Beatrice's POV
The walk through the Count's estate to get to the Countess's office was nothing but pleasant, yet I felt utterly chaotic inside. My mind whirled in different directions, anxiety over what this meeting meant for my future and curiosity about what I would soon be told made me unable to appreciate the short walk.
After I got to the Countess's office, the maid knocked on the door and waited until we were given permission to come in before we walked inside. Immediately we entered, I walked a respectable distance and did my courtesy to her.
"My lady, you called for me," I said after my bow. I made sure to keep my tone very respectful and my head still bowed, waiting for her to tell me what to do next whether I was to remain bowed or not.
"Take a seat, Beatrice," she replied sharply.
The tension in the room was so sharp it felt as though it could cut a rock in two.
"Thank you, my lady," I responded, trying to stop my body from reacting too strongly to her. My chest was beating rapidly no matter how I tried to control it, but that wasn't what I was most worried about. What I struggled hardest to control was the way my hands were shaking, because they betrayed the stoic face I tried so hard to portray.
"So," she began, a slight smirk already on her face before she even spoke, "have you made up your mind about the maid who would be sent with you to the Duke's estate?"
The smirk remained even after she finished asking the question.
"Yes, I have," I answered. "Although I don't know the number I am required to take with me, I chose one person I feel I would be comfortable with over time."
I tried to keep my emotions in check, but I noticed that the Countess took note of the tremble in my hands. That was why she was smirking like she had won, like all of this was nothing more than a game or some form of entertainment to her.
"And who might that be?" she asked.
"Rose," I replied. "Her name is Rose. She works in the kitchen, I think?"
I continued carefully, trying not to make it seem like I knew too much. The truth was that Rose didn't work solely in the kitchen. What she did was whatever task she was given for the day.
But I needed it to appear as though I didn't really know her well, as though she had been randomly selected.
Still, I was sure the Countess would not mistake the person in my mind. Rose was the only one with that name in the entire estate.
"Well," she said, studying me, "you are required to pick two more people. You may select two more."
"I will go with whatever you decide, my lady," I said, trying to please her.
It worked. There was a slight change in her facial expression, a hint of satisfaction. But contrary to what she might have been thinking, I had already planned for this. If I could not take only one person, then I would simply find a way to keep the remaining two in check.
Once I won Rose to my side, the rest could be handled. I planned on using Rose to deal with the others.
"The next thing you have to do is this," she said, pulling out a file from her desk. "Your dowry to the Duke from us for the marriage alliance."
She slid the file across the table.
"The Duke requested that it be brought to him by you," she added.
"I will do just that, my lady," I responded with a bow, although the fear of meeting the Duke again weighed heavily on my mind after how we left things the last time we met at the ball.
"You will be chaperoned by my maid," she continued sharply. "And when you get there, you will act respectfully and in a manner befitting the name you bear. Do not disappoint me. I would hate to clean up after you."
"Yes, my lady," I replied, showing no emotion.
I excused myself and was about to leave her office when her voice stopped me in my tracks.
"He requested a barren land," she said with a short laugh. "A known wasteland as his dowry.
Hah… I suppose that is what you are worth. A waste. Do not ever forget that, Beatrice."
I turned around, gave a slight bow, and responded in the usual manner.
"Yes, my lady," I said, before leaving the office.
But inside, I was in turmoil. Questions formed rapidly in my mind. Why would he do that? What did he stand to gain by asking for wasteland? Unlike the Count and Countess, I knew something did not add up. It made no sense. He could have asked for so much more, yet that was all he requested.
When I returned to my room, Elena was already gone. I quickly changed into something more befitting, but before I was done, a knock sounded at my door.
"I have come to escort you to the Duke's estate, my lady," said the Countess's personal maid.
"I will be done shortly," I replied, rushing so as not to keep her waiting for long.
The ride to the Duke's estate felt unbearably long. Perhaps it was because of the silence we observed, or perhaps it was because my mind raced with too many thoughts. I found myself growing more anxious than I had been earlier when I was speaking with the Countess.
When we finally arrived, it felt like an entirely different world from ours. For one, the estate was far more massive than the Count's. As we stepped down from the carriage, I noticed rows of carriages already packed, with workers actively loading them.
I did not think much of it. I had other concerns occupying my mind.
Before my thoughts could wander too far, a voice interrupted me.
"Good afternoon, Your Grace. My name is Dan, and I am the butler of this estate. I apologize for arriving late. We were not informed of the time of your arrival."
His voice pulled my attention back, and when I looked at him, it was clear he truly was the butler of the estate.
"Then I must apologize," I said. "The fault is mine."
I should have known the Countess would pull something like this. Perhaps her aim was to create small misunderstandings between me and the Duke's staff, making my stay as Duchess uncomfortable.
But she forgot one small detail: I was used to standing and waiting for hours, thanks to the maids in the Count's estate. In my book, he had not kept me waiting at all.
"As I mentioned," Dan continued, "the Duke is currently in a meeting. However, if you permit me, Your Grace, I was instructed to show you around so you may become familiar with your future home."
It was then I noticed he addressed me as Your Grace, a title meant for Dukes and Duchesses, not my lady, which I currently bore. That meant he was already treating me as the Duchess of this estate.
"You may lead the way," I replied.
Before we moved, I asked about what I had noticed earlier. "These carriages that are being loaded do they belong to the people the Duke is meeting?" I paused. "That is, if you do not mind me asking."
"Not at all, Your Grace," Dan replied. "Those carriages are not for the people His Grace is meeting. They are for you. They contain your dowries."
"All of them?" I asked, surprise slipping into my voice despite my effort to hide it.
"Yes," he said with a slight smile. "All of them and more."
The tour began at the entrance. I was taken almost everywhere from the grand halls to the maids' quarters, the kitchens, and finally my room. When I entered the room meant for me, I was shocked by its size. The walk-in wardrobe was already stocked with dresses of the season, all of them seemingly my size. My jewelry section was already filled as well.
I even caught a glimpse of surprise on the Countess's maid's face.
The room beside mine belonged to the Duke. Throughout the tour, Dan reminded me repeatedly that if there was anything I disliked, it could be changed.
"Would you like to see His Grace's room?" he asked.
I had not planned to see it, given that the Duke was not present, but after he asked, I found myself changing my mind.
"I would, if I may," I replied.
"You may," he said, "but no one else is permitted to enter since His Grace is not here. Only you."
"I do not mind," I said.
The doors to his chambers were open when I stepped inside. The size of the room was not much different from mine, but the style was vastly different. His room carried a darker theme, while mine was filled with white. His cologne still lingered in the air, mixed with the scent of freshly washed linen. I assumed it came from his bed the bedspread must have been newly washed.
"Your Grace," a voice called, "I apologize for disturbing you, but His Grace has finished his meeting and requests your presence."
We left immediately and headed toward the Duke's office. My heart raced the entire way, and my hands began to tremble once more. When we finally arrived, the butler knocked twice before we entered.
The Duke sat behind his desk in the middle of his massive office, files scattered everywhere.
"We are here, Your Grace," the butler announced.
The Duke looked up from his desk, his eyes landing on mine.
"Everyone leave," he said calmly.
"Except Her Grace."