A sordid smile emerged from Matthias’ lips as looked up at his bold mistress. He laid beneath her in dormancy, as if handing over the reigns completely under her command.
On the other hand, Leyla’s heart was beating wildly in her chest in a mix of anxiety and excitement at the prospect of her leading tonight’s activities. She eyed him in a contemplative manner, before eventually lowering her torso closer to his…
Matthias would have groaned out in relief the moment her bare chest draped across his, but he found himself pleasantly surprised when Leyla’s tongue delved deep into his mouth not a second later, swallowing whatever sound he would have made.
Their lips danced against each other, their tongues entangling with each other as they devoured each other mutually. Matthias wanted to watch her more, but the feel of her lips against his was too overwhelming, his eyes fluttered shut eventually.
With his sight gone from the equation, the other sensations heightened, making him feel the warmth emanating from Leyla above him. At this distance, he could smell the sweet scent he’d come to associate with her…
His fists clenched tighter around the sheets in an effort to reign in his building urges that the veins along his arms were becoming more defined. He eagerly took and savored her fiery kisses, swallowing down the saliva dripping from both their mouths.
‘There must be something,’ Matthias belatedly thought as Leyla pulled away with a wet pop, a thin line of saliva connecting their lips. She eyed him with half-lidded eyes, before her nimble fingers grabbed onto the collar of his shirt…
And she deftly began unbuttoning it one by one.
Her hips rocked temptingly above his clothed erection, making him groan in response as he threw his head back at the sweet friction. Her dainty hands began roaming his bare chest, chilly fingers brushing over his pebbled nipples, before he felt her shift her hips down to his thighs…
Leyla felt her hands freeze in their ministrations as she eyed the buckles of the Duke’s pants. The prospect of having to undress the Duke by her own volition was so much like choosing to jump over a cliff…
But she had to. She wanted to seduce him, and trap him in a lie full of sweetness and lust.
‘Something is happening here,’ Matthias’ thoughts continued as he watched her hesitate, ‘This sudden change in tune, it can’t have happened overnight.’
Despite his willingness to indulge in such actions and sweet words, Matthias’ mind remained alert, and was well aware something was amiss behind the recent smiles and amiability he was being shown by the object of his desires.
But in his mind, he could only assume she was gearing up to ask something from him. And despite his preference of gaining this sweet treatment from her, he wasn’t entirely fooled by her sudden easy smiles and acts of intimacy.
‘It doesn’t matter in the end why she’s being very cooperative lately,’ Matthias thought. He’d just give what she wanted with no question, so long as she kept staying by his side. She needed only to ask it of him, and he’ll give her anything, and everything she dreamed of.
Leyla still had to completely remove Matthias’ shirt from his arms, She grabbed the edges of his polo shirt, and got ready to pry them off of him. In the process of preparing herself, she vaguely noticed her breathing quickening, as well as the rush of blood warming up her face, all the way down to the top of her breasts as her hands shook.
Yet despite the growing nervousness, there was fiery determination in her eyes.
Taking slight pity at her sudden shyness, Matthias released one of his hands from laying limply at his sides, and reached up to tuck a stray strand behind her ear. At his movement, Leyla’s eyes widened in surprise, finally shaking out of her nervous wreck and suddenly moved back up his thighs, sitting firmly on his crotch.
At the sudden return of her heat on top of his erection, Matthias let out a curse in frustration as he tried not to thrust up into her. Leyla felt her face flush even more at the sudden break in character for the Duke.
Matthias met her eyes, not even phased by the obscene word that escaped his lips.
He could see she was still a little nervous. He let out a resigned smile, and dropped his hand back to his side, relenting the controls back to her as he returned to restraining himself.
Once he’d deferred to her control once more, Leyla felt a rush of momentary relief. She chanced a look around her, contemplating, almost like she was regretting ever taking the lead.
All around them, all she could see was the blatant representation of the richness and power of the man beneath her. Aside from the spacious and luxurious bedroom, her eyes darted back to the canary sleeping soundly in a beautiful cage.
Her eyes glanced back down at the man lying under her.
And just like that, her previous bravado left her, and now she was left with an overwhelming suffocation in the situation she currently found herself in.
