Chapter 5 The housekeeper

Chapter 5

How did they switch positions so fast?!

He loomed over her. "I don't want to interfere in other people's business, Miss. You should go home," he said seriously.

As he moved to leave, she quickly grabbed his collar - tearing it in the process and revealing the marks on his neck.

The sight triggered her memory of her dream.

"Steak..." she whispered, lips parted, her heart pounding as she looked at his face - he seemed short of breath.

She was about to speak when the door burst open.

Both of them turned toward it, eyes wide.

"Good heavens!"

The head maid's shocked voice filled the room.

And Querencia flushed bright red.

The head maid had caught them in that position.

"Oh my goodness!" the housekeeper cried out in shock upon seeing her with the Archduke. She immediately shut the door. "I'll take care of this, Your Grace! Please, carry on with whatever you're doing," she called from outside.

Querencia's already flushed face turned even redder because of the housekeeper's reaction. Who knows what she might be thinking now.

"Are you planning to sleep on the floor?" the Archduke asked gruffly. It was only then she noticed he was already standing and adjusting his disheveled collar.

Out of sheer embarrassment, she quickly stood up - but winced when pain shot through her ankle. Only now did she realize she had sprained it. But given her current predicament, that was the least of her concerns.

Knowing she had caused quite the offense, she immediately bowed her head in apology. "I-I'm sorry, My Lord. It won't happen again," she said sincerely, eyes shut tight and hands trembling.

So brave earlier, and now here she was - tail between her legs. Now that she thought about it, she could clearly see how her life might end in the Archduke's hands.

She heard him sigh heavily, clearly irritated. "Make sure this doesn't happen again, Miss," he muttered, brushing past her. "Finish your meal and have the guard escort you to my office."

She quickly turned to him. "Ah, My Lord-" she reached out, but the door had already shut.

She bit her lip.

Was he mad at her? Was he going to scold her like her father used to once she reached his office?

She clutched the hem of her dress and wiped away a lone tear that escaped her eye.

She was brave. So why was she crying? Only the weak shed tears!

Taking a deep breath, she returned to the dining table and finished her food. Because of the heaviness she felt inside, she helped herself to a bit more. Maybe, just maybe, food could soothe her broken heart.

After a few minutes, Querencia exited the dining room and was met by a guard. He was handsome, but still not quite at the Archduke's level. In terms of height too, though he stood taller than her - she only reached his ear - it was still the Archduke who towered higher, with her barely reaching his shoulder.

She wasn't exactly short compared to other women, but the men in the Archduchy were all giants.

"I'll escort you to the Archduke's office, Miss," the guard said with a polite smile. She glanced at him.

It seemed the only thing this man had over the Archduke was his friendly personality. That man was stricter than a bull.

"Alright. Thanks." She returned his smile - a smile sweet enough to melt a heart.

The guard's ears turned red and he quickly averted his gaze, clearing his throat. "L-let's go, Miss." He walked ahead.

Querencia grinned. So her smile had an effect here too. Maybe she could use this on the Archduke. Could it soften his heart even a little?

But her grin faded when she remembered they were heading to his office. What important thing did he want to talk about? Was it about earlier?

She shook her head. She had to get rid of this anxiety. She might just faint the moment she saw the Archduke if she didn't calm down. First things first - she needed to act like everything was fine, even if walking hurt. Thankfully, the guard hadn't noticed her limping earlier.

"We're here, Miss. I don't think I can announce you - the Archduke prefers silence. Just knock and wait. If he asks you anything, answer him honestly." The guard instructed when they reached the office door.

She swallowed hard. "Okay... Thank you again." She gave a small smile, and the guard bowed.

She looked up and gulped once more. The door was enormous. It felt like she was about to walk into the gates of death.

"Don't be scared, Miss. The Archduke won't eat you," the guard joked from his post.

She forced a weak laugh. "Haha... I hope not."

She knocked three times, and as expected, the door automatically opened. If she didn't already know magic existed in this world, she would've been in awe.

