Indifferent Duke

The Blakemore castle was nothing like the Stuarts' mansion, which looked more like a manor. Its sturdy stone wall had a bright, sparkling white color that looked nothing like its actual age.

The castle was one that all Blakemore's predecessors had spent their best and worst days, including their last days. It was about five stories tall, with its roof overlooking the entire town, and those in town could also see the Blakemore Castle, which stood imposingly on the hill where it stood.

Seated behind the large black mahogany table in the study-turned-private office on the second floor of the house, with his nose buried deep in his work, was a young man in his early twenties. He was dressed in a simple white linen shirt, which clung seductively to his well-developed muscular frame.

A strand of his sandy brown hair fell over his tanned forehead, giving an illusion of gold against gold, thus making his cold and serious demeanor even more enticing.

He was none other than Christopher Blakemore, Duke, of Berkshire.

"Christopher!" Someone shouted from somewhere in the house, rattling and disrupting the silent and serene atmosphere that enveloped the room, making it similar to something from a painting.

Christopher's hand, which was scribbling notes in a book, paused briefly when he heard the voice, then he continued almost as if he hadn't heard a thing.

"Christopher!" The loud voice seemed to get closer as it called.

Christopher closed his eyes and sighed in frustration as he pushed down the anger he felt. He hastily returned the quill in his hand back to the golden inkhorn and rested back in the chair with another sigh as he focused his gaze, which hadn't lost a hint of its seriousness, on the door.

The room was large and spacious. Other than the large writing table behind which he sat, there was a sofa, mainly for those who came to speak to him, but he hadn't prepared more than one, which showed that he hardly had people come over and didn't receive people there.

The remaining space in the room consisted of shelves, which had books stored in them neatly, majorly books containing his business accounts and matters concerning the town that he was in charge of.

Not far from the writing table was an end table on which a few bottles of scotch and an old-fashioned glass sat.

The door flew open with a bang as another man of his age walked in with a bright smile.

"Christopher! I knew I would meet you here." Stephan said this with a smile that showed off a set of white teeth and dimples that made women swoon.

Christopher's expression didn't show a hint of surprise; he had recognized the voice of his only childhood friend when he heard the first call. After all, he was the only one in the castle who dared to be so loud and distract him from his work.

Stephan walked to the sofa and sank into it lazily without considering his friend's indifferent attitude.

"I knew you would be here, burying yourself in your work, which is a good thing, especially now that there is an absurd rumor in town about you." Stephan, who was now slouching on the sofa, said leisurely, as he gestured with his hand.

Christopher raised a brow at his friend slightly. Though there was nothing new about his friend hearing gossip, there was something strange about there being a new rumor in town.

Ever since he had inherited the title of the Duke after his father's death, he had only had one rumor circulating his existence: "cold and arrogant." Now that there was a new rumor, should he be worried?

He immediately did a mental check of the places he had been to and the people he had met with in the past few weeks, and there seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary. Everything was strictly according to his usual schedule, as was his character.

The only thing that was out of place in this scenario was...

"You wouldn't believe that the people of Berkshire think you would be taking a bride in two weeks! Can you believe that? That is the most hilarious thing I have heard." Stephan said excitedly, and Christopher adjusted himself in the chair, folding his hands across his chest. A frown slowly formed on his face, but the ignorant Stephan continued,

"I don't know where the people of this town get their rumors, but they seem to like fabricating a lot of strange things. Stephan finished with a chuckle.

"And what is so strange about me taking a wife?" Christopher finally broke the spell of silence around him, and Stephan gave him a look of disbelief for a second before bursting into laughter.

"Have you never seen yourself in the mirror? Not to be rude, but you need to be a little honest with yourself." Stephan said as he stood up and walked to the end table, poured himself a glass of scotch, and drank large gulps.

"I pride myself on being a good-looking man with an honest personality." "Stephan, I do not know what else you want me to see when I look in the mirror," Christopher said blatantly while staring at him.

"Yes, you are right, my dear friend." Stephan said as he turned to Christopher, "In those things, you are most correct, but how the ladies perceive you is all that matters." Stephan said as he walked back to the sofa.

"I think I am a man admired by a lot of women," Christopher said.

