Chapter 3

Antonella stood at the top of the stairs in the main room while she fixed her dress. According to Rebbeca, being presentable to receive visitors was always important, however, she couldn't make them wait too long or it would be rude on her part

— I hope my nerves don't ruin this — she said to herself with a touch of tremor in her voice

It was the first time she had a private meeting most likely to discuss business without her husband and she didn't really feel ready to face this kind of situation but unfortunately she had no other option

— Duke, the lady is on her way. Excuse her for her delay — one of the maids left a message politely as Rebbeca had ordered her to do along with an elegant bow

— Duke? I'm sorry to tell you that I'm not yet and I don't plan to be either, I'm sure my brother would be upset if a visionary with no future like me took the crown from him, it would be better if you called me Florian — said the man with an apparent excess of flirtation

— I would never think of calling you that, sir — The maid turned red with embarrassment

Florian laughed softly, let's just say a very mundane little hobby of his was flirting with pretty girls. Caspian had scolded him several times for that bad habit and more for praising other men's wives too much, but he couldn't do anything sometimes the words came out of his mouth by themselves

While Florian smiled, a new member appeared. Antonella looked at the laughing man and the embarrassed girl and had a first impression of the Duke. Bad or good, her mother had taught her not to judge at first glance

— Madam, I regret this situation. It's time for me to go — the girl quickly ran away with shame still

— My dear Marchioness Davier, you are even more beautiful since the last time I heard from you — the thin red lips delighted before a mountain of sweetened praise

Antonella observed the big blond man in silence, trying to find another impression. He was handsome and extremely attractive, perhaps interesting because of his personality, but Antonella still didn't remember seeing him at all and let's just say that he didn't have a face that people would quickly forget if they ran into him one day in the morning

— Duke, it is a pleasure to attend to your visit today— after a few seconds the greeting was immediate

— Wow, it's sad to hear such a cold and distant word from a beautiful voice like yours. Duke is not my man, better call me Florian, I am sure that is my real name — Antonella smiling a little and the handsome knight without a sword was delighted

Florian smiled back. If Caspian had really gone crazy for this woman that night at the ball then he couldn't deny his friend's good taste in women. Antonella Davier had that sensuality typical of every woman but not enough to overshadow her purity and those big blue eyes that looked at everything confirmed it

— It would be disrespectful to address you like that, and I could also create evil rumors — she said and Florian was even more delighted and amused

— I wouldn't consider it that way, a large part of the nobles and many commoners only know me as Florian, without a name or surname, I am just a painter and philosopher for some — Antonella played with her dress — Are you nervous? — asked

— Don't worry about that, it's just my nonsense — She said and he denied

— I'm sorry but my upbringing prevents me from not avoiding worrying about a woman when she looks so distressed. Has she slept well lately? — Florian asked softly, knowing her situation he doubted it

Antonella turned her attention elsewhere. She had tried for several nights with various natural remedies and infusions but everything had been in vain

— Unfortunately, I am a nervous woman who scares quickly. You should know that my current situation is not the best, I have just become a widow with affairs to manage — explained with the innocence of a rabbit about to be hunted

— It is the time of women in power. Do you know Lady Guila? — Antonella denied — She was the wife of a baron who escaped with his lover to the islands of Garam, she had to take care of her husband's children with his deceased wife and also all the debts, surprisingly she made the fortune grow more — the young man explained

— Admirable woman — Antonella would have died in her case

— All women are from my point of view. Even if they are commoners or queens, they all face great difficulties in their lives. It is understandable to give them credit for their actions — Antonella smiled

— Thanks to the duke for thinking like that, there are not many men with his thoughts — the woman blushed

— Unfortunately, but returning to our conversation, I left that nickname of Duke aside, he is my brother, not me, and people will think that we are not friends. Doesn't the Marchioness consider me a friend? — the conversation quickly changed direction

Antonella blushed. She could say no, he wasn't even a close acquaintance, it was the first meeting of hers or that she remembered before

— But hey, it's your choice. I'm not going to take any more of her time, being a woman who owns land, she must be busy, so I'll be quick — Antonella silently thanked her

— Could you know your business with me today? Is it the properties your brother and my late husband shared? — asked

— No, no. I haven't come here to talk about business, it bores me, and if my brother had something to say he would have already sent his secretary. My job here is for two reasons, one to give my condolences on the death of her husband and two to invite her to a private tea party at my residence — the second task made Antonella frown in disgust

The room fell silent. Antonella did not speak for a long time, Florian waited patiently for the response, a refusal was much expected

— I regret to inform the Duke that I will not be able to attend. A widow has certain appearances to keep up and my husband has only been dead a month. As you know, an act of bad faith could destroy the reputation of any noble woman — and even more so, someone who always seems to be on the Empress' lips

— I know, but I don't think you understood me. The tea party or meeting, let's call it better, would be private at my residence outside the city. Only four people will participate, you, me, my sister and a good friend of mine — Florian insisted

— I don't think I can give you an affirmative answer — Antonella did not let herself be fooled

— Think about it, Marquise, my sister will love to meet you, lately she has been too stressed by her recent engagement to the crown prince and none of those girls she calls friends inspire my confidence — Florian explained

— I'll have to think about it — and maybe consult with Rebecca

Florian stood up, saying goodbye. Antonella offered to accompany him to his carriage but he refused

— It's too hot outside, marchioness. I don't want him to suffer from this infernal sun, about my request, think about it better — she politely declined

The carriage left, taking the guest. Rebbeca waited impatiently for the man's departure, too flirtatious for his taste

— Did he tell you to be his lover? — When they were alone the maid asked her shamelessly

— Rebecca — she exclaimed blushing — He only came to give me his condolences — that thought had never crossed her mind

— Just that? — the maid asked uncertainly

— Not really. He also invited me to a tea party at her private mansion — Antonella shook her head at the thought of pride

— What rubbish — Antonella scolded her — That guy exactly came here to ask you to be his lover. I know these boys from the duchies, each one worse than the other — She had been unlucky enough to run into some of them when she was traveling to the city

— I don't know — Antonella played with her hair

— Good. After we'll deal with that matter, it's time for her bath — Antonella nodded and decided to relax. There had been many surprises today

Meanwhile, the duchy's carriage left Marquez Davier's territory

— Secretary, write a letter and send it to Duke Dimitrov's mansion urgently — Florian smiled and the little teenager who always accompanied him took out a piece of paper

— Yes sir, what should I report? — asked the young man

— Write that you invited the duke in the next three days to a friendly racing meeting at my private residence. You must put it exactly urgently from the Duchy or I'm afraid Caspian won't read it — the secretary ascending. The letter would be sent as soon as they arrived at the duchy

— Yes, sir — the young man agreed

The carriage moved faster. Florian had a plan and if he was lucky. Caspian would have a lover and he would have ten thousand gold coins and a bet won.

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