The horses stop moving. The duke stands up and goes out first, before helping Bel down, taking the role of the coachman.
In front of them was a luxurious building that fit with the mansions and classy restaurants. Her husband tensed imperceptibly behind her. She didn't ask why.
They stepped through the door, Bel leading the way with her fast pace. She needed this done now.
The duke was immediately recognized, and Bel was correctly assumed to be the duchess by the staff.
" It is an honor to have you here your graces. What can we do for you ? " The woman bows to both of them.
Neither of them answers. Bel glances at the duke to see what he's waiting for. He is staring at her, also waiting for her to answer. She sighs internally.
" We are here to open a bank account in my name, independent from anyone else. " Bel finally answers.
The woman seemed surprised by the request, it was unusual. She looked toward the duke, checking that Bel did have his permission. Oblivious, he didn't say anything, which she apparently took as an agreement.
" Yes, of course. If you would come with me." She starts leads them to a separate room with a man at the desk.
" Hello director, " She greets her superior." The duke would like to open an independent bank account for his wife. " She explains before leaving.
The director stands up before bowing deeply. He greets them before sitting back down.
The man takes out a few papers.
" Of course we can do this right now. I simply need your name, your signature and your wife's signature. " He informs them.
He slides a contract towards them. Bel takes it before her husband can. Her eyes skips over the clauses. No.
" Excuse me, but we would like to open an entirely independent bank account. " She interjects.
" I- Yes, your grace, that is a contract specifically for that. " He clarifies.
Bel cites the lines to every sentences she can found that could possibly be used to contest her sole control on her money.
" Could you change all of this, please ? " She adds a 'please', but her tone is short.
" Well- " He starts to contest, he glances behind her, swallows and changes his mind. " Of course, your grace. If you would please change whatever you need and we will print that right now. "
She is handed a pen. She starts crossing out words and rewriting clauses with little regard to neatness.
She hands back the paper who is the, given to a staff member the director calls. Then ensues a wait rendered even longer by the awkward silence.
The man shifts uneasily in his chair. Bel supposes her unnerving stare could be mistaken for a glare. Purely accidental on her part of course.
Somebody came back with the papers, sensing the tension, they immediately left.
Bel took the papers before anybody. She reads them, re-read them and re-read them again just to be sure. Both her husband and the director were looking at her. She gives a brief nod of agreement. She takes the pen and starts signing everything she needs before sliding the paper to her husband.
The duke reads it over before following his wife's lead and signing. Bel feels her heart speed up. She was close to one of her biggest steps to freedom, once the director signed this nobody would be able to take her money from her.
The man reads it, then re-read it again. Bel wanted to shake him until he went faster.
Ever so slowly, he raised his pen. He wrote his name in all the places needed. Bel waited eagerly.
" It is done. " He declares, putting down the pen and paper.
" Could we have a copy of the document ? " She asks immediately.
" Ah… " He hesitates. He looks over to the duke. Bel doesn't know what he sees, but he flinches before going back to her. " Yes of course. " He assures her.
Instead of getting up himself, he calls one of his underlings again to do his work. A copy of the paper is soon brought back, and Bel tuck it preciously in her pocket.
" We can go now. " She doesn't wait for their answers and stands up.
She had already left Tia alone for too long. The duke followed closely behind her, matching her fast steps.
He goes in front of her to open the door of the establishment and then again to open the door of the carriage. He really does acts like a commoner. Whatever, it wasn't the worst trait to have in a husband. She didn't know why, but her cheeks felt warm for some reason.
The ride was weighted down by an awkward silence. It usually wouldn't bother Bel too much, but she supposed she would need to make an effort in this marriage one moment or another.
" Thank you for honoring my request, duke. " She thanked.
" It is only natural, your grace. " His eyes crinkled weirdly and his permanent rictus widened.
What was that expression ? Maybe he was angry about what she asked for. But why would he say it's natural if he resented it.
And he used that strange honorific again.
" You call me 'your grace'. " She remarked.
" Well, you did say you were uncomfortable if I called you by your name, it would be too confusing to call you by your last name when we have the same last name. " He explained.
Right, they had the same last name now that they were married. Bel had never heard his first name, but she's sure she must have heard his family name at some point. Huh. She forgot what it was. How could she not know her own last name ? She glanced at him.
He seemed almost… saddened by the thought of not calling her by her first name. Maybe refusing to let her husband call her by name was a bit harsh.
" 'Your grace' is only used for a duchess by people of lower ranks. " She clarified.
She hadn't thought had this could be taken badly. The thought only came into her mind when she saw his face harden. He scoffed.
" So you did hear the rumors about me ? That is unfortunate. So, what ? You got forced into marrying the commoner posturing as a duke. Well I still money and power, who cares about reputation? I might have been born of a lower rank, but right now I am a duke, same as you. " His face had suddenly tensed, all guise of politeness abandoned.
Bel had expected her husband's mask to fall at one point, but she had thought he would just be another angry, greedy piece of shit who talked with his fists and thought with his dick. But the duke seemed more… insecure, than anything else. She thought about what he said. He's speaking of being born of a lower rank, but Bel thought he was just a child the king disliked, not an actual commoner. She didn't know of any ways a peasant could become a duke.
" I don't understand, how can a commoner become a duke ? " She asked, not mincing her words. He was already angry after all, so why waste her time.
He clenched his fists, averting her gaze.
" You don't need to understand reality for it to be real, your grace. " He said, looking down.
Instead of getting angrier like Bel had thought she would, he seemed more… sad. He had returned to the use of the honorific, except that he had said it with such a resigned tone…
" What's your name ? " She asked suddenly.
" What ? " He frowned, not understanding.
" You told me I could call you by your name, but you never told me what's your name. " She clarified.
He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He seemed surprised. Bel thought not knowing his name would finally offend him, and he would lose that wet dog look.
" I'm Cain. " He answered, puzzled.
Cain was once again, not angry. Maybe he just… wasn't an angry guy. That would be a first for her.
" Don't call me by name. " She declared.
Bel wanted to make sure the name the crown prince and the count had sullied would never leave this man's lips.
" So I am not allowed to call by my wife by name ? " He sighed deeply.
" You can call me… Bel. " She finally admitted.
She didn't know if she would live to regret this