Chapter 3 3

The gossip spread quickly at the Archduchy of the Archduke. They're talking about the woman that the Archduke carried in his arms and the bite and kiss mark on his neck.

"As far as I know, that's the Crown Prince's fiancee. It hasn't been announced yet, but it's out now," one servant said while doing laundry.

"I heard the Crown Prince was supposed to invite Miss Lynn to dance, but she ended up with the Archduke. Do you think they're in a relationship?" another one asked.

"There are marks on the Archduke's neck that only those in a relationship can leave. So, I think they are. She's also the first woman the Archduke has ever brought," another whispered back.

"For me, they're a better match than the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is cheerful but easily annoyed. If those two end up together, there will always be chaos. I prefer Miss Lynn with the Archduke because he's more composed, while Miss Lynn is a bit playful. It's like a novel," a young maid gushed.

Meanwhile, another servant raised an eyebrow. "Is it true that Miss Lynn has a bad temper?" she asked quietly.

One servant immediately shook her head. "According to my friend who serves in their house, it's not true. It's just gossip meant to tarnish her reputation. She only scolds the disrespectful servants."

"Hey! Enough with the gossip! Get back to work!" the head maid scolded, silencing everyone, and they quickly resumed their tasks.

The head maid sighed, clearly frustrated with the situation. "These things are getting out of hand."

There was chaos when the Archduke returned home with a woman, especially since she was the Crown Prince's fiancee. Querencia hoped the Archduke had a plan for the trouble he had caused.

Querencia slowly opened her eyes and sat up. She rubbed her eyes and looked around, realizing she wasn't in her room. Where was she, and whose room was this?

"Miss..."

She automatically turned to the source of the voice and found Marina standing there.

"Where are we?" she asked immediately.

Marina approached her. "We're in the Archduchy of the Archduke," she replied, leaving Querencia dumbfounded.

"W-what?! Wait. Where's the Archduke?" she asked anxiously and got out of bed. She needed to talk to him.

Marina shook her head. "I don't know. But the Archduke asked me to tell you to have a proper meal before talking to him later at noon," she said.

Querencia held her head in her hands. She didn't know what the Archduke's next move was. They had escaped from her house, and now that she was in his care, her mind was blank.

She sighed and stood up. "I'll take a bath first, Marina," she said and headed to the bathroom. Marina followed with clothes in hand.

"Where did you get those?" she asked later, referring to the clothes while Marina helped her bathe.

Marina glanced up at her and then lowered her eyes. "They're from the Archduke. He noticed we didn't have anything except money. The Astils destroyed the house we stayed in and buried our belongings," she explained as if troubled by something else. It seemed like she had more to say.

"Is there something bothering you, Marina?" she asked, surprising Marina. It seemed Marina hadn't expected her to notice.

Marina bit her lip and sniffled. "Um... it's about what happened. I-I didn't know the Astils would get angry if someone took their plants. I didn't tell you I was going to do it because I thought you might be disgusted. I'm sorry!" she explained while kneeling on the wet floor, as if about to kiss the damp floor.

"I understand, Marina. But you still need to tell me things related to me. It's difficult to be in this situation again, and I don't want a repeat. Do you understand, Marina?" she said sternly, looking at her.

Marina nodded vigorously, wiping away her tears. "Yes, Miss. I understand," she replied, still sniffling.

Querencia patted her on the shoulder. "I forgive you, Marina. Now, get up and sit properly," she calmly said, and Marina quickly complied.

"Okay, Miss," she said, wiping the remaining dampness from her cheeks.

Querencia smiled. "Help me, Marina. I want to look presentable when I meet the Archduke."

Marina suddenly wrinkled her brows. "Do you have feelings for the Archduke?" she asked surprisingly and even choked on her own saliva.

Querencia took a deep breath. "I don't know what you mean by 'feelings,' Marina. But without the Archduke, I will die," she said with a meaningful tone.

She would indeed die because only he had the power to break the engagement and her death. She remembered that the Crown Prince and the Archduke were rivals from childhood. They never got along.

She glanced to her side when she heard Marina gasp.

"Miss... are you in love?" she asked in shock, and she herself was surprised. "It's fine to fall in love with the Archduke, but what about the Crown Prince?" her eyes teared up as she asked.

She couldn't help but grimace. "I don't care about that Crown Prince, Marina. I need the Archduke," because he was the only one who could cut the engagement and her life.

