Bab 82: 'Grandfather, you mean?'
"Amelia," she was so taken aback that Vernon had to call her twice before she noticed him beside her. The emperor's back slowly disappearing in front of her with Lucius tailing him. "Come to our waiting room when you've collected yourself." By Vernon's tone, it was more of an order than a request. He's been rather moody late in the conversation and Amelia partly knew why, and she knew best that now is better that later.
"I'll come with you, Uncle." She merely said before she dismissed her attendants except for Ancel.
"You come too, Clement," Vernon glared at Alexander that he only managed to answer him with a nod. They're like children waiting to be scolded by their father as they kept their heads slightly lowered and their hands clasped in front of them.
Each of them was given rooms in Kaerndal Palace to use before the celebration, and Vernon's room was the last door in the hallway from where they just met. Past the huge paintings and portraits, Elias walked faster to open the door for his father and the others. Vernon have dismissed his secretary as well as the servants, then he instructed Amelia and Alexander's knights to guard the door and make sure that no one comes close.
"Sit down," another order that made Amelia remember her days in Aclador. Even Elias who was standing behind him was uneasy as his gaze went from her to his father then to Alexander then back to her again. She stared at him hoping he'd give her a hint of what's about to go down, but he just shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. "That wasn't a wise move, Amelia."
The duchess swallowed before letting a word out of her mouth, "I know, Uncle."
"If you knew then you should've held your tongue. Lucius is a very shrewd man. He wants a lot in his life that he clearly can't achieve on his own, so he doesn't have any qualms using people to get it. I'd bet he's already thinking how to turn your statements for his own benefit."
Amelia only lowered her head. She has no rebuttal to that fact because she admits it herself that she should've stayed quiet. Her emotions and her temper got the best of her, truly.
"I don't think what Cice said was--" Alexander wasn't able to finish his statement after receiving a deathly glare from the duke of Aclador.
"And you," if looks could kill, Alexander's head would've been rolling, "You should've stopped Amelia from digging her own grave, but you just added fuel to the fire!"
"As much as the duchess is glad about how worried you are about her, isn't it time for her to take reigns of her life? She's young, yes, but I think she's only been surrounded by people who told her what's best to do with her life." Amelia wanted to protest. She's been adamant about doing it on her own, but when she looked back on her decisions before Alexander came into the picture, Vance had always talked things through with her. If not, Reignold would give her a piece of advice, or Marchioness Maude. And since she knew they're more experienced than her, she usually went with their suggestions after much pondering and going about the topic.
Vernon sighed loudly as he leaned back on his chair, massaging his temples.
"If only Vance is here--where the hell is he anyway?"
"Grandfather, you mean?" for a second both the duke and his son's eyes widened. Amelia's not sure if Elias knew but there's both disbeliefs painted all over their faces.
"You knew?"
"He's your grandfather?!" the father-and-son asked in unison, but Vernon's voice was a little low, apologetic... a little embarrassed.
"I know you've had your reasons, Uncle." Amelia showed a faint smile, because she wished she knew sooner. Every time she remembered Vance being her grandfather, she's reminded of her time when she'd sit in her room, asking the heavens what bad deed she had done to deserve such a punishment.
The room grew quiet again. Elias looked at Alexander, but he only shrugged his shoulders at him too. Vernon too was taken aback to even really continue the conversation and they remained in silence for a few more seconds before Elias cleared his throat and stood up.
"I agree with Duke Clement, Father. Amelia is a smart woman. Let's give her the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure she's doing all these for the sake of her duchy and her people. And I'm sure she has thought of every best and worse outcome for this decision of hers." House Mulford's heir stood behind Amelia and placed his hands on her shoulders, giving it a light squeeze. The duchess knew he meant to comfort her, but she knew for herself that what she said back there were nothing more than her being overly confident on a project that might or might not even work in the first place. But just like how Elias gave her his trust, Amelia nodded her head slowly then looked back with a smile to the man behind her.
