Misguided Attraction

Elodie clinged onto her husband's arm as they strolled down the hallway leading to their chamber. 

"Aldridge, have you considered presenting Serena before the Prince tomorrow? You know how Althea is. I wouldn't want her to—"

"The King specifically requested my eldest daughter, and that is Althea. Offending royalty is not what we need right now." The Duke's voice was firm, but a flicker of doubt crossed his features. 

"But!" She raised her voice, stopping abruptly when the Duke turned and shot her a dangerous look.

"Alright then. But do not say I didn't warn you. I'm pretty sure he'll reject her anyway."

"Why would you even say such a thing? Aren't you her mother too?" The Duke asked with a frown.

"That's not what I meant, Aldridge. It is just that I heard barely anyone passes the Prince's test. Althea's attitude is already very--"

"I'll be off to my study now, Duchess Elodie. Thank you," the Duke interrupted, his tone clipped as he turned and left her standing there, uncertainty swirling in her eyes.

Elodie shook her head in resolution. There was no way the Prince would accept someone like Althea with her terrible reputation. And once he rejected her, she would simply offer Serena in her stead. A perfect plan that would win her favour on both sides! Even if illness claimed the prince's life, Serena would always be favoured as long as she remained in the Palace.

Her lips curled up into a smile as she continued her walk down the hall, the tail of her elaborate gown flowing after her.

*****

When the Duke reached his study, he sat down, removing his spectacles before dropping them onto the oak desk. The silence felt heavy, a reminder of the absence of laughter that once filled these rooms. Larkin, his ever-loyal assistant, stood waiting for his arrival.

"Welcome, Your Grace," Larkin greeted, though the Duke merely grunted in response, the weight of his worries pressing down on him.

"You informed Lady Althea of the proposal, I suppose?" Larkin continued, his tone eager.

"Yes, I have." 

"How did she react?"

The Duke looked exasperated. "Strangely compliant."

"That's splendid!" Larkin adjusted the rim of his glasses, seemingly oblivious to the Duke's concern.

"Oh no, Larkin. It's her compliance that I fear. It's difficult to read that girl. She could be plotting your death in her mind, and you'd have no idea."

Larkin chuckled lightly but then adopted a more serious demeanour. "Well, I do suppose you are right. But I believe Lady Althea is not one to hide her displeasure. If she doesn't want this, she will say so."

"Anyways, I doubt she'll have anything nice to wear. Could you please send for Daliah?"

"Right away, Your Grace." Larkin stepped out briefly, leaving the Duke alone in his turbulent thoughts.

When Larkin returned with Daliah, the Duke cleared his throat. "Yes, Daliah. I need you to—" He trailed off, moving into the adjacent room where he had spent countless hours since Terena passed. He returned, holding a green box with intricate golden leaf vines climbing up the sides.

"Could you please give this to Lady Althea? It's for her engagement tomorrow at the palace and I don't think she has anything to wear. I'm just a bit confus—"

"Your Grace, please have a seat." Larkin moved closer to lead the Duke into the armchair, sensing the unease radiating from him.

Daliah collected the dress and stored it in the ornate box that had accompanied it. "Rest assured, Your Grace. I'll ensure it's delivered safely to Lady Althea. I'll leave now."

Once Daliah exited, the Duke sighed, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "Where do you think Terena is, Larkin?"

"Of course, she's in heaven, resting. I'm sure Her Grace is smiling down on you," Larkin replied.

"Do you think it's right, marrying off Althea to a Prince we barely know anything about? I mean, I'm just not sure if this is the right thing to do. I know Althea hasn't been of good behaviour of late, but it does not mean that I love her any less. I pro-promised Grace. I told her I would take care of our daughter but I can't refuse the King. This is the only way to end the feud."

"Duke Aldridge, I'm sure your wife is happy wherever she is. Her daughter will be queen someday if this alliance goes through. I'm sure everything will be okay. You shouldn't let mere rumours trouble you," Larkin said, patting the man's shoulder, though his words felt hollow.

The Duke heaved a sigh, closing his eyes for a moment, grappling with a mix of anxiety and nostalgia. When he finally spoke, it was barely above a whisper. "Where's the weekly report I requested?"

"Oh, here it is." Larkin handed him the document, his brow furrowing as he observed the Duke's face darken with concern.

"What does it say, Your Grace?" Larkin asked, noting the sudden frown.

"I think I was right. There's a rebellion brewing among the vassals. The letters we sent them regarding their late payment of taxes went unanswered."

"Do you want me to speak with the stewards?"

The Duke picked up another document from the desk. "They paid the taxes a few days later but didn't send a letter explaining what might have gone wrong. How strange."

"Perhaps they didn't receive the letter?"

"While that is possible, it would also mean that my letters are being intercepted." The Duke's mind raced with troubling thoughts. What if they were withholding payment as a show of discontent? 

"But who would want to intercept your letters and why?"

"Do not bother the stewards yet. I need to be sure I'm right," he decided, his voice firm despite the turmoil beneath.

"Alright then."

"My Lord, if I may ask, that dress belonged to Duchess Terena, am I right?"

"Yes, it did," the Duke said, glancing up at the portrait of the woman he had loved and lost. A deep sadness settled within him, mingled with fear. 

"She wore it the first time we met," he recalled, his voice trailing off as he lost himself in the memory of Terena's laughter, her warmth, the way she had filled the room with light.

"It's a beautiful dress. Your Grace must miss her very much," Larkin said softly, wishing he could ease the Duke's burden.

"You're dismissed. I'll call you as soon as I'm done," the Duke replied curtly, not wanting to dwell on his sorrow any longer.

"No problem, Lord Aldridge." Larkin exited, leaving the Duke alone, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down heavier than ever.