Chapter 14: Rumors
"Miss Kobach. Don't you know about the recent rumors of the Capital?"
"I don't know, Madam Thorne. I've been in seclusion for many years, away from the complicated life on the City."
"Oh My! Well, that is perfect then, let me tell you everything."
Madam Thorne is a wonderful woman, she had two brilliant sons and one cute little daughter. She was a widow and was left with no money when her husband died from illness a year ago and his horrible family members only showed at her door to claim the last bit of money she had.
The town's corrupt officials didn't do anything to help her and she was left with nothing in her abandoned mansion, the mansion she put on sale and Irina bought. Now, Madame Thorne was the housekeeper and her cute little daughter helped around while her sons worked at the bakery shop.
Irina also bought the bakery shop and some other malls to create a long-term business. My adorable smart Irina was looking out for our future. However, the ones that managed the stores where the young and talented Thorne brothers.
The elder one, Ian, was the most brilliant baker I've ever met, and the younger one, James, has the right mind for business. However, my favorite was Lily, she was one clever little girl. She followed Irina around learning from medicine and potions asking about everything and brightening the house with her lovely laughs and childish games. However, she was also starting to learn to be a gentle cute little lady, even more, when Blaze was around.
Those were peaceful days, we all lived happily together. Then again, Madam Thorne liked to talk a lot about the town's rumors and the Capital's news. I was never bored hearing her enthusiastic descriptions of the social life of the villagers.
"One year ago when the Gran Duke of Docrem went into the Capital, the King declared that he was a traitor and ordered for the execution of his soldiers if they didn't swear their loyalty to the Kingdom while the Duke was imprisoned."
I was stunned but somehow, I expected it. It was all written in the book, however, I was a bit worried.
"The nobles and soldiers supporting the Duke raised a revolt and the King was forced to abdicate. The common people knew the great deeds of the Duke during the war and how he saved several villages from thieves and enemies' invasions. He is truly an exceptional man… sighs"
I knew it.
"The King abdicated? That's…"
"Yes, it was all a big commotion. We all thought that the Duke will be crowned but he conceded the Kingdom to his sister, Princess Miriam. His elder sister is now the Queen and her husband is the King but we all know that she is the true leader."
He did it. He was very entertained with his business and the fight with his brother that he didn't look for me. He forgot about me. That was why I never felt him near.
"Did he marry? The Duke?" I had to ask. I had to know if they married.
"I haven't heard about that. But that's the rumors, my lady."
"What?"
"The Queen arranged a big event for the Duke. She invited all the noble ladies from the Capital and the Princesses from the allied countries to find her brother a wife."
"I thought he was already engaged to the Crotia Kingdom."
"You knew? I thought you didn't."
"Well, I heard Mina mention something before…" I sipped my tea avoiding her eyes.
"It was a huge scandal, my lady. No one knows where the fiancée went to, the rumors said that she escaped because of the hideous looks from the Duke, but I saw him once and he is a very handsome young man… Others said that she was killed, or that the Duke fell in love with someone else, but all of them unconfirmed. However, the Duke never got another fiancée, and the Queen is pressing him…"
"I heard something else…" The voice of a young man interrupted our little chat.
"Oh, Ian you are back early."
"Yes, greetings my lady, greetings mother."
"Excellent, we can all have dinner together."
"Yes, mother."
Madam Thorne was beaming with happiness, she truly liked to be together with her family.
However, I