The Echanting Duchess

Chapter 44: Sudden Trip Away From Home

A few days had passed after Duke Calex left for a summon from His Majesty The King.

But before the day of his departure, the duke unexpectedly received a resounding slap from the duchess.

It was on that night when the duke almost lost himself and attacked the duchess from neck and even more downward.

Duke Calex might have lost his rationality driven by lust and desire, but Atallie was still clear headed at that time and knew that she could not compromise something important not until everything unnecessary around them was driven away. Thus, Atallie had to wake up the duke from his drunken state of lust before something more and dangerous could even happen.

This was the reason why Duke Calex had been slapped awake by Atallie.

Now, this particular scenario was only known by no one other than the both of them.

After all, the dignity of the duke should still be kept. Although the rumors running wild outside about the duke were already too ridiculous to one's innocent ears.

Inside the Crystal Diamond room.

All by herself, Atallie was sitting lazily on her study seat, her back leaned against its soft and wide backrest. It had been turned around to face the setting sun and the canvas-like sky painted with the mixture of rich yellow, dark orange, softest pink and gentlest blue.

With her usual indifferent gaze, her cold amber eyes reflected the chaotic yet beautiful canvas-like sky in front of her. If one would look closely, one would notice that her gaze was deeper as if her thoughts were reaching far beyond.

And it was right. Atallie was in fact thinking about something at the moment.

She maintained this dazed position until the sun was fully gulped down and the vast painted sky completely turned into darkness.

It was still and eerily quiet. The entire room was enveloped in darkness. There were no stars and the moon was also nowhere in sight.

Only the faint silhouette of Atallie was barely seen inside in front of the huge glass windows.

Then, there was a sudden knock that cut through the thick silence like a knife.

"Madame, I have returned," said the voice outside the door.

There was no response from the inside. Thus, another knock came.

"Madame?"

Then, another knock.

By this time, Lizbeth, the newly appointed lady-in-waiting of Atallie, started to get worried.

Leonor had told her that the duchess was left alone inside her own quarters. They were dismissed earlier than usual and were also quite worried. However, having stayed with the duchess for several months now, they knew that there were some days that the duchess just wanted to be left alone.

And this day was one of those few days.

However, Leonor and the rest forgot to mention this fact to the new member of their workforce.

Thus, Lizbeth had no idea.

If the duchess met any accident under my watch, the Mistress will surely not be satisfied…
Lizbeth thought as she persistently knocked on the door.

She could have just barged in the moment she returned, but living as a noble and considering her role as a lady-in-waiting, Lizbeth had to mind the silly rules and etiquette that she had to follow.

But special occasions needed special consideration.

Just as Lizbeth was about to turn the knob, a gentle yet monotonous voice sounded through coming from the inside.