What is Love?

On the way back, Melissa closed her eyes and thought hard about what had happened earlier. 

So embarrassing. Why did I act like a wanton? Well, at least now I know that if I marry him in the future, I won't be repulsed by him. 

Melissa sighed deeply. She leaned against the carriage and closed her eyes. Probably she shouldn't get married at all. 

Meanwhile, at the Kensington Estates, Duke Kensington was still awake in his study. He held a glass of scotch in his hands and looked out into the dark night. The conversation between Melissa and him kept replaying in his mind.

She said she didn't love him, and she didn't believe in love. She's even willing to push him to another woman. 

Duke Kensington had never felt this way towards another woman before. Ever since he met her the first time, she's always on his mind. When he woke up, the first thing he thought about was her. During the day, when he's working, his mind would occasionally wondered about her. At night, before he went to sleep, he would think about her too. And when he had the time, he would go over and meet her. Just to be able to see her for a few minutes was enough to calm his fluttering heart. 

Now that he had tasted her lips and able to be so close to her, Duke Kensington's feelings towards Melissa got more intense. It took him an effort to let her go every time he saw her. 

Duke Kensington knew that he had fallen in love with Melissa. At first, he thought it was only a physical attraction. However, when Prince Xavier declared his love for her, Duke Kensington felt an alarm in his heart, and for the first time in his life, he felt scared. He's scared that he will lose her. He couldn't bear to think of this. He wanted her in his life, he wanted to be with her forever. 

Now that things had come to this point, he wouldn't take it lightly anymore. He needed to make sure she fall in love with him. Only then would he feel secured. 

Furthermore, with Xavier and Benjamin around, he was always on tenterhooks and afraid that one day, Melissa might fall for either of them. If that day comes, he doesn't know what he'll do. At this thought, he gulped down the drink at one go. 

Suddenly, a knock sounded, jolting him out of his thoughts. He turned and saw Lady Sophia standing at the doorway. He frowned at the sight of her. She shouldn't be here at this time. 

"Your Grace, you're still awake. Are you hungry? Would you want me to make you something?" Lady Sophia asked gently. 

Lady Sophia smiled at the sight of this good looking man. Her heart beat faster when he looked at her. 

"No. You may leave." Duke Kensington answered curtly, looking away from the woman. 

Lady Sophia was disappointed. For years, she had tried to get close to this man, but never once she got the opportunity. She turned and prepared to leave but the next moment, his voice sounded. 

"Wait." Duke Kensington thought of something. 

Lady Sophia's smile brightened. Maybe he will ask her to stay and accompany him tonight!

"Yes, Your Grace?" She asked expectantly.

"Are the white roses in the main garden already bloomed?" Duke Kensington asked. 

Lady Sophia's body stiffen and her mood turned sour. The last time the Duke asked about this, it was for that damn bitch. At that time, she was lying unconscious with no hope of waking up. Now, he's asking for the roses again. It must be because of her! 

"I'm not sure, Your Grace." She replied.

"Get the gardener here first thing in the morning." After he said that, he turned his attention to the papers on the table. 

"Yes, Your Grace." Lady Sophia said and left the room, disappointed. 

Damn bitch! She should've died back then. But she miraculously woke up and has now becoming a real torn on her side. The Duke had never shown any signs of gentleness towards any woman before, not even towards his late wife. But he actually brought her flowers, and now he's doing it again. 

Lady Sophia's gaze mirrored her malicious thoughts. Her usual gentle demeanour was gone and if anyone were to see her now, they would not recognize her. She quicken her steps and went to the main garden. 

After she left, Duke Kensington head throbbed. He knew that Lady Sophia harboured feelings for him and he wanted to drive her away a long time ago. But his late wife was weak and couldn't manage the estates well. Hence, he had allowed her to stay to help. After she passed away, he needed someone to help manage the estates for him, and since Lady Sophia had proven herself competent, he had decided to keep her on. At most, he would not allow her to get close with him. 

However, now that Melissa is in the picture, he needed to do something about Lady Sophia, lest Melissa might feel uncomfortable with her around if they're married in the future. She had been around for years, it might not be easy to relocate her somewhere else. Furthermore, she's a distant relative of his, he needed to be cautious when handling this matter.

At the Knights' Manor, Melissa rolled around on the bed, unable to sleep. Her mind was thinking about Duke Kensington. After a long time, she groaned and got up from the bed. Melissa got dressed and went straight to the art room. 

She stared at the white canvas before her and her hands instinctively grabbed the brush. She started painting, relying fully on her instincts. She had no particular image on her mind, and she let her heart guided her hand. 

After quite some time, she finished painting and looked at the canvas in front of her. She was satisfied. 

Melissa left the painting and went to lay down on the couch. She fell asleep instantly. 

When Lily couldn't find her in the room, she knew where her Mistress was. She went to take a peep and true enough, she found Melissa sound asleep on the couch. However, when her eyes caught the painting on the easel, she gasped in delight. How beautiful!

Before breakfast, Lord Melvin entered the art room to find for Melissa. When his eyes caught the painting, his heart felt burdened. Who did she think of when she painted this? Not that scumbag Casanova right? It'd better not be him!

Lord Melvin felt he needed to speak with Duke Kensington urgently. He felt the more they leave things hanging like this, the more advantage Lord Benjamin would have. He left the room without waking his sister up.

"What's wrong with you today?" Duke Malcom asked his son. He had been absent-minded since he sat down for breakfast this morning.

"Father, when is Melissa getting married?" Lord Melvin suddenly blurted out, earning a frown from his father.

"Melvin, you've been behaving strangely lately. Son, what's wrong? You need to talk to me." Duke Malcom said.

"Father, I just don't want to make you worry. But as long as Melissa is not married, someone will always try to woo her and I don't like that. She hasn't been out in the society for a long time and I'm afraid she'll be deceived one day. We can't protect her forever. But if she's married, at least anyone would think twice before they make a move on her." Lord Melvin explained.

"Who are you talking about? Everyone knows she is Zachary's intended. Who would dare do such a thing?" Duke Malcom dismissed his son's worry.

"It's Benjamin Blackwell." Lord Melvin gritted his teeth when he mentioned the guy's name.