How embarrassing this was. And to think she actually had the gall to be proud of taking control for once! That was only possible because Matthias allowed it to be. If he wanted to, he would have taken absolute control by now.
Even when he let her lead, she really wasn’t the one truly in charge in the end. It had always been Matthias.
And Leyla couldn’t help the pang of shame and disappointment in herself for having forgotten that.
“Keep going, my Queen.” Matthias urged her, gesturing for her to continue and lead them to pleasure. Despite how crooked his smile looked, it was equally fascinating as repulsive as it was to her.
‘What are you doing, Leyla?’ She asked herself as she tried to keep down the burning humiliation in her actions.
How blinded had she currently been that she didn’t realize that even now, Matthias was still teasing her to his own amusement?!
There was a familiar pin pricking sensation in her eyes, making her lower them in an attempt to hide them from the Duke.
The sight of his naked chest harshly reminded her of how she was currently straddling him, and in her embarrassment, she hastily looked back up to avert her eyes from it and saw his face instead, intensely looking at her.
With her earlier confidence having left her completely, she twisted her body hastily, but Matthias’ finally moved and quickly grabbed her by the waist, keeping her firmly in place. She gasped upon his touch, and braced herself, palms landing on his shoulder as she kept him at arm’s length.
“I-I’ll stop here.” She stuttered in all seriousness, unable to keep going.
Everything about this was horrifying! She had been so confident in her abilities, that everything would go as planned, and yet she fell right into his trap with the trap she laid out for him!
There was no other way now. She needed to make haste and escape from him immediately before she got caught deeper into his schemes!
Leyla was roughly shaken out of her morbid thoughts, a squeal escaping her as the sudden rush of air out of her!
She moaned as something prodded at her breasts, and she threw her head back at the quickening heat welling up in her. She let out a breathy gasp, before she glanced down, and saw Matthias now sitting up, and swallowing her left breast with much gusto, suckling on her perky nubs like an infant would.
She squirmed in his hold, her mind half-filled with the growing arousal in her, the other half battling for rational thought to win over baser desires. But it seemed the time to let her do as she wished had come for an end, for the Duke’s hold tightened around her, their hips grinding against each other insistently despite his clothed state.
Matthias’ hand trailed up the nape of her neck, grabbing a fistful of her golden locks and pulled back, making her moan in the added sensation of pain and pleasure mixing perfectly.
Matthias quickly switched breasts, repeating the same treatment over her neglected nub until all strength left her, leaving her all ragged and wanton in the aftermath of his touch.
She knew by now her chest was littered with multiple bites and hickeys he’d left on her purposefully. She sagged against his chest, unable to support herself up.
“Please, that’s enough…” she breathed out, but Matthias only gathered her limp form in his arms, and maneuvered her in a position that well suited him tonight.
She noticed a shadow had come over her, and when she looked up, she saw the Duke hovering above her, eyes devouring the sight of her marked body in a greedy manner.
She was back beneath him. She was trapped once again.
“Didn’t you say once that promises should be kept?” Matthias asked her as his legs pried hers apart, creating space for him to get into, “You made a promise to me earlier,” His voice dropped to a low baritone, a hint of a growl in the back of his throat and Leyla stifled back a moan as she shivered.
“I intend to make you keep that promise to me, my dearest mistress.” He whispered to her ear, and Leyla began to squirm beneath him once more as she heard the sounds of his pants being unbuckled.
“My dearest queen.” He added, before his calloused palms gripped her inner thighs, prying them further apart to accommodate him.
Leyla met his eyes in a daze, half in exhaustion and the other half in equal lust. She could feel the arousal welling back up inside her, her inner walls turning moist at the blunt head rubbing up against her entrance.
He must have seen the acceptance in her eyes, for he gave her a satisfied grin before filling her up completely once again in one swift thrust.
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
Ratz’s spring party became more exciting as the night went by. Having been tired of dancing along the music, drinking champagne, and chatting with the other ladies, Claudine quietly slipped into the lounge, away from the others. As soon as she entered, the faint scent of flowers wafted through her nose, blowing from the open window.
With spring approaching early, the flowers have already begun to bloom. Upon the thought that summer would soon come in the blink of an eye, relief and disillusionment flooded within her, eagerly awaiting for the season to arrive.
