LORD FALKNER’S INFLUENCE

"I have to get out of this room immediately?" said Annabelle when she found out that this room was the Duke's. Quickly, he stepped towards the door of the room, but Albert's hand held him back.

"If you leave without me from this room, the maids will be suspicious, if you are stealing something from me, so wait here! I will change my clothes and go to parliament, after which I will escort you to your room, My Lady, so that you can prepare to return to your estate."

"Both of them are equally detrimental to me. If I go out with you from this room, they'll think we've…?"

"That's a better choice, than all the maids here thinking you're a thief, after all aren't we already engaged. I have tied you up by paying off your estate," said Albert with a triumphant face.

"You really are a sly man, My Lord," Annabelle quipped in a formal tone.

"That will keep you from running away from me, My Lady."

Hearing this, Annabelle finally sat in the corner of the room, waiting for Albert to change his clothes. Annabelle's face turned red, and her breath hitched, as Albert exposed his exposed chest and back as he changed into his top. Annabelle tried to look away and avoid the beautiful sight, but her eyes couldn't cooperate. Even at this time, Annabelle's eyes continued to stare at the body without blinking.

Albert's chest is so broad with thin hair there. His stomach is very firm without any lumps of fat at all. Annabelle was sure, Albert must be a good horseman, seeing his perfect body shape. Even his back looks very sturdy, then slim down to the waist covered by his tight pants. Annabelle had to swallow her saliva as her mischievous eyes stared at the most sensitive part of Albert's body.

"Are you satisfied exploring my body, My Lady? Looks like you need a handkerchief to wipe the drool that is about to drip," Albert teased with a smile.

"Wha… what… I… drooled… oh… of course not My Lord," Annabelle stuttered, not knowing what she wanted to say. Finally, Annabelle covered her mouth, before she embarrassed herself by saying no.

Not long after, Albert was standing in front of her in clothes that made her look dashing and charming. He was wearing a light-colored leather short jacket that matched his black pantyhose so well that any woman would blush at the sight.

After finishing changing, Albert took Annabelle out of his room. Some of the maids who knew when Annabelle came out of Albert's room seemed unconcerned and pretended not to know, but Annabelle could catch their curious gazes. Even Annabelle caught one of them looking at her curiously.

Not long after, Annabelle was already in the carriage. Albert put her on a white hooded coat with gold stripes that looked elegant. He was sure it wasn't Albert's coat because it was so feminine. Did Albert prepare a special coat for him?

Annabelle really felt like she had become a Lady Louis, even as she came out of the castle, all the maids bowed their heads to her. Annabelle smiled at Albert, before finally the carriage door was closed by a servant.

"I will pick you up, before our wedding, take care of your heart and never doubt me," said Albert.

"See you again, My Lord."

"See you again, My Lady."

After that, the horse carriage moved away from Albert and Louis's castle. Annabelle held her chest to muffle the tremors she felt towards the Duke. Is it true that his life story will end happily so easily?

The horse-drawn carriage swayed down the winding road to his estate. Several times Annabelle was shaken in it. He opened the carriage window to look outside. The road looked so damaged and muddy because it had been raining for several days. The cold air was felt against Annabelle's skin, fortunately the coat that Albert gave her could protect her from the cold.

Some time passed and the horse carriage he was riding in, finally entered the gates of the Taylor residence estate. Griselda ran to greet her when she saw a horse-drawn carriage with the Louis family symbol stopped in front of the Taylor family's residence.

"How are you, Miss Annabelle? Did Lord Albert Louis treat you well? My heart seemed to stop when their messenger came here and told me that you were found in the forest unconscious," said Griselda.

"I was also surprised when I woke up and found out that I had been unconscious for 5 days in Louis Castle. They treat me well, Griselda."

"Thankfully, I wish Lord Albert Louis was a good man. They have announced your engagement and paid off the estate's debts."

"I didn't think things would go this easy, Griselda. Is there a chance that Lord Albert will fall in love with me?"

"All of these possibilities can happen. Are you in love with him?" Griselda asked Annabelle back and managed to make her cheeks blush.

"I don't know, he was the first man to make my heart beat wildly." Hearing this, Griselda smiled meaningfully.

"How is my mother?" Annabelle asked.

"Lady Taylor has asked where you have been for the past few days."

"Okay, I'll see him soon."

Just as Annabelle entered her residence and took off her coat, a horse-drawn carriage entered the gates of her estate.

"Lord Falkner" whispered Griselda telling who had come.

"What is he doing here? Don't we have nothing to do with him anymore?"

"I don't know, but a few days ago, he came here and asked where you were."

"I'll see him then, he doesn't seem willing to lose me so easily," Annabelle said with a sneer. Annabelle's eyes stared intently at the approaching carriage.

"Welcome, Lord Falkner. It's an honor for you to come to our estate," said Annabelle welcoming Lord Falkner with a bow, politely.

"I have heard of your engagement to Albert. I feel sorry for you," Falkner said sarcastically.

"I'm sorry, but that's none of your business."

"I like you, Miss Annabelle. I don't want you to suffer with him. Soon he will lose half his fortune when the Golden Land becomes mine. Right now he's desperately trying to take the Golden Land from me, but I'm sure he won't win."

"As far as I know, the Golden Land does belong to Lord Albert Louis, why should it be fought over?"

"Albert's great-grandmother slyly snatched it from my great-grandfather and I will take it back. I'm sure he will lose the Golden Land and become a poor noble. He won't win over me."

"That's your business with Lord Albert, I don't want to get involved in all that, Lord Falkner."

"I just wanted to tell you, that Albert is a cunning man like his great-grandfather. Do you think he intends to marry you because he loves you? Don't dream, Miss Annabelle. Take a look at the ancient map and find out what's hidden underground you have. If you don't have the ancient map, you can borrow mine by coming to my castle yourself. I'll be happy to show it," Lord Falkner offered something with ulterior motives.

"I don't understand what you're saying, Lord Falkner."

"He married you because of something that was under your soil. Remember, only I love you sincerely, even I am ready to accept your dirty status. It's not too late to call off your wedding, Miss Annabelle. I will gladly accept you."

After saying this, Falkner left Annabelle who was still staring at her leaving. A sinister smile, painted on Annabelle's lips. This will be an interesting story. From the beginning Annabelle realized, getting a Duke was not as easy as it was for her right now.

If there really was a hidden reason that Lord Albert Louis wanted to marry her, then it wouldn't be as easy as the Duke had imagined. Annabelle will also make sure there are benefits that she gets from the marriage. She is not a fool who is easily tricked.

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