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Noble's Wife

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Written by Nwamumu Sonia (Shen)

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Chapter 1.

A wonderful evening, with the sound of crickets and frogs filling the atmosphere. Maids were running around, some with laundry they have done by the stream while some with meals for the lord of the house but I just sit by my window staring out into the horizon. I am of age for marriage and funny enough at 17, no suitor suited my taste.

"My lady, your dinner" Melissa, my personal maid informed me as she arranged my dishes on the table.

"Melissa" I turned from the window to look at her. She was wearing the customary pink belt on pastel green dress given to personal maids and on her hair was the hairpin I bestowed on her to mark her as my maid. A flaming bird which many called the phoenix.

"Yes my lady" she bowed in respect. I walk from my seat to the set dinner table.

"The other maids outside seem to talk happily about guests. Why are they excited?" I asked taking some dried tangerines and chewing on it.

"Why, my lady. A noble will be visiting the manor today and hopes to get you as wife to foresee his mansion" Melissa smiled walking to the window and closing them.

"A noble? Why would he do that?" I was livid. Nobles don't go to small counties like mine in hopes to get a wife. Mistresses, yes they come a lot but never wives. I stood up suddenly and whispered to my maid.

Now something is certain. No noble would want a wife who had tons of rumors surrounding her identity.

"But my lady!" Melissa must be shocked by what I have just instructed of her but that's how I deem it fit. I want to know how worthy he is as a noble to be my husband.

"It's an order Melissa. Now run me a bath, I shall prepare to greet the noble" I smiled picking up a cherry cake and taking a bite.

"I'll do that immediately my lady" Melissa said picking a pail and rushing out of the room.

I stand up and go to the door, making sure that it is locked. Then I start to loosen the bodice on my dress in order to take it off entirely.

"Fair shoulders and a slender back. I think I will be smitten by the lady I sought for wife" came a deep voice from behind me. I turn around in shock and there on my window sill, a man with a pretty face. At least the lower part of his face from his nose. His lips curve into a smirk on seeing my face.

"A pretty face and ample breasts. I'm in for luck" he said as he finally comes down.

"Who are you?" I finally get my voice out.

"Me?" He points at himself. "Why, I am your husband" he comes close enough that I am suddenly conscious of my appearance. "Say my lady, you don't happen to be a maiden. Are you?" He lifts my chin with a finger and I shiver under his breath.

Grey eyes. He has grey eyes and he smelled like dust. I realize the state that I'm in, sweaty in between my legs and shivering under his touch.

"Let go of me" I push at him and adjust my dress. This will be the end of me eating *****, thanks to these cursed martial artists or rather this pretty boy who was light on his feet.

"A maiden then" he concluded finally letting go. Just then Melissa knocks on the door "my lady?" She knocks again but I can't answer because once again, I'm pressed against the stranger.

"Shhhh" with a finger placed to his lips, he shuts off all forms of protest attempting to leave my mouth.

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Noble's Wife

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Written by: Nwamumu Sonia (Shen)

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Chapter 1 continuation.

"Shhhh" he placed a finger to his lips in a gesture to shut me up. Then his lips descended on mine.

I have been kissed before but those were more innocent and never making their way past my wrist. This was more sensual and carnal. I was dazed, lost in his taste of Apple cider that I almost whimpered for the loss of his lips.

"My lady, I would have to be rude if the door isn't opened" Melissa announced knocking one more time.

"I had to steal that kiss my lady. Forgive my rudeness, you taste of tangerines and other citrus" he smiled.

I just stood there moping at him as he lifted himself over the window sill and disappeared. Then the door opened and Melissa rushed in.

"My lady" she rushed to me and started to loosen the bodice further.

"Don't. I will do it by myself" I pulled away from her. "Did you do what I have instructed?" I looked at the leftovers on the tray.

"Yes my lady but you look pale and your cheeks are flushed my lady. Are you coming down with the flu?" The maid sure was worried but I know what exactly was going on with me.

"Just get the bath ready and bring me the dress worn by sister the day of her birthday Eve" I said, stepping out of my dress and laying on the bed.

Melissa came and tried to cover me with the sheets but I refused. "My lady, it is not proper for a lady!"

