Chapter 1 Duke-001

Hazel was reading an old book while lying on her bed. She was deeply absorbed in the world created by the author, taking her to places she had never explored before. Occasionally, her frail fingers turned the pages. In the quiet room, the only sound was her steady breathing. Outside, life went on without her, and Hazel had grown accustomed to the oppressive solitude.

As she was lost in her own world, the door to her room creaked open. A young servant stood at the door, hesitating before stepping inside. "Miss Hazel," she called softly. "Count Barnum requests your presence in the hall."

Hazel looked up from her book, her eyes filled with confusion. "Father wants to see me?" she asked in disbelief. It had been a long time since she last saw her father.

"Yes, Miss," the servant replied, bowing her head slightly. "Count Barnum is waiting in the hall."

Hazel carefully closed her book and put it aside. She struggled to gather the strength to rise from her bed; the pain that always accompanied her made every movement difficult. The servant stepped forward and extended her hand to help, but Hazel shook her head, trying to get up on her own.

"I can manage," she said weakly but firmly. "Thank you."

With unsteady steps, Hazel left her room, feeling the cold marble floor beneath her feet. Each step felt like a tremendous effort, but she kept moving toward the living room where her father awaited. When she reached the door to the living room, Hazel took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She slowly opened the door and stepped inside. There, in the middle of the large room, stood her father, Barnum Ellsworth, with an expression that was hard to read.

"You finally came," Barnum said coldly. His eyes pierced through Hazel, as if searching for something long lost.

"Why did you call me, Father?" Hazel asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"There's something we need to discuss," Barnum replied bluntly. "You know, Hazel, I've tried to understand what you could contribute to this family. But as time goes on, I realize more and more that you're of no use to us."

In the large but silent hall, Count Barnum Ellsworth paced back and forth with quick, agitated steps. His face was flushed, showing the burning anger within him. Hazel slowly walked toward the sofa and sat down, her frail body draped in brown satin, contrasting with her perpetually pale face. Her large, teary eyes looked at her father with deep fear.

Barnum stopped right in front of Hazel and looked at her with a gaze that could pierce the heart. "You are utterly useless!" he shouted with a trembling voice. "Look at yourself, Hazel. You've been nothing but a burden for years! No nobleman, merchant, or high society would even glance at you. You're alive, but it's like you're already dead. You're like an invisible ghost!"

Hazel lowered her head, tears streaming down her face. Her father's words felt like daggers stabbing directly into her heart. "I... I never asked to be born like this," she whispered, barely audible.

"You're right. I wanted a daughter who was healthy, intelligent, and beautiful. At least if you were healthy and beautiful, a prince would consider you as his wife. Your marriage would have a significant impact on the family business. But look at yourself-weak and useless," Barnum sneered. "Unfortunately, you were born as my daughter, becoming an obstacle to all the plans and profits I could have achieved. You are the greatest failure of my life."

"I... I'm so sorry, Father..." Hazel's tears flowed even more.

"Look at your brothers! At least they can help me manage the company. And you? What do you do, you worthless trash!"

The hall, once silent, now echoed with Barnum's anger. The air around Hazel felt toxic, and every breath she took became more suffocating. She tried to summon the courage to defend herself, but her frail body did not grant her enough strength.

"All you do is read useless romance novels. At the very least, attend the noble gatherings, attract young men with your beauty. Oh, I forgot. You're sickly. No sane man would want to marry you, because you would only be a burden to them," Barnum continued with a mocking tone. "Tell me, why are you still alive, Hazel? What else can you offer this family besides the burden of taking care of you without anything in return?"

Hazel's hazel-green eyes could only stare at her father with tears welling up, her lips trembling as she held back sobs. She knew deep in her heart that there was nothing she could say or do to change her father's opinion. Barnum Ellsworth was a man who only valued profit and money, and unfortunately, Hazel had no place in his calculations.

"Couldn't there at least be one or two wealthy men willing to marry you?!" Barnum shouted again, his voice shaking with anger. "Look at yourself, Hazel! You're just a burden. In this country, our noble status should be highly valuable. And you? No businessman, young tycoon, or billionaire wants to marry you!"

"Father, please forgive me. Tell me what I should do," Hazel begged, her voice hoarse.

Barnum took a deep breath, filled with anger and frustration. "Do you know what bothers me the most, Hazel? You're a countess, but you can't do anything useful. You just sit here, sick and pale. What's the point of all this?"

Hazel felt her world collapsing. The outside world seemed like a dream she could never reach. The family that should have been her refuge had become a source of suffering. Every day, Hazel was trapped in this miserable situation, only able to hope that someday a miracle would happen to free her from all her suffering. Until that day came, she had to make do with the strength she had left, even though that strength was dwindling day by day.

Suddenly, the door to the hall opened, and a servant rushed in. "Count Barnum," she called out quickly. "A messenger from Duke Kingsley's family is waiting at the front. He has an important message."

Barnum frowned, clearly annoyed. "Duke Kingsley?" he muttered, trying to grasp the situation. "Okay, bring him in."

Soon after, the messenger, a young man dressed in a suit and tie that looked quite expensive, entered with respect. He carried a white envelope sealed with the Kingsley family crest. Barnum looked at him with curiosity.

"What is your business here?" Barnum asked, his voice still firm.

The messenger bowed respectfully before speaking. "Count Ellsworth, I have a formal request from Duke Rainhard Kingsley to propose to Lady Hazel Ellsworth."

The room suddenly fell silent. Hazel and Barnum's eyes widened, not believing what they were hearing. Known for his bravery and cold demeanor, Duke Rainhard Kingsley proposed to Hazel? Barnum looked shocked but tried to remain calm.

"A formal request?" Barnum repeated, as if to make sure he heard correctly. "A marriage proposal from Duke Rainhard Kingsley to my daughter?"

"Yes, Count Ellsworth," the messenger replied firmly. "Duke Rainhard Kingsley sees the potential and elegance of Lady Hazel and feels she would be perfect for him."

Hazel felt the world spinning. How could the Duke, known for his cold and ruthless nature, be interested in her, someone her own father deemed worthless? Her vision blurred with tears, filled with both fear and hope.

Barnum, still in shock, took a deep breath. "I will consider the offer," he finally said, his voice calmer but filled with consideration. "Inform Duke Kingsley that we will give you an answer as soon as possible."

The messenger bowed once more before turning and leaving the room. Barnum looked at Hazel, his expression now full of amazement.

"Hazel," he said slowly, "perhaps this is the opportunity we've been waiting for. You must prepare yourself. Duke Rainhard Kingsley is no ordinary man."

Hazel could only nod slowly, still stunned by this sudden development. In her heart, she felt a flicker of new hope but also a deep fear of what her future might hold with the Duke, who was notorious for his cruelty. One thing was certain: her life would never be the same again.

"This time, don't mess anything up, and don't disgrace the family again!"

***