The four of them walking through the mansion was quite a spectacle. Lorelei led the way with Noah and her screaming brother in tow and Jessup as the rearguard. If she wasn’t so scared and shaken by what had just happened, she might have found the whole situation rather funny. Followed by the servant’s whispers they arrived at an ornate double door. Lorelei’s steps slowed down and her chest felt tight again. The old servant in front of her father’s chambers sprang up the moment he saw them.

“Dear saints, young master Ronan! What is going on? Wait, wait, you can't go inside. The lord is still sleeping!”

“Get behind me, girl,” Noah ordered in a low tone and Lorelei immediately obeyed.

Ignoring the old servant’s ranting he lifted his foot and landed a powerful kick on the door. The wood groaned and creaked, one of the wings flew out of its hinges and fell inside the room with a loud crash. Noah stepped in and hurled Ronan on the floor, where he spun several times before stopping abruptly in one of the large bed’s pillars. All this played before the terrified eyes of the now very awake Lord Orten who sat there petrified.

“Jess.” Noah stretched his hand and his page hurried to give him something long and white.

With surprise, Lorelei recognized her own nightgown. But right now, on the thin cloth were some very visible red stains that she couldn’t remember ever being there. Her husband grabbed the dress and threw it in her father’s stupefied face.

“The marriage has been consummated. Here is your proof. From now on, if anyone of this household even dares to lay a finger on the Duchess Norden, I will personally torch this trash pile.”

He turned around and stretched his hand out.

“Shall we go, dear wife?”

His gesture told Lorelei that she had no other choice but to play along. She gave him her hand. Her husband held her fingers lightly and led her out of the room. Just like that, hand in hand, they went back through the now busy mansion under the curious gazes of all inhabitants. When they reached the northern wing, at last, he gallantly led her to his room. The moment they stepped in and the door closed behind them, he immediately let go of her. Lorelei couldn’t quite understand why but, for a fleeting moment, she felt a sense of loss. He motioned to the empty chair and she obediently sat down. Her husband sat on the bed and threw her a glance.

“Jess, go to the kitchen and bring the lady something to eat. And bring her a cup of warm honey milk. She looks too scrawny.”

Lorelei felt her cheeks blush at his words. She wanted to say something but Jessup had already nimbly run out. And now she was alone in the room… with her husband. Shivers ran down her spine. This was the first time they were alone together since last night. The bed screeched a bit and she flinched, but he was just readjusting his weight. Her reaction didn’t escape his eyes though.

“Don’t be so jumpy, wife.” The new address made her feel even more nervous. “I do not have a habit of eating humans. And especially not scrawny little girls.”

“I-I know, m-my lord.” Her reply came out far shakier than intended.

Silence fell, and, for a while, no one uttered a word. Lorelei secretly threw a glance at her husband and realized that his grey eyes were fixed on her. Who knows why, but this made her blush? She tried, out of habit, to put a strand of hair behind her ear, only to remember too late that she had already braided her hair this morning. It felt awkward. She lowered her head and started nervously playing with the hem of her sleeve.

“One year.” Her husband’s sudden words forced her to look up. “I would require you to play the role of Duchess Norden for a single year. It can’t be shorter, otherwise my imperial brother could see this as an offense. Afterward, you may live however and wherever you like. In one year, you should have learned enough of Norden’s customs to manage on your own. If you like, I will provide you with an allowance and a quiet place to stay in my territory. Or if you wish to be completely free from a monster like me, I can arrange for you to live anywhere in the empire.”

Lorelei was so shocked that she couldn’t even think straight. What was he saying? He was going to give her back her freedom? What about the wrath of the Gods for their broken vows? Was a husband supposed to talk in such a calm manner about throwing away his wife? What about his pride? What about his name? Her chest tightened. Somehow, she felt a bit… yes. She was hurt.

