Chapter 1

‘Your Grace, Lady Tanisha has arrived.’

The duke gently looked up from the book he was reading. His right arm resting on the round table with his fist curled up but under his chin. He had deep green eyes, jet black hair with a pointed nose and peach lips. The earring on his left ear shook as he looked up.

‘Hmm?’

‘Lady Tanisha, Your Grace,’

He blinked. Seated beside the open curtain, his eyes sparkled as he opened them again. His pale skin shone brightly.

‘And what did she say was her business?’ He asked the butler gently, but he was clearly annoyed.

The butler looked down. ‘That, I asked her, but she seems not to want to state it and keeps insisting to see you.’

His smooth forehead crumpled. He didn’t like the arrival of this lady. But, before he could say a word, there was a banging noise of footsteps and the door flew open.

‘Raphael!’

The maids earnestly tried to stop her.

‘My lady! You cannot enter without the Duke’s permission!’ A brow haired maid protested.

She frowned. ‘And is that how you speak to me? A noblewoman???’ She raises her hand fan. ‘You...insolent commoner!’ She proceeded to hit the maid with full strength.

The Duke sighed, opened his eyes and frowned.

‘Lady Owen.’

Lady Tanisha gritted her teeth and kicked the maid. Turning towards the Duke, her face relaxed and she suddenly smiled, ‘Aren’t you happy to see me, my dear Raphael?’

The Duke glared at her, not shaken by her sudden change of mood. ‘Amon, please excuse us. And take care of the maid.’

The butler bowed, ‘As you wish, Your Grace.’ He hastily led everyone out.

‘Raphael....’ she dragged his name. ‘Shouldn’t you tell me to have a seat?’

You would do it even if I didn’t say it though

‘Lady Owen.’ She froze. His voice was far too cold than before.

‘Ra-Raphael?’

‘You know very much not to call me by my first name.’ He slowly looked at her. ‘Don’t you?’ Both hands were in his pocket and he stood upright.

‘But...’

He sighed. ‘This has kept on for three months now. Harassing my servants, no... my people in front of me. Tell me, how are people who do such things punished?’

She flinched.

‘Ra-Your Grace, we will soon be engaged, I believe I ought to discipline them before I claim the position of the lady of this household...’

‘Lady Owen, you know very well that that engagement...’ he paused and closed his eyes. ‘...can be annulled if I want it to.’

She moved towards him.

‘It’s not possible, Raphael,’ she smirked. ‘You know fully well, that you need me, from the Owen family, to succeed.’

‘And what if I don’t want to?’

‘N-no...you... you can’t do that!’

‘Lady Owen, I’ve had enough of your tantrums and...your immaturity. Tell me, what is the assurance that you won’t abuse your power if you ever become the duchess?’

Her eyes widened in shock and embarrassment as she took a step back.

‘I’ve thought of it, my lady,’ the Duke stood, facing her. ‘This...the engagement, shall not take place.’

‘NOOOOOO!’

He rang the bell on the table.

‘Raphael! You cannot do this to me! I’ve waited for this moment before I came of age! This cannot happen! My father won’t allow it!’

The butler came in.

‘Amon,’

‘Your Grace,’ the butler bowed.

‘Prepare paper for me, I have an important letter to send.’

‘Yes, Your Grace.’

‘Also...’ he glanced at the lady. ‘Take her away.’ He turned his back on her.

Her distressed cries grew louder even as the Duke spoke.

‘Yes, Your Grace.’ Amon slightly bowed and gestured to the guards.

Before she realized it, lady Tanisha was already being dragged out of the room.

‘No! Your Grace, please! No! This can’t happen!’

The Duke said nothing.

‘Let go of me!’ She yelled at the guards. ‘I am the eldest daughter of Count Owen! You have no right to do this to me!’

It was already too late, as the Duke’s room door had been shut on her.

The Duke sat down. He sighed again.

‘I should have done this a long time ago.’ He muttered to himself.

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