Beatrice's POV
I woke up the next morning in a room that was far too large and a bed that was far too empty. I had stayed awake for most of the night, staring at the door, thinking that maybe Edward was just busy with urgent business. I told myself he would surely return to the room eventually to fulfill his duties as a husband. But I was wrong.
I had fallen asleep in an unfamiliar room filled with small reminders of him, the scent of his cologne, the dark wood of the furniture, the heavy silence of his presence but without the man himself.
The first emotion that hit me when I opened my eyes was a wave of relief. As scary as this whole situation was, there was a small part of me that was glad I didn't have to add an intimate night with a man I feared to my list of worries. But the relief was short-lived because I knew exactly what his absence meant for our marriage.
In this world, as long as a marriage has not been consummated, it is not considered fully legal. It is open to being cancelled or divorced easily. I didn't want to think about what would happen to me if the Duke decided to throw me away so soon. My parents would never take me back, and I would be a laughingstock. The only way to survive was to make myself so useful as a Duchess that the people of this estate and the Duke himself would find me impossible to replace.
I stood up and walked to the bell pull, ringing it to signal that I was awake. Soon, five maids entered. Three had come with me from the Count's estate, and two were original members of the Duke's staff. They knocked politely and I told them to come in. I sat still as they began their work, undressing me, bathing me in warm water, and dressing me in a gown that looked regal but practical.
I made sure to let them do everything. Even though I was used to doing things for myself, doing so now would arouse suspicion. I had to act like a high-born Duchess from the moment I woke up until the moment I went to sleep.
Once I was ready, I asked for the butler.
"Your Grace, you called for me?" Dan, the butler, said as he entered. He was a tall, serious man who moved with great care.
"I need a tour of the estate today," I told him.
"I can give you a detailed written description of the estate if you wish, Your Grace," Dan offered.
"I don't want a report," I responded firmly. "I want to see the estate with my own eyes. I don't want to work based only on what I am told. I think seeing the people and the grounds is the best way to start becoming a good Duchess."
Since there was no romance between Edward and me, I had to find a different way to be valuable. If I couldn't be a wife he loved, I would be a partner he respected. I saw a flash of surprise on Dan's face before he quickly hid it behind a calm expression.
"Consider it done, Your Grace," he said.
"But before we begin," I added, "I need to select a guard. I cannot walk around the estate or the city with only my maids. I need protection."
I was striking while the iron was hot. From the secret list of workers' details I had gotten from the Information Guide, one person in the Duke's mansion had caught my eye. I already knew exactly who I wanted to be my personal guard.
"Certainly, Your Grace. You can select from the knights at the training grounds, or I can give you a list of names of the most capable men for you to choose from," Dan explained.
"I want to see them first," I said. I already knew my choice, but I had to make it look like I was making a careful decision based on skill.
"Of course. We can head to the training grounds now. It is time for their morning practice. You can watch them spar and pick the ones you think are best."
"Lead the way," I commanded.
We began walking toward the training grounds. As we walked, I thought about my plan. I had decided long ago that no matter how Edward treated me, I would do my job perfectly. Maybe he married me because he needed someone efficient. I don't know and I don't think I would ever find out. Even if he never falls in love with me, he is a practical man. He would appreciate a Duchess who took over the hard work of running the estate, leaving him free to do his own business. It was better to be wanted for my work than to wait for a love that might never come.
When we arrived at the training ground, the knights were getting ready to fight one another in practice matches. Dan stepped forward to announce me, but I stopped him.
"Don't," I whispered. "I want to see how they perform when they don't feel the pressure of the Duchess watching them." In truth, I didn't want to give the other knights false hope. I was only looking for one man.
As I watched them fight, I pointed to a man who stood out from the rest. He was tall, moved with incredible speed, and seemed to anticipate every move his opponent made. He wasn't just strong; he was smart.
"Who is he?" I asked.
"That is Kelvin, the head of the knights," Dan answered. "He only answers to the Duke." He paused, then added, "And now, to the Duchess."
Dan looked at me closely. "If I may, Your Grace, if you are thinking of picking him, you should know that he is a commoner. He was found in the slums as a child."
He continued, "The Duke brought him in because his talent was too great to ignore. His loyalty to the Duke is very high, which is why he rose through the ranks so fast, despite his humble beginnings."
"If you are telling me this because you think I would be bothered by his past, you are wrong," I said. "I don't care about his birth. I only care about his ability."
Kelvin's story touched me deeply. It made me want to be even stronger. I knew better than anyone what it felt like to be a commoner surrounded by nobles who looked down on you. Most of the other guards here were from noble families. They were second sons who wouldn't inherit anything, or bastard children sent away to hide a family shame. They were all there to gain favor. But Kelvin was there because he had fought for his spot. He had been bullied and ignored, yet he had survived.
He and I were like two sides of the same coin.
That was my first reason for choosing him. My second reason was strategic: if the head of the knights was my personal guard, everyone would believe the Duke valued me highly. It would create a public image of strength and unity.
After the practice ended, Dan spoke up. "Your Grace, I will go and tell him his new duties."
"No," I said. "Just tell him I would like to speak with him. I will tell him myself." I added, "He deserves that much respect."
Dan looked surprised again. Nobles almost never treated commoners with respect, let alone personally asked them to do a duty like they were asking for a favor. I ignored his look and walked toward the office I had been assigned during my tour.
A few minutes later, Dan arrived at my office with Kelvin.
"Mr. Kelvin, please take a seat," I said.
He hesitated for a second. It was clear he wasn't used to being asked to sit by a noblewoman. But he obeyed and sat down across from me.
"To be direct, I have seen your skills and your leadership," I told him. "I want you to be my personal guard."
Kelvin looked confused. "Your Grace, I have many duties as the head of the knights."
"I know you are busy," I said. "When there are small tasks, you can send someone you trust.
But when I am moving around the estate or leaving the grounds, I want you by my side."
"Your Grace, I am honored," he said, bowing his head.
"Are you free right now? I would like to start that tour of the estate," I asked.
Kelvin stood up, but he didn't move toward the door. "Before that, Your Grace, there is something I must inform you about."