CHAPTER 14: Sealed with kiss

Diana Stallard Preface

He leaned while standing in front of me, his face was a few inches away from mine, and my heart came to my throat.

This is too close.

He asked with a smirk on his face as if enjoying the nervousness I was feeling right now," Now that everything is clear, What do you think of this proposal?".

When he spoke, his hot breath fell on my face. I sensed that the temperature of my cheeks started to rise gradually.

I want to keep myself from blushing in front of this man.

'Get a grip, Diana. Didn't you see all his past antics gracing tabloid pages? Nobility here doesn't do love nowadays. It's all political with a ting of convenience that they want. Emotions like love already faded into thin air decades ago. Don't forget that you are doing this only to get revenge for your father. It costs your dream." My mind was telling me, but my heart was telling another story.

'Isn't he too handsome to keep my mind straight' I still thought despite self-awareness.

Oh, sweet lord of heavens, this man is utterly fatal to my chastity.

I was perplexed by the battle in my mind and did not know what to do, still looking at his exquisite face with a sharp jawline and almost a beard. His cerulean eyes were gazing at me with an intense aspiration.

"Why aren't you saying anything, Diana?" he swayed his hand in front of my face and stood back. I realised that I was only glaring at him all this time.

"Sorry. What did you say again?" I averted my eyes from his face. I didn't listen to what he said earlier because of the dangerous distance.

He laughed, and I am sure he knew about my thoughts, "It immersed me in the satisfaction that my soon-to-be bride is deeply impressed by my looks. A minute ago, I thought I somehow lost my charm to be rejected at the first proposal of my life."

I rolled my eyes, "Don't think highly of yourself, your Grace. I am not impressed by your looks." I lied straight.

A sneer appeared on his somewhat crimson lips, "Why don't I sense even a little honesty in your words, Signorina?"

I didn't say a word to prevent myself from further embarrassment. Silence didn't last long, and he spoke, "So, what is your answer?"

I looked back at him and said, "I'll marry you only if you have to avoid being a piece of honour in the tabloid, your Excellency."

"I can notice jealousy in your words, Signorina."

"There is no such thing, your Excellency. I just wanted to tell you that I have to show a happy married life to the world in order to gain my property. How can a woman is happy in her marriage when her husband is entertaining women outside?" I said with a strained smile, filled with sarcasm.

"Beyond the shadow of a doubt, I assure Miss Preface, I don't intend to get involved with any woman but you. ..... Anyway, the thing that concerns me is you agreed to marry me?"

"Yes, I agreed to marry you."

"Finally." he voiced out like a person who has passed some problematic exam.

I was very disappointed in this person a moment ago because he proposed to me and then got a girl to entertain himself on the same day. Now that I think about this, I can say that my reaction was out of place. I don't have to be concerned about his relationships.

If these kinds of things don't appear on the news, then it's okay. I only have to prove to be in a good relationship with him, and then I can claim my inheritance.

"Then, let's seal it with a kiss Duchess." His voice echoed in the air.

"Huh?" since I was in my thoughts, I didn't realise that he was already leaning in front of me, supporting himself by gripping the armrest of the wheelchair.

Before I could react or say any further, his lips landed on mine, and my eyes widened in surprise. He claimed my mouth and started kissing me with his soft lips. I grabbed his arm unconsciously as he deepened the kiss. It was sweet and very intimate. I was lost because I could possibly not know what to do out of shock. I didn't know whether I wanted it to stop or keep going.

He left me when I turned breathless. I can sense that my whole face would have turned red. I didn't know it was due to being out of oxygen or embarrassment that this Duke took my first kiss.

Yes, I didn't kiss anyone until now, and I think it is a perfectly normal thing.

"Breath Duchess. In this way, you'll faint even if I kiss you next time like this," he said with a smug smile on his face.

"You will not kiss me. And there will be no next time." I said with fuming anger with his words and myself for being swayed by this kiss. Who gave him the right to kiss me without my consent?

He didn't mind my anger. Instead, he laughed, "How can there be a marriage without a kiss?" Then he chucked, "The way you are acting makes me think that perhaps it was your first kiss."

"No", I exclaimed quickly, but in reality, it was.

"I don't believe it."

'Then go to hell, Bastard.' I wanted to say to him, but I swallowed back my words and said, "I don't need to make you believe." I want to kick his balls right now, but it is a pity that I cannot move my leg due to my injury.

"Why do I feels like you are cursing me, Duchess?" he asked with a smirk. I want to curse the time when I was mesmerised by him. The only thing that is on my mind is to wipe this smirk on his face.

"Don't call me that. I'm not your Duchess." I said with the equal anger that I'm feeling right now.

"Oh, you will be soon." He said with a firm voice.

"Now I think that I should reconsider my decision," I said with a fake smile on my face.

"The decision that you made earlier is final, Duchess. There is no need to reconsider it any further. I don't have much patience in myself." he said firmly.

He leaned again, but I bent back until I hit the backrest of the wheelchair to avoid him.

His laughter again echoed in the space, "Afraid that I'll kiss you again?"

"No."

"Now that the decision is made let's call it a night. I'll see you tomorrow." he stood back and then said, "I forgot to tell you that your physiotherapist is coming tomorrow. You must be completely fit on our wedding day. She'll be arriving at 9 o'clock by tomorrow morning."

"When is the wedding?" I asked before Helena could bring me back to my room.

"It looks like you are a way more impatient than me, Duchess... To tell you, we'll be marrying in fifteen days," he informed me like the tyrant who he is.

"Fifteen days?" I was shocked to the core, "Isn't It too early?"

"That'll be the best... Mamma will be in London at that time... You wouldn't want my mother to invite half of Italy's population and the whole elite society of Europe to attend our extravagant Marriage Ceremony. Would you?"

"I don't" I don't want anyone to know that I'm here and marrying a Duke. Along with all this, I need to keep my heart in check to avoid being one of the women with whom he didn't spare a glance after sleeping with them. I reminded myself.