She stepped inside and immediately met the Archduke's gaze - one so intense it made her knees weak.

"Sit down," he ordered coldly, gesturing to the chair across from him. Being the obedient girl she was, she sat.

"About what you said earlier... Is it really true you don't want to marry the Crown Prince?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She quickly nodded. "Yes. I don't want to marry someone I barely know... and someone I don't love." she reasoned.

His brow furrowed.

It was the truth though! Why was he looking at her like she was lying?! Sure, she didn't want to die either - but that was just one of the reasons.

His gaze suddenly turned sharp, making her flinch.

"If that's your reason, why come to me?" he asked, his tone cutting.

She was at a loss for words.

Should she tell him the truth?

"Uhm... because..." What reason did she have besides him being a powerful man?

The Archduke sighed, prompting her to look at him.

"Miss Lynn. Did you know that if you want to annul your engagement to someone, you need an acceptable reason? For example - you have a lover you intend to marry. Meaning, you'd have to marry me; a man you just met and don't even love," he said seriously, leaving her stunned.

He had a point. But she thought of this already! In the story she'd read, Castriel never did anything cruel! That's exactly why she approached him. Aside from his handsomeness and cold personality, he didn't harm innocent people or use others.

Gathering her courage, she faced his piercing gaze. She stood, walked to his side, and spoke.

"My Lord. With all the strength and bravery I have left." She reached into her pocket and pulled out the ring she had brought with her when she escaped. She knelt on one knee and held the ring up to the now wide-eyed Archduke.

"Will you marry me?!"

His eyes widened as he stared at her, his lips parting in shock.

"What the f*ck, Miss Lynn?! Have you lost your mind?!" he exclaimed.

She bit her lip. "Please say yes, My Lord!" she pleaded, determined.

The Archduke rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Stop fooling around, Miss Lynn. I'll send a letter to your father. You're going home tomorrow."

She sank to the floor.

"M-my Lord..." she looked up at him with teary eyes.

He raised his hand toward her, and instinctively, she stood and grabbed the brooch pinned to his chest.

In a blink, she disappeared - along with the brooch.

"Miss!" Marina gasped as Querencia landed on the bed.

Querencia looked at her hand and saw the brooch. It was undamaged. Meaning, whatever she grabbed, she could bring with her.

Her fist clenched.

That damned Castriel! He actually used teleportation magic on her to send her away! Argh!

"Miss, are you alright?" Marina asked worriedly, rushing to her side.

Querencia glared. "The Archduke rejected me, Marina! He's awful!" she wailed like a child, bawling her eyes out. She had gone through all that trouble - and for what? Her life was at stake here!

Marina hugged her. "There's always tomorrow, Miss. You can do this," she tried to comfort her.

But it had no effect.

"There's no tomorrow because we're going back to hell, Marina," she sobbed.

With no other way to ease her pain, Marina simply held her and let her cry on her shoulder.

Even if she didn't know the full story, she could feel the weight of the burden Querencia carried.

"I hope everything turns out alright," Marina whispered into the air.

Castriel sighed, rubbing his temple as the girl disappeared.

"What happened to her?" he asked Lauren, whom he had tasked to watch over her.

Lauren appeared at his side, bowing. "She landed on her bed and suddenly started crying when her maid approached."

He sighed again. "Alright. You're dismissed." The man vanished.

Castriel leaned against his chair, staring at his chest where the brooch had once been - now gone with that strange girl.

She was desperate to end her engagement to the Crown Prince. But the big question was... why him?

Was it because he was unmarried and held a high position? But everyone knew he had no interest in marriage. And that girl... she was bold. Most women either feared him or sought to use him. But her - he couldn't read her mind at all.

His eyes fell to the floor where he spotted a ring. He picked it up and examined it.

It was cheap but well-made. She must have put effort into choosing it. To an unsuspecting person, it would look like something expensive.

He sat back down and closed his eyes.

She cried because of him... Hopefully, that would be enough for her to leave him alone.

To Be Continued...