Chapter 62: 'Whatever’s Cice’s will be hers alone'
When Alexander finished his meal, he wiped his mouth and placed the napkin on the table.
"Why don't you check on Amelia upstairs?" Vance suddenly suggested, "We're still not finished eating yet, you should go and accompany the duchess for a while."
The young duke stared at the advisor. He couldn't believe that Vance would go as far as allow him to go and see the duchess. It was as if it only happened yesterday that when the duke first visited Amelia, Vance might as well throw him out.
"I…" Alexander's eyes shifted from the advisor to the ladies opposite of him.
"Go on," Vance said after gulping the remnants of his wine.
With a last look at Arabella, who looked like she'll race him to the door, Alexander stood up and excused himself. On his way out, he thanked the knights stationed outside the hall and didn't forget to greet everyone who locked eyes with him on his way to Amelia's room.
Through the winding stairs leading to the west side of the palace, and after a series of vacant rooms, at the end of the hall, two knights stood in attention as soon as they saw him.
He's been in Amelia's room before, but the door didn't look grander and elaborately designed as he remembered.
"Good day to you, Duke Clement," Ancel was the first one to greet him.
"Good day to you too, gentlemen. I have some things I needed to discuss with the duchess, so Vance told me to come here and keep her company while I'm at it."
Ancel glanced at him for a second, and with a nod to his partner, the knight assassin knocked on the door and opened it after a few seconds.
Inside, Amelia was sorting through some paperwork. Alexander locked eyes with her when she lifted her head before she resumed what she was doing.
"Good morning," he said, even though he stayed at the duchess' adjoining room just before dawn started waving. "What's the occasion for today?" Alexander couldn't help but ask.
"It's nothing ceremonial. Not even an occasion to be called," she answered shortly.
"If it's something to be celebrated then it's an occasion."
Amelia sighed and the duke anxiously eyed the seat in front of her table.
"As you know, I was called an heiress because they still didn't know the gender of my sibling, but I always told my mother that it was a girl." Amelia's hand stopped and lifted her head to look past the duke. "When I got back from Aclador, I learned that it was never in my father's will that I will be one," she scoffed. "With the emperor's blessing, there was a ceremony held to name me the new duchess of Osmea, but… in that paper I signed, there was one clause."
"What is it?" Alexander asked at the edge of his seat.
"That whatever I do, I must consult it with my guardian because I wasn't of age then," her eyes pierced the duke like an arrow straight to his chest.
There was a stillness in the room that every beat of their hearts and every movement of their muscles were notable. She stared straight at him but at the same time not. Amelia's alluring blue eyes were definitely somewhere else, though he could stare at it the whole time. Alexander wanted to ask what she was thinking about. To know what's bothering her on such an occasion.
It was just last night that she regained a little sparkle in her eyes, but now? It's gone again.
"You're of age now. Surely there's no clause on that this time around, right?" Amelia averted her eyes and shook her head lightly.
"Yes," she showed a curt smile then went back to sorting some documents. "After I sign that paper, I can now do whatever I want, command whoever I want."
"And maybe marry whoever you want to?" Alexander tilted his head and the duchess stopped again.
"Maybe…" she answered plainly.
Alexander was the one who let out a sigh. He thought that he made some sort of progress last night, but he's proven otherwise.
"So, uhm… your advisor told me to come here and talk thi—"
"We are talking, aren't we?" she suddenly cut him, and Alexander suddenly found himself out of patience.
"Amelia that's not…" his words trailed to a whisper when he noted the duchess flinched which she covered up with even more sorting. "You—stop acting like this at once," Alexander's voice bounced a tad bit on the wall as he abruptly stood and grabbed the duchess' wrist, forcing her to look up at him.
"What?" she sternly asked but her voice shook a little—and so did her hands. Alexander noted now that he's gotten up close to her.
Immediately, he loosened his grip and in the softest voice he could muster, he uttered, "Oh, love…" and leaned forward to plant a quick kiss on her forehead.
She didn't recover last night—never did. And here he was, selfishly thinking that maybe—just maybe—now that she's remembered their encounter, he could waltz into her life with a little less trouble than before.
