The Duchesses

Chapter 2 : The Adaptation (2)

As you may imagine, the poisoning was very taxing on me. Since the visit of Duchess Medea, I've been bedridden for about a week. To add insult to injury, I feel like I've invested my blood, sweat, and tears into relearning these courses. Additionally, I have been partaking for almost a month now. When I was younger, I came dangerously close to passing out from stress over math, chemistry, and other science classes. I can't see going through all of this again. Inwardly, I let out a groan of frustration. When I'm about to burst into tears from stress over succession classes, I find joy in Apollo's return. My saviour!

"Please accept my apologies for disrupting your studies, my Lady. The instructors have discussed your test for tomorrow because it is almost the end of your classes. However, we need to test your high society expertise before the Spring Banquet at the Imperial Palace next week. Furthermore, since the incident, folks have been asking about your health. Therefore, we need to be cautious," Apollo looked at me with determination.

Ha! A test?! Just kill me. I thought I was gonna die from that tragic fate in this world. Instead, it seems like I'm gonna die from studying and the test. Lord, help me. Why is it so hard to be Duchess Natalie? By the way, where is Duchess Medea? It seems too peaceful nowadays. Even Prince Ares has never visited me. Not surprised since he just uses Duchess Natalie when he needs her. What a jerk. I'm actually more nervous about peace rather than chaos in this world. It's like the calm before the storm.

"In that case, I have no choice.   People, especially Prince Ares, must be unaware of what happened to me, Apollo. I, therefore, rely on you to handle that situation."

Since I needed rest now, Apollo dismissed everyone, including my tutor. Well, I do need a rest from that hell.

Time ticks slowly by as the day of the exam approaches. To get some answers, I've been questioning anything and anything in my head. I am now awaiting Apollo's and the instructors' analysis of the standardised test scores. No kidding. Right now, I feel more like a scholar than a Duchess. The absurdity is palpable. After this, I have a question for Apollo about Prince Ares and Duchess Medea.

"This is absurd."

My thought suddenly wandered about the content of the novel about them.

My mind strayed abruptly to the novel's plot concerning them.

Medea Andreas Valimos is the Duchess and daughter of the former Duke Valimos. She endured a difficult upbringing. Duchess Medea was already reading complex works of philosophy and politics by the time her mother, Lady Amelia, realised she was a prodigy. Medea was able to comprehend texts that would have challenged most adults. Due to this, her mother was adamant about making her a rarity and treated her like property. Medea should be a century-defining brilliance. She even coerces Medea into toiling for the sake of posterity. Medea tried everything she could to win over her parents' love and approval. So much so that she agreed to engage beside Ares.

Her parents never did, to her dismay. Her nanny was the only person who showed genuine interest in and cared for her. The nanny represented her parents to her. That is, until her engagement to Prince Ares ended, prompting a rage at home by the former Duke. He killed her caretaker by beating her to death.

However, Medea suffered from shock injuries and was bedridden for a week. In addition, Medea's brother, Lord Eli, has already abandoned the Valimos household for reasons that aren't clear. Their relationship was put under stress as a result of that. In addition, Countess Hera's victory as Crown Princess left Medea miserable, and she grew to despise her.

The dynamics of their friendship had flipped. It was revealed to have been Prince Ares's intention all along. To achieve his goal of deification, Ares is actively pursuing Hera's divine power, which he is aware she has. That's why Countess Hera hadn't left home until her debut at the Spring Banquet two years ago—a strict rule enforced by the House of Nicoli. Medea only learned about this when she switched her body with Hera during their prayer in the Temple.  At first, Medea was overjoyed by the switch incident, but Hera was terrified.