"Please move it a little further," I requested as my hand motion the left side.

The workers did what was they told. They adjust the painting to my desire position. I place my finger under my chin when an idea pops up. "On the second thought, to the right edge."

"Yes, Madam!"

"Hmm. Should we just hang it on the entrance?"

"T-that's fine too, Madam," they agreed with hesitation. Their sweats were dripping as they seem to be already exhausted. The men carried the expensive portrait at the location that I wanted it to be. Perhaps, we should take a break for a while?

"Madam. What about this kind of color?" a random maid approached me. Making me choose among the pastels and vintage for the table cloths.

"Is there another option? Which is pleasing to the eyes and welcoming?" I caress the cotton to feel the softness and its quality.

"Understood Madam, I will look for more," she eagerly stated with her fire in her eyes. It's good that we have such servants like her. I shall tell Jackson that to hire more people like her.

"Yes. Thank you."

The mansion is currently hectic and lively. There were maids everywhere, cleaning and preparing the small event I'm planning to host. Changing the heavy curtains and carpets are such a difficult task.

It all started because of Jackson. So, the servants blame him because of their additional works. The Head Butler informed me that I should engage myself in tea party as it was necessary to form connections between different families.

Even I hate his idea to entertain the guests, Crystal will surely mock me that I'm a failure as a Grand Duchess. And I will hate her high-pitch voice, lecturing me all day. She will add spices to her hoaxed words about me to spread rumor once our paths cross again. Though, I did agree not because I'm afraid of her but because it is indeed essential.

Speaking of that woman, due to some circumstances. I haven't seen her from the past few days. And because I was already busy with the budget plan and proposing the theme design, I don't have enough spare time to teach her. So, the Grand Duke hired a mentor for her out of consideration for me.

With the disturbing things happened between us, I really hope not to see her face. As I remember the punishment that the Grand Duke bestow upon me. I feel my cheeks burning and my body fidget.

I look at the list of the things that must need to do and tried to focus. There were still tons of unchecked box in my task note. When I turned around to see how the others were doing, I saw the Grand Duke standing behind me.

"Hmm." I cleared my throat for him not to notice how nervous I am. "Are you going somewhere?"

He messes his hair that was neatly fix by his assistance and I must say, he really does look ravishingly handsome with his noble outfit. "I'm going to the Imperial Palace to report."

Since he returned, I wasn't able to stroll in the market like the usual. Then, I realize that it's been a while since I saw the Crown Prince. Going to the Imperial Palace will mean that he might see him. Chances are fifty-fifty though. Knowing the absurdity of His Royal Highness, I'm guessing that he escaped once again and roam alone in the street.

I nod. "Alright, safe travels."

We stared at each other's eyes, that seems to form an invisible connection until our attentions were grabbed by the chattering maids as they wander in the mansion. I averted my gaze as I feel my face getting heated. The memories last few nights are coming back.

"Oh my, have you heard?"

"About what?"

"It's circling around the manor. That His Excellency punished the Madam."

"Really?"

He chuckled after the servants' voice weaken as they passed us without noticing our presence. His hand with his black glove touched my cheek and his eyes were gawking at me amusingly.

"My wife, you're red as tomato."

That's right, I could still bear in my mind vividly like a clear water. The silk bedsheets against our body under the moonlight of the serene darkness. He tied my wrist altogether with a piece of rope, not to the point that it will leave a mark but enough to make me think that he has this some kind of ideal pleasure.

"I'm going to discipline you," he sexily whispered in my ears while biting the tip.

At that moment, for a split second of my mind wrap of blankness that I could only imagine the picture of myself having wide eyes. My heart was pumping more blood than usual as it goes through my veins up to my face turning flushed. I was ashamed and just wanted to cover my naked body at odds to his dangerous wolf aura.

This unbelievable man, I clicked my tongue to suppress my laughter as he continues to lick my earlobe. "Wait, it's ticklish."

I slightly push him back. I should've have included in our agreement to limit his desires for me every single night. He paused for the meantime and stared at me. Then, he went back to plant small kisses in my neckline, resulting for me to cover my face with my palms.

"I thought you'll whip me?"

Because it was a common punishment aside from beheading. He rolled along with my body, carrying me with his strong arms and now I was laying down above him with his arms wrapped on my small waist. His thick eyebrows wrinkled.

"I will never do that. You are my wife. Equal to me."

My hands were now resting on his firm chest and I laid my head as my breathing became heavy. "I apologize for causing you trouble. Perhaps, I will never get along with her."

"Does not it my wife. Like what I said, don't mind her."

