The bell rung again, signifying the arrival of a very important figure. The duke was coming to our manor today and he was also a Reagan's cousin. This was the first ti I was going to be eting him since I couldn't at the wedding. He decided to co see us himself to congratulate us and now he has arrived and I was so late.
It wasn't entirely my fault this ti around for being late, I had no maids to help get ready! Heather and Lagertha decided to take a day off for family reasons and you'd think I would get spared another maid but no, they were all busy attending to Marina. Sourcing for the finest clothing for her and Adrianna to wear for the duke's arrival.
I had to figure out everything by myself. Look for my shoes, lay out my own clothing wear and draw my own bath. By the ti I was finished, I couldn't decide which was which anymore. My hair hung out in loose waves and tumbled down all the way to my waist. My dress, well at least I was clothed, that's what counts right and so the race against ti begins.
I ran as fast as I could, run down to the hallways and to the courtyard where the rest of the family were waiting. My dress had a lot of layers which I kept tripping on just but thankfully I didn't stumble and I made it to the courtyard in one piece where all of the family were already waiting and the entourage of the duke were already arriving.
Marina cast a look of disapproval as usual while Reagan just arched a brow up at because of my appearance. He looked like he was about to say sothing about my appearance but fortunately for him, he decided to keep his mouth shut.
The duke rode in and in a way he looked like Reagan, the only difference would be his brown hair and he looked a little bit lean than Reagan but still fit all the sa. I watched as he got down from his horse, his eyes scanning the premises before they landed on us.
A smile graced his face as he approached us. Reagan and I decided to et him halfway, to welco him properly into our ho. I kept my walk steady, raised my head high as I walked beside Reagan while keeping my eyes on the duke who was also staring at .
It remained only two more stairs for to et the duke and welco him when the most embarrassing thing happened. I tripped, I tripped on the many layers of my dress! I was sure I was about to go down and make a fool out of myself and a small gasp escaped as I stumbled forward, but instead of to hit the ground, warm hands imdiately grabbed by the waist, steadying .
I looked up into the eyes of my savior only to et the duke staring up at with a small smile on his face. For a mont all I could do was just stare at him, my mouth parted slightly. The first thing I noticed were his brown eyes and when the sun hits it, it changes into the color of honey. The duke was handso, very handso. Straight nose, long dark eyelashes and full lips that now curved into a smirk that seed almost mischievous.
Soone soon cleared their throat behind us and just like that the mont was broken. Feeling my cheeks heat from embarrassnt, I imdiately eased away from the duke. "I am so sorry my lord." I mumbled an apology,
"Believe my lady, it's no worries. The pleasure is all mine." The duke drawled out smiling at and I narrowed my eyes at him in suspicion.
"Killian!" Reagan suddenly stepped forward, "Welco to my abode."
Killian tore his gaze away from mine and turned to look at Reagan, "Ah cousin!" He greeted warmly and he stepped forward and pulled Reagan for a hug which surprised .
Reagan on the other hand didn't seem too pleased with it, he looked uncomfortable. I watched as he awkwardly hugged Killian back. Killian didn't seem bothered by this and I watched as he imdiately began to greet the rest of the family warmly. Marina seed all too happy to hug him, he was her nephew after all. Killian greeted the rest of the family, even Celeste who seed all too thrilled to be acknowledged by a duke.
Killian then turned his gaze at , "And who might this fair lady be?" He asked.
I arched a brow up at that, fair lady?
"This is my wife, princess Dahlia, daughter of the king of Iravia!" Reagan said and I turned to look at him, my eyes swimming with questions because what in the hell just happened?
"Did you say princess?" The duke asked stepping forward, his eyes widening as if he was in awe of .
Reagan stepped next to , wrapping an arm around my waist to pull closer towards him. "Yeah, also my wife?"
It took all my years of training to be able to school my expression because on the inside I was screaming a million colorful questions, like what the fuck was he playing at? Why was he suddenly acknowledging all of a sudden and most importantly, what was with the possessive tone?
"My lady!" The duke suddenly announced and imdiately, he was on his knees in front of . Before I knew what was happening, he grabbed my hand and placed a gentle kiss on my knuckles. "Never in all my years did I think I would be so fortunate to bestow eyes on the fairest lady in all the land."
"And just how many of the girls in your court have you used such lines on?" I asked the question before I could even think about it.
"Dahlia!" Marina hissed at and a snort sounded from sowhere behind , Reagan?
Shit! I cursed inwardly as I rattled off an apology, "I am so sorry my lord, it has been a very long day for ."
Instead of seeming offended like I thought he would, Killian released a chuckle as he stood up. "Oh please, no need to get so formal." He said brushing off my apology, "Although I will admit, I used the lines on a lot of the ladies in the court and it worked pretty well for , but seeing as it didn't on you, I should probably look for other lines to swoon the ladies with, right?"
I was laughing before I knew it, "Yeah, you probably should."
"Will work on it then and please call Killian." He said to .
"Dahlia." I responded a smile gracing my lips as Killian and I stared at each other.
I had a feeling we were going to be great friends, Killian and I. He seed easy going and the kind you can fall into a comfortable conversation with and if not too careful, mind up spilling your secrets around him. I have to be careful with this one, he was going to be a good friend but I couldn't let my guard down.
"So," Mariana stepped forward and it was only then I realized that Killian and I had been staring at each other for a very long ti. "How about you co inside and I show you to your room and, you can have lunch with us while the servants prepare for the party tonight?"
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Killian nodded his head in agreent. "Of course aunt, please, lead the way!"
Giving one last look, Killian followed after Marina, leaving alone. Everyone followed after the duke, leaving alone with Reagan. The atmosphere in the world suddenly turned more awkward and I noticed that was only because Reagan was still holding .
Drawing in a deep breath, I decided to leave. "If you will excuse ." I said but Reagan's hand remained firmly on my waist.
I turned to arch a brow up at him in silent question.
"What the hell was that?" Reagan suddenly asked .
Frowning at him, I gazed up at him. "What the hell is what?"
"Tripping over your dress? Really?" He asked eyeing with his eyes, "And what the fuck is this dress? You look like a fucking tulip!"
Huffing out a laugh in disbelief, I turned to glare at Reagan. "Is there sothing you are trying to accuse of my lord because if that's the case, I would like to advise you not to do sothing like that and about that question of yours, I'd like to ask the sa thing."
"Sa what?"
"What the hell was that? When the hell did you get so damn possessive all of a sudden?"
Reagan scoffed at as he looked away from . "Don't flatter yourself princess, I am not possessive."
Arching a brow up at him, I looked down at his hand on my waist. "Then mind telling why your hand is still doing wrapped around my waist sire?"
Seeming to realize his mistake, Reagan cleared his throat awkwardly before he let go of my waist. "What I am trying to say is, you are my wife and you have a reputation to hold."
"Trust , you don't have to remind . I've got a lot of other people reminding of that." I told him, "Keep my mouth shut, be submissive and always obey orders, sit pretty, just like a pretty trophy, right?" I asked while glaring at him.
Reagan opened his mouth to speak, "That isn't what I..." He tried to speak but I was already walking away.
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