Marry the Duke

…

Last night escalated very fast. I could not help but think through a thousand things. 

It was not a night full of rest. I could only settle on a conclusion which was leaving the town completely with Uncle Fletcher, but we had yet to discuss it properly. 

 "Good morning, my mistress," Maria said as she bent a little. She walked to the windows and parted the curtains as the chilly beams kissed my skin a handful. I gently sat up and by now, she was standing in front of me—on the edge of the bed. 

 "Did you sleep well?"

 "Nothing like I've ever struggled with. I will survive, that is all I can say…" I said, stepping out of bed. I stood on the small scaffold where I would change my night dress. 

 "Mr. Fletcher awaits you, he thinks that hunting will be exciting," Maria said, and I nodded. 

 "My heart is heavy, my thoughts are clashing too…" I sighed as she stopped what she was doing and asked.

 "What is eating you up?"

 "Something worse than marrying Sir Thompson," I said as her face squeezed curiously. Maria placed held my dress to listen.

 "My parents and uncle have conspired to marry me off to… an infertile duke. Somewhere in the Old Americas," I explained. 

 "The City of Vy? That is… great. A duke, are you going to be a Duchess? Oh, my!" Maria was rather excited. She pulled away and bent a little with a radiating smile. "Your grace, my lady… it is so beautiful to imagine. Those big ball dresses will look pretty on you! Very exquisite and regal," she said as she continued dressing me up. 

I scoffed, "I did not expect such a reaction. Isn't it a dreadful thing? To be confined within those high walls with dixebs of guards?" I asked as my face dropped. 

 "Is it not better than being a third wife? Being a duchess will serve a greater purpose than being a third choice, think about it anyway…" Maria said. "Done," she said after she tied my hair into a neat ponytail. 

 "No hairpins," I said as I rose to leave. "Being a duchess seems like a curse to me, it is not good. I'm no good either. I am paying such a high price and it will attract great pity for myself and my child. Getting married out of pity, wedlock. It is not good, Maria, it is not," I sadly explained before leaving the room. 

…

Later on, I joined my uncle in the receiving room. He was ready as well. 

 "Morning to you, Uncle Bear!" I bent with a grin. We didn't have the chance to exchange pleasantries yesterday. 

 "Morning to you, too, Minibear, I see that you are well ready! We should go!" 

He said as he offered an arm, I took it with a with. 

…

 Into the foliage, we rode horses. He held his hunting rifle and I held mine. Two stewards accompanied us, but kept their distance. 

 "You are bad at eavesdropping, Rosette," he began.

 "Oh, I wasn't attempting to." I snapped and he smiled. We stepped down from the horses and the stewards took them from there as my Uncle and I went further into the woods. We planned on hunting down a deer. 

 "I never got the time to ask after Dominique, is he well?" I began. 

 "He is well, in fact, he's traveled beyond the City of Vy, beyond the seas. He's exploring other parts of the world. I hear that there are beautiful races too, melanated. With such unique beauty, the world is truly beautiful, I think," he said, and I smiled. 

 "Indeed. I have only read stories about them. I wish to meet them too in person." I said. "Will he not wed?" I asked before I void rethink. 

 "He has a beautiful bride, he is engaged to the duke's cousin's daughter…" 

 "That is very lovely," I grinned. "Please, when next you write to him, let him know that I am looking forward to his wedding, I really am," I said, and he patted my shoulder. 

 "About last night, I did want to talk to you about it afterward. At least, not with… your parents involved. I cannot believe that they could be very hideous and selfish…" he said with a small frown. 

 "I have always tried to tell everyone, but they are too scared to stand up to them. I do not scared of either of them, and they are aware…" I stated firmly and he smiled. 

 "She remains your mother. Nonetheless, your parents wrote to me some days ago about you but never mentioned the pregnancy. I thought that… I should come since I had been planning to come anyway... I have missed my favorite niece," he explained and teased as I blushed. 

We heard activities behind the trees afar. We crouched behind a huge log, set up our rifles over the log, and remained still. 

 "Given that I have been a close friend of the Willem family for years, I served Duke Willem before his death and now, his son has taken up the position of duke," he said almost in a whisper as we concentrated on the animal behind the tree. 

 "News reached Willem's wife that… her son was suddenly unfertile because of the wreckage he suffered during his travel. As a trusted confidant, the wife and son has asked this… expedition to find a suitable wife for her son. It is a family secret," he said, and my brows crumpled a little. 

 "Did you say family secret?" I asked. "That is… tragic. But Uncle Bear, I'm with child—"

 "Hush now, dearest, here comes the deer…" he whispered, and the deer stepped out of hiding. He nudged me to take the shot and I aimed at the deer and shot at it. The animal dropped as the stewards rushed to the animal. 

 "You are with a child, so what does it matter? What could be better than this? You stand a chance of becoming a duchess, and the life of your child will change. Do this for your child if you are not cut out for it…" he stated. 

