Aurora looks around, wanting to scratch her head as the purple eyes burn a hole in her eyes. How did she end up in Medea's room? So the blonde woman freezes inside, unsure what to do. And there's this lovesick guy in Medea's room, Marquess Hector.
"What are you doing here as well?" Duchess Natalie responds, matching his fiery attitude.
"Never mind, I am fortunate not to see you naked," the blonde said again, recalling Medea's relationship with Hector.
She doesn't want to assume the worst, but she is not in the mood to know about what happened, especially the thought of anger rippled through her. The two figures exchange stares until Medea enters and raises one of her brows slightly.
"What are you doing here, Natalie?"
Both heads turn to look at her. Duchess Valimos looks out the window, puzzled as to how this woman got into her room. Her servants cannot allow Duchess Smith to enter her room this late, especially without her noticing. Her brother, Lord Eli, has also heightened security.
Unless she comes here using her teleportation abilities.
Natalie's POV
How in the world am I supposed to answer that?
"Oh well, I was practising my skills when I suddenly thought of you. So I ended up in your room by accident?"
This woman must be smugging if I told her that way. Not to mention this guy keeps looking at me as if I am a parasite. But, of course, I am probably crazy to think about that thought and land it here.
"Ah, I've come to practise?" I've answered her question unsurely, laughing awkwardly.
She walks to her seat while wearing her robe, but her white nightgown is still visible inside. Still, Hector looks at me, full of toxicity from his eyes. It's not my fault to be in here. Someone summons me, but who the hell are they? I can't see their face.
"I see," Medea nods her head, showing no interest.
I have a hunch, but is it Medea? Why would she summon Natalie back? What's in that letter that triggers her to kill Harren? Yes! Harren!
"Harren has caused trouble much on our side. What do you plan to do about him?" I've said out of curiosity.
Two purple eyes look at me, slightly feel confused by the sudden question. Even I feel weird after asking that. But I have to know because it's been too quiet and peaceful. As if something big is going to happen.
It should be beneficial to be peaceful. However, as long as Ares is alive and another harm exists, I will not be able to find peace.
Medea clears her throat before she speaks, "We will use his greed to lure him. But, this time, we will strike them first."
Third POV
The morning comes as Aurora feels sluggish more than ever. Aches from her body come here and there as if she had been hit by a car. Finally, her servant opens the curtains, allowing bright sunlight to hit the Duchess' face, causing her to groan. She takes another blanket to cover her face, but her servant refuses to let her.
"Good morning, Your Grace. You have many important tasks today," Daphne said in a cheerful tone.
The blonde won't let her eyes open, but she feels annoyed by Daphne's tone. Who the hell is this chirpy in the morning?
"Your Grace?"
She opens her eyes only to find the light blue-haired girl who flashes a smile. She shouldn't stay up too late at Medea's last night. Hector lingers a little longer, waiting for the blonde to leave first. She's not going to do anything with Medea anyway.
If Medea wasn't there, he probably would throw daggers at her. He has been acting like that since Veronica's. Aurora is too tired and busy with how to survive. Not like she has the energy to fight with the man. Even if they fight, isn't it obvious who would win the fight? She wouldn't stand a chance against him. Besides, he is one of the novel's main characters who end up with Medea. Wait, did he? He doesn't need to be triggered by Natalie.
"Why would I think about it anyway?" Aurora wonders.
Thus, she gets up from bed, preparing herself for the day. She is now in her office, performing official duties and reviewing documents, when she notices something and summons the head chef.
"I heard you have called for me, Your Grace," the head chef enters, bowing his body slightly at Natalie.
"I have taken a look at this document. The amount we spend on food exceeds the last month's budget," the blonde still reviewing the document.
"Oh, the market has increased their price on raw foods. They have mentioned that the supplier cannot keep up with the demand," the head chef looks at the Duchess.
"The demand?"
"Yes. The most noticeable demand would probably be the most basic things in cooking such as eggs, flour, sugar and salt," he moves his fingers, trying to count on the basic supplies he mentioned.
"Oh, it has started already? That was fast."
The blonde looks down for a moment as she mulls over something. The head chef is standing there, staring at her, waiting for her command.
"Very well, less the amount of portion in my food to be simpler, especially the side dishes. Cook for the necessary one. For the groceries, keep the amount you buy as usual for the demand. Other than that, I will send you the orders soon. Good work, Micheal," she dismisses the head chef right away.
Duchess Natalie continues to do her work until another knock on her door.
"Come in," she said, still reviewing another document.
Lord Apollo emerges from the door, bowing at her slightly as the head chef earlier. The blonde raises her head to see the man, expecting him to say something.
"My Lady, have you prepared for the meetings among the nobles?" the blonde looks at Apollo, trying to search the memory of the meeting.
"Do I have a meeting today?" the blonde scrunched her forehead, biting her lips to remember about any of it today.
"You forget it again, don't you?" Apollo sighs at the blonde, knowing fully that she will soon forget about the meeting.
"The nobles have asked to meet with you since last month, but you have declined. Since some of them are influenced by Harren, they fear you, claiming that Harren is forcing them to do it. However, because this is an official meeting, you cannot avoid it," Aurora cusses internally, knowing she can't avoid it this time.
"What a nuisance. So, now they want to get back to me?"
"As I think about it again, I feel sorry for Natalie, who has been living like this. No wonder such a lovely girl turns out to be cold. It's because she has to be. But, unfortunately, the same goes for the others in this world," Aurora shakes the thought.
Following that, the blonde walks over to her room to prepare. Looking up, she notices her room for the first time; it is excessively luxurious, with expensive furniture strewn about and painted black and gold. The real Natalie decorates her room with a lot of furniture, making the large room appear small. It implies that she has been a lonely person in the past.
"I hadn't noticed it, but, like Natalie, I'm at ease with the interior design, although it appears to be a shambles for a Duchess. What an odd occurrence," Aurora suddenly feels heavy on the thought alone.
Aurora is not someone to have high empathy, to begin with, but as she is in Natalie's body, why would she relate to her the most?
"When was the last time this room was decorated?" the Duchess's question perplexed her servants.
The Duchess of Light notices it as their expressions change slightly, possibly due to her question. She also sees their faces change from sad to nervous. What could a simple room decoration or makeover cause?
"The last time is after the former Duke and Duchess' funeral," one of the servants says.
She must have lumps in her throat. It is so obvious to see her throat goes up to swallow it.
"Ah, that is why they react this way. In fear of hurting my feelings. No, maybe a fear of offending me."
Regardless of that, Duchess Smith has an intention to change her room. It is limited in space. She needs to change her comfort zone to be more open. Make a change, slowly but surely. The blonde turns around as her ruby eyes fix on the girl who has stepped forward.
"You," she pointed.
"Yes, Your Grace?" the servant answers immediately but avoids her intimidating gaze.
"Tell the butler to prepare my visits to the stores and people who will come to change this interior design," Duchess Natalie then walks to the seat.
"Yes, my Lady."
"What would you like to wear for the meeting today? Shall we let you choose the dresses?" the other asks her.
"Dress?" the question makes the Duchess wonders about her outfit today.
The servants nod at her question. They wait for the Duchess to tell them her order, but she sits there, thinking about something.
"No, I'll wear a suit," the blonde said after a while.
"Yes, we shall carry your, what?" the servants blurt out, confused by her answer.
The Duchess of Light raises her eyebrows from sudden exclamation. She is also stunned by them. The servants notice it and soon apologize.
"My apologies. We shall carry your order, Your Grace," then begins to dress the Duchess for her meeting as soon as possible.
Duchess Natalie is feeling extra tired today as the day drags on. Her lack of sleep was most likely influenced by last night. The carriage stopped, and the driver announced, "We have arrived, my Lady."
She gets out of the carriage but stops when she sees a long red carpet in front of her. It is full of flower bouquets and vases, and people are dressed in fancy clothes.
"Is this where the meeting is?" the blonde asks, turning her head.
"Yes, Your Grace. I have given the invitation to the other servants when I stop earlier," he said while extending his hands at Duchess Natalie.
"There is something wrong with this. Since the trial, I have been attending the official one, including this meeting. What is something that I miss?" Aurora continues to fill with doubt, feeling something not quite right on this one.
Following the red carpet, the Duchess takes her first steps. Her steps continue to lead her to one room, but it is more of a hall. It's a set-up. This is a party, not a meeting of the nobles. Duchess Smith has refused to attend the social event since the trials, including Medea, because they have no intention of becoming their target since Princess Isis did not choose any of them as her bride. Before Natalie could take a step back, she bumped into Viscount Alexander.
"What a pleasant surprise, Your Grace! It's been a while since I've seen you. Shall I escort you to the hall?" he offers in a fast tone.
Duchess Natalie wants to say no, but there's a commotion behind her as she sees a swarm of nobles approaching her. There is no way she can get out of this.
"Fuck," Aurora cusses immediately since she has no choice.
The Duchess of Light nods as he extends his hands to escort the blonde woman. The door swings open, and there it is.
"Introducing Duchess Natalie Wilson Smith, from House of the Smith, enters the hall," the announcer's voice penetrates through the air.
The eyes full of curiosity, hatred, jealousy, and anger look at Natalie. It feels hostile. If it was long ago, it would make her knees give up on that. However, it is normal now. What a joke. She has been accustomed to this now. As she looks around, it is indeed a party, not a meeting like they have mentioned. The air is filled with orchestrated music and the aromas of champagne and wine. People laugh here and there, occasionally looking at her. They got her good on this.
"Father!" the man beside Natalie turns her head in the direction.
"Oh, my daughter!" Viscount Alexander calls in a cheerful tone.
"Esmeralda. What a way to start a party," Aurora sets her ruby eyes on the father-daughter moment.
"Duchess Natalie, what a pleasant surprise to see you here!" Esmeralda's cheerful tone sounds so insincere.
Even her statement is the same as her father's. Duchess Natalie nods her head off at Esmeralda. The woman's face falls off a bit at the cold reaction and recovers quickly from it. Then, she changes glances with her father, raising their eyebrows or scrunching their forehead or something.
"I shall leave as I am bothering your conversation now," Natalie leaves both figures without waiting on their responses.
The blonde woman takes her steps at the table, reaching for red wine. It's been a long time since she hasn't drunk it. She walks to the corner, casually observing the party. After she finishes this wine, she will come back home. Out of the corner of her eyes, she sees Lady Esmeralda contemplating approaching her.
"What's wrong with her?"
As Duchess Natalie wants to run away from Esmeralda, she stops her drinking, hearing the nobles gossip about something.
"How could they be so shameless?"
"The two of them have been rejected by the royalties from both Empires!"
"Maybe that is why Lady Natalie finally wants to show her face today. But, of course, she'll probably be embarrassed about it!"
It doesn't take the Duchess long to figure out about their gossip. But being angry at them consumes too much of her energy. So she's about to let it go when the women start gossiping again.
"Maybe Lady Natalie is preying on another man at the party right now."
"Well, let's see if someone is interested in her."
Duchess Natalie takes everything within her not to burst into anger from it. They keep getting on her nerves! But, then, they have too much fun with it to gossip about her.
"Lady Medea is probably looking for someone right now to save her face."
"For God's sake, she's been rejected twice. Not to mention her recent relationship with Marquess Hector."
"What a cheap woman."
"That's it!" Aurora felt about to burst from rage.
Duchess Natalie walks calmly back to the table but notices a butler carrying a tray of wine. So, she drags the poor butler to the place, taking one of the wine glasses. One of the women from the gossip's circle notices the figure slowly approaching them and soon looks down from the blonde's blazing gaze. Then, Duchess Natalie stands behind the woman, slowly pouring the wine over her head, forcing her to scream at it, turning around, only to find the demon slapping her in the face.
"Who are you to say she's the cheap one when you're Count Harren's mistress, Lady Athena?" said the blonde, evilly smiling.
"You are fucking dead."