"You mean feared?" When was the last time a woman walked up to you and openly smiled at you? No, that isn't the right thing to say. When was the last time you attended a function and got to meet women, real women, not the wives of your business partners who escort their spouses to business dinners? " Stephan asked seriously.

"Are you asking that I become like you?" Christopher asked.

Who did not know Stephan in the whole of Berkshire and London? The perfect woman's man. He was the only man who would have more than five women around him at a social function. The young women not only loved and hoped to catch his eye, but for some reason, they also found it easy to share rumors and gossip around him.

Some say it was because he was easy to talk to, while others say it was because he showed interest; no one knew for sure. All the elite knew was that Sir Stephan Harris, son of the kingdom's richest farmer, was a man who was well-informed in both political and social matters.

"No! You can never be like me, but you can be a little more... approachable, and maybe this rumor will come true one day. Stephan said, pointing to Christopher with the hand that held the glass before taking a sip and continuing. "I did beat him up though. The fool who was spreading such rumors, I caught him and dealt with him. No one spreads such damaging rumors concerning my friend." Stephan said before slouching on the chair again, and Christopher's frown deepened.

"But the rumors are true," Christopher said, and Stephan looked at him with a funny smile, which he ignored. "Yesterday, I asked for the hand of a woman in marriage and her father agreed. The wedding will be held in two weeks." Christopher said and diverted his attention back to the book in front of him.

Stephan looked at him for a second and scoffed, "You're not funny, my friend. "Why are you trying to be?" he asked.

"I am not trying to be. I am getting married in two weeks and I hope you will stand beside me as my friend and witness." Christopher said, and Stephan's face switched from disbelief to that surprise. He sat up immediately.

"How is that possible? You have no interest in getting married!" Stephan spoke up abruptly." Why would you suddenly change your mind? I saw you the day before yesterday and you said nothing about this. Have you been bewitched, Christopher?" he asked, but Christopher didn't look away from his work.

"There is no bewitchment involved. "Duke Cronos died last week." Christopher simply declared, and Stephan frowned.

Why was he changing the topic?

"What does the Duke's death have to do with any of this? His death is no longer news." Stephan said, with impatience.

"He has no heirs or descendants; the Recipes have taken over his town, and the king has appointed them Duke of Whitby," Christopher said, glancing at his friend. "I began to think of how much of a wasted effort that was for Cronos and his family. They've served the people of Whitby for more than a century." Christopher finished, and Stephan looked a little somber.

"Who is she?" Stephan suddenly asked after a few seconds of silence.

"I beg your pardon?" Christopher asked in confusion.

"The girl whose hand you asked for, who is she?" Stephan asked with clarity.

"Annabel?" "Thomas Stuart's daughter?" Stephan asked, surprised.

"Yes, I guess that's... her. I didn't catch her name." Christopher stuttered a little as he realized his mistake, but Stephan was too surprised to worry about that.

"Isn't she already spoken for?" Stephan asked again.

"I beg your....."

"Yes, I'm sure of it. The girl has not attended a social function in three years. She is betrothed to Sir Gerim Wilson, captain of the king's guard." Stephan stated with clarity, showing off his knowledge as the most informed man in the kingdom once again.

Christopher frowned with a difficult expression. Shaking his head a little, he said, "I wasn't informed that she was spoken for. Her father accepted the proposal with joy."

"That's not right. I'm sure that she's engaged to the guard. I even heard that they are quite a in love, sending letters to and fro London constantly." Stephan ranted, while the expression on Christopher's face persisted.

"Maybe they broke the engagement," Stephan concluded and looked at his friend, who had a complicated expression.

"Christopher, I am going, to be honest with you. Do you think she's a good candidate for you? Even if she has gone her separate ways with Sir Gerim, I can guarantee she still loves him. A woman doesn't give up three years of her life for nothing. Stephan said, but Christopher shrugged.

"It's not like I want her in a marriage full of love; I just need a woman to bear me an heir, save the family name. It is going to be a marriage of convenience. She doesn't get in my way, and I don't get in hers. As long as she doesn't bring any bastard child into my home, it is fine by me."

"Christopher," he said firmly, his demeanor returning to the expressionless one that was his signature look.

"You, my friend, are very cruel. I am sure your bride-to-be would be crying her eyes out at her misfortune of ending up with you." Stephan said as he gulped down his wine.

"On the contrary, I think she would be elated," Christopher stated confidently.