Jessica Robinson
Stories
9
Chapters
2,697
Words
1.2 M
Comments
0
Reading
4 d, 6 h
-
The second day after my argument with the Duke passes without incidents. I have tea with Duchess Prim, and she takes the chance to boast about the new dress her husband bought her. She's treating me as an equal, which is actually an unexpected occurrence from when I moved to the Empire. In the end, it's still a compromise: I'm not a simple Duchess, but the wife of the second most powerful man here in the Palace. Even though my husband isn't an Archduke anymore, he's still a member of the imperial…-
272 •
-
-
When I wake up, I feel my feet cold. I open my eyes, and I notice that I've slept on an armchair. There's an empty glass next to me and an almost full bottle next to it. If not for this second detail, I'd feel like an old boozer. I hide the bottle and rinse the glass from the traces of wine, and I walk back to the bed. I cuddle under the covers, hoping that I won't get up soon. I'm more tired than usual, and it's not like anyone will need me. The fire died down, and now the room is quite chilly.…
-
272 •
-
-
After the fabulous lunch, the Duke and I walk back to our quarters in silence. I can sense his stares, from time to time, but I don't turn even once. This time, I am the one ignoring him. The Duke opens his mouth to say something, but he changes his mind for the umpteenth time. ?How long will you avoid looking at me?? he asks, in the end. ?I'm not avoiding you,? I reply, and I turn to him to prove my words. I look into his eyes with a cold, unemotional expression, and I don't waver until he…
-
272 •
-
-
The public lunch, organised by Duchess Prim, is a grand event. Even the Emperor was supposed to come, but he had some sudden urgencies and sent his regards to the couple. I'm sitting by the side of my husband, obediently greeting the people that approach us. On the way here, Pericle explained to me that I owe respect only to a few people in the court, and none of them is here now. Other than for the two Dowager Empresses and the Princess, I'm the most high-ranking woman in the Empire. Still, I…
-
272 •
-
-
I calm down just in time for lunch. I correct the makeup and check that the hair is in order. The maids left my chambers when I started throwing things around after they refused to listen to my commands. I've been alone ever since, so nobody saw me crying on the sofa. The Duke came only once, begging me to give him time to explain. As a response, he received a flying carafe. Before going out, he said that he will prove to me that he has no ill intentions. It actually sounded more like a threat…
-
272 •
-
-
The Duke finally makes me meet his aids. They're all from the North, and they follow him around during the year. ?You can trust them,? he says. ?Especially Pericle.? Pericle is his first assistant. He is older than the Duke, yet he follows his orders obediently. ?Pericle will explain to you any detail of the court you're not familiar with. He'll also tell you about the people that will interact with you and the etiquette that is in use in the Empire.? ?He's the etiquette teacher,? I utter.…
-
272 •
-
-
The Duke comes back soon, as promised. He's now dressed for the day, and he's also munching on something. ?I'll convince my Duchess to eat more, someday,? he says, noticing that I haven't had anything yet. Even my tea was sipped by someone else. I follow him to his office, and I sit on one of the small couches next to the window. I fix the shawl on my shoulders, and I thank fate for the warm socks on my feet. This room is rather cold, as it hasn't been used for a while. I've come here a couple of…
-
272 •
-
-
Instead of following my suggestion to leave the room, the Duke grabs my hands and kisses my fingers. I wouldn't be so bothered by this if there weren't so many people around us. It was me that asked him to let them think that he favours me, but this is a bit too much. Before he can touch my face, though, I stop his hand. ?The makeup is still fresh,? I remind him before the maids can start losing consciousness because of my rejection. They better get used to it, though. I start to feel bothered by…
-
272 •
-
-
When my hairstyle is done, the maids start to bring the undergarments. It's time to choose a dress. My personal maid selects randomly two dresses from the room nearby, and I choose one among those two. It's the easiest way I found to make her feel useful. She has so much power, now that she can decide among the hundreds of dresses in the closet. The other maids listen to her more eagerly when they see that I'm leaving her some decision power. I don't have to voice every little detail, and I have…
-
272 •
-
-
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 time, 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 come in, so I keep my voice down. I want to prolong this peace. I glance at my reflection at…
-
272 •
-
- Previous 1 … 237 238 239 … 270 Next