A bastard was not equal to a bastard. She knew that as a woman and as a human being, she was not worthy enough to be Duchess Norden. What was she even thinking? He was Noah Lux Norden. The protector of the North; illegitimate son of the emperor and a slave princess. And who was she? The one-night child of a beast and a simple maid. It would be understandable for him to despise her lowly blood and the big stain that came with this unequal union. How could a low-born like her be married and share a name with someone like him? Enough! This was a stupid reaction. After all, she didn’t want this union to begin with. Shouldn’t she actually feel happy about his proposal? She would get away from the new prison she was forced into and be able to do as she pleased. The duke was kind enough to give her an honorable way out. Other men would have just killed her off or sent her to a nunnery.

“As you wish, my lord,” she muttered in a low voice, her eyes starting to sting despite her efforts.

“I am really happy that you agree.” His words sounded distant in her ears. “Unfortunately, this is all I can do to compensate you. You became a victim of the fight between my brother and me. I do not wish to ruin your life and hope that you could bear to live with the Beast of the North for the next year.”

Wait, what!? Her eyes rounded when she realized what he was saying. Compensate? Victim? Bare living with him? Dear saints, he was apologizing! To someone like her! For something he had no power over! This was insane! Lorelei forced herself to remain calm. She gulped, trying to make the knot in her throat disappear. Then, she locked eyes with his calm gray gaze as her lips parted.

“What would be the duties of Duchess Norden, my lord?”

Was this a relief she saw on his face? Impossible. The mask was still hiding his features.

“You would have to meet me once a day, be it breakfast or dinner so that the servants of my house remain… calm and don't give rise to rumors.” This condition confused her a bit, but Lorelei nodded in agreement.

“Furthermore, you would have to appear with me in public places and during festivities. That would include holding hands or dancing together if the occasion requires it. Do you agree to that?”

“Yes, my lord.” She nodded again. “What more?”

“That would be it. For the rest of the time, you are free to do whatever you like as long as it does not put in jeopardy the life of my citizens or the name of house Norden. I plan to assign Jessup to you, for now, seeing as you two get along well. When we arrive in Norden I will provide you with a lady-in-waiting and guards. Are you satisfied with these conditions?”

“Y-yes, but…” Lorelei suddenly blushed and stopped in the middle of the sentence.

“But what? Don’t worry, speak up.”

“W-what about…” Lorelei mustered up her courage and spat out: “What about my… ‘wifely duties’?”

She could swear that he flinched but managed to regain his composure almost instantly.

“I swear upon my name,” he put his hand over his heart, “I will never force myself on you. I know that the word of a monster might not be enough but…”

“The word of duke Norden is plenty enough for me, my lord.”

Noah was startled by her answer. But what surprised him even more, was the shy gentle smile on her lips. His wife was indeed a peculiar person. And pretty straight forward. Luckily, she didn’t have any of the sneaky snobbish traits so common amongst the noble ladies he knew. This was quite refreshing.

At that moment Jessup came back with a tray of food and a steaming cup of milk and their conversation had to end. The boy happily gave Lorelei the tray and then turned to his master. His face suddenly became serious as he gave the man a small scroll with a tiny golden seal on it.

“This just arrived from the capital via messenger bird, master.”

Noah knitted his brows and took the letter. He broke the seal and started reading, his face getting darker and darker. He handed the note to his page.

“Jessup, give this to Duncan and bring him here. We need to talk.”

The boy nodded and dashed out. Noah rubbed his stiff neck and realized that Lorelei had stopped eating and was staring at him. Now was as good a time to tell her as any.

“I am afraid that we are forced to hasten our departure. There seems to be trouble brewing in Norden. The emperor orders me to go back immediately.”

“When do we depart?” Her response was oddly calm. On the other hand, Noah remembered everything that had happened just in the past few hours. If he was in her place, he too would like nothing more than to leave this hellhole.

“I wanted to give my men a bit more time to rest, but the note seems quite urgent. I will leave the wounded here but everyone else should be prepared to depart tomorrow evening. I hope the time will be enough to ready your things.”

“Of course, my lord.”

A light knock signaled the return of Jessup. Lorelei sprang up and looked around for a place to put the tray, but the room was virtually empty. Noah also stood up and took it out of her hands. To his delight this time she didn’t flinch. He put the tray on the bed and called for Jessup to enter.