“It would be a shame if the queen of this party left so early.” A familiar voice piped up behind her, jolting Claudine back into reality as she whirled around to see her new companion.
It was Riette.
Though things between them had turned tense, she didn’t bother trying to avoid him. Though it left her with an empty feeling at this metaphorical distance that had come between them.
“I just needed a short break, that’s all.” Claudine informed him politely. And Riette let out a low chuckle.
“Ah, it’s never too early to be Duchess Herhardt, I suppose.” He remarked lightly, but a hint of bitterness was in its undertones. Claudine’s brows crinkled at his words, and Riette’s eyes softened momentarily before a nasty smirk made its way to his lips.
“Am I not wrong?” He asked her, tilting his head, “Why such a sour expression?”
“Riette….”
“After all you worked your whole life for this position,” Riette continued, interrupting her, “It’s just around the corner after all, and then you’d become Duchess Herhardt for real.” He stated it in a mocking manner, and Claudine’s hands fisted at her sides.
“If those words help your bruised ego, then I will gladly understand.” She huffed back before schooling her features once more, and looked away from him.
Riette could only smile despondently to himself, cradling the half-filled wine glass in his hand as he regarded her. Despite her cool tones, he could see by the way she was standing up, that this thing between them was uncomfortable to her.
‘Is my ego bruised?’ he thought to himself, eyeing the flowing wine on the sides of his glass, ‘Am I hurt?’
Of course he was. He laid his heart out sincerely, only for Claudine to repeatedly refuse it. He knew that it had the least probability of succeeding but deep down, he couldn’t help but hope.
A hope that if he had approached her sincerely, perhaps Claudine’s answer might change.
‘So do I hate her for it?’
What a ridiculous notion it was, when he’d ask himself such a question, he couldn’t help but laugh despairingly at the most honest answer he could find in himself.
‘How I wished I could hate her…’
It had always been the same. Ever since he’d first laid eyes on her, and realized she was to be betrothed to the Duke of Herhardt, he’d fervently prayed for a different outcome.
And yet, no matter what he did to change it…
Nothing’s changed.
Even as he’d been wholeheartedly honest, and stood by her side, Claudine was resolute in her ways. He knew she was selfish in some ways, and more arrogant than the other ladies, yet he could never hate her.
He could only pity the situation she’d been molded in.
“What an honor it is, that the Duchess, the queen of current society, to be worried about me at all.” Riette chuckled smoothly, before kneeling in front of the ottoman chair where Claudine had been sitting. “I’m afraid though, mere concerns are not enough to soothe me this time, my dearest Duchess, when it’s you who’ve wounded me so.” He told her softly, and Claudine looked back at him in alarm.
“Be more careful about your words, Marquis Lindman,” She told him firmly, eyes discretely darting around them, “You must keep your dignity.”
“Why, my dignity was never in question, my Duchess,” He replied smoothly, reaching out for one of her hands, before bringing it close to his lips, “All I ask of you right now, is just one dance,” He then looked up to her with half-lidded eyes…
“Will you allow me this pleasure at least?” He asked her with a sad smile, and Claudine found herself unable to deny him, even though she didn’t want to.
Claudine’s first dance partner, when she debuted in the social world, was none other than Matthias, himself. Everyone knew it was as it should be, and so did Claudine. However, whenever she’d recall her dances that night…
The most memorable thing was her last waltz. When she had danced with Riette.
His movements weren’t as perfect as Matthias’s, but it was in his arms, she felt like she was being cared for. Although not as elegant and courteous as Mathias had greeted her, it was his playful smile, spilling heartfelt congratulations to her debut in the society that eased her worries that night.
It was the warmth that Riette shared that comforted her strangely aching heart, that scared her the most in spending this added time with him. Even though she was treated like a princess by Duke Herhardt, society’s most envied groom, and currently the most desirable bachelor..
And yet at the end of the day, Claudine couldn’t help but take Riette’s hand, accepting his invitation to a dance. As he had implied, just because they danced together once, won’t mean a line between them had been crossed.
As if to prove him right, no one batted an eye even as they watched the two of them glide across the ballroom.
It was another ordinary night of festivities.
And yet, in Riette’s arms tonight, she felt a cold chill in the pit of her stomach. He danced with her in his arms, yes, but there was a distinct lack of the warmth he used to hold her in.