Alexander sighed. It was the same as last time. Just when he thought he took a step forward, he was pushed a few steps back.
"I'm sorry, love," he said and understandingly squeezed the duchess' hand. He remained holding them for as long as Amelia needed to calm down.
"You know what?" she asked in a low voice after a while; her voice steadier now.
"What?" Alexander's brow arched.
"I don't know but…when you called me by name it didn't feel right." She confessed without looking at him.
Alexander stood motionless for a while before a smile ran across his face. What's all this confession-like moment? Wasn't she mad about last night? No, she was definitely mad about last night. But whether she was still mad or whatnot, he couldn't let this moment pass without doing something that might point in his favor. So, he brought the duchess' hand to his lips and kissed it twice. The first time, he was looking straight at Amelia, and the next one with his eyes closed.
"I want to kiss you right now," his lips brushed the duchess' hand as he spoke, leaving her stiff in her seat and red in the face. "Can I, Cice?" Alexander whispered and when the duchess sat in silence and didn't break her gaze from him, he took it as a simple approval.
As if treading on water lightly, he slowly leaned forward, not breaking his gaze at all. But when he noted the duchess' lips parted a little, Alexander couldn't help but stare at it. When he brought his gaze back to her face, he saw her with her eyes closed, anticipating.
Alexander's heart pounded against his chest so hard, it rang in his ears. It's not his first time kissing a lady, but it's the first he felt so—unsure. But he leaned closer anyway, telling himself that he wouldn't understand his feelings unless he tried it himself.
With the duchess' eyes closed, Alexander focused on her lips; bow-shaped with a light tint of red. And wanting to savor the moment, he too, slowly closed his eyes. A thing he's never done before. A part of his mind wanted to ravage, and the other half wanted nothing but to caress her and take it slowly.
Alexander was so close he could almost feel her—her minty warm breath and the tip of her upper lip faintly touching his. The distinct scent of fresh florals wafted the duke as her body's warmth emanated from her. With a discreet gulp, the duke parted his lips and bent even closer.
Then a knock sounded.
Surprised by the sudden interruption, Alexander jumped back to his seat, grabbing a document out of impulse.
"Ready?" Vance strode past the opened door with Amelia's ladies-in-waiting behind him.
"I, uhm… I—I think so?" Amelia patted the side of her face with the back of her hand, while Alexander hid half of his face with the paper he took.
"Hmm… Research on the use and advantages of greenhouses…" Arabella muttered word by word, before saying, "I didn't know your duchy's planning on building greenhouses too? I thought red street's more your alley?" Alexander glared at the lady assassin then glanced at Amelia before looking back to Vance who sat in a corner, his eyes like a hawk.
Surely, knowing the advisor, he's already thought of what might've transpired between him and his granddaughter while he was occupied.
"The high priest just arrived and is waiting at the palace chapel. Maud and the others have arrived as well." Vance stood straight with both his hands behind his back.
"Alright…" Amelia inhaled sharply. She stacked the documents on her table at one side and placed both hands on her chair's arms, pushing herself to stand. "Let's go then…" she said, gathering a portion of her dress so she wouldn't trip.
From all the dress changes that the duchess had since yesterday, this was the closest to her style and accentuated her figure better. No exaggerated ruffles, or over-the-top skirts. It's a plain dress that came up to her neck, with long sleeves pinned at the wrists by rose cufflinks. The skirt was slightly pleated and reached the floor—no trail.
Her mother's golden necklace reached her chest and, on her fingers,—Alexander arched a brow.
It's the ring he gave her.
"What are you smiling at?" the duke was too preoccupied examining the duchess that he didn't realize Arabella was already beside him. "You're not coming with us, you know."
"Matter-of-factly, he is…" it was the advisor who answered, and the duke blinked.
Never in his life, since meeting the advisor formally, did he think he'd invite him the second time. He thought Amelia's birthday was an exception.
"A-are you sure?" the young duke stuttered.
"Yes. Are you sure?" Arabella seconded, but the moment Alexander turned to the duchess, his eyes widened when the duchess linked her arms with his.
Heck, everyone's eyes grew big. Even her Vance's.