 "Uncle Bear, what if the father comes looking and—"

 "Who dares to question the duke's eligibility to sire a son?" he asked, and I was silent. "I thought so, no one. You get to have a good man to nourish your son, to teach him the ethics of a gentleman, sparring, fencing, and the sort, Rosette. All you have to do is… be a good wife to your betrothed. Do you understand?" he explained. 

 "I do." my voice shrunk. I had no other choice. "What am I now? A substitute and coverage for a family secret?" I asked. 

 "Would you rather… have no one and live in this damned society where young women like you are abused? It is a cruel and cold, cold place. I have heard about Sir Thompson and I will make sure that he pays dearly once you marry the duke. I have a hand," he stated. We began walking as he grabbed my rifle. My thoughts were all over the place as I tried to assure myself that it was for the better—the decision I had taken. I began to wonder if the Duke would be kind enough to accept me as a bride. 

 "What if he doesn't like me? What if he finds me despicable? I would hate to drag the duke's name into my mess," I innocently said. I did not want to make any more mistakes. 

 "I am confused. Who would ignore a beauty such as you, Ava Rosette?" he asked. He rubbed my face and tilted his brow with a smile. "Exactly, no one. Westerners are afraid to admit that you are gorgeous and clever. Such a woman with such wits and determination is never taken for a joke. I am certain the current duke will worship you," he said. 

 "What if he doesn't love me? He would know that the child is not his, isn't it?"

 "Nice shot, Ava. Prepare tonight, we will catch the trip by morning. My duty here in Western has been successfully carried out," he said, and continued walking, dismissing my endless questions. 

 "Me and you? Is it so… urgent? I think it is too soon," I complained. 

 "Your wedding is coming by the end of the week and yes, it is that soon," he stated. 

With that, the matter died as if it had never been a thing to worry about. Still, I was worried about everything. Marrying the duke and deceiving the government about an heir is way scarier. My uncle sees it as a mere thing. But then, was this destiny? I wondered. 

 …

When it was bedtime, for the first time in years, my father decided to speak with me. I did not know why, and I did not bother to ask why either. 

 "Is there a conflict that I have caused that needs to be solved?" I asked calmly, staring intently at him. 

 "Quite the opposite, Ava," he said as I sat adjacent to him. "Firstly, how did your hunt go?" he asked me. 

 "It was exciting."

 "I was told that you… brought down a deer," he said with a half-smile. 

 "Certainly." I snapped calmly. 

 "Just like your younger days. Fascinating," he said, and he sipped from his wine. 

 "Is there something… that you want to talk about before my sudden departure? You might never see me again. You would want that, right?" I stated confidently. 

 "Why are you so sure, Rosette?"

 "Like am I too deaf or too blind to know the ills in this manor? This family? I would be damned if I pretended that you and mother did not despise me. The same goes for my sisters. Now I wonder… what my lovely parents have whispered into the ears of Marvin. I just wonder," I scoffed.

 "Ava? We do not hate you—"

 "Remind me again Father, what do you have to tell me that I haven't heard?" I asked. I was bitter. He was aware of the dangers that they had put me through. He stared at me blankly, as if regretting it all. 

 "I am not the best father, but I have always had your interest at heart…" he said, and I forced a smile. 

 "I see why I got married to Sir Thompson, I see why you joined society to call me 'worn-out'. It was because you had my interest at heart. Isn't that… lovely? I am indeed lucky!" my tone carried sarcasm and hurt. 

 "Believe it or not, every father would move mountains to witness the progress of their children. Your mother and I have done just that. We have spent our savings on you—trying to find the best match for you. We have done a lot of things to ensure that you are reputable and honorable.

 "And I will repay you and your wife all the resources that you have wasted on me. I promise you that..." I stated, interrupting him. 

My father laughed hysterically. "Do you mean to say that you are dwelling on the duke's wealth? You are not even married to him yet. He may not… like how you are," he blurted. 

 "I would rather make a death wish than do that. I am not a money monger like you, father." I chuckled dryly. "I know my place in your life, I'm not even worthy of being your child. You believe that I am cursed." my gaze sharpened at him. 

 "We cannot help but think so Ava. You've been wild and nonchalant," he yelled. "Never have you been courteous, it is… it is bizarre. I have suffered mockery and shame from society. It has ruined my name, Rosette.Do you not know that?" he asked. 

 "And you prefer to send me away at any given chance that you get for the money in return?" I asked too. The conversation was not smooth, it was intense and contemptuous. 

 "That way, we are both safe and happy," he snapped. There was no point trying to understand each other, his interests were selfish and it only hurt me. I walked to the door, my hand holding the handle as I turned to him again. 

 "If loving me as a daughter is an offense and a heavy… burden, I will gladly ease it off for good." I swallowed up and fought the tears in my eyes. "I will leave for the City of Vy by morning, and I will never wish to return. There is no home for me here. In this family or Western. I do hope that my sisters and brother give you exactly what you are looking for. Mr. Philips."

I left his room. 

I will do this again, leave home to marry a total stranger for the sake of my child and at the expense of my privilege, I tried to console myself.