She's feeling a little guilty, but as she has always told herself, there's no use crying over spilt milk. She should focus on how to make her proposal work. Most of her council will be attending tonight's banquet so maybe she should call them to her manor tomorrow to meet? Amelia mentally shook her head. Everything's in disarray! Her thoughts, her plans, her life… her heart.
Though it seemed like everything's in order again, Amelia still had one pressing matter to discuss with the duke and that's Walton's new business. When he told the duke, he wasn't even surprised since he already heard about it while he was in Ragalla. It slipped from the crown prince's mouth that Walton is a close friend and a reliable business partner. He told Amelia that when he asked the prince what his business with Walton was, he swiftly diverted the conversation.
"Well, he can't be that much of a nuisance once he's dead." It was Elias who spoke with a smirk; his legs crossed, and his foot slowly swaying back and forth.
"That we can agree on," answered Alexander with another smile, and though she's happy to witness them have something in common to agree with for once, it still had to do with killing someone.
Amelia and Alexander stayed for a little while before finally leaving. They ended their conversation about Walton earlier to be on the safe side since they don't know if someone might be eavesdropping. The emperor may seem nonchalant and carefree, but Vernon said that he spent so much time by his side to know that he can't be fully trusted.
"I haven't seen Duncan in a while. I wonder if he's still alive somewhere," Amelia said out of the blue as they walked back to their own room; Ancel and Jyver behind them.
"Why? Do you want to dance with him?" Alexander snickered and her ears perked and warmed up; the side of the duchess' left eye twitched.
"Hmm, maybe I will if he asked," her head held high, "We're childhood friends after all."
"What?" Amelia's brow raised when the duke's voice seemed distant.
"Lex?" she called and when she looked back, her eyes widened as Alexander suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulled her to him and closed the gap between them. "What was that for?!" her voice raised, pushing him away from her. Ancel was quick to barricade himself between them, his hand on the pommel of his sword.
They're in Kearndal Palace and the banquet will start in a few hours, so the hallways are buzzing with servants going to and fro who stopped with widened eyes and mouths gaped.
"I'd appreciate it if you don't speak of another man with such fondness in front of me."
With such fondness? Amelia's brows furrowed deep. When did she ever sounded so fondly talking about Duncan? He's a jerk and a real piece of work! She just mentioned him because she hadn't seen him in a while, and no one seemed to care enough to even gossip about him. She didn't want to see him, plus it irked her that Alexander snickered when he asked her about wanting to dance with the prince.
"And I'd appreciate it if you learn to control your urges and your temper. We might have a thing between us but remember that I am a duchess, and I don't tolerate these kinds of…" Amelia paused to find the right words. She didn't want to fight him, especially not now when she's finally starting to feel comfortable with him around. "… disrespect."
They've shared a rather passionate kiss last night, yes, but the one just now was different. It was… imposing, punishing, possessive; she didn't like it. She's not an object to be possessed nor did she do or say anything worth punishing.
The two glared at each other for a while before Alexander broke it.
"I was out line," he raised his hands, "I apologize. I think I just got... jealous."
Jealous? The Duke Alexander Clement of Thuenia jealous? Amelia couldn't help but chuckle as she looked past him and saw Jyver's bewildered look. And although Ancel have his back towards her, judging by his slightly tilted head and his hands to his side, he probably has the same expression as Alexander's knight.
But really, jealous of just a man's name? Despite feeling annoyed, Amelia pursed her lips and swiftly turned her back to hide her smile as she felt a surge of tingling sensation that made her cheeks and ears warm.
"That's enough Ancel. Let's go" she said, the heels of her shoes against the marbled floor sounded faster than usual, but before she got too far from him, she looked back and with a demanding tone said, "Come early. I don't want to be late for the banquet," then turned her back to disappear from his sight completely.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
MICHIKOMIYU
MICHIKOMIYU Hello, hello, lovely reader!
So, we've meet again. Thank you for reaching up to this chapter,. I really, really appreciate you reading my novel! Anyway, I am just here to say that Volume 1 will be reaching its conclusion soon, but no worries, I am already gearing up for the start of Volume 2, so you don't have to wait for long *wink*.
I hope to see you more often! Happy Reading, lovely reader!
Hadiah
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