Duke Gerard was not surprised in the slightest by Marchioness Honeysuckle's letter. After all, since he became the head at fourteen, countless letters swarmed him requesting and, at times, demanding marriage. Now, at thirty, he found most of the letters he received amusing except for this last one.
If he agreed to marry the fourth daughter of house Honeysuckle, he would gain the remaining trading routes, cementing his hold on the trade business for their Kingdom. The remaining military being offered was of little use to him. After all, his household currently holds far more significant military power.
Marrying Lady Honeysuckle would surely boost his philanderer image. After all, the poor damsel was mute and crippled. She would surely be happy to produce heirs and stay in whatever corner he tossed her in. Yes, that should work just fine. After all, who would ever marry such an obtuse woman?
Duke Gerard wrote a letter of agreement and sent it to House Honeysuckle, with a separate letter addressed to his bride-to-be.
When Gardenia received the letter, she could not help but snort. Duke Gerard honestly thought highly of himself. Duke Gerard would lose face if the High Mage were to stand before him.
After all, the High Mage had a face iridescently beautiful that made you want to trace every line and curve. The only other person that came close to matching such a man would be the Ninth Prince if only he had not slit her throat.
Gardenia laughed until her stomach hurt as she read Duke Gerard's letter. It was the most ridiculous thing she had ever read, and to think so many wanted such a man. He was telling her to be nothing more than a child-baring mare and to be happy she would be his.
The engagement ring that arrived with the letter was the ugliest thing Gardenia had ever seen. Who in their right mind would ever wear such a thing, let alone marry such a man if he could be called that?
The only good thing about the letter was that she now had a way to get close to Duke Gerard. The problem was that she did not want to accept his marriage proposal. What would happen if she denied him? It would be interesting to watch.
First, Gardenia would attend the upcoming Spring Ball, and then she would decide what to do with Duke Gerard. With only eight days left, Gardenia set out to prepare for her grand reveal. With a veiled hat over her head, she set out to procure a dress.
The first boutique left little to be impressed by. As did the many boutiques lining Tailor Street, it was not until she found a tiny shop that she saw what she was looking for an orange-red dress lined with little rhinestones that made the bodice look like butterfly wings, the skirt was lined with black lace in the form of flowers. It was a shame her hair was no longer black. The colors in the dress would have stood out more.
On her way back, Gardenia caught a glimpse of Duke Gerard and had to fight the urge to throw up and laugh. The sight of that so-called man made her body shake at the memory of what he had done to her in her previous life.
The scent of white musk and gardenia blossoms danced on the wind, bringing a pleasant sensation to Lady Gardenia's mind. Her head hurt from the lack of sleep, but now that such a soothing scent had wafted over her headache, it seemed to ease a bit. She had not realized it the night before, but not only was the High Mage beautiful, but he also had a delightful scent.
Lady Gardenia's carriage had been parked outside a tea shop where countless patrons mingled. Something interesting seemed to be going on at the entrance.
At the center of the crowd stood the High Mage dressed in plain hunting gear.
"My good Sir, are you perhaps of a noble house," a round-belly man asked, "if so, may I know the name."
The High Mage smiled, and someone swooned, "My name is Ignasius. I do not belong to any noble house of your nation; thus, my surname is meaningless to you."
A fiery-looking gentleman pushed through the crowd, "There you are; your Grace shouldn't wander off." The man's ears were pointed, and his features were rather handsome in a rugged way.
"Your Grace," many murmured. I wonder which nation he hails from?" another said as the fiery man led Ignasius out of the crowd.
Lady Gardenia began to board her carriage when a shadow hand stopped her. She turned to find the hand belonged to the fiery man.
The man placed a hand to his heart and inclined his head, "Do forgive my insolence, but does the Honorable Lady know how we may find our way to the palace?"
Gardenia's smile could not be seen under the veil, or so she believed. "I can take you there," she said as she boarded her carriage.
Gardenia and Isa sat facing Ignasius while his guard walked beside the carriage.
Lady Gardenia lifted the curtain, "There is plenty of room inside."
The guard did not look her way as he responded, "It is my duty to protect his Grace. I cannot do that from within the comfort of your carriage. I do thank thee, honorable lady."
"You don't think me a danger to your Lord?" Gardenia found the guard pleasantly amusing.
"With all due respect, I do believe My Lord is a Danger to himself," at the last bit, for just a second, the guard's voice had a momentary sadness.
"Is that so?" Gardenia's eyes travel up and down Ignasius's face, trying to find a crack in the façade. Could he be genuine?
The carriage comes to a halt, and then there is a tap on the outside: "Your Grace, we have arrived."
A white gardenia appears on Lady Gardenia's lap, and a red ribbon tied around the stem holds a silk pouch. The High Mage exits the carriage, "A thank you for the assistance," his gaze averted as if to avoid drawing attention to his token.
The day had begun unpleasant, yet it became bearable, all thanks to the High Mage's presence. Lady Gardenia tucked the token into her sleeve pocket.
Isa finally looked at her as if she had just snapped out of a trance, "My Lady, is there anything you would like me to prepare once we return to the estate?"
"A vase with clear water," by the time they returned to the Honeysuckle manor, the sun had begun to set.
The manor was a buzz as servants brought out dish after dish of roasted meats. It seemed the prodigal son was home. The Marquise set to the right of the Marquis; her face flushed with rage.
It appeared something had happened while Lady Gardenia was out. One glance at the Marquise told Gardenia it probably had something to do with Duke Gerard's letter. Just as Gardenia wondered which farce to portray, one of her brothers walked in.
"Greetings, Lord Caden," the servants bowed towards the eldest of Gardenia's brothers. Caden tended to appear from time to time, seeking his father's help cleaning up whatever mess he created in his time away.
Lord Caden was partly to blame for the family's downfall. The fortune spent cleaning up his messes could have fed them for at least two more decades.
The Marquise hated the sight of the Marquis sons and normally did not eat dinner with them, but it seemed that today would be necessary.
"Gardenia Anis Honeysuckle, do you think it is proper to return at such an hour?" the Marquis now directed his ire toward his only daughter.
Gardenia pulled the chair at the other end of the table and sat. With a flick of her hand, food started plating itself.
Before taking a bite of the roast beef, Gardenia looked the Marquis in the eye, "If returning home as the sun sets is a problem, then perhaps Caden should never be allowed to leave the manor again."
While the beef was far better than the food she had been served the night before, it lacked flavor. How could such a dish be considered delectable when it lacked soul?