Oh. He doesn't want me to indulge more to his personal comfort. Though, there was a slightly pang inside of me but I rather not to give a bother and deal with it right now. I kept my mouth sewn for I'm afraid that if I ask more, it will only ruin the mood.

"I shall handle her by myself. It will not be long after she's gone."

When I heard him that it sounds like a threat, I get up and look at him in the eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I will tell you soon. Just wait for it." He pulled me back. Then, we ended having a long steamy night that I thought it will last forever. He pertains it as my punishment. Though, isn't torment should be cruel and aching? Yet, he treats me like a treasure and a sweet existence that he wanted to devour.

Goodness, I'm not going to be shock if one day I will be pregnant with how we do it every time we sleep together on the same bed. Perhaps, I should go return to my original room. Being with him is too much.

Though, this was the only moment that we could spent as we randomly see each other and talk in the day because of work and Crystal clinging on him all day.

I went back to reality that the Grand Duke was indeed in front of me. He walks closer and his shoes made a cracking noise. Then, all I could think about was his cold lips on my forehead as his voice was soft and gentle in reprimanding me. Even if I tell him, that his concubine always insult me. He will always retaliate to ignore her.

"Don't overdo."

A smiled formed on my mouth as I continuously nod to assured him. He then left with his knights as I went back to preparing for the tea party tomorrow. His broad shoulder and the sight of his sturdy back with his dark cape, while walking away has successfully engrave in my mind pierce through my chest.

I was once again, motivated to finished my work with my restless heart that never stopped palpitating whenever he appeared. That the feeling of sudden, wanting to impress him with this achievement became the source of my goal.

As the rumors around my husband didn't vanish, he was still the same tyrant in the eyes of the other aristocrats. But from this day on, I want to grab this opportunity to prove them wrong for thinking him as a cruel man. And the evidence was me, being alive and still breathing.

Tomorrow came and we barely made it with the preparations. I express my deeply gratitude for everyone who helped me decorating the venue and such. I also told Jackson to give them a bountiful reward for their hard work.

Now then, I plastered a sweet smile that I practice a lot as I welcome the ten women of my esteem guests. They were hesitant at first in stepping their foot inside a lion's den. But when I greeted them, they seem relaxed a bit.

We were at the terraces with the beautiful garden below us at the scene. Fake flowers in the vase on the center table and confections for display. The maids served us the finest tea and we drank it with pure bliss.

"My, Grand Duchess. Thank you for inviting me. This is the first time we met, if I'm not mistaken."

"Yes, Duchess Ghorl. Indeed, this is the first time I saw you."

I was hoping that my reply wasn't too lame. For I know that I rehearsed several times with Celine earlier. I came prepared in this battle; I would not dare deploy myself without a weapon. Until dawn, I made sure to memorize their names and learn the background history of each families but my anxiety didn't leave my body.

Well, I just chose random powerhouse in the society that will have a great influence in our name. I mean, I still don't fully understand Jackson why I should play a role of having a nice chitchat with them? Knowing that we already have a great impact to the country with just one provoke could cause war.

"You're more lovely than the rumor."

I turned to the lady who spoke. "Thank you for the flattery, Countess Kuyaw. But I believe that you're more gorgeous with your elegant blue dress."

They laugh with my compliment and I couldn't figure it out where in that matter is supposedly hilarious nor if I was doing great at entertaining them. Seriously, I am the person who wanted to end this right now and burned myself into ashes. I drank my tea and the bitterness spread inside my mouth.

"Goodness, you're too modest."

Then our conversation proceeds into much deeper. It was sailing smoothly as I have begun to ride along with their talk. Until such time, a lady who lack awareness stepped on a landmine.

"Right, how was your relationship with the Grand Duke? Is he violent to you?"

"Not at all," I blushed and gracefully spread the jam on my bread with a knife. "He is a caring man. A good loving husband."

"Oh my. What a maiden," commented by the Duchess.

"But I heard that he got himself a concubine?" she smirked and I froze when she arose the hot topic. Her name must be Baroness Muchacha, she came from a low-rank but her influence in the society is good because of her husband being a merchant.

Though, it was a rude question however I was already expecting for this issue to be talk about as it was inevitable. Yet, I couldn't part my lips to respond at her.

"That's normal for men to marry concubines. These generations, heirs are a must."

"Are you okay?" the other woman asked with concern.

"It's alright," I showed her a sincere smile.

"What is she looks like?"

The door that leads in our place suddenly burst open. Appearance of a delicate woman in her sultry gown with her fan covering her mouth has showed up in the entrance. She ccccwalks towards our direction with her voluptuous hips swaying. That every man will be caught by her seductive looks.

Great!

"Are you perhaps talking about me?"