As I chatted away with Aiden in the training field, practicing my aim while he fiddled with his gear, the butler approached me with his usual brisk and formal demeanor. "Miss Aria," he called, his voice unwavering, "the Duke wishes to meet you."
I froze for a moment, gripping the card in my hand a little tighter. The Duke? Already? Clearing my throat, I plastered on a casual smile. "Um… The Duke? Sure, please lead the way."
With a wave goodbye to Aiden, , I followed the butler toward the mansion. Each step felt heavier than the last as my mind raced. Could it be? Could he have figured it out already? That I'm Duke Mont's daughter? If he had, I was certain of one thing—there was no way he'd let me join the expedition.
Why didn't I just shut my mouth at the dining table? I thought bitterly. My big mouth has doomed me!
We reached the door to Duke Ashford's office all too soon. The butler knocked firmly, then stepped aside to announce, "Miss Aria is here, Your Grace. Shall I let her in?"
"Yes," came the Duke's deep and commanding voice. "Bring her in—and bring some tea."
"Of course, Your Grace," the butler answered, bowing slightly before opening the door for me.
The moment I stepped inside, my breath hitched. There he was—Duke Elias Ashford, seated behind his grand mahogany desk, his piercing blue eyes locked on me with a sharpness that could cut steel. His silver hair, perfectly in place, caught the sunlight streaming through the tall windows, making him look like something out of a painting. Why do scary men have to be so ridiculously handsome? I thought to myself, almost annoyed by how blindingly captivating he was.
"Please, have a seat, Miss Aria," he said, gesturing to the sofa across from him. His tone was calm, but there was no mistaking the weight in his words. "We have a lot to discuss."
Yep, I thought as I hesitantly sat down, my movements stiff. I'm doomed. No going back now.
The Duke didn't waste time. As he sat down across from me, his expression cool and unreadable, he placed a stack of papers on the table between us. His gaze didn't waver for even a second as he asked, "So, Miss Aria, tell me—how do you know Duke Mont?"
My stomach twisted into knots. I knew this moment would come, but I wasn't ready. "Um… I actually know Duke Mont's daughter," I said, trying to sound confident.
That answer seemed to pique the Duke's interest. His brows lifted slightly, and he leaned forward ever so slightly. "Really?" he said, his voice carrying a note of curiosity. "Is that why you visit him at every family occasion?"
For a moment, I thought I'd dodged the bullet, but the intensity of his gaze told me otherwise. "Yes," I replied smoothly. "Because Duke Mont has shown me so much kindness that… well, the Mont family is practically my own family."
"I see," he murmured, standing suddenly. His movement was deliberate, slow, and somehow intimidating. He crossed the space between us until he stood directly before me, his face mere inches from mine. My breath caught in my throat as his sharp blue eyes seemed to pierce straight into my soul.
"Tell me, Miss Aria," he said, his voice dropping slightly. "Do you think you can lie to me?"
I looked away instinctively, biting the inside of my cheek. Yep. Doomed. Completely doomed. "I don't understand what you mean, Your Grace," I replied, my voice steady despite my nerves.
The corners of his mouth twitched, though whether it was amusement or annoyance, I couldn't tell. "Duke Mont would never accept a commoner into his inner circle—unless absolutely necessary. Are you—" He paused, narrowing his eyes, "—a spy?"
"A… spy?" I repeated, blinking in shock.
"Or an assassin?" he pressed, folding his arms as he fixed me with an accusatory look. "Perhaps this has to do with my support for the second prince as the next successor?"
I almost laughed out loud. He did a whole background check on me, only to land on this ridiculous conclusion? Holding back my amusement, I cleared my throat and composed myself. "Your Grace," I said as calmly as I could, "I assure you, I am neither a spy nor an assassin."
His brows furrowed slightly. "Then what are you, Miss Aria?" he asked, settling back down on the sofa, his tone laced with irritation.
"Oh, me?" I said, my lips curving into a faint smile. "I'm just a normal human being, Your Grace."
The Duke's eyes narrowed. "Miss Aria, do you take me for a fool?" he asked, his tone carrying a hint of annoyance.
Okay, definitely struck a nerve there. I straightened up, my expression apologetic. "I apologize, Your Grace," I said sincerely. "Duke Mont saved me when I was young, and since then, I've… been taken in by the Mont family."
The Duke's sharp gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he finally leaned back, his expression softening—just slightly. "I see," he said, the suspicion in his tone beginning to fade. "You may leave."
Relieved, I stood quickly, offering a respectful bow. As I turned to leave, the butler entered, carrying a tray laden with tea and an assortment of sweets.
"Leave them here," the Duke ordered curtly. The butler obeyed, setting the tray on the desk as I slipped out of the room.
The moment I returned to my room, I let out a long, shaky sigh, collapsing onto my bed. "Thank the stars," I muttered, pressing a hand to my chest to calm my racing heart. "He's scarier than any monster I've ever encountered."
I reached for my magic orb—a device that allowed me to contact my family. Whispering Dean's name into it, the orb shimmered, and his familiar face appeared, grinning mischievously.
"What's up, Joker-face?" he greeted, his tone teasing.
"Dude," I said, my voice full of exasperation. "I almost escaped death today."
His grin widened, interest piqued. "Oh? What happened?
With a sigh, I recounted the entire ordeal. "Duke Ashford did a background check on me and came to the brilliant conclusion that I'm either a spy or an assassin," I finished.
Dean burst into laughter. "You've got to be kidding me! That's hilarious. I honestly thought you'd be back home already after he found out."
"Well, lucky for me, he didn't," I grumbled. "And speaking of home—"
"Oh, yeah, right." Dean cut me off with a smirk. "Mom said to remind you. You need to come home next month. Your debut's coming up—you're going to be nineteen, remember? Don't flake on this, Joker."
"Fiiine," I groaned, rolling my eyes. "I'll be there after the expedition."
"Good. Don't make me come drag you home," Dean joked. "Later, Joker-face!"
"Bye, Dean," I replied as the orb's magic shimmered and faded. Closing it carefully, I placed the orb back in its box, then let myself sink into bed as I drifted to sleep.