Grand Duchess Madelaine Cajarte

I took a deep breath first before twisting the doorknob. My destination was right before my eyes, his office. What could it be? For me to set my feet in this hell.

As the door made a way, the first thing I saw was his serious face. Sitting on his chair with the usual stacks of papers on his desk. He wasn't alone and I thought I could breathe freshly with the idea. Having to think that, it never last until I notice who were the two outstanding gentlemen beside him.

On his right hand, was Sir. Josh. Standing fully equip in his uniform armor. Waiting for the order of his master. Then, unto the other side was Jackson. The Head Butler of the manor. Despite his age, he should never be underestimated.

It took all of my courage to be daring and greet the Grand Duke with the best respect that I can as what my teacher instructed me. "Good evening Your Excellency."

"Let's skip formalities, shall we?" He rests his chin on his folded hands while his elbows were on his table. "Afterall, you're my wife now."

My lips pressed into thin line. "You called for me?"

I don't want to admit it. And I don't want to accept it. The fact that he's my husband legally.

Never mind in bothering to draw near to him. I firmly stayed on the ground confidently with the exit behind me in case for something happen such as an urgent situation. Or is it just me, imagining things? Because the truth, the longer I stay here, the more I became anxious.

"Josh, my knight had mentioned. That you suggested this path." He pointed the map pertaining to the road I advised. "Would you mind explaining it to us?"

"Y-yes. That might be true."

"Pardon me. However, I can't hear you from such a distance." He has this face with a smug look. Teasing me by using his aqua blue eyes. "Can you come closer?"

My hands turned cold; it became numb hearing those words. I bit my lips feeling contrary to his ordered, though I still obeyed. Just like a terrified mouse stepping on a beast's trap.

I did not dare, to make such noise with the heels that I'm wearing. Nor the soft sound of the puffy frills swaying with each other sewn around my dress. I did not dare for my mind was too engrossed on how should I swallow the lump that was stuck inside my throat.

"Hmm," he smirked. "Probably, you're just new in Arello but Ivium is a far Dukedom and this road was rumor to be block by the rocks."

"I'm confident that it was a shortcut. You can investigate it first for yourself."

As I was said. My knowledge from reading, was the only thing I can rely and the power that I should take advantage to survive in this place. I've never experience to put myself in the middle of the battlefield. Although, discussing war?

I promise that I can ride along.

The gods may have favor me this time. Grand Duke Alcide Cajarte might not know or the people inside of this room. Their library, have a bountiful of information.

A merchant who loves to travel. As he visits many different countries, every single detailed that he knew was completely written in his journal.

He'll go far to travel the whole map even if he'll run out of money. And Ivium wasn't an exception. That kind man who just want to learn various cultures while selling his products met its fate at that road.

Before he closed his eyes, for his final breath. He wrote with his trembling fingers on the blank page that will be the last, that the path was blocked by the heavy rocks that no number of men can remove it.

And that journal of his, became a book and was sold to the market. That's how the rumor spread among the people. That he died by the huge rock falling on him. So, the other merchants never took that path for it was said to be dangerous.

Nevertheless, it wasn't half of the truth.

I gaze down to see my hand. I wonder how did the original journal of that man ends up in this castle? The feeling still lingers on my fingers. A blood that have dried on the final page.

At the very bottom of the paper. It was written in a barbaric language, a secret message. Perhaps, the person who turned it a book couldn't know what it means thus, he didn't include it. But I was at peak of curiosity and so, I found the meaning behind of it.

I was killed by bandits.

"Right. Your Excellency, I've taken a look of it just like what you said and Madam's words were exactly true," Josh interrupted that had me woke up. Realizing that I was still here in front of His Excellency, discussing an important matter.

If they already knew, why bother asking me?

"Then it's settled. We will take that road. However, it doesn't make a difference. We still need to find a safe place to camp."

"Yes."

"Hmm."

"Your Excellency. Is something bothering you?" Jackson was the who asked with concern.

"I'm contemplating." His hand on the table carried the weight of his head as he taps his other fingers on his table.

"Is this about the food supplies, Sire?"

"Yes. We could alternately hunt some boar in the forest. Yet, the soldiers must rest and we should avoid them getting injured for we never know that Ivium may attack from our behind."

So, they are facing a crisis right now. Then, why I'm still here for? Yet again, even I want to leave now that my business is done here, I'm afraid to interrupt their conversation.

Well, even they take the shortcut that I suggest, Ivium was lucky to be put far from Celtic. Perhaps it will take days? Also, it will depend on how long the war will take place. They might really run out of supplies if they could not conquer that Kingdom immediately, that would be dangerous.

"Would you have some idea to this problem, Madam?" Jackson asked.

My eyes went wide as their attention turn to me. He might just be trying to considerate of me. For me not to be feel awkward about their topic. I gulp as the heartbeat went fast and nervous crept inside of me.

