"ady..My Lady....My Lady!" Estelle stood up on her bed.She tried to make out who the figure was but her eyes were so droopy that she could barely see. A chuckle went through her ears as the blankets were carefully removed,revealing a slender hand to her.
"Leo?" Estelle was still sleepy,she couldn't get a wink last night and she didn't remember when she fell asleep or how she got to the bed.But she silently accepted his hand.
"Yes My Lady,you're rather in low spirits today." he amusingly sighed and Estelle snapped.
"Why in the depths of hell would I not be? I demand an explanation for yesterday's "coincidence". Even if it was planned, must I treated this harshly? To add, even the maids were cautious of this matter.And where is Lillian?" Leo's face withered.
<Translation : Must you deliberately shame me in all of high society?>
"My Lady is asking too many questions I cannot keep up. I can however say that My Lady did not forget about breakfast.Am I not?"
"I'm not attending." Leo cheerfully smile as Estelle was forcibly flown into the bath followed by 5 other maids.
"Ahaha.. I'm afraid that wasn't a question,My Lady."
*But it was?! Urghh. Leave it be.Even if I protest he's clearly going to face me in one way or another.But to use magic and prepare me? You're no mere creature from the forest.I just wanted to live a peaceful life,if it was any other day I wouldn't have refused,however....I deeply tarnished the Duke's pride last night...Lord have mercy on me.*
Estelle wore a dark gown,despite the shining,bright day it was.She headed downstairs and sat the dining table.Beside her was a figure she dare not face.The Duke's red eyes were not concentrated on her but she could sense his unwelcoming aura.She quickly took a glance,making the biggest mistake of her life.
Their eyes met. His gaze dug into her,as if staring into her abyssal eyes. She could see her own reflection in his ruby eyes and she wondered if they were actual rubies.She observed his features.He had jet black hair,darker than the gown she wore herself,yet they looked soft,as if a touch could melt them all. Some strands were falling on his jawline,leading to his lips. Dry, slim and pale. She looked away,trying to forget what was met and trying to solve her future problem,which will soon be the present.
Augustus too didn't had enough of her.As she turned away,he noticed her bed hair was combed in a rush due to his orders. Her emerald eyes were jewels that showed no sign but of a void filled with danger and anger.He liked it.Her honey hair were viewed so sweet he wanted to touch them and play with it,see if he could mess with it.He noticed that she wore a black dress and chuckled at that fact. But this moment,he knew, would soon be over......very soon.
They ate their breakfast in silence and it was intentionally killing Estelle.The Duke however,was fine with the dead silence. As they enjoyed their lavish meal,Estelle quickly curtsied and asked to be pardoned.
"I would like to invite you for tea,in order to apologize for yesterday's inconvenience.I will surely take responsibilities of my rash actions." Estelle gulped.It was not going to a pleasant teatime.
When being escorted to her room,Estelle still questioned the maids about Lillian but all declared that they did not have memory of such a name. Estelle was bewildered.She and Lillian did surely took strolls in the front garden,they surely visited the kitchen together and they definitely,desperately tried to sneak out two days before the engagement party.
*How strange...wait....did the Duke find out and decided to punish her?! I knew it was rash of me but I needed to go out that day.Anyways it's best if I apologize as fast as possible.*
That day,teatime arrived and Estelle entered the Duke's private study.After Leo brewed the tea and the maids prepared the snacks and scones,they were ordered to leave.Estelle didn't touch the teacup.None of them did.
"I presume you have something to say." Augustus broke the silence as he reached for his cup.
*So he already figured out...let's go the humble way,it's best not to anger him by begging like a some peasant.*
"Yes,what I did the other day was rash and unintelligent for a noble lady.I hope Your Grace would not be offended by a defenseless lady trying to protect her image...and the image of the household she will handle." Estelle responded back.Augustus grinned.
"I'm afraid that wasn't the matter I was mentioning,wife. There is rather a different and more intense matter to discuss today." he glared.
"Your Grace....what have you done to maid?" She questioned firmly.Augustus roared with laughter.
"What have I done to your maid? The real question is..." he slowly traced his hair back as he drew a sword from thin air and pointed it to Estelle.
"..what did you and your family has in store for me,wife?" He ironically asked as he swung his sword. Estelle,was somehow glad that her training had paid off.She swiftly fled using the basic teleportation spell,but she couldn't teleport to her destination.She was back at the mansion.And behind the Duke to add.
"Running away?I'm afraid that's futile!" He declared as he chained Estelle with his mana,making her the fly in the spider's web.She realized that even though she lifted the surveillance from her room,the whole estate was shrouded with magic.
*So he placed a barrier?Just how suspicious do you think of people? Shit! I can't move...screw this!*
"I do apologize about my maid and I trying to run away the other day but it has nothing to do with my household!"
"Do you think I have time to care about your personal affairs? I am the one being targeted by you.So is it not best if I get rid of weeds before they spread in my garden? And of course,dead men tell no tales." He announced as he winced his sword to her. Estelle let out her mana and created a barrier,strong enough to fend off the attack,but she wouldn't be so lucky the next strike.
"So you're a witch,as I thought I'd better get rid of you-" Augustus was interrupted when a glowing ray blinded the two and a white lion traced with red linings appeared.
"I think a dead man can't lay a finger nor tell tales, so it's better to explain than rashly kill,My Lord." the graceful lion shifted to a tall,elegant butler.
"Leo,a lowly creature of nothingness should know its place." Augustus chained his trusty butler,but it was strange for him.Leo never opposed him,until now.The red linings on Leo thickened and the chains bounded him.
"So it's this woman?Have you stooped so low that you had to protect this witch?!"Augustus's eyes flared with disbelief as he lifted his sword.
"SHE IS NOT A WITCH BUT YOUR SAVIOR,MY LORD!" Leo roared as he broke the chains and rushed to Estelle,whose mana was being drained each passing second.
"It wasn't her doing,My Lord.It was....the Nile's...If you want efficient proof,I strongly believe that My Lord is not that foolish after a thorough investigation." Augustus flinched as Leo stared at his master with the same threatening diamond eyes.
"Especially one done by me."Leo persistently added.
"....First,let that witch regain her consciousness,then we talk.You better have a reasonable explanation for this.No other soul than you knows best about me,Leo." the sword vanished from his buffed hands as he gave them his back and walked away.
*Even though I advised him not to be imprudent on laying a hand on the Lady,he just couldn't stay still,could he?I deeply apologize for my mistake,My Lady.*
"Yes,My Lord." Leo transformed back to his usual self,he pitifully looked at the sleeping beauty and picked her up.
Swoof.
They were back in her room,he placed her gently and kissed her hand.He stared at her and removed the illusion spell she placed on herself. Leo saw her eyes were baggy and lacked nutrition. She had bruises and scars from the palm of her hand to the edge of her toe.
*JUST HOW?!.....The Cards have really angered me.Moreover.this is a rare time that My Lord has lost his cool,so I'll have to be careful.But do not fret,My Lady. I have finally found who she was,and as a man of his words.I will protect you even if it costs my life.Sweet dreams My Lady.*
YOU ARE READING
A Midsummer Breeze
RomanceEstelle Cards,the only daughter of Marquess Cards has lived a life of loveless cruelty. "A child such as you should be of use." as those were the last words of her father.She was thrown into the arms of an icy man,Duke Augustus Zade. "Love? Such a...
