Chapter 3

When the carriage finally came to a stop the Duke got out first and offered me his hand seeing that he had changed his gloves I didn't want to take it and mess them up again so I refused and got out of the carriage on my own. In doing so I tripped missing a step causing me to fall for the second time today, but just before I could hit the ground, The Duke caught me by my waist stabilizing me with his body against mine. I looked up at him shocked as my eyes met his, his sharp gaze made me nervous and rendered me speechless. I looked at a spot on his shoulder and realized I had just smudged mud on him which made me push away from him immediately. Oh my, first his gloves now his jacket why is everything going so terribly wrong today I thought.

I looked at His grace fearing that I may have upset him but saw that surprisedly the look on his face remained the same, but not angry which was a relief. Just then the young girl immediately grabbed my arm. "Come on I'll have the maids run you a nice hot bath" she said bubbly and happily as she energetically dragged me up the stairs to the big beautiful palace in front of us.

I looked back momentarily at the Duke who was just standing there with a sharp cold look as he watched us go into the palace. When we walked in we were immediately greeted by an older maid and a younger one. "Your grace your finally here-" said the younger maid as she came running up but stopped in her tracks when she saw that it was two women instead. I looked around Hmm they must've been prepared for the duke's arrival I thought. "Miss Zee, lady Trish could you run our guest a bath she fell in mud" said the girl "Yes lady Raya that we can see" said the older maid who's name I learned was Zee, the girl blushed in embarrassment and Miss Zee chuckled warmly after before looking at me. "Come now dear we'll get you cleaned up and out of those muddy clothes" she said.

During the bath;

I closed my eyes as the warm water ran down my face as the younger Maid named Trish rinsed the soap from my hair. "My your hair is..." said the woman, fully papered for her to say something insulting I looked down into the water and sighed. "Beautiful and long gosh I wish my hair was like this" she said which left me surprised. "Beautiful? You think my hair is beautiful?" I repeated in a questioning tone. "Well yes of course it is and it's one of the rarest colors too the only other person who had this color was the empress who ruled over the land of Nelyvir centuries ago" she said in awe as she ran her fingers through my hair. After the bath Trish pulled out a beautiful pink dress it looked like something a princess would wear. "I'm sorry but this was all I could find I know it's not the best but I think it'll do for now" said Trish as she handed me a dress that look like it's never even been worn before.

"It's perfect thank you" I said she smiled and helped me into it. After I put on the dress she did my hair and took me to a mirror to look at myself. I stood in front of the mirror shocked I've never worn anything like this before, I only own 5 dresses and all of them are hand me downs from my younger cousin and aunt. Just then the door opened and Miss Zee walked in. "My you are quite beautiful" she said I smiled a small but noticeable smile as she walked over to me. "The young miss wanted me to ask if you'd have dinner with her and his grace" she asked. "I don't think I sh-" I started to say but was cut off by another voice. "Miss Zee Did she say yes?" Asked a familiar voice I looked up to see the young girl peaking through the door.

She realized that I saw her and just came all the way inside. "I was just asking her about it" said Miss Zee with a warm smile. they all then looked at me waiting for my answer. "I don't think I should" I said "you absolutely have to you saved me" she said taking my hands in hers as she pleaded making her best puppy dog eyes. "I-I guess I could" I said miss Zee and Trish smiled while the young girl jumped around excitedly.

As she walked me down the hall her arm was looped with mine. "My names Raya Romiro by the way" she said "I'm Amora Haku" I replied. "Amora that's a pretty name" she said I blushed and smiled. "Thank you" I said and she smiled "No problem" she replied as we continued on down the hall.

Lady Raya Ramiro age : 16

At the table while waiting for the Duke;

I sat at the table with my hands in my lap nervously looking around the dinner room. is this ok could I have agreed to this what if I'm butting in on his Grace?, maybe I should leave now, I thought. about to get up when I heard two double doors open loudly. I looked up to see the Duke entering the room, he had on a completely different outfit as expected I did dirty up his last one. I watched as the maids pulled out his chair for him and sat down some silverware next to his plate. I couldn't help but stare he really was quite handsome, just then his gaze met mine and I immediately looked away.

3rd person switch:

The Duke looked at the woman who's name he's yet to figure out their eyes met and he was sure she was going to blush or flirt with him but instead she just looked away as if he wasn't even there. His grace was shocked once again, first it was when she got her gown ruined from helping his sister which he found suspicious, he thought at the time that it was only to get close to him as she is the Dukes sister and woman have took advantage of that knowledge before but she even refused the offer to replace her gown and his hand when getting out of the carriage most noble woman would jump at the chance to touch the Duke even be near him. it was desperate which irritated and annoyed Duke Raul because he knew that all the noble woman and the imperial family wanted him for was his title and power.

He watched the lady carefully as she talked with his sister. Raya had took a liking to the lady as she does with anyone who shows her kindness so she wouldn't see when she's being used which is why the Duke knew it was his job to figure that out for his clueless only little sister. Just then the lady giggled and his grace found himself staring at her momentarily before clearing his throat causing both his sister and the lady to go quiet. If he was to find out the lady's true attentions he had to at least know her name and the household she belongs to.

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