Chapter 14 - An Early Bird
When I get up in the morning, my back is aching. My muscles are complaining of the exercise of the night, but nothing feels wrong down there. It didn't hurt like the first ti, so I smile happily and step out of bed.
I find my nightgown on the floor, and I wear it before walking to the mirror and sitting at my dressing table.
I start to comb my hair, singing a joyful folk song. I don't want the maids to co in, so I keep my voice down. I want to prolong this peace.
I glance at my reflection at the mirror, and I notice a red sign on the shoulder. In the end, the Duke bit again. More than once, actually, but I don't think that I have marks in other places. I move the clothing to examine the red spot, all without stopping singing.
I'm starting to wonder why the maids didn't barge in yet, but I won't complain about it. Maybe, they won't force to get up early when the Duke visits.
I stretch my arms and tie my hair in a lousy tail. I pass a finger on my neck, right where the Duke caressed yesterday. Still, it doesn't feel the sa as when his hands touched .
I turn to the bed, rembering the things that I did so naturally, and my voice dies in my throat.
The Duke is still there, staring at with an amused grin.
?I'm glad that my Duchess is in a good mood, this morning,? he comnts while I start to understand the reason why the maids didn't barge in like always. They don't want to be yelled at for a second ti.
Maybe, I should find a way to make the Duke visit more often.
Then, I rember that I must have disturbed his sleep with my singing.
Am I allowed to ask for forgiveness the sa way I did yesterday? Tonight, the Duke has been even more gentle than the first ti. He didn't back away disgusted when I tried to distract him from the conversation, so I suppose he didn't dislike my try.
Or maybe he was just being nice because I was trembling like a leaf.
I glance at the Duke once again, and I notice that he doesn't look bothered. Maybe, he's not troubled. Or maybe, I didn't wake him up.
I wasn't singing that loudly, after all.
?Good morning,? I say when I rember that I haven't greeted him yet.
?It's too early to be considered morning, you early bird,? he comnts. ?You can co back here for a while...?
?I don't know what ti it is,? I point out.
?We'll solve that later. Now co here and tell why did you stop singing.?
?I haven't noticed that you were still here, your gr... Alexander,? I correct myself just in ti. ?I didn't intend to disturb you.?
?That's the reason why you started to sing. I want to know why you stopped. I want to hear more...?
?It's difficult to sing while being watched,? I confess.
?What a pity,? he sighs. ?And what if I close my eyes??
I clench my nightgown, feeling cornered. If the Duke wants to listen to that badly, I'll sing for him. Yet, the songs I know are mostly folk songs. I've learned them when I disguised myself as a peasant during a festival. It's one of my favourite mories, and those songs were full of emotions and hope.
However, they can't compare to the kind of songs that are played at courts. The technique is different, the difficulty, the rhythm...
?Never mind,? he says out loud, noticing my complicated expression.
?Maybe another ti,? I utter.
?Sure!? he accepts and gets up. ?Maybe next week!?
My cheeks turn red, but I crook my mouth in a funny grimace. The Duke is so impatient that I can't help but smirk. Not wanting him to notice, though, I try to curl my lips down. The end result is so humorous.
I look down to avoid seeing my face in the mirror and, at the sa ti, hide from the Duke.
?Is breakfast ready?? he inquires, oblivious to my battle.
?Maybe,? I wonder, curious.
The Duke opens the door and observes the maids in silence for a while. They don't barge in, so I suppose they're waiting for his orders.
Instead of saying anything, he turns to and waits.
I stare back at the Duke, wondering. What is he waiting for, right now?
?It's cold with the door open,? I utter when I can't find a better sentence.
As if woken up from a spell, the maids walk in and start to take out the undergarnts and to sink small towels in warm water. They don't dare to touch , but they lean the wet clothes on a plate in front of .
?What is today's schedule?? I ask, even though I already know there's nothing on it. In the first days, it felt so strange to hear 'there's nothing', but it was refreshing. Now, it only reminds that I'm so kind of parasite.
I start to rub my skin delicately with the warm towels.
?Your grace will take a stroll in the garden before lunch. Then, your grace has an appointnt with his grace, the Duke, to talk about the characteristics of your future lady in waiting,? my personal handmaid says.
I blink, surprised, but I don't say anything. All these commitnts must be because of the person leisurely drinking my herbal tea from the sofa.
?Does my Duchess plan her strolls as well?? he inquires, suspicious.
?It's necessary when one is busy,? I comnt, and all the servants in the room stop working abruptly.
They glance at , and then secretly at the Duke.
I understand all this tension because I acted like this yesterday. Still, the Duke won't dare to do anything to in front of all these people. At most, he will take revenge next ti he visits , but it will be a week from now. He will forget it by then.
?Hmm... Makes sense...? he murmurs, and the maids return to their jobs.
They're more attentive than usual since this man is closely following their every move. I think he's checking if they're behaving with .
He knows better than that it's useless since no one would dare to disrespect in front of him.
?You can join in my stroll, my Duke. That is if your schedule has a free slot.?
He chuckles, amused, and the spirit in the room relaxes. Seeing their master in a good mood smooths the maids' worries, and I can turn back to the mirror to choose today's colour for my makeup and dress.
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