#17

“Then allow me to start,” he said, leaning back in his chair, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. “I need a child. Someone to carry the Whales name. And in exchange, I can give you anything you desire—wealth, power, freedom. Name it, and it shall be yours.”

I raised an eyebrow, unfazed by his grandeur. “Your point is?”

The corner of his mouth twitched, as though amused by my boldness. “Clever. Very well, I’ll get straight to it. You will be engaged to the crown prince of Dryvenar. The union will strengthen the relationship between the palace and the dukedom while I fulfill... other purposes. Of course, this isn’t something a child could understand—”

“I understand,” I interrupted, my voice steady, though my mind was racing. An engagement to a crown prince? That wasn’t something I had expected. But before I could think further, an untimely growl from my stomach filled the silence.

The sound echoed through the dining hall, and I froze, my cheeks turning crimson.

Duke Veyner blinked, then let out a deep, amused chuckle. “I suppose we should eat before discussing such serious matters.”

I lowered my gaze, embarrassed. “I apologize,” I muttered.

“Don’t be,” he said, gesturing for the servants to begin serving. “It’s refreshing to see someone with spirit, especially after years of dealing with hollow sycophants. Now, eat, Arwenzylle. You’ll need your strength.”

The plates before me were soon filled with an assortment of delicacies: roasted meats, fragrant stews, fresh bread, and decadent desserts. It was a feast fit for royalty, yet I hesitated. This was so far removed from the scraps I had grown used to in my past life.

“Go on,” the duke encouraged. “You are part of this family now, Arwenzylle. You don’t need to hold back.”

Tentatively, I picked up my fork and took a bite. The flavors burst in my mouth, rich and savory, unlike anything I had ever tasted. My hesitation quickly melted away as hunger took over, and I found myself savoring every bite.

The duke watched me with a thoughtful expression, his earlier sternness softening. “You’ve adapted quickly,” he remarked. “That’s good. It will serve you well in the days to come.”

I swallowed and looked up at him, my curiosity getting the better of me. “Your Grace... why me? Surely there are other girls more suited to such a role.”

He leaned forward, his expression turning serious once more. “You remind me of someone,” he said cryptically. “Someone I lost a long time ago. But that’s a story for another time. For now, focus on adjusting to your new life. Things will only become more complicated from here.”

I nodded, though his words left me with even more questions. Who was this person I reminded him of? And what exactly was he investigating that required me to play such a significant role?

As I continued eating, one thing became clear—my new life as Arwenzylle was going to be far more dangerous and unpredictable than I had imagined.

After dinner, the butler escorted me to the duke's office. The grand double doors loomed ahead, and my nerves began to bubble up again. What could he possibly want now? My mind wandered to all sorts of possibilities. Maybe he’d assign me tasks or responsibilities—something to prove my worth.

The butler opened the doors and gestured for me to enter. Inside, Duke Veyner was seated at an imposing desk, stacks of documents spread before him. He glanced up when I stepped inside, his sharp eyes assessing me once again.

“Sit,” he commanded, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk.

I obeyed, folding my hands in my lap as I waited for him to speak.

He leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “I assume you have questions, Arwenzylle. About your role here.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” I replied cautiously. “I thought you might need me to... assist in managing the dukedom or fulfill certain duties.”

At this, he raised an eyebrow, looking almost amused. “Duties? Managing the dukedom? You truly are an interesting child.”

I frowned, unsure how to interpret his reaction. “Then... what do you expect from me?”

He rested his elbows on the desk, his fingers steepled. “Nothing.”

I blinked. “Nothing?”

“Nothing,” he repeated firmly. “Your only responsibility here is to live like a proper lady of this house. Enjoy the comforts of the mansion, learn etiquette, and prepare yourself for your future as the fiancée of the crown prince.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded. “You don’t want me to do... anything?”

He tilted his head slightly, his expression softening just a fraction. “Is that so hard to believe?”

“Yes,” I said bluntly before I could stop myself.

He chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. “You’ve lived a hard life, haven’t you? But that life is over now. You’re part of this family, and I won’t have you working like a servant. You will be treated as a princess should be.”

For once, I was speechless. My entire existence had been one of survival, and the idea of simply living—with no struggles or responsibilities—was utterly foreign to me.

The duke stood, signaling that the conversation was over. “That will be all for tonight. Rest well, Arwenzylle. Your new life begins now.”

I nodded mutely and left the office, my mind spinning.

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