The wedding celebrations had come to a close, and the guests had departed. Lord nigel, now seated in the throne room with his guards, inquired, "Is there anything that requires my attention?" The guards replied, "No, my lord, all is well."
Meanwhile, Lady Charlotte was seen beaming with joy, carrying a basket of adorable baby clothes. Aria's mother was also in the castle, busily preparing a selection of fresh fruits for her daughter.
Aria herself was resting in Lord Miguel's chambers, where he had instructed everyone not to disturb her. The news of their marriage had caused a stir among the castle staff, leading some of the former maids to resign in dismay. They couldn't accept that Lord nigel had chosen Aria, a commoner, as his bride. However, new maids had been appointed to replace those who had left, and the castle was once again bustling with activity.
********************************
Lord nigel was reminded of Davina's presence in the castle. "Take me to her cell," he instructed his guards.
Upon arriving, Davina rushed to him, pleading, "My Lord, why are you doing this to me? I've done everything to get close to you."
Lord nigel's expression remained cold. "What am I doing to you, Davina? Can't you see I have no feelings for you!
Davina's face twisted in anger. "Look at the maid you married! She's poor, ugly... Is that really what you want?"
Lord nigel's response was firm. "Yes, that's what I want."
"You are not as beautiful as she is!"
Davina's voice rose. "Why can't you see me? I'm beautiful, a minister's daughter. I even rejected the prince from the neighboring kingdom for you."
Lord nigel remained unmoved. "I didn't ask you to do that. It's not my concern."
Davina's anger boiled over. "I did it for you!"
Lord nigel stood, his patience worn thin. "I'm not in the mood to deal with you. I want to be a responsible father to my son and I don't want to get your filthy blood on my hand. Throw her in the dungeon."
As the guards dragged Davina away, she screamed, "No, my Lord! You can't do this to me!"
Lord nigel turned his back, walking away as Davina's cries faded into the distance.
*****************************
Aria slowly opened her eyes, still lying in bed, feeling weak and sore. Before she could gather her thoughts, the door burst open, and Lord Miguel entered, a cheerful grin on his face.
"How's my love doing?" he asked, his voice playful.
Aria's response was flat. "I'm tired."
Lord Miguel's grin faltered slightly. "I thought as much," he said, sitting beside her on the bed. "How's our little cutie doing?" he asked, gently placing a hand on her belly.
Aria looked at him, her eyes welling up with tears. "Just leave me alone. I'm tired."
Lord Miguel's expression turned concerned. "What's wrong, my love?"
Aria's tears spilled over, and she stood up, her voice shaking. "You've never cooked for me before. I want you to cook for me."
Lord Miguel laughed nervously. "You want me to cook? I don't think I've ever done that before."
Aria's tears turned to sobs. "You don't love me anymore. You don't want to cook for me. I hate you."
Lord Miguel's face fell, and he held up his hands. "Fine, fine. I'll cook."
Just then, Lady Charlotte entered the room, carrying a basket of baby clothes. "Aria, dear, what would you like to eat?" she asked, setting the basket down.
Aria glared at her, still tearful. "Get lost. I don't want your food. I want Lord Miguel to cook for me."
Lady Charlotte's eyes sparkled with amusement, and she barely suppressed a laugh. She glanced at Lord nigel, whose face had turned ashen with terror. He looked utterly helpless, his eyes pleading with Lady Charlotte as if to say, "Help me, help me, help me!"
Lady Charlotte's expression turned sympathetic, and she stepped forward, intervening on Lord nigel's behalf. "Aria, dear, perhaps I can assist Lord nigel in the kitchen?" she suggested, trying to diffuse the tension.
Aria's expression remained stubborn. "I don't want him to be assisted. I want him to cook on his own."
Lord Nigel, looked at her gently. "Aria, don't you think I'm in a position that requires me not to cook? Besides, I'm in a high position..."
Aria cut him off, hitting his hand playfully. "Oh, you don't want to cook, right? Then I'm leaving! I'm leaving your castle for good!"
Lord Nigel stood up, alarmed. "Okay, fine! I'll cook!"
Aria's face lit up with a triumphant smile. "Go! Now! Go cook!"
Lady Charlotte, who had been watching the exchange, couldn't contain her laughter. She giggled uncontrollably, holding her sides.
Aria caught Lady Charlotte laughing and misinterpreted it. "Oh, you're laughing at me, right?"
Aria stood up, her expression turning stern. "Can all of you get out? Get out!" she demanded, pushing them all out of the room and locking the door behind them.
Lord Nigel looked at Lady Charlotte and whispered, "Lady Charlotte, can you kindly go cook something, and I'll take the food to Aria and claim I cooked it?"
Lady Charlotte laughed and nodded. "Fine, I'll do so."
The door burst open, and Aria strode out, determination in her eyes. "What...what do you want, Aria?" Lord nigel stammered.
"I'm going to follow you to the kitchen," Aria declared. "I want to see how you cook."
Lord Nigel's face turned pale, and he almost choked. The guards surrounding them struggled to hold their laughter.
Lord nigel thought to himself, "I'm doomed. I hope I don't burn the castle down."
Aria looked at Lord nigel and said, "Let's go, let's go."
Lord Nigel's anxiety soared. What was he supposed to do? He couldn't even boil water, let alone cook a meal. Aria's expectant gaze only added to his distress.
As soon as Aria, Lord Nigel, and Lady Charlotte left, the guards burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"Lord nigel cook!" one of them choked out, holding his sides.
The others joined in, their laughter echoing through the hallway. The absurdity of the situation was too much to bear. Lord nigel, the noble lord, was going to cook? It was a joke.