He was dancing very politely, as though there was a physical wall between them. Like a gentleman who had asked a lady stranger’s hand for a dance.
Soon their song had come to an end, as the music faded in the background and people stopped dancing around them. Riette gave her a sad smile, before he moved to take hold of her hand…
Except, he retracted.
Instead, he dropped into a respectful bow in front of her.
“It was a great honor, to have danced with you Lady-no,” Riette shook his head and gave her a longing gaze, before smiling brightly, “Duchess Herhardt.”
They held each other’s gazes for a second longer, yet Claudine could see this time, it was Riette who was drawing a line, for both their sakes.
Just as she wished him to.
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
In the end, Claudine was relieved. This was a good thing, she thought relentlessly as she returned to the Brandt house that had been based in Ratz. She kept telling herself this was for the best, ever since the festivities came to an end, up until she was back in the privacy of her own bedroom.
Still she kept tossing and turning when she’d gone to bed. Unable to sleep, she got up and turned on the night lamp beside her bed, giving a soft warm glow around her direct vicinity. If anyone was to see her though, she would still look unusually pale.
Was this goodbye then? Was Riette’s unrequited love coming to a close, finally?
If so, why was his last smile still stuck in her head?
Even though he’d yet to be engaged, it was unlikely that he’d be behind everyone else. She wagered that he’d find a suitable bride within this year. As such, he will soon end up married, ultimately fulfilling his duty.
Indeed this was a fitting goodbye, Claudine knew that to be true and yet…
And yet…
Claudine’s eyes screwed shut as she clutched her bed covers in frustration. She bit her lower lip to prevent the threatening frustration screaming out her lips, before her eyes snapped open, and she threw the covers off of her!
Getting up from her bed, she put on a robe and strode with purpose towards the door. But just as she was about to grab hold of the knob, her hands froze, hovering unsurely at the door in front of her.
There was a sinking feeling of anger and frustration deep inside her at the thought she was losing Riette forever…
Why should she be the only one who kept losing in this engagement?!
Claudine’s goals remained unchanged. She was still determined to be a duchess, but she had no desire to endure an unfair loss between them. If this marriage was to be a business deal between the two great families, then she should be gaining an equal share.
And so should Matthias!
Forcing herself to calm down, Claudine strode back towards her bedroom, and lit the lamp by her desk table. She then sat down, before grabbing a piece of paper, a quill on the other. As she breathed in and out deeply in slow rhythmic patterns, the cold glint in her eyes soon turned into a frozen tundra.
If she, Claudine von Brandt, was to lose her love for a perfect marriage, then so should Matthias.
Why should Matthias keep getting what he wanted? A perfect marriage, and now the mistress he always wanted?
‘I won’t let it happen,’ she thought hatefully as she clutched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
“It shouldn’t matter how great a Duchess’ position is – nothing is worth it if you’ll end up destroying yourself, Claudine.”
Riette’s voice of reason echoed deep in the recesses of her mind, making her hesitate in what she was about to do.
He wouldn’t want her to do this. This wasn’t like her, and yet…
And yet…
Riette’s look of resignation at that last second they held gazes before he turned away from her earlier in the night flashed through her mind…
Riette was no longer by her side.
Her grip on the pen tightened, before Claudine eventually took the quill pen, and dipped it in ink. She wiped the excess off the edge of the bottle, before the tip of the pen touched the paper’s surface.
And she scribbled away, putting her thoughts into actions.
She did not doubt Leyla’s promise that she would leave Matthias. It wasn’t in her nature to sully her morals, not when she’d been so humiliated! Not after everything Claudine revealed to her at that moment.
If she were just that kind of woman, maybe she wouldn’t hate Leyla Lewellin like this.
But Claudine was getting impatient. She didn’t want to wait for that perfect moment, and leave everything to Leyla’s timing!
Why on earth should she do that?
She might be unable to kill Leyla, but she knew exactly how to make sure Leyla would want to disappear and die as far away from them as possible…
And ultimately make Matthias lose the one thing that was very dear to him.
Claudine’s words flowed effortlessly as she scribbled away in a mad rage, the words blurring in front of her. She folded the letter carefully in a pristine envelope, and sealed it, scribbling the name of its recipient…
One foolish, old gardener.
