[Bonus chapter]Flowers for the duchess

Another month had passed in a blink of an eye since Zero left Grimsbanne. Like the past eight months, I spent my days repeating the same schedule: working about the state of affairs, granting audience to those who had important business with me, training, and then yearning for Sam during the night.

"When was the last time someone caused trouble?" I asked, staring at a document while I sat on the chair behind my desk.

"Hmm… a week ago, one of your suitors threatened Your Grace to kill himself if you don't marry him," Yul answered, placing down another document I should review. "He had caused a scene and Klaus nearly beheaded him. He didn't, though, but he warned their house not to make the same mistake again."

My eyes narrowed, leaning back while I tapped my fingers against the desk. "Is that all? Things had been going smoothly, and it's been so quiet. It doesn't feel right."