"He… The duke… I mean…" Amelia cleared her throat, "A-Alexander will… will be escorting me today."
"But why?" the look of disbelief on the lady assassin's face was unexplainable, and in his mind, Alexander asked the same.
"Thi-this will spread even more rumors a-about you two. It's not good for your image." Christa found her voice to protest, while Laila just stood beside the advisor as if already knowing what the deal was.
Alexander felt a pull on his arm, and he started walking with Amelia toward the door.
"I will make a proper announcement in the coming days," was all she said.
"Oh, Heavens, this can't be good… what is this a declaration of war?" the duke heard Arabella muttered behind him whereas Christa's still trying to wrap her mind around what happened.
The duke knew that the duchess' opening was the subject of her engagement to her council, but he didn't know it would be this soon—and that he was going to be there when she announced it!
Sure, Vance said that maybe only a few members of her council will be there but what if he's wrong and everybody decided that it's too much of an important thing to miss? For one, he knew that his Council will not allow him to sign anything unless everyone was in attendance.
Alexander was at his wit's end thinking of how to go about this. He hasn't even had much sleep yet and barely managed to shave this morning.
'Well, at least my clothes don't look shabby,' he thought but it was, but a trifling thought compared to what or who he was about to face.
And so, with a slightly uncooperative mind, he straightened himself as Vance opened the door. First out were Amelia's ladies-in-waiting led by Laila, then Alexander and Amelia, and lastly Vance.
Just as Arabella went past the threshold, the duke noted Ancel's eyes shifted quickly to both of them and then to their linked arms before he looked straight ahead.
'I know exactly what you're thinking, Ancel. I know,' Alexander bobbed his head lightly when the knights faced to salute them.
**********
To reach the palace chapel, they had to go down the winding grand staircase of the east wing then through the great hall that has yet to recover from the lavish decorations of the recent festivity, straight to the far end. Turning right, through a wide enough hallway where several rooms lined with either a vase, a sculpture, or a painting in between, there's a tall door depicting the Heavens and those that inhabited it in an intricate carving.
Alexander gulped.
He hasn't felt this kind of nervousness for years. It's rather foreign that it's starting to mess up his guts.
"Well… we're here. The doors are still closed so there's still some time for you to let go of the duke's arm and leave him behind this door." Arabella said in a sarcastically calm manner and the duke couldn't agree more, but Amelia glared at her as she stood even closer to him.
As she did, Alexander felt her bosom against his arm and so, for whatever reasons, his hands started to sweat.
"Uhm…" Alexander placed a hand on top of hers, "Aren't we moving too fast, Cice? Shouldn't we soften our footing first? I mean, we don't want to seem to be in such a rush or we'll look like insinuating something."
Someone from behind cleared their throat.
"I agree with the duke, Lia. If this is how you want things to go, then you should take it slow. Nothing good comes from rushing." It was her advisor.
Alexander glanced at the duchess and hoped that she'd at least listen to him. When the duchess looked at her company and saw their expectant eyes, she let out a short sigh and slid her arm off the duke.
"Alright," she said, straightening herself, "But Alexander will witness my signing and will walk beside me."
"Of course," Vance bobbed his head. He then looked back and signaled at Ancel and two of his knights, that Alexander forgot was even there, to open the door.
Once the doors were opened, the soft glow of the huge stained-glass window of Lyzato in his greatness welcomed them.
The chapel was a private one and was reserved only for House Florence to use, and maybe some devout servants in the palace who wanted a quiet place to pray. With just a short walk, the duchess reached the altar where Osmea's High Priest Kirgim was waiting.
Not a lot of people were there, but two figures stood out from the rest instantaneously.
"Uncle Vernon… Brother Ayland… wh-what are you doing here?" Amelia approached and hugged each one amidst the confusion.
"Happy birthday, Lia," Ayland greeted, kissing her at one of her temples.
"Happy birthday, my dear," Vernon was next, kissing her on both cheeks, "We thought we'd surprise you even though it's a day late, but you seemed to have surprised us instead. Duke Clement…" Vernon turned his head to address the duke and Alexander greeted both gentlemen back.
