The next morning, a sharp knock on the door broke through my slumber. I stirred, blinking sleepily as the sound echoed again. "Miss Aria," a composed voice called from the other side. "The Duke wishes to dine with you."
I bolted upright. The Duke? Dining with me? My heart skipped a beat, though I wasn't entirely sure why. I shook off the remnants of sleep, quickly preparing myself before following the butler down the ornate corridors to the dining room. My boots clicked softly against the polished marble floors as I tried to steady my nerves.
When I entered, Duke Ashford was seated at the head of the table, casually reading a newspaper. His silver hair caught the morning light, giving him an almost ethereal glow. He glanced up briefly, his piercing gaze meeting mine for a moment before he gave a small nod of acknowledgment. It was the kind of nod that carried authority, a silent gesture that spoke volumes.
"Good morning, Your Grace," I greeted, my tone polite yet steady.
"Good morning," he replied simply, his attention already returning to the newspaper as though I were no more significant than the ticking clock on the wall.
I took the seat across from him, my eyes briefly scanning the table. What greeted me was nothing short of a culinary masterpiece: golden pastries, fresh fruit glistening with dew, steaming platters of eggs and sausages, delicate silver teapots, and more varieties of cheese than I could count. It was a feast fit for an emperor, and yet it was simply breakfast.
I hesitated, my fingers brushing the edge of a porcelain plate. Isn't this excessive for a morning meal? I thought, marvelling at the sheer abundance. Still, I selected a few items with as much subtlety as I could manage and began eating quietly.
The clink of silverware was the only sound for a while, but it didn't last long. Duke Ashford folded the newspaper and set it aside, his gaze settling on me with unnerving intensity.
"You know proper table manners," he said, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "Not something I'd expect from a commoner. It seems you've had etiquette training."
My fork froze mid-air. The subtle compliment felt more like a trap. Keep calm, Aria, I thought, forcing a neutral expression onto my face.
"Of course I did," I replied smoothly—or so I thought. "Back at… the Mont estate, I—" My voice faltered, and I felt the blood drain from my face. No. No, no, no. What did I just say?
I quickly tried to cover my tracks, but my nervous tone betrayed me. "I mean, nothing. Just… an estate I once visited."
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, his sharp features betraying a flicker of intrigue. "The Mont estate, you say?" he mused, his voice measured. "It seems you're familiar with the Mont family."
I nodded quickly, desperate to seem unaffected. "Yes, Your Grace. I… I know Duke Mont."
My heart was racing now, each beat loud and relentless in my ears. His gaze didn't waver, and for a moment, I felt like prey caught in the eyes of a predator.
"Well," he said after a pause that felt far too long, "it's rare to meet someone with such connections."
I mumbled a polite response, eager to escape the scrutiny. Forcing myself to finish the meal quickly, I stood and excused myself.
As I walked out of the dining room, the tension in my shoulders began to loosen—until I overheard the conversation behind me.
"Simon," the Duke's firm voice said, "look into her background. Find out what her connection to the Mont family is."
Simon, the ever-loyal aide, bowed slightly. "Yes, Your Grace. I'll handle it at once."
My heart sank. Panic surged through me as I quickened my pace, retreating to the safety of my room.
"I am doomed," I muttered, pacing back and forth in the lavish chamber. Anxiety twisted in my chest like a relentless knot, refusing to let go. If Duke Ashford discovered my true identity as Duke Mont's daughter, he won't let me join the expedition
I sank onto the edge of the bed; how could I have been so careless? The slip of the tongue haunted me, replaying in my mind like a cruel taunt.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm in my head. "Calm down, Aria. Calm down," I whispered to myself. "You're an adventurer. You've faced monsters, survived impossible odds. No noble has ever seen Duke Mont's daughter's face—no one even knows what she looks like. So chill."
The words were meant to be reassuring, but they sounded hollow. I couldn't shake the fear gnawing at me. If Simon's investigation uncovered the truth, what would Duke Ashford do with that information? And worse, what would it mean for my family?