A sordid smile emerged from Matthias’ lips as looked up at his bold mistress. He laid beneath her in dormancy, as if handing over the reigns completely under her command.
On the other hand, Leyla’s heart was beating wildly in her chest in a mix of anxiety and excitement at the prospect of her leading tonight’s activities. She eyed him in a contemplative manner, before eventually lowering her torso closer to his…
Matthias would have groaned out in relief the moment her bare chest draped across his, but he found himself pleasantly surprised when Leyla’s tongue delved deep into his mouth not a second later, swallowing whatever sound he would have made.
Their lips danced against each other, their tongues entangling with each other as they devoured each other mutually. Matthias wanted to watch her more, but the feel of her lips against his was too overwhelming, his eyes fluttered shut eventually.
With his sight gone from the equation, the other sensations heightened, making him feel the warmth emanating from Leyla above him. At this distance, he could smell the sweet scent he’d come to associate with her…
His fists clenched tighter around the sheets in an effort to reign in his building urges that the veins along his arms were becoming more defined. He eagerly took and savored her fiery kisses, swallowing down the saliva dripping from both their mouths.
‘There must be something,’ Matthias belatedly thought as Leyla pulled away with a wet pop, a thin line of saliva connecting their lips. She eyed him with half-lidded eyes, before her nimble fingers grabbed onto the collar of his shirt…
And she deftly began unbuttoning it one by one.
Her hips rocked temptingly above his clothed erection, making him groan in response as he threw his head back at the sweet friction. Her dainty hands began roaming his bare chest, chilly fingers brushing over his pebbled nipples, before he felt her shift her hips down to his thighs…
Leyla felt her hands freeze in their ministrations as she eyed the buckles of the Duke’s pants. The prospect of having to undress the Duke by her own volition was so much like choosing to jump over a cliff…
But she had to. She wanted to seduce him, and trap him in a lie full of sweetness and lust.
‘Something is happening here,’ Matthias’ thoughts continued as he watched her hesitate, ‘This sudden change in tune, it can’t have happened overnight.’
Despite his willingness to indulge in such actions and sweet words, Matthias’ mind remained alert, and was well aware something was amiss behind the recent smiles and amiability he was being shown by the object of his desires.
But in his mind, he could only assume she was gearing up to ask something from him. And despite his preference of gaining this sweet treatment from her, he wasn’t entirely fooled by her sudden easy smiles and acts of intimacy.
‘It doesn’t matter in the end why she’s being very cooperative lately,’ Matthias thought. He’d just give what she wanted with no question, so long as she kept staying by his side. She needed only to ask it of him, and he’ll give her anything, and everything she dreamed of.
Leyla still had to completely remove Matthias’ shirt from his arms, She grabbed the edges of his polo shirt, and got ready to pry them off of him. In the process of preparing herself, she vaguely noticed her breathing quickening, as well as the rush of blood warming up her face, all the way down to the top of her breasts as her hands shook.
Yet despite the growing nervousness, there was fiery determination in her eyes.
Taking slight pity at her sudden shyness, Matthias released one of his hands from laying limply at his sides, and reached up to tuck a stray strand behind her ear. At his movement, Leyla’s eyes widened in surprise, finally shaking out of her nervous wreck and suddenly moved back up his thighs, sitting firmly on his crotch.
At the sudden return of her heat on top of his erection, Matthias let out a curse in frustration as he tried not to thrust up into her. Leyla felt her face flush even more at the sudden break in character for the Duke.
Matthias met her eyes, not even phased by the obscene word that escaped his lips.
He could see she was still a little nervous. He let out a resigned smile, and dropped his hand back to his side, relenting the controls back to her as he returned to restraining himself.
Once he’d deferred to her control once more, Leyla felt a rush of momentary relief. She chanced a look around her, contemplating, almost like she was regretting ever taking the lead.
All around them, all she could see was the blatant representation of the richness and power of the man beneath her. Aside from the spacious and luxurious bedroom, her eyes darted back to the canary sleeping soundly in a beautiful cage.
Her eyes glanced back down at the man lying under her.
And just like that, her previous bravado left her, and now she was left with an overwhelming suffocation in the situation she currently found herself in.
How embarrassing this was. And to think she actually had the gall to be proud of taking control for once! That was only possible because Matthias allowed it to be. If he wanted to, he would have taken absolute control by now.
Even when he let her lead, she really wasn’t the one truly in charge in the end. It had always been Matthias.
And Leyla couldn’t help the pang of shame and disappointment in herself for having forgotten that.
“Keep going, my Queen.” Matthias urged her, gesturing for her to continue and lead them to pleasure. Despite how crooked his smile looked, it was equally fascinating as repulsive as it was to her.
‘What are you doing, Leyla?’ She asked herself as she tried to keep down the burning humiliation in her actions.
How blinded had she currently been that she didn’t realize that even now, Matthias was still teasing her to his own amusement?!
There was a familiar pin pricking sensation in her eyes, making her lower them in an attempt to hide them from the Duke.
The sight of his naked chest harshly reminded her of how she was currently straddling him, and in her embarrassment, she hastily looked back up to avert her eyes from it and saw his face instead, intensely looking at her.
With her earlier confidence having left her completely, she twisted her body hastily, but Matthias’ finally moved and quickly grabbed her by the waist, keeping her firmly in place. She gasped upon his touch, and braced herself, palms landing on his shoulder as she kept him at arm’s length.
“I-I’ll stop here.” She stuttered in all seriousness, unable to keep going.
Everything about this was horrifying! She had been so confident in her abilities, that everything would go as planned, and yet she fell right into his trap with the trap she laid out for him!
There was no other way now. She needed to make haste and escape from him immediately before she got caught deeper into his schemes!
Leyla was roughly shaken out of her morbid thoughts, a squeal escaping her as the sudden rush of air out of her!
She moaned as something prodded at her breasts, and she threw her head back at the quickening heat welling up in her. She let out a breathy gasp, before she glanced down, and saw Matthias now sitting up, and swallowing her left breast with much gusto, suckling on her perky nubs like an infant would.
She squirmed in his hold, her mind half-filled with the growing arousal in her, the other half battling for rational thought to win over baser desires. But it seemed the time to let her do as she wished had come for an end, for the Duke’s hold tightened around her, their hips grinding against each other insistently despite his clothed state.
Matthias’ hand trailed up the nape of her neck, grabbing a fistful of her golden locks and pulled back, making her moan in the added sensation of pain and pleasure mixing perfectly.
Matthias quickly switched breasts, repeating the same treatment over her neglected nub until all strength left her, leaving her all ragged and wanton in the aftermath of his touch.
She knew by now her chest was littered with multiple bites and hickeys he’d left on her purposefully. She sagged against his chest, unable to support herself up.
“Please, that’s enough…” she breathed out, but Matthias only gathered her limp form in his arms, and maneuvered her in a position that well suited him tonight.
She noticed a shadow had come over her, and when she looked up, she saw the Duke hovering above her, eyes devouring the sight of her marked body in a greedy manner.
She was back beneath him. She was trapped once again.
“Didn’t you say once that promises should be kept?” Matthias asked her as his legs pried hers apart, creating space for him to get into, “You made a promise to me earlier,” His voice dropped to a low baritone, a hint of a growl in the back of his throat and Leyla stifled back a moan as she shivered.
“I intend to make you keep that promise to me, my dearest mistress.” He whispered to her ear, and Leyla began to squirm beneath him once more as she heard the sounds of his pants being unbuckled.
“My dearest queen.” He added, before his calloused palms gripped her inner thighs, prying them further apart to accommodate him.
Leyla met his eyes in a daze, half in exhaustion and the other half in equal lust. She could feel the arousal welling back up inside her, her inner walls turning moist at the blunt head rubbing up against her entrance.
He must have seen the acceptance in her eyes, for he gave her a satisfied grin before filling her up completely once again in one swift thrust.
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
Ratz’s spring party became more exciting as the night went by. Having been tired of dancing along the music, drinking champagne, and chatting with the other ladies, Claudine quietly slipped into the lounge, away from the others. As soon as she entered, the faint scent of flowers wafted through her nose, blowing from the open window.
With spring approaching early, the flowers have already begun to bloom. Upon the thought that summer would soon come in the blink of an eye, relief and disillusionment flooded within her, eagerly awaiting for the season to arrive.
“It would be a shame if the queen of this party left so early.” A familiar voice piped up behind her, jolting Claudine back into reality as she whirled around to see her new companion.
It was Riette.
Though things between them had turned tense, she didn’t bother trying to avoid him. Though it left her with an empty feeling at this metaphorical distance that had come between them.
“I just needed a short break, that’s all.” Claudine informed him politely. And Riette let out a low chuckle.
“Ah, it’s never too early to be Duchess Herhardt, I suppose.” He remarked lightly, but a hint of bitterness was in its undertones. Claudine’s brows crinkled at his words, and Riette’s eyes softened momentarily before a nasty smirk made its way to his lips.
“Am I not wrong?” He asked her, tilting his head, “Why such a sour expression?”
“Riette….”
“After all you worked your whole life for this position,” Riette continued, interrupting her, “It’s just around the corner after all, and then you’d become Duchess Herhardt for real.” He stated it in a mocking manner, and Claudine’s hands fisted at her sides.
“If those words help your bruised ego, then I will gladly understand.” She huffed back before schooling her features once more, and looked away from him.
Riette could only smile despondently to himself, cradling the half-filled wine glass in his hand as he regarded her. Despite her cool tones, he could see by the way she was standing up, that this thing between them was uncomfortable to her.
‘Is my ego bruised?’ he thought to himself, eyeing the flowing wine on the sides of his glass, ‘Am I hurt?’
Of course he was. He laid his heart out sincerely, only for Claudine to repeatedly refuse it. He knew that it had the least probability of succeeding but deep down, he couldn’t help but hope.
A hope that if he had approached her sincerely, perhaps Claudine’s answer might change.
‘So do I hate her for it?’
What a ridiculous notion it was, when he’d ask himself such a question, he couldn’t help but laugh despairingly at the most honest answer he could find in himself.
‘How I wished I could hate her…’
It had always been the same. Ever since he’d first laid eyes on her, and realized she was to be betrothed to the Duke of Herhardt, he’d fervently prayed for a different outcome.
And yet, no matter what he did to change it…
Nothing’s changed.
Even as he’d been wholeheartedly honest, and stood by her side, Claudine was resolute in her ways. He knew she was selfish in some ways, and more arrogant than the other ladies, yet he could never hate her.
He could only pity the situation she’d been molded in.
“What an honor it is, that the Duchess, the queen of current society, to be worried about me at all.” Riette chuckled smoothly, before kneeling in front of the ottoman chair where Claudine had been sitting. “I’m afraid though, mere concerns are not enough to soothe me this time, my dearest Duchess, when it’s you who’ve wounded me so.” He told her softly, and Claudine looked back at him in alarm.
“Be more careful about your words, Marquis Lindman,” She told him firmly, eyes discretely darting around them, “You must keep your dignity.”
“Why, my dignity was never in question, my Duchess,” He replied smoothly, reaching out for one of her hands, before bringing it close to his lips, “All I ask of you right now, is just one dance,” He then looked up to her with half-lidded eyes…
“Will you allow me this pleasure at least?” He asked her with a sad smile, and Claudine found herself unable to deny him, even though she didn’t want to.
Claudine’s first dance partner, when she debuted in the social world, was none other than Matthias, himself. Everyone knew it was as it should be, and so did Claudine. However, whenever she’d recall her dances that night…
The most memorable thing was her last waltz. When she had danced with Riette.
His movements weren’t as perfect as Matthias’s, but it was in his arms, she felt like she was being cared for. Although not as elegant and courteous as Mathias had greeted her, it was his playful smile, spilling heartfelt congratulations to her debut in the society that eased her worries that night.
It was the warmth that Riette shared that comforted her strangely aching heart, that scared her the most in spending this added time with him. Even though she was treated like a princess by Duke Herhardt, society’s most envied groom, and currently the most desirable bachelor..
And yet at the end of the day, Claudine couldn’t help but take Riette’s hand, accepting his invitation to a dance. As he had implied, just because they danced together once, won’t mean a line between them had been crossed.
As if to prove him right, no one batted an eye even as they watched the two of them glide across the ballroom.
It was another ordinary night of festivities.
And yet, in Riette’s arms tonight, she felt a cold chill in the pit of her stomach. He danced with her in his arms, yes, but there was a distinct lack of the warmth he used to hold her in.
He was dancing very politely, as though there was a physical wall between them. Like a gentleman who had asked a lady stranger’s hand for a dance.
Soon their song had come to an end, as the music faded in the background and people stopped dancing around them. Riette gave her a sad smile, before he moved to take hold of her hand…
Except, he retracted.
Instead, he dropped into a respectful bow in front of her.
“It was a great honor, to have danced with you Lady-no,” Riette shook his head and gave her a longing gaze, before smiling brightly, “Duchess Herhardt.”
They held each other’s gazes for a second longer, yet Claudine could see this time, it was Riette who was drawing a line, for both their sakes.
Just as she wished him to.
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
In the end, Claudine was relieved. This was a good thing, she thought relentlessly as she returned to the Brandt house that had been based in Ratz. She kept telling herself this was for the best, ever since the festivities came to an end, up until she was back in the privacy of her own bedroom.
Still she kept tossing and turning when she’d gone to bed. Unable to sleep, she got up and turned on the night lamp beside her bed, giving a soft warm glow around her direct vicinity. If anyone was to see her though, she would still look unusually pale.
Was this goodbye then? Was Riette’s unrequited love coming to a close, finally?
If so, why was his last smile still stuck in her head?
Even though he’d yet to be engaged, it was unlikely that he’d be behind everyone else. She wagered that he’d find a suitable bride within this year. As such, he will soon end up married, ultimately fulfilling his duty.
Indeed this was a fitting goodbye, Claudine knew that to be true and yet…
And yet…
Claudine’s eyes screwed shut as she clutched her bed covers in frustration. She bit her lower lip to prevent the threatening frustration screaming out her lips, before her eyes snapped open, and she threw the covers off of her!
Getting up from her bed, she put on a robe and strode with purpose towards the door. But just as she was about to grab hold of the knob, her hands froze, hovering unsurely at the door in front of her.
There was a sinking feeling of anger and frustration deep inside her at the thought she was losing Riette forever…
Why should she be the only one who kept losing in this engagement?!
Claudine’s goals remained unchanged. She was still determined to be a duchess, but she had no desire to endure an unfair loss between them. If this marriage was to be a business deal between the two great families, then she should be gaining an equal share.
And so should Matthias!
Forcing herself to calm down, Claudine strode back towards her bedroom, and lit the lamp by her desk table. She then sat down, before grabbing a piece of paper, a quill on the other. As she breathed in and out deeply in slow rhythmic patterns, the cold glint in her eyes soon turned into a frozen tundra.
If she, Claudine von Brandt, was to lose her love for a perfect marriage, then so should Matthias.
Why should Matthias keep getting what he wanted? A perfect marriage, and now the mistress he always wanted?
‘I won’t let it happen,’ she thought hatefully as she clutched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
“It shouldn’t matter how great a Duchess’ position is – nothing is worth it if you’ll end up destroying yourself, Claudine.”
Riette’s voice of reason echoed deep in the recesses of her mind, making her hesitate in what she was about to do.
He wouldn’t want her to do this. This wasn’t like her, and yet…
And yet…
Riette’s look of resignation at that last second they held gazes before he turned away from her earlier in the night flashed through her mind…
Riette was no longer by her side.
Her grip on the pen tightened, before Claudine eventually took the quill pen, and dipped it in ink. She wiped the excess off the edge of the bottle, before the tip of the pen touched the paper’s surface.
And she scribbled away, putting her thoughts into actions.
She did not doubt Leyla’s promise that she would leave Matthias. It wasn’t in her nature to sully her morals, not when she’d been so humiliated! Not after everything Claudine revealed to her at that moment.
If she were just that kind of woman, maybe she wouldn’t hate Leyla Lewellin like this.
But Claudine was getting impatient. She didn’t want to wait for that perfect moment, and leave everything to Leyla’s timing!
Why on earth should she do that?
She might be unable to kill Leyla, but she knew exactly how to make sure Leyla would want to disappear and die as far away from them as possible…
And ultimately make Matthias lose the one thing that was very dear to him.
Claudine’s words flowed effortlessly as she scribbled away in a mad rage, the words blurring in front of her. She folded the letter carefully in a pristine envelope, and sealed it, scribbling the name of its recipient…
One foolish, old gardener.