"Jackson," the Grand Duke coldly warn him.

"Oh no. It's not like I'm pressuring you, Madam. I just want to ask your opinion about this for you are the one who suggested about that road."

"It's alright." I slightly played with my fingers. "However, I'm not sure if it will be anything to help."

"What it is?" The Grand Duke questioned with his intimidating voice.

"Does this country know how to preserve?" I hesitantly stated.

Their eyebrows frown as I caught all of their interest. Waiting for the next word that I will release from this mouth of mine. Giving me the vibe of curiosity, chills made the hairs on my arm upright.

Few years before it was called Kingdom of Velez. In that country, they are always in war. Every child that was born as a boy will have to go and train for the battle when they turn twelve. At such a young age, a boy has stood up and end the war by using his brilliant method, he then became the well-known King now.

Even that, was read from the book that was stock in this library. Their problem has an easy solution. A padlock that can be prick without holding the right key, if you're smart enough it will open.

"Please, explain further," said the impatient His Excellency.

"If you could. Perhaps, you should preserve the food in a can," I slowly stated, letting the information sink in their mind. Seeing with their reaction, I guess they never heard this kind of method.

"Preserve the food! Such thing exists?" Jackson exclaimed.

"And by all means. How long will that food last if it will put inside of a can?

"Years, Your Excellency."

The butler drops his jaw as the towel that he always carries on his arm fell on the floor. While the knight looks at me with his astonished eyes, refusing to believe. Both of them were gazing me with such impractical thing to happen. Perhaps, it was naive of me to suggest it. Might it be not possible to do it in this country?

Suddenly the room was filled by the unexpected laugh of the Grand Duke like he was gone insane. His fingers comb his black hair as he was relieved. And I don't have a single clue where he found the courage to humor my idea.

"Josh."

"Right away, Sire." He immediately left the scene without a second thought in his gesture.

"May I ask, how did you know such thing Madam?" the butler inquire me.

"I-I like to read books," I said looking at the floor as I feel the streaming red flush on my cheeks. This is embarrassing. They might think that I was just spouting some nonsense.

"Jackson. You may leave us."

"Ah. Yes, Your Excellency."

"Then, I will also-" I was about take a bow when I stop in halfway because of his voice.

"Not you too."

"Pardon?"

He stood up and walk closer to me. "You will stay with me until morning."

I froze, not intending to forget how to breath. With the knitted eyebrows, it slowly inserted in my mind of what he wants to happen. "Is this the night to attend your needs now?"

So soon? Without any preparation, my heart wouldn't take it. I thought I've had sufficient time to conquer my fear from this man. That one day, I would be brave to confront him as I would also face death. May I back out?

"What an odd thing to say, coming from that sinful mouth."

"Your Excellency?" His face was close and I could his warm air against my skin. I heard my own pumping chest as his cold fingers gently wrap around my soft cheeks.

This time, I controlled my hand not to slap his arm like the last time. Bear with it, Madelaine. For a little bit, just tonight.

"Why are you afraid of me?" Our forehead had touch and his lips were inch away from mine.

I didn't answer him and just closed my eyes tightly for I cannot glance at him without feeling shameful. Waiting for the time to pass by like a split second.

I'm fully aware that he's not liked the rumor says, that he's always covered in blood. But what is the probability of him, not killing me? Perhaps, he may find me amusing at first then what if he got bored? Or find someone better than me? Assurance. This is the exchange of it.

"Too bad. You have to deal it."

"Your Excellency. We should not do it in this place." I hesitantly utter as he carried me like a frozen bag to make me sit on the table. He positioned himself between my legs, hugging my slim waist with his face buried on my neck while sniffing my scent.

"Call me Alcide from now on, my wife."

"Your Excellen-"

"Alcide. Try it."

"A-Alcide then." I awkwardly said, on the verge of being tearful.

When I woke up. I was already on my bed with my nightgown and I saw Celine standing beside me with a wide smile. I tried to get up but wince when I felt sore.

"My lady. You should rest more."

I suddenly sneeze. Somehow, my nose felt itchy and as I look at my white skin, there are rashes.

My eyes roam around the room and now I know what it caused me to be like this. "Celine, what are those flowers?" pertaining to those different colors in a big pots and small ones.

Her eyes were full of blissfulness. "His Excellency was so happy that he ordered them for you!"

"Take it out," I sneeze when I said it to her.

"You don't like it?"

"Celine, it's not like that. I'm allergic to it, remember?"

Her eyes went big and she covers her mouth with her palm. It seems like she forgotten of it because of overwhelm.

"I will call for some help," she run fast and I laid down back to my bed while biting my lips to not be tempted to scratch my skin turning red.

"What happen?" I heard a baritone voice and my guessed was right. It was a handsome man wearing a suit that will be befitted as royal.

"Quick! Call for a healer!"