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Chapter 44 - Chapter 44 - Autumn Whispers

The tension in the air was a nearly tangible shroud, enveloping Amelie and Friedrich in its suffocating embrace. The final words of their heated exchange lingered between them like the fading notes of a melancholy sonata. She could feel every nerve in her body standing on edge, each breath she took seemed to echo through the grand hall.

Amelie's heart sank at the undercurrent in his words, the subtle assertion of his authority. She stepped up to stand beside Friedrich, her spine straightening with the dignity she always carried.

"Indeed, Your Grace. Our duties remain clear," she said, her tone laced with the same firmness that had often seen her through challenging times.

Ludwig watched her, his posture rigid and regal, yet a flicker of something softer passed fleetingly over his features. The somber hues of his attire, fitting for a duke, failed to hide the sorrow etched upon his face—a sorrow that mirrored the stormy skies visible through the tall windows. His eyes, darkened by sleepless nights, held onto Amelie's with a quiet desperation.Then, with a nod that seemed to finalize the conversation, he made his decision.

"Then let us meet again tomorrow," he said, the command softened by a courteous smile. "I find these discussions quite enlightening, and I would be pleased to join you once more."

As the Duke took his leave, Amelie and Friedrich exchanged a glance, each feeling the weight of the unseen chains that bound them to their roles.

The corridor was silent, save for the soft whisper of their footsteps on the plush carpet, as Friedrich escorted Amlie to her chamber door. The walls adorned with gilded frames and oil paintings whispered tales of a time when love was not just a sentiment but an art, practiced and perfected beneath chandeliers that now hung silently above them.

"Please, Amlie," he began, his voice steady yet carrying an undercurrent of vulnerability, "do not dwell too long upon my words." His baby blue eyes met hers with an earnestness that belied the playful spirit those who knew him well would recognize. He stood tall before her, the evening light casting his sturdy silhouette in sharp relief against the polished oak door.

"Your response," he continued, the calm clarity of his speech a gentle wave against the shore of her thoughts, "when you are ready to give it, will be cherished, no matter its nature."

He offered her a small, hopeful smile, one that did not quite reach his eyes. It was in those moments, when he allowed himself to become vulnerable, that the soldier within him seemed most at peace. Yet deep inside, where his heart lay shielded by years of loyalty and service, there was a tremor of fear—a fear of being found wanting, of having the very foundations of his world shaken by rejection.

"Good Afternoon, Amlie," he said, stepping away from the door, retreating before his own emotions could betray more than he intended. And as he turned to leave, the flickering candlelight from the sconces captured the subtle struggle between his stoic facade and the tender, delicate hope that clung to him like the morning mist to the moors.

The door to Amelie's room creaked open, the weight of her day pressing upon her shoulders like a leaden mantle. She closed it behind her with a soft click and leaned against the polished wood, eyes shut tight, striving for a moment's respite. That fleeting peace was interrupted by a cooing sound that pulled at the strings of her heart.

"Adrian," she whispered, her voice tinged with both love and weariness. There he lay in his crib, a bundle of innocence swaddled in pale linens, his little fists flailing with the boundless energy of infancy. Standing over him, Maggy, the steadfast housekeeper, hummed a gentle melody, her fingers skillfully moving to soothe the babe.

"Amelie," Maggy said, turning at the soft murmur. Her sharp eyes immediately cut through Amelie's facade. "Something is amiss, I can tell. You've got that storm-cloud look about you."

Amelie attempted a smile, but it faltered and faded before it could fully bloom. "I'm just tired, Maggy," she said, though the quiver in her voice betrayed her inner turmoil.Exhaustion was to be expected for a woman carrying a child, yet she usually returned from the library with boundless energy and enthusiasm.

"Come now, Amelie," Maggy insisted, her tone firm yet not unkind. "Out with it.I haven't got the time for tiptoeing around the issue."

The words spilled from Amelie's lips then, as if Maggy's insistence had breached a dam within her. "It's Friedrich," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper, laden with an emotion she couldn't quite name.

Maggy's brow furrowed as she picked up Adrian, cradling him against her bosom. "What of him?" she prodded, her eyes never leaving Amelie's face.She had a hunch about Friedrich's actions, but she refused to divulge secrets that were not her own to share.

In the serene atmosphere of the library, Friedrich finally mustered up the courage to reveal his true feelings for me. My heart fluttered with uncertainty and I was at a loss for how to respond.

"Soon, at the victory celebration, he will be made a marquis," Amelie said, her hands wringing together as if trying to squeeze the distress from them. "His world will change, and the chasm between us will grow wider still. He will belong to the nobility, and I... I am but a wet nurse, a pregnant one, the daughter of a merchant."

"Ah," Maggy sighed, a knowing look crossing her features. "And in your heart, how do you see him?"

"In my heart..." Amelie trailed off. "In my heart, he is simply Friedrich—loyal, gallant, the one who has been by my side since I arrived here."

"Titles and lands, they may build walls, Miss Amelie, but they're not insurmountable. Not for hearts that truly seek one another," Maggy offered, her gaze softening. "So you simply have to determine your true feelings towards him."

Amelie reluctantly agreed, her face betraying her uncertainty. But in that moment, all she could focus on was the growing life inside of her, her loved ones, and the missing Edric. She was incredibly fortunate to have the duke extend his kindness to her and her family. Rumors had been circulating that the dukes carriage had arrived to collect her due to the paternity of her child, but her family remained tight-lipped on the matter. They were simply grateful to see their fortunes improve once more.As soon as she discovered her pregnancy, the thought of a normal family faded into oblivion. The rumors swirling around her were outlandish, but she didn't give them a second thought.

Amelie's haunted gaze fixated on Maggy's, pleading for empathy. "There's more to this tale," Maggy declared with unwavering conviction, sensing the unspoken details. Amelie faltered before ultimately confiding, "The duke caught sight of Friedrichs' admission and he was far from pleased."

Maggy's eyes widened in surprise, yet her countenance hardened. "Between you and I, Miss Amelie, his grace has no room for meddling in matters of the heart. Besides, if we're to believe the gossip of the servants, his heart is shackled to the past."

Amelie couldn't help but wonder at Maggy's cryptic words. It wasn't like her to indulge in gossip, especially about the reclusive duke. "What do you mean?" she asked cautiously.

Maggy hesitated before continuing, her voice a mere whisper.

"The memories of meeting the duchess still haunt him to this day. His heart was consumed with her, and even after all these years, he can't let go of her passing. He would never interfere with a blossoming romance, for he knows the true depths of love. So you must fear no reprimand."

"Thank you, Maggy," Amelie murmured relieved, her gaze drifting back to Adrian, where all her love and duty lay. In his eyes, she found her resolve, her reason to face whatever may come. The future was uncertain as the wind, but she would stand firm, like the oak that bends but does not break.

"Rest now, Amelie," Maggy suggested, her voice soothing like a soft breath of air, the evening breeze whispered through. "I'll return later to watch over Adrian while you have your meal."

"Indeed," Amelie agreed with a small nod, her spirits lifted ever so slightly by the comfort of Maggy's presence. She would face tomorrow with dignity and grace, as she had been taught.