"Milady, you must hurry to prepare yourself!" Helena, her maid, called out, her voice tinged with urgency. "The Duke will arrive any moment now!"
Susanna was snapped back to reality when her maid shouted. With a quick nod, she set aside her gardening tools and followed Helena into the manor.
She ascended the grand staircase with a mixture of slowed steps and hesitant glances, her mind racing through memories of the Duke and his last encounter with his wife. He never looked at her after their marriage.
From the duchess' perspective, the duke seemed to hold a grudge against her the moment he knew the king chose her as his bride. The thought of facing him after so long, with the fear of his cruelty and the unknown consequences of his return, filled her with a profound unease.
Inside her chamber, Helena and the other maids had already prepared her bathroom and chosen an array of garments. The room turned into a carnival as they bustled around, helping Susanna change from her work attire, taking her to have a long and relaxing bath, and then into something more fitting for such a momentous occasion.
"Here, try this dress," Helena said, presenting a gown of deep sapphire blue. "It's both elegant and dignified. Just perfect for meeting the Duke."
"No, the dress is much better than this."
The maids debated about who chose the beautiful dress, bickering like children. However, the distant sound of trumpets and drums echoed through the air, causing them to stop. They hurried to their respective jobs.
Susanna's heart fluttered with a mix of anticipation and dread. The Duke's return was looming closer, and with it came a whirlwind of emotions she struggled to contain.
Susanna took the blue dress, which Helena had picked and wore it. The gown hugged her figure gracefully and was adorned with delicate embroidery that shimmered subtly in the light. As the maids adjusted the final touches, including a pearl necklace and a pair of matching earrings, Susanna felt a sense of both dread and apprehension. The splendour of the attire contrasted with her internal turmoil.
"Milady, you look gorgeous," Helena said, adjusting the final fold of the dress. "The Duke will certainly be pleased."
Susanna offered a weak smile, her nerves barely contained. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. The maids finished their work, and Susanna took one last glance at her reflection, hoping the elegance of her appearance would mask the anxiety she felt.
As the final preparations were made, the trumpets' sound grew louder, signalling the Duke's arrival. Susanna's heart pounded in her chest as she made her way to the grand hall. The space was beautifully decorated and cleaned. She stood there with the servants lining up.
Her pulse quickened as she expected the approaching steps and horses' hoofs beating the grounds.
The doors to the grand hall swung open, and Susanna's breath caught in her throat. Duke Alexei Brown stood in the doorway, his commanding presence filling the room. His blonde hair, though streaked with silver, gleamed in the soft light. His blue eyes, sharp and intense, scanned the room before settling on her. He wore a uniform of dark blue and gold, its rich fabric hinting at both nobility and authority. He returned after two and a half years of gruelling war.
Susanna eagerly studied the man before her. His features were so striking that he surpassed the description in the novel. Just one glance from him left her feeling breathless.
If he took her life, she would have no regret!
For a moment, their eyes met, and Susanna felt a jolt of fear and surprise. Alexei's gaze was unyielding, a blend of authority and something she couldn't quite decipher. The Duke's face, though marred by the lines of battle, retained its handsomeness. His presence was as imposing as it was magnetic.
He approached her with measured strides, his gaze never leaving hers. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as he drew nearer, the atmosphere thick with expectation.
"Susanna," he said, his voice low and edged with an undercurrent of disdain. "It seems you've managed to keep a live—I mean a lot of things in order."
"Your Grace, congratulations on your triumph, I hope every living will witness the prosperity the duke has brought," Susanna replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. She curtsied gracefully, though her hands trembled slightly.
Alexei's lips curled into a faint, mock smile. "When did you learn to be eloquent and caring?" he replied, though his words seemed to carry a hint of sarcasm.
Susanna tightened her fists, uncertain if she would answer or not.
After a brief moment of silence, the Duke's eyes flickered with an unreadable expression. "I see you kept the estate well maintained," he said, his tone clipped.
"Thank you, Your Grace. Though, it was not my effort alone. The servants had done a great job too," Susanna said, trying to sound composed.
"I should go more to war to make you change this way," he said.
Susanna's gaze fell to the floor momentarily, her heart heavy, feeling the sting of his words, the hidden contempt that lingered beneath his seemingly polite remarks. She struggled to maintain her composure. It wasn't hard to say that the duke wasn't oblivious of the things turning in the manor, just because he was away. So all her behaviours were written to him and he knew that she had changed in the past few months.
"The duke had spent years outside the duchy. And he must be exhausted from the long journey. Your Grace' room has been prepared so the duke shall rest first before talking about the celebration party," Susanna said, trying to get him away from her sight.
"Did I order you to plan for me? Don't think staying here as the duchess makes you think you are the owner of the manor. I have returned, so watch your movement. I will spare no one commanding me!" he said, his words dripping with poison.
"Understood, your grace."
Alexei walked away without a second glance. His aura was suffocating her. She felt as if he was still watching her, despite disappearing for quite some time.
Helena approached her, her expression one of concern. "Milady, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Susanna interrupted gently, forcing a smile. "It's just… a lot to take in," she murmured the last part before departing into her room.
As she got inside her room, Susanna's mind was consumed by the Duke's return. The Duke's demeanour was as ambiguous as it was cold, leaving her with a profound sense of uncertainty.
Is he going to kill her or not?
The night wore on, and Susanna stood waiting for the duke's arrival. The duke went to war on their wedding day, so they didn't consummate their marriage. The thought of sharing a bed with someone who would kill her brought dread to her.
His reaction toward her earlier made her anxiety lessened, thinking that he would not come. Suddenly, the door to her chamber was opened.