Become The Duke's Wife Or Die

Ella and Gena pranced happily when they finally got their master's permission.  Although this was not the best decision, at least their necks could be free from the suffocating feeling for a moment.

"Finally Duke Kleo allowed me to meet and chat with you!"  Lyra had told them a moment ago, her face bright and radiant.  "This is good news, right?"

Without even needing to answer, the whole of Wereal would also know that this was indeed good news.  It was a sign that Duke Kleo was not so angry anymore, it was a sign that he had shown his wise nature as a leader again.

"Is Miss Lyra coming?"  asked Ella nervously, standing by the lake in the late afternoon.  Lyra asked her and Gena to meet up, while they unwind and party because of the new rules.

"I thought she would come.  I am sure of it."  Gena reassured, then pulled her friend's hand to a corner, and sat back down in a grove of trees.

The afternoon breeze hit them, as well as the clear lake water, making it like a sail that swelled its surface because of the wind.  Ella looked far ahead, at a place that held emptiness but seemed attractive to her.

Until then she realized after Gena tapped her on the shoulder a few times.  "What are you thinking about?"  asked Gena, both curious and worried.  "It's already twilight, don't let yourself be possessed by the demon who guards this lake."  Inched closer.  "So what are you thinking now?  Are you keeping a secret?"

"I remembered what Qair said," Ella muttered after thinking for a while, and managed to decide that there was nothing wrong with telling Gena what she knew.  Maybe that's not bad, or maybe it's the best option in this confusing situation.  At least the weight on her shoulders was slowly lifting.

"What did Qair tell you?"  asked Gena, never managing to hide the curious look of a gossiper.  "Did he ask you out again?"  she continued, making Ella roll her eyes.  "Oh, I'm so jealous." She cupped her face with both hands.  "I wish I had the same opportunity as you.  If only Sir Stefanus had asked me out too.  Surely my days are more colorful and easier to live.  I just need a lover!"

"You just need your sanity," Ella commented, pushing Gena's forehead hard enough, making her friend snort while rubbing her forehead.  "He did ask me out, but that's not what I'm talking about here."

"So what?"  Gena was getting curious.  "What do you know?  Come on, tell me!  Didn't we promise not to hide even the slightest thing?  We can't even hide the color of our underwear."  Groaned when Ella slapped her lips.

"Don't talk nonsense!"  said Ella glaringly, warningly.  "I accidentally said those words when I was drunk.  I've told you many times, haven't I?"

"Okay," Gena moaned, still rubbing her sore forehead.  "So what do you know about Qair?  What kind of information are you currently keeping to yourself?"

"When Lord Helmut came and messed things up, Miss Lyra was imprisoned…"

"I know that too," interjected Gena impatiently, covering her mouth after seeing her friend's glaring eyes and warning her to stay quiet.  "Sorry," she whispered from behind her hands.

"Then she was almost executed.  I believe it will happen then because it's all about feelings as well as blind love.  But suddenly Qair told me that His Grace would not punish her, but marry her anyway."

"Isn't that what's happening now?  You saw it too right?  The marriage has only been postponed for a while, temporarily replaced by an engagement, which will take place in a moment."  The maids had indeed not heard of the postponement of the engagement between Duke Kleo and Lyra.

"I know," Ella nodded, looking thoughtful.  "I was just wondering what made His Grace change his plans?  Do you know he has always been firm with all the plans he has prepared?  So I was just curious."

"Maybe because His Grace doesn't want to upset Miss Lyra and stuff," commented Gena.  "Or maybe it's because His Grace doesn't want Miss Lyra to hate him.  There are several possibilities right?"  Her shoulders lifted casually.  "But the point is the same, His Grace loves Miss Lyra.  That's obvious.  So don't think too much about it!"

"Because of that one fact, I always wonder, what made Miss Lyra unable to love His Grace?  Have we ever asked her this?"

"I don't think so."  Gena also looked unconvinced.  "Maybe we should ask her about this first.  We just take it slow, then we can do something for them."

"I want to help His Grace," Ella said grimly.  "But sometimes I always doubt whether His Grace is a good man for Miss Lyra?  Don't you also know what kind of person His Grace is?  He always looked terrible, and vile when he was angry.  His abominations have spread across the continent, and maybe that's why Miss Lyra doesn't want to marry him."

"But fate is different."  Gena didn't seem to care about Lyra's condition and opinion about Duke Kleo.  "They've slept together, and that means they're already destined for each other," she continued.  "Hasn't His Grace ever really hurt Miss Lyra unless she made a fatal mistake?  That means surely His Grace deserves her.  We just think like that, the same as usual."

But it seems that Ella doesn't necessarily comply with Gena's wishes.  Deep down, she had an inkling as well as various bad things about Lyra as well as Duke Kleo.  But maybe she didn't need to think about it too much for now.  Looks like she just needs to be quiet while waiting and watching, and be ready to help if there is anything she needs to help with.

The sun was leaning more and more towards the west, drowning some of its top that looked unevenly round, creating a beautiful mauve color in the sky.

Ella and Gena held their breath at the sight of the beauty, not remembering the last time they could enjoy a relaxing time like now.

Suddenly several voices startled them, coming from several maids who were passing by.

"I did see someone lurking around in the woods, then outside the gate," they said, whispering to each other in horror, carrying some of the things that had been placed on the bed.

"I also saw black shadows hanging from the trees.  I'm also sure it must be a spy, sent by who knows what."

"Oh my," shrieked one of the other maids, pulling her comrades to a halt at a point.  "I saw it too.  One of them wears a familiar symbol."

"Symbol?"  Ella frowned and then eavesdropped again.

"Do you know where that symbol came from?"  asked one of the maids, tilting her head to listen intently.

"Looks like it came from…"

Ella and Gena covered their mouths, looking at each other with trembling bodies.

"Will Wereal be attacked?"  asked Gena like a shriek.

***