I Became the Fake Fiancée of the Ice Duke!
Episode 2: A Dangerous Game
[Frostbourne Manor – The Next Day]
Elysia Verdan
*groaning* Ugh… remind me never to wear heels for that long again.
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
You managed well enough.
Elysia Verdan
"Managed"? I deserve a medal for that performance!
Elysia Verdan
Lady Vivienne was practically breathing down my neck, and I still charmed her socks off.
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
If that’s how you choose to describe it. *raising an eyebrow*
Elysia Verdan
*mock gasp* Was that a compliment, Your Grace?
Elysia Verdan
Careful, you might ruin your icy reputation.
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
You should focus on remembering your role.
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
The engagement is far from over.
Elysia Verdan
*sighs* Right. How long are we doing this again?
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
Until my enemies are dealt with.
Elysia Verdan
*muttering* Vague and ominous. Love that.
[A knock on the door interrupts them. A butler enters, bowing respectfully.]
Butler
Your Grace, a letter has arrived. It bears the royal seal
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
*taking the letter*
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
*frowning* …The palace.
Elysia Verdan
*nervous* Is that bad?
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
*opening the letter*
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
The King has summoned us. We are to appear at court by the week's end.
Elysia Verdan
*choking on her tea*
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
Yes.
Elysia Verdan
Oh no. No, no, no. Meeting snobby nobles is one thing, but the King?
Elysia Verdan
What if he sees right through this fake engagement?
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
Then we must ensure he does not.
Elysia Verdan
*whining* This contract keeps getting worse…
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
If you wish to back out—
Elysia Verdan
I already signed, didn’t I?
Elysia Verdan
I just need to… not look like a fraud in front of the literal ruler of the kingdom.
Elysia Verdan
Easy, right?
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
Perhaps. *smirks slightly*
Elysia Verdan
That was sarcasm, wasn’t it?
Elysia paces in her bedroom, rereading the contract she signed. The flickering candlelight casts shadows on the walls.
Elysia Verdan
*muttering* “Pretend to be the Duke’s fiancée until his enemies are defeated.”
Elysia Verdan
Yeah, great. But no one said anything about meeting the King!
[A knock on her door startles her.]
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
It’s me.
Elysia Verdan
*blinking* Him? At my door? At this hour?
She hesitates before opening the door. The Duke stands there, his usual composed expression in place, but his gaze sharper than usual.
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
You look like you have something to say.
Elysia Verdan
Oh, just a minor concern. What exactly are we supposed to do at the palace?
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
The King is summoning us to verify our engagement.
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
*nodding* There have been… rumors.
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
People are already questioning whether our relationship is real.
Elysia Verdan
*groaning* Of course they are. This whole engagement was a bad idea!
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
It was a necessary idea.
Elysia Verdan
*mocking* “It was a necessary idea.”
Elysia Verdan
(Of course, Your Grace, let’s just lie to the most powerful man in the kingdom. What could go wrong?)
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
You’re more dramatic than I expected. *smirking slightly*
Elysia Verdan
Oh, I’m sorry if I’m panicking about my impending doom!
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
You won’t be doomed… if you do exactly as I say.
Elysia Verdan
…And what exactly do you have in mind?
[The Training – Frostbourne Manor’s Private Garden]
The next morning, Elysia finds herself dragged into an unexpected “lesson” in acting like the Duke’s fiancée.
Elysia Verdan
*grumbling* I thought noble ladies spent their days lounging on velvet cushions, not getting trained like soldiers.
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
If you want to survive court, you must know how to behave properly.
Elysia Verdan
*scoffing* I already know how to pretend to like you. Isn’t that enough?
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
*raising an eyebrow* Do you?
He suddenly steps closer, his piercing blue eyes locked onto hers. Elysia stiffens.
Elysia Verdan
*nervous laugh* Uh… what are you doing?
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
If someone were watching us right now, would they believe you’re in love with me?
Elysia Verdan
*gulping* …I—
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
*quietly* If you hesitate, they’ll know. If you flinch, they’ll suspect.
Elysia Verdan
You take the fun out of everything, you know that?
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
*amused* This isn’t supposed to be fun.
Elysia Verdan
*sighing* Fine. Teach me how to fool a King.
[Later That Day – Inside the Manor]
Elysia and Aedrian sit across from each other, practicing the details of their fake relationship.
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
How did we meet?
Elysia Verdan
*smirking* A romantic snowfall. Love at first sight.
Elysia Verdan
I gazed into your eyes, and the world disappeared.
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
That’s ridiculous.
Elysia Verdan
*laughing* I know. But wouldn’t that make the nobles swoon?
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
The real answer
Elysia Verdan
*rolling her eyes* Fine. We met at a winter festival, where you saved me from a runaway horse.
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
*nodding* Better.
Elysia Verdan
Though I think my version was more dramatic. *teasing*
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
I prefer believable.
Elysia Verdan
You’re no fun. *sighs*
Duke Aedrian Frostbourne
And yet, here you are.
As the palace summons looms closer, Elysia realizes this is more than just a simple act.
Every glance, every word, and every moment with the Duke must be carefully played.
But what happens when the lines between pretend and reality start to blur?
Comments
Alphonse Elric
I can't get enough of your characters, please keep writing!
2025-03-28
0