Average Her

"Your Grace, Her Grace seeks an audience," Steward Muman knocked at the Duke's study door.

"Let her in," the Duke's voice came from inside. After receiving his permission, Steward Muman opened the door for the Duchess and respectfully bowed.

The Duchess took a deep breath and composed herself before walking in gracefully.

"Steward Muman, how have you been?" Leah began a conversation the moment the door closed.

"Great," Steward Muman answered. He did not like Leah much. She always acted as if she were smarter than everyone else. He knew the only reason she treated him with respect was so she could get information from him.

"Is the news around the residence true?" Leah asked. She was not bothered by his one-word response. She also did not like Muman much. After all, he always carried an air of superiority simply because he was a trusted aide of the Duke.

In her opinion, she and he were of the same rank; after all, she was also a trusted aide to the Duchess.

"What news?" Steward Muman looked at her with confusion. He was sure that the conversation between the Duke and Anastasia has not spread around the resident otherwise the Duchess would not be so calm.

Leah rolled her eyes internally. She felt Muman was taking her for a fool. "The news going around that His Grace asked to see…" She wanted to say "that girl," but Leah managed to stop herself in time. "Lady Anastasia," she added.

"Yes, it's true," Steward Muman answered. Of course, he knew she wanted him to share more details, but he feigned ignorance.

Leah was smitten with anger, seeing that he did not give her the answer she wanted. If not for the fact that he worked under the Duke, she would have given him a piece of her mind.

Inside the Study

"My husband," the Duchess greeted warmly as she walked over and took a seat. She could tell the Duke was unhappy to see her, but she did not care much. There had never been more than a cordial relationship between them. He fulfilled his duties as her husband, and she did the same.

She had thought things through during dinner. She felt it would appear either stupid or pretentious to go to Anastasia to find out what had happened in the study earlier.

If her fifteen-year-old son could realize that sending Anastasia to the chapel to become a nun was not necessarily good for her reputation, she could too. Although she doubted the rumors, she was careful not to worsen her position.

The Duke looked at her without saying a word. He could guess why she had come to his study. After all, he had spoken to Anastasia in such a high-profile manner earlier.

"I heard you sent for Anastasia earlier. I hope all is well," the Duchess asked. She could not wait for the Duke to figure out her purpose.

"Yes, I did, and things could not have been better," Duke Thompson replied. He was surprised she had finished her dinner before coming to seek him out. They had been married for over seventeen years, so he knew her well.

The Duchess's heart tightened when she heard his words. She knew nothing good could come from the Duke taking the initiative to send for that girl. Seventeen years ago, when she married the Duke, who already had a daughter with his first wife, she knew the marriage would cause her many problems.

"Then share the good news with me," the Duchess said with a sweet smile. She appeared eager to hear the news, but in truth, she was anxious.

"God has smiled on our family; the King has taken a fancy to us and proposed a marriage between our children," Duke Thompson replied. He looked sincerely happy, but the Duchess felt things were not so simple.

Duke Thompson was not the only Duke in the kingdom. If anything, his influence in the royal court was not particularly solid. So why would the King choose him?

"The King wants to become in-laws with us?" the Duchess voiced her doubts.

"Do I look so idle as to play such a stupid prank?" Duke Thompson snapped, irritated by the question.

"I apologize," the Duchess said quickly. She realized she had asked the wrong question. Indeed, the Duke would not joke about such matters. Still, it was strange for the King to choose the Thompson family to form a marriage alliance.

"If there's nothing else, you may leave," the Duke waved his hand dismissively. He clearly could not be bothered to continue the conversation.

Only at that moment did the Duchess realize she had focused on the wrong issue. Regardless of how strange the King's decision was, there was nothing she could do about it.

Her real question should have been: who was the candidate for this marriage? The Duke had already summoned Anastasia upon returning, so she guessed he intended for her to be the bride. But who was the groom?

The King had three sons of marriageable age.

The Duchess felt the Crown Prince was out of the question. After all, he was talented and handsome. Moreover, he would most likely be the next king if nothing went wrong.

The chances of the King choosing a wife from their family for the Crown Prince were slim. Even if he did, Anastasia, the daughter of a mistress, was not qualified.

It could only be the Second Prince, known for his fierce temperament and unique preferences, or the Third Prince, who already kept many women at such a young age. The latter was also born to a mistress.

"My husband, you've only told me about our daughter's marriage. You've said nothing about the groom," the Duchess remarked, unwilling to leave just yet.

....

Meanwhile, at Anastasia's Courtyard

Rosa was pacing up and down, guilt consuming her as she heard the rumors. She knew her lady never fought back and assumed it was because she did not want to disappoint her father.

Rosa thought her threats to the maids would remain hidden and her lady would not suffer punishment for her actions.

She felt foolish for believing the Duchess only dared to mistreat Anastasia because the Duke was unaware. Rosa thought she had found a way to improve her lady's life but instead had dug a pit.

"Should I go and explain the situation to the Duke?" Rosa considered. She wanted to take responsibility for her actions. "No, I might create more problems for my lady," she shook her head.

Rosa concluded that the Duke was heartless. While it was understandable that the Duchess disliked Anastasia because she was not her daughter, why would the Duke be so cruel to his own child?

"It must be the Duchess. She must have whispered lies to him," Rosa decided.

"If my lady is sent away, I will find a way to avenge her. I'll spread word of how a certain Duchess of Melany is petty and vicious, lacking the virtues of a kind mother and a virtuous wife. Her reputation will be ruined. I'll see how the mighty fall," Rosa vowed, clenching her fists.