"Hehe... Don't worry, Miss. I'll do everything I can to help you win the Archduke's heart," Marina said with a dog-like smile, as if she had a good plan. "I won't let you down, Miss."

"Your highness, Miss. Lynn is here," announced the guard stationed outside the Archduke's dining room. It was midday when she returned.

The guard opened the door. "Please come in, Miss. Lynn," he politely said.

She entered the dining room and found the Archduke already eating.

She couldn't believe it; she'd been invited, and yet he didn't even glance at her. She was quite beautiful, after all. Tsk.

She discreetly cleared her throat and curtsied. "Good morning, My Lord. Thank you for inviting me for lunch," she greeted politely, then took a seat prepared for her and had her plate filled with food by a servant. Her mouth watered as she saw a steak on the table, one of her favorites.

"You may leave," the Archduke suddenly said, looking at her.

Her gaze followed the calm servants as they exited. She then turned her attention back to the food.

It looked so delicious!

She started cutting the steak just right to savor it properly. As she took her first bite, the delightful taste exploded in her mouth. It was cooked to perfection. She felt like she had momentarily entered heaven.

While savoring her food, she suddenly remembered something. She had dreamt of eating steak that she couldn't bite into and had no flavor when she tried to taste it.

"Miss. Querencia Loretta Lynn. The only Daughter of Baron Lynn," the Archduke suddenly said, using her full name, making her look at him.

He stopped eating and lifted his gaze, staring intensely at her. His intimidating aura sent shivers down her spine. It seemed like he was the one person she couldn't intimidate.

He stared at her as if he could pierce through her soul. "Tell me, what are you doing in my territory," he said firmly, making her sit up straighter.

The atmosphere grew heavy. She had just learned that this was his territory.

She swallowed and forced herself to speak. "Uh... I didn't know that was your territory, My Lord. We got lost because we were being chased by Astil," she calmly explained.

He furrowed his brow even more. "Lost? How did a lady like you end up in a dense forest? Tell me the truth, Miss. Lynn."

She bit her lip, trying to figure out how to say it. How could she admit that she ran away?

She sighed deeply, and the Archduke became even more impatient.

"Miss. Lynn," he called out to her. "I will send a letter to your father and inform-"

"Please! Don't continue that! Fine! I'll talk! I ran away because I didn't want to marry that Crown Prince!" she suddenly shouted, interrupting the Archduke.

He was surprised by her outburst, and she was too.

She covered her mouth and silently scolded herself. She knew what would happen now. She was in big trouble. It was all her "kind" father's fault. Because of his decision, she had shouted and cut off the Archduke.

The Archduke stood up abruptly and began to walk away, apparently about to leave.

"Oh no!" She lost her balance suddenly, and she knew exactly where she was going.

"Ugh!"

She looked at the Archduke, whom she had just fallen on. She was on top of him now. How did this even happen?

"Get off me," he said quietly, as if she weighed a ton.

She felt so light!

"Now, Miss. Lynn," he said, but she didn't listen. Maybe he was leaving.

She boldly planted her arms on either side of him. "No! Please, My Lord, listen first! Because I got lost, I'll make use of this opportunity! Please don't kill me now, I'm still young-"

"You're already 25," he interrupted, covering her mouth with his hand. Why was he interrupting when she hadn't finished her line?

She took a deep breath. "I'm still young!" she said, her face turning red. "And..." Her confident expression from earlier suddenly turned meek, as did her voice. "I need someone powerful to break that unwanted and forced engagement, My Lord. And it's you. That's why I approached you," she said, her eyes welling up with tears. She didn't want to die yet. She wanted to enjoy her life.

The Archduke removed his hand from her mouth. "How bold of you."

She was surprised when he suddenly grabbed her neck and the world spun. She felt the cold floor against her back.

They switched positions, and she didn't know how!

He looked down at her. "I don't want to interfere with someone's business, Miss. So you should go home," he said seriously, about to move away. But she quickly pulled his collar, causing it to rip and revealing marks on his neck.

Seeing those marks, she suddenly remembered her dream. "Steak..." her lips quivered as she looked at the Archduke, who seemed to be struggling to breathe.

Her heart began to beat rapidly and loudly. "M-my-"

Her words were abruptly cut off when the door opened.

They both turned to look, their eyes widening.

"Oh my God!"

She blushed immediately. The Housekeeper had caught them in that position.