Looking at the unexpected guests, their eyes asked him what in the hell was he doing escorting the duchess like some to-be married couple walking down the aisle.
Alexander would like to know the answer to that too. The eyes of Amelia's council and the High Priest were boring a whole on his back as well. Of all people that were there, the duke knew he's the one who wanted to get the deed over with the most.
"I didn't know you were already here," Ayland casually said, "No wonder I've gotten no response from my invitation. I thought we were coming together?" Alexander was put in even more confusion by the Prince's impromptu script, but Amelia was quick to take note.
"He did mention not wanting to ride with you, Brother," she faked giggling. "He arrived early, and I was without an escort, so I asked him. I thought one duke is more than enough as a witness but now I have two, a prince, and my whole council. I'm in awe, really." She declared, but the last part was a bit overdone—mockingly, so to speak.
But to everyone's surprise, as well as the young duke, Amelia suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled him towards her council which have been divided into two unequal numbers which probably meant the division of her supporters.
"Marquess Cleeve Charlis and Marquess Oliver Farbton, in charge of our borders," the duchess gestured to her left. Alexander straightened his back and lifted his chin before reaching his hand over for a firm shake. Asserting dominance over others was the young duke's specialty. "Then this is Count William Brant. We like to call him our Trademaster. He overlooks matters of trade for the duchy, so I think you both will have a lot to talk about."
"Well, maybe Lady Norrine would be a better conversationalist than me. She knows all that there is to trading," he said, emphasizing the merchant guild's owner's name. Anyone who had something to do with trading would've heard of Norrine Burkley, and if they knew her, it's only fitting that they also knew how hard it was to make an appointment with her.
"Lady Burkley might be a better conversationalist, but you aren't so bad yourself, your grace. I've recently heard about your business conquers these past few months, and I must congratulate you on your successful ventures." Unlike the two former council members who only greeted him back as a duke, the middle-aged Count seemed easier to sway. Alexander knew his type—the one who leeches on to those who can bring more to the table. His loyalty's easily swayed by money, and since that's the case, then Alexander won't have so much of a problem with him.
"Hmm…" the young duke flashed a small smile then only bobbed his head before turning and stepping three steps to reach the other group of Amelia's Council. "Marchioness Maud Berdwell," he said, beaming, "The one and only."
"In the flesh," Maud replied charmingly, lifting her hand for Alexander to take. Not wanting to disappoint the young duke took it and kissed the top of her hand lightly.
"I'm glad you know each other," Amelia butted in.
"Who wouldn't have heard of such a phenomenal woman? I'd like to have her in my council too."
"Well, it depends if the duchess' willing to lend my services to you, Duke Clement."
"Whatever's Cice's will be hers alone," Alexander said, and everyone grew quiet, observing.
The young duke thought he might've overdone it, but Amelia didn't seem bothered by it.
"Maybe Maud can share some of her secrets," she even added. "Here, we have Count Avery Royfield, current head of the Keep and one of my teachers when I got back from Aclador. Then, Jude Colt, a scholar at the Keep, and the duchy's treasurer." Polite greetings were given to both of them. "Of course, you already knew Arabella's grandfather, Sir Reignold Whitt, but I don't think you've met her father yet, Count Lloyd Whitt."
"Good day to you, Count Whitt."
"A very good day to you too, Duke Clement. I heard that you've become friends with my daughter—she can be quite the handful." Looking at Reignold, Alexander couldn't believe that the Count was his son. He couldn't feel any threatening aura towards him unlike when he first met Arabella—but then again, he didn't have that sort of feeling towards Ancel when they walked together through the secret pathway too.
'This family's crazy scary,' he thought to himself.
"Yes, Arabella has… her own charms." He answered back, smiling politely.
"Of course, last but not the least, High Prie—" Amelia was cut short when the door suddenly opened.
"Oh good, it hasn't started yet." Almost everyone's expression turned sour as soon as they saw who came barging through the door. "I wouldn't want to miss this for the world. Come, darling, let's go," he said, clutching the hand of the lady he came with—Millicent, in her short brunette hair and ever so daring choice of clothes—around his arm.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone