Gusto kong tumakbo at lumabas ng drawing room at magkulong sa kwarto ko buong araw dahil sa ginawa ni Luke.

Hindi ko na talaga maintindihan ang mga kinikilos niya.

Zephy is staring at me confused.

"W-what, child?" I asked. 

"You have red spots on your shoulder Mother. Are you sick?" Bakas ang pag-aalala sa boses at mukha nito.

"H-ha?" Agad kong hinawi ang mga buhok ko sa kaliwang balikat to cover the red spots she mentioned. "I'm not sick, it's just some bug bit me." Pagpapalusot ko. 

And that bug is currently, shamelessly, still picking up clothes he wants to be tailored for him. Occasionally, he'd  asked me if this coat looks good on him, or if this color suits him. He acts like he didn't do anything indecent in front of all these people!

The maid who saw us, is still blushing bright red.

What if a rumor starts spreading that the Ducal Couple of the South are doing scandalous things in front of the servants?

Napahilot ako ng sentido. Let's just focus on picking new dresses for my daughter.

"Do you have anything ready made for her size? We need one for a dinner party tomorrow." Tanong ko sa Merchant na nagbigay sa amin ng catalogue for children's clothing.

"Yes, madam." The Merchant hand me over another catalogue.

Agad akong napangiti dahil mas maganda ang mga disenyong laman nito kaysa sa nauna kong tiningnan kanina. Pero agad ding nawala ang mga ngiti ko, when the bug suddenly sat besides me.

'What does he want now?' 

There's an empty armchair over there, so why sit on the settee with me? 

Napatingin ako sa mga taong nasa paligid namin. All of them seems to be stiff and holding their breathes. I won't be surprise if someone pass out right now.

"W-What do you think of this dress, Y-your Grace? It will look good on Zephy, right?" I asked, trying to make the atmosphere a little relaxing.

Saglit niya itong tiningnan at agad na ibinalik ang tingin sa akin.

'Come on, say something nice even if you don't like it!'

I stopped breathing when his hand find its way to my hair, twirling few strands of it on his finger.

"Everything will look good on our daughter, because she's as beautiful as her mother." Mauuna pa ata akong himatayin kaysa sa mga taong nasa paligid namin na mukhang di na din humihinga.

"Haha-" An awkward laugh was the only thing I can refute him.

Why is he sweet talking me now? Is my surly husband always this... flirty?

Wag na natin siyang kausapin! Ibinalik ko ang tuon sa mga pinagpipiliang damit.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto o oras pa ang lumipas sa pagpili namin ng mga kasuotan, at iba pang mga kagamitan. Pero nang matapos, at makalabas ng drawing room ay agad na akong nagkulong sa loob ng kwarto ko. Let's stay here until tomorrow. Baka bukas pagkagising ni Luke ay nasa tamang posisyon na ulit ang utak niya.

At dahil sa mga ginawang iyon ni Luke kanina, buong magdamag akong hindi nakatulog. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako kukuha ng ideya kung bakit siya nagkakaganun. My story ends when I was murdered. Sa mga oras na ito, ang kwento ay umiikot na patungkol kay Luke at Lady Grachell. At kung susundin ang kwento, Celestine, my half-sister is probably already at the Duchy to seduce the Duke.

Hindi ko na alam kung san ako lulugar.

But I'll be deceiving myself if I'll say I'm not a bit happy with his sudden change. Ito ang pinangarap ko ng matagal na panahon. On my previous life, sampung taon akong naghintay. In this life, I've already spend four years yearning for his love.

Pero ayokong masaktan dahil sa maling akala.

Kaya mas maiging iwasan ko na muna siya.

Hindi ko pa din naman tiyak kung ano ba talaga ang tumatakbo sa isip ni Luke ngayon. He'll probably get tired of what he's doing with me now. Even if he does not divorce me, who says he won't ignore me, like he did in the first two years of our marriage?

At dahil hindi ako nakatulog ay lumabas ako ng silid at pumuntang kusina. Abala na ang lahat sa paghahanda para sa gaganaping piging mamayang gabi.

There's still two hours before 6am.

"Your Grace." Everyone in the kitchen lined up and greet me.

"Is it okay if I borrow a small space? I want to bake something."

"Yes, Your Grace!" Kahit ilang buwan na ang nakakalipas, sa tuwing pumapasok ako sa kusina para magluto ay natataranta pa din sila. But at least, they are not as terrified as before.

I made a mini chocolate mint cake, and pour a crushed vitality pill on it.

I put it inside the small cake box at lumabas na ng kusina. It's now past 5am, kanina pa nag-umpisang magtraining ang mga Knights at Squires kaya sa training grounds na ako dumiretso dahil tiyak namang naroon na ang pakay ko.

'Sana natapos ni Sir Ross ang 100 laps.'

Pero bago pa man ako tuluyang makapasok sa training grounds ay napahinto ako dahil sa narinig...

"I dare you fucking say that again!" Kilala ko ang boses na iyon.

Sinong kaaway ni Sir Ross?

For the past months na nakasama ko siya ng malapitan, I never heard him curse. But just now, his voice is terrifying. Halos di ko maihakbang ang mga paa ko para magtago sa gilid ng entrance ng training grounds.

"Why are you so worked up over the Duchess?" Sagot ng isa pang pamilyar na boses.

It's Sir Marcus.

"Aren't you the one who hate the Reiss household, and that cheeky Duchess more than anyone else in the Order?" Dugtong pa ni Sir Marcus.

"I did! But that doesn't mean my opinion about the Lady will remain as it is." Sagot ni Sir Ross dito.

"Ha!" Sir Marcus grunted. "I bet she's just pretending. The Reiss' are cunning after all. Have you forgotten all the things she did?"

"The Madam is no longer a Reiss! She's a Ravenstein!" Sir Ross refuted.

"Ha! For how long?" Nagulat ako sa sinabing iyon ni Sir Marcus.

"What do you mean?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Sir Ross.

"I bet the Duke is planning to divorce her, since there is now a more suitable Lady. All the Knights knew it. The current one is no good after all."

"Marcus you ungrateful bastard! How dare you insult the Duchess! If it wasn't for her Grace, you're probably dead by now! Let's duel! I'm going to cut your fucking tongue off!" 

"Hey! Hey! Calm down!" Another familiar voice intervene.

It's Evans.

"A Knight without loyalty to his Lady is a trash! No! Lower than a trash!"

"What did you say? Ross you bastard!"

I heard swords being drawn from the sheaths.

Maglalaban talaga sila?

"G-Go-Good M-Morning!" Agad akong lumabas mula sa pinagtataguan at binati sila.

They are pointing swords at each other. I shivered in the sight of the swords. Hindi pa din ako kumportableng makakita ng espada dahil sa nangyari sa akin sa nakaraan kong buhay.

"M-My L-Lady!" They all put the swords back inside the scabbard, the three line up and greeted me in unison.

"What brings you here at this hour, My Lady?" Sir Marcus asked.

Look at him! Moments ago he was backstabbing me, but now bowing his head like a guilty dog.

"Gusto ko lang sanang malaman kung natapos ba ng maayos ni Sir Ross ang parusang ibinigay ni Luke."

"I did, My Lady." 

I was so relief to hear that he did.

"Here, I made this so you'll feel better. And also as an apology because you have to go through that because of me." Agad kong binigay ang mini cake na ginawa ko kanina. I'm sure he's tired. I already added the vitality pill on it to replenish his strength. I run out of chocolate coated pills, so I made the mini cake instead.

"You shouldn't have bothered, My Lady. I am always willing to do anything for your sake." Agad naman itong kinuha ni Sir Ross. "Unlike some bastard I knew, who forgot what chivalry is." He added.

I gulped dryly because of the tension caused by that last phrase. I pretended that I didn't know, and just forced a smile. Baka bigla silang magduwelo sa harapan ko.

Suddenly, their expressions changed, and their faces turned pale.

"What's wrong?" Agad kong tanong sa kanila.

"Yeah, what's wrong?" A chilling voice from behind me asked.

Agad akong napalingon.

Luke is standing behind me, with his arms crossed. His blue eyes glisten, as if irritated about something.

"Greetings, Your Grace." We all lower our head, and greet him.

"What are you doing here at this hour?" He asked.

It's a relief. It seems he didn't hear anything from earlier.

"I have something to give the Vice Commander, so I came here." Sagot ko.

"At this hour?" His eyes squinted.

It's almost 6am. It's not like it's too early to be up.

"I know he was tired after completing the 100 laps, so I made him some chocolate mint cake as a snack."

"I'm also tired, but you didn't made one for me."

"Huh? But Your Grace doesn't like sweets." 

At san ka naman napagod? Ako nga walang tulog dahil sa mga kagagawan mo eh!

"I do."

"You don't."

"I do."

"Fine! I'll ask the cook to make one for you." Hindi ko na hinintay ang sasabihin niya at umalis na. Since his actions are unpredictable as of late, let's stick to the plan, and avoid him.

I went back to my chamber. But as soon as my back hit the bed, the first thought that came to mind was...

"I bet the Duke is planning to divorce her, since there is now a more suitable Lady. All the Knights knew it. The current one is no good after all." Sir Marcus' words echoed repeatedly in my head.

So, he's really planning to divorce me? Even the Knights from the war knew?

I felt a stabbing pain in the chest. I was ready for the divorce. But why is hearing it from someone else hurts a lot?

I was right.

He wanted to divorce me, but he can't announce it. My contributions to the war might have hinder him.

Suddenly, I heard a knock.

"Your Grace, I heard you were already awake?"

"Yes. Come in Adellei."

She entered the room with her usual smile, na agad napalitan ng pag-aalala.

"A-Are you alright, Duchess?"

"Help me get dress." Utos ko.

"Where to, My Lady?"

"To the temple."

"The temple?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Adellei.

If he can't do it, then I'll do it.

Let's divorce the Duke today!

.

.

.

.

Since it's unusual for women to ask for divorce first, I told the temple that it wasn't for me, but for someone I knew, and just leave the names blank in the documents, so they can fill it up on their own once they are ready.

I wasn't sure if the temple believed me. But I got the documents I needed without a problem. Only the worried faces of the Priests and Priestess bothered me. Vehallard is a conservative Kingdom, so divorce is something that doesn't happen often, especially among nobles. The temple can only intervene with the divorce once it's already signed by the couple, because they will have to conduct one final counseling in hopes to save the marriage.

It seems the Knights that escorted me, still has no idea of what I came here for. The temple should conduct outmost secrecy after all, so I'm safe of any rumors that will spread around.

It's past lunch time when we arrived back in the manor. Agad akong dumiretso sa kwarto at inihanda ang mga dokyumentong nakuha sa templo. I wrote our names, and sign it. 

Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko matapos pirmahan ang mga divorce papers. Pirma nalang ni Luke ang kailangan, at pwede na naming maumpisahan ang proseso nito.

May inihanda din akong ibang mga papeles na kailangang ibigay sa kanya. Sa oras na matapos ang pagtitipon mamayang gabi ay kakausapin ko siya.

Humiga ako sa kama. I feel so tired. Wala na akong lakas na natitira. Pero ikinundisyon ko ang sarili. I have to prepare for the victory party. Ilang oras nalang ay mag-uumpisa na ito.

"Your Grace?"

"Come in." Mahina kong sagot.

Agad na pumasok si Adellei at may kasamang dalawa pang katulong.

"We'll help you get ready, Your Grace."

Bumangon ako sa kama at lumapit sa kanila.

Wala na talaga ako sa mood para dumalo sa party. Pero ito ang huling araw na ako ang Duchess ng Ravenstein. Gawin natin ng maayos ang huli kong trabaho.

Matapos ng halos dalawang oras na pag-aayos.

"You look so beautiful, Your Grace!" Papuri ng mga maids.

Tiningnan ko ang sarili sa salamin.

The maids braid my hair into a waterfall, and put jewelries on it. They insist that I should wear a tiara, but I don't want to look too extravagant dahil isa itong salo salo para sa tagumpay ng Ravenstein sa gera.

At dahil sa ginawa ni Luke kahapon, I have to choose a dress that covers my shoulder, and neck, because the red spots cause by his aggressive sucking, and licking, turned purple now.

Kailangan ko pa tuloy lunukin ang kahihiyan na nakikita ito ng mga maids habang pinapaliguan ako kanina. Pero hindi ko alam kung bakit parang tuwang tuwa sila.

Matapos maayusan ay lumabas na ako. Agad akong dumiretso sa banquet hall upang makita ang paghahandang ginawa nila. Since the Knights are not wearing their uniform, and wearing doublets and coats instead, they all look like a young noble's son.

When the clock turned six, dumating na din sa banquet hall si Luke. Agad siyang lumapit sa akin. For formality reasons, inilahad ko ang kamay ko sa kanya, na agad niyang tinanggap at hinalikan. Lumapit din sa akin si Zephy, and gave her courtesy.

Agad kong tinawag ang atensyon ng lahat para simulan na ang piging. 

"Maligayang pagbabalik sa lahat, binabati ko kayo sa inyong tagumpay. Sana ay magustuhan ninyo ang inihanda namin para sa inyo ngayong gabi. Enjoy yourselves. Mabuhay ang Ravenstein Knights!" 

Naghiyawan ang lahat ng kanilang pasasalamat, at inumpisahan na ang piging.

Hindi muna ako kumain, dahil wala rin naman akong gana. Kumuha ako ng dalawang baso ng wine, at agad na hinanap si Sir Ross. Meron muna akong kailangang gawin bago ko iwan ang posisyon ko bilang Duchess.

