well, the duke wanted to meet you at his office," he informs.
"O--Okay."
I keep the book on my arm and walk after Gerald. As we standing in front of Ian's office, Gerald knocked on the door. It took a short moment for us to hear a voice come in.
"Come in!"
Gerald twisted the knob and push the door open letting me in. I look at him and he only smiles at me. He nods at me giving me a sign to walk in.
It seems like I'm the only one who has to walk in.
The door shut closed, and I stepped inside. I gulp, holding tight on my book as I look around the office.
"Maya?" Ian called.
"Y--Yes?"
"Come closer, please." he gently spoke.
I move toward him but when I standing in front of his desk, he slides one paper on the desk.
"I have something to discuss with you." he nods at the paper.
My hands reached for it and read every detail on it.
An Invitation to a banquet to introduce Ian Croford's Wife.
Banquet?
"W--Why?" I frowns.
"Well, I need to introduce you to some people. You do realize you need to be known by people right?" Ian asks.
Get known by people? What if I'm not up to their expectation? What if I embarrassed Ian in some way?
I grip my book tightly. I want to say to hold it for a while but who am I to say the opposite answer of my husband?
"O--Okay..."
"Are you sure? Tell me if you want it to be postponed." he looks at me with worry.
No.
A wife should agree with anything her husband says. No matter whether it brings harm or not.
I nod.
Somehow his face shows that he is displeased with my answer. Isn't this what he wanted to hear?
Ian stood up and walked toward me. He looked at me from her head until down.
"You look even better now. Did you eat well?" he asks.
"I--I did. T--The food is d--delicious." I answer.
"I see. I'm glad you like it here. Tell me if you want me to change anything." Ian pats my
head with a smile on his face.
Tell him? Do I have... the power to do that?
"Oh right. Do you need a teacher to teach you dance and some other stuff before your banquet?" Ian crosses his arms on his chest.
"N--No thank you. I--I learn it already s--since I'm a child." I look down.
Mother always hit me whenever I failed my etiquette and my dance. She wouldn't let me stop until I learned it very well.
"Oh really? I didn't expect that," he mumbles the last word.
"W--When is the banquet?"
"Since you already learned everything, I think we will hold it next week. How about that? Is it good?" Ian asks.
No.
"Y--Yes."
I know it is wrong to lie but what choice do I have? I don't want to be a bad wife.
Enough with the blame I got at my palace. If I couldn't do better there, maybe I can do better here for my husband.
"Anyway, I have been seeing that book since last week. What book is that?" Ian looks at the book in my arms in confusion.
"N--Nothing." I bring it behind me. "J--Just a book...that I--I found in t--the library." I nibble with my lips.
"Hey, it's fine. I'm not angry. I'm just happy that you start to be comfortable here." Ian caressed my cheek causing me to look at him.
"Just take any book that you like. No one will stop you." he smiles.
No one...will stop me...
"If you don't mind, can you tell me what is the book about?" Ian led me to the couch and made me sit on his lap.
Somehow, it make me flushed.
"Well...tell me," he smirked, knowing what he did to me.
"Um... I--it about.."
The whole day we talked and spent our time inside his office with me telling him stories inside the book.
I don't realize myself babbling because no one ever cares to ask what I did. Even if I got a high mark, a compliment, or something exciting, no one cared.
But when Ian asked me, he looked at me with gentle eyes and listened to every word that came out of my mouth.