Together with the young page an older man in his mid-fifties also came in. His shoulders were broad and muscular and his face wore a gray well-trimmed beard, matching his pepper-gray short hair. There were clean bandages over his right eye, but the left one shone sharp and vigilant. He came closer and bowed.

“Greetings, my liege.”

Noah nodded in return.

“Lady Lorelei, let me introduce you to Count Duncan de Moran. He has been my advisor and friend ever since my youth. Duncan, this here is lady Lorelei, as of yesterday, my wife and the Duchess Norden.”

The old knight froze for a second. Then, without showing any expression or uttering a word, he bowed to her too. Lorelei was ready to return his greeting and curtsy, but the knight stopped her.

“A simple nod will suffice, lady Lorelei. The Duchess Norden may lower her head only before his highness the duke and members of the imperial family but to no one else.”

Silence fell. Lorelei took a deep breath and forced a smile on her lips. If she was to play the role of Duchess Norden, she should start practicing her manners, right?

“Thank you very much for the valuable advice, Count de Moran. I hope to receive your wise guidance in the future too.”

Noah was trying hard to suppress a chuckle at the startled expression of his friend and mentor. Lorelei’s calm and polite reaction was absolutely not what he had expected. He coughed slightly and attracted their attention.

“Jess, bring my wife to her chambers and help her pack. I leave the lady’s security tonight to you. Make sure no harm comes to her.”

After that, he turned to Lorelei and took her right hand. ‘His fingers are so hot’ the unconscious thought passed through her mind, but she didn’t dwell on it. He bowed, his lips almost touching her skin.

“My lady.”

“My lord.” Lorelei curtsied and followed Jessup out.

The door had just shut when the old knight erupted.

“I do not believe my eyes! So, the rumors were true? What have you done, you foolish boy?”

“Calm down and sit, Duncan. I get dizzy just by looking at you stomping around.”

With this said, Noah slumped on the bed waving his friend to take the chair. With a calm voice, he started retelling him the events from last night. It didn’t take long for Duncan to raise his voice again.

“That slithering, scheming bastard dared to do something like this!”

“We both know that my brother is many things, but bastard he is not. But in short, yes.” Noah put a hand on his forehead and sighed. His vision was a bit blurry and he felt nauseous. The accumulated pain, fatigue, and stress from all the events until now were taking their toll.

“And what about the girl?” Duncan’s voice turned cold. “Can we be sure that she isn’t one of Lionel’s pawns? She could be a spy.”

“Believe me, my friend, if she was acting through all this, then I am the esteemed first queen of Shareeba. No. She just fitted in his plan perfectly – noble by name, no power, no connections, and also the shameful origin of a bastard to satisfy Lionel's perverted ego. What better way to prevent me from getting political connections through my future in-laws? The poor girl was simply in the worst place at the worst time and in the presence of the worst possible person – me.”

“I’ll trust you on that. But if she tries to harm you in any way, her head will roll, duchess, or not.”

“I never expected anything else from you, old friend,” replied Noah, but could not hide his fatigue well enough. This, of course, did not escape Duncan’s sharp ears.

“How is your wound, boy?” He sounded genuinely worried.

“Hurting marvelously, thank you. And let me remind you, I am a grown man and your lord, you know! When will you stop calling me ‘boy’?” The cranky reply made the old knight snort.

“Probably never.”

Duncan stood up and closed in on his lord. His rough hand touched the exposed skin on his cheek.

“Noah, you are burning up!” This time there was concern in his voice. “I’ll get the physician.”

“You will do no such thing. Gods, Duncan, just let me rest for a bit. I haven’t slept properly in over a week and it seems that the whole world is against me having a nice long shuteye!”

The angry tirade convinced Duncan that, at the very least, his lord was not going to join his forefathers any time soon.

“Then go to bed and leave all preparations for departure to me. And remove that wretched mask from your face already.”

“Alright, mother.”

“Cocky kid. I’ll make sure to report all this to lady Nelini, when we return.”