"Sir Ross..." Agad kong inabot sa kanya ang isang baso ng wine, na agad niyang tinanggap.

"Your Grace." He bowed.

"There's something I'd like to ask." 

"Yes, Your Grace?"

Dahil naging mabuting personal maid si Adellei sa akin sa loob ng mahigit anim na buwan, gusto ko siyang ipakilala sa isang mabuting Knight na hindi siya sasaktan. Marami din namang ibang Knights na naging malapit sa akin dahil kay Sir Ross, but there seems no one I can entrust my clumsy naive maid. At kakaisip, ang tanging naisip ko lang ay si Sir Ross.

"What is you're ideal woman?" Tanong ko.

Instead of answering, he chuckled.

"What's so funny? I'm about to recommend a beautiful maiden, so don't laugh."

"I don't have an ideal woman, Your Grace."

"What? Why? That's impossible. You're a handsome man. I bet you have a fare share of women too."

"I appreciate the compliment, My Lady. But I cannot accept your recommendation."

"Oh... Do you have someone you like?" Nahiya tuloy ako. Dapat ata ang una kong tinanong kung may kasintahan ba siya o wala.

Muli siyang tumawa. Napakunot tuloy ako ng noo.

"I think the Duchess is not aware, but I have sworn fidelity a long time ago, Your Grace."

Namilog ang mata ko sa narinig.

"What? With whom?"

"To the Ravenstein, Your Grace. So I cannot marry."

My jaw dropped.

Why would a fine specimen like him swore fidelity to the Duchy?

In Vehallard, the highest act of loyalty a Knight can give to his master is the Oath of Fidelity. And once you sworn the oath, you cannot marry. The only way the oath can be broken, is when the Duchy or the household you sworn fidelity to, falls. 

"But why?"

"Because the previous Ducal couple are good people. I sworn the Oath when I was Knighted, I was 17."

Napahilot nalang ako ng sentido. Hindi ba niya pagsisisihan yun? He made the oath when he was that young? Sa pagkakaalam ko, he's 29 now.

Bumuntong hininga ako, at narinig ko naman siyang tumawa ulit.

Nilibot ko nalang ang tingin ang paligid, baka sakaling may makitang iba pang karapat dapat. Sa halip, nagtama ang tingin naming dalawa ni Luke. He looks so displeased.

Sino nanaman ang nagpainit sa ulo ng isang to?

I saw him got up from his seat and leave the banquet hall. Kakaumpisa palang ng piging pero umalis na kaagad siya?

"Sir Ross, I'll take my leave first." Pagpapaalam ko.

This might be the right time to give him the divorce papers.

Pagkalabas ng banquet hall ay agad akong pumasok sa mansion. I asked some maids if they saw the Duke. One said that the Duke went to his study, kaya agad akong dumiretso sa silid ko upang kunin ang mga dokyumentong inihanda ko kanina.

Pero halos limang minuto na ata akong nakatayo dito sa labas ng opisina ni Luke. Napahawak ako ng mahigpit sa mga dokyumentong hawak. Tama ba itong gagawin ko?

Nagulat ako ng biglang bumukas ang pinto.

Para akong napako sa kinatatayuan.

Pero mukhang nagulat din siya na makita ako.

"Do you need anything, wife?" He broke the silence first.

Mukhang babalik pa ata siya sa banquet hall.

"Ummmm..."

He sigh.

"Come in." 

Agad akong pumasok sa loob.

He closed the door. Hinintay ko siyang alukin akong umupo, but he did not. Kaya hinarap ko siya. Kasalukuyan siyang nakasandal sa pinto.

"Speak."

"Ummm- this..." Inuna kong ibigay ang dokyumentong noon ko pa nainhanda. 

Agad naman itong tiningnan ni Luke.

Sana huwag siyang magalit.

"The truth is, my father has aquired some of the Duchy's property. And it's all my fault because I gave it without giving a thought. I'm sorry. But I earned some money- hindi ko alam kung sapat na ba yan bilang kabayaran, pero kung kulang ay dadagdagan ko pa. Inilipat ko na ang lahat ng yan sa pangalan mo kaya..."

"I don't care." Pagputol niya sa sinasabi ko.

"What?"

"Everything that I own, is yours. So if you want to give it away, then it's fine."

"But those properties are-" Natiglan ako ng punitin niya ang mga dokyumento.

"If you're worried about the Duchy's finances, it's fine."

But those properties are one of the main source of the Duchy's income.

"Alam mo ba kung ano ang kabayaran kapag naipanalo ko ang gera?" He asked.