Of course, Our societal norms forbade a lot of things for ladies. At a young age, the list of proper things to do was already a mile long and as a female grew, the list grew with her.

Things on the list were,

• A lady must walk daintily

• A lady must always leave the heavy lifting to the men

• A lady must pour tea once and never leave the teapot empty.

• A lady must keep maidenhood until she is married to a lord.

• A lady must always curtsy when ...

The list went on and on endlessly. I honestly think it foolish for so many Do's and Don'ts.

"I know Melissa. I shouldn't be ***** on my own bed in my own room least my family name be dragged in the mud for my insubordination" I sighed and covered my bosom with the sheets as Melissa poured the milk and honey in my bath.

"Your bath is ready" Melissa informed, finally leaving the room.

She knew how defiant I have been whenever she obliged to wash my back.

I get up from the bed and step into the bath. Remembering the stranger that had come into my room.

Husband.

He had called himself my husband and laid a kiss on my lips. I reach in and touch my lips.

"This must mean that I am no longer a maiden" I smile. This should help me keep to the rumors.

Tonight, the lord of the manor which is my father will host the Noble and his envoys. I shall make my appearance and whatever plays out would help me know if he was truly worthy to be my husband.

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Noble's Wife

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Written by Nwamumu Sonia (Shen)

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Chapter 2.

Standing in front of the mirror and looking at my reflection, I almost have this urge to run and have a change of my ensemble but this night wasn't one to give in to urges.

There was no tight corset to lace up or even a multi colored chemise to do up instead, I am putting on this flimsy top and a skirt that couldn't pass up for a skirt at all.

"My lady" Melissa called me with an unsure look on her face. "Are you sure you don't want a change of heart? I'm afraid that dressing like this in front of the noble wouldn't sit well with the Lord"

"Melissa, the lord knows better. If he could invite and host a young unwed noble in his home, then he better be expecting anything" Melissa said with a smile.

"How did you know he is young? You sound so sure my lady" Melissa stated as she laced the skirt by the side where the split started.

"What do you mean?" I stopped smiling at my reflection to look at the window, biting back from telling that I had met the noble in this very room.

"Well, it is known far and wide my lady that the noble is unrivaled both in looks, wealth and martial arts. He has over 20years of experience in court and on the battle field. He has a flock of women around him everywhere he goes and in all, he's mean and cold-hearted. I for one think he might be cold-blooded as well" Melissa rambled on as she applied my makeup.

Everything described about the noble seemed different from the person I have met. He was in fact playful, lustful, looked like he couldn't pick up a sword and lastly he looked like he chased women and not the other way around.

"And you, my lady sounded so sure a moment ago that he is a lad" Melissa was now cleaning my shoes. "How can someone who has 20 years of experience in war be young? He'd have to be at least two score years" she finished with the shoes and placed them at my feet.

I raised each leg up so she could slip the shoes on. "Melissa, you ask a lot of questions." I loved that she was smart, that's why most maids never dared to be cross with her.

"I'm sorry, my lady" she bowed before going behind me to arrange my hair.

Just as she placed the last pin on my hair, the courtyard suddenly became noisy. "What's happening?" I asked standing up from my seat.

Melissa who was already by the window sighed loudly. "The noble is here"

I rushed to the window and peek out to see the courtyard bustling with maids and guards. They wore a different color from our maids customary wears. Two carriages rode in with the convoy.

"He did come with his full entourage" I stood from the window seat and tapped Melissa.

"Am I good to go?" I wanted to be sure that I was dressed like the rumors I was brewing.

"Very, Your ladyship" Melissa smiled, probably proud of the effort she had put into my hairstyle.

"Then I should be on my way, to stand beside the lord and welcome the guest" I intended to walk out but Melissa stopped me.

"My lady, I think it best that you have a dramatic entrance rather than a boring one" and giving it some thought, that did sound like an excellent idea.

"Melissa, thank you" I just feel this urge to appreciate the girl. She is only older than me by 4yrs and she is my maid but I treat her like a sister.

"It is what I must do, My lady. I just hope not to be left behind if you marry, I know how very poorly I would be treated over here" once again, I see how smart she is.

"Don't worry. You are my personal maid. You go with me wherever I go" I smiled as I held her hand.