Umiling ako.

"I think the King wasn't expecting that we'll succeed. So he agreed to give half of Saar to me."

"W-What?!" Halos lumuwa ang mata ko sa narinig.

"Kaya pinili ko ang lugar kung saan maraming minahan ng ginto at diamante. Those mines belongs to you now."

"H-Ha?" Napaatras ako ng lumapit siya.

His hands made it's way around my waist and hugged me tight.

"I don't care what you do with it. Give it away if you want. I don't care."

He leans his head on my shoulder.

"As long as you're mine." He whispered, and gently bit my neck. He sucked and licked it as if trying to soothe the pain. The thin cloth that covers my neck is making a weird sound as he lick the spot he bit.

"Ahh-Duke wait!" Sa gulat ay nabitawan ko ang mga dokyumentong hawak.

Sabay kaming napatingin sa mga nagkalat na papel sa sahig.

"What are these?"

Oh no, the divorce papers!

Bago pa man yumuko si Luke para abutin ang isa sa mga papel ay agad kong kinuha ang mga ito and ran out of his office.

What the hell is wrong with him?

Paliko na sana ako ng bigla nalang may bumangga sa akin kaya bumagsak ako sa sahig. Hinawakan ko ng maigi ang mga papeles na hawak para hindi ko nanaman mabitawan.

"Oh my god, My Lady, I'm so sorry."

Pagkaangat ko ng tingin ay si Lady Grachell ang nakita ko. What is she doing on this place? Naliligaw ba siya? This is not the way to the quest room she's using.

"I'm okay-" Natigilan ako when I saw her necklace. It looks familiar, hindi ko lang maalala kung saan ko nakita.

"Ah-" She immediately hid it inside the dress she's wearing. "Are you sure you're okay, Your Grace?" Tanong niya.

"Yes, I'm fine." Sagot ko.

I saw a maid passing by, kaya agad ko itong tinawag.

"Can you please escort the Lady to her room? I think she's lost." Utos ko dito.

The maid nodded.

"I'll go ahead, My Lady." Paalam ko kay Grachell at agad ng dumiretso sa silid ko.

Pagkapasok sa silid ay agad akong napasandal sa pinto.

 "As long as you're mine." 

Paulit ulit kong iniling ang ulo ko ng maalala ang sinabi niya kanina.

Hindi ko na talaga alam kung anong gagawin ko sa kanya!

Tiningnan ko ang mga dokyumentong hawak.

Mukhang kailangan kong humanap ng ibang tiempo para ibigay sa kanya itong divorce papers.

Isa isa kong tiningnan ang mga ito.

Napasinghap ako ng makitang kulang ng isa ang divorce papers. Tatlo dapat ito, ngunit dalawa lang ang hawak ko.

"Oh my god!" Agad kong itinago ang mga papeles sa loob ng drawer, at tumakbo palabas ng silid.

Huminto ako sa harap ng opisina ni Luke.

Kanina nang puntahan ko siya ay palabas siya ng silid.

Bumalik na kaya siya sa banquet hall?

"Your Grace?" Kumatok ako ng tatlong beses.

Walang sumagot.

"Your Grace?" Muli akong kumatok.

At nang walang sumagot sa ikalawang pagkakataon ay binuksan ko na ang pinto saka pumasok sa loob.

Madilim na ang paligid, pero hindi na ako naglagay ng pailaw.

The documents he ripped earlier are still on the floor.

Dito ako nakatayo kanina malapit sa upuan. Sinilip ko ang ilalim at kinapa, pero wala roon ang hanap ko.

Lumipat ako sa kabilang gilid kung nasaan ang center table at duon naman sumilip. Kinapa ko din ang ilalim ng center table, pero wala akong nakapang papel.

Agad akong tumayo para sana lumipat sa kabila, pero bigla nalang may tumulak sa akin.

I fell in the settee and was pinned down.

Nang idilat ko ang mga mata ko, a pair of blue irked eyes was staring at me.

"Why?" He asked.

"W-what?"

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa mga kamay ko.

"Why do you want a divorce?"

___________CHAPTER 16___________

As promise, di ko pinatagal. Here's chapter 16 guys! Thanks for reading!

CHAPTER 16.5: Let's divorce the Duke today!

is coming...

Next week.

Charot. Feeling ko kasi mahaba na kaya pinutol ko nalang.

See you on the next update!
Thank you for reading my story. You guys made me happy. 🤍

Good luck nga pala sa lahat ng may finals at magdedefense ng thesis nila! 

VOTE. COMMENTS. RL.
are highly appreciated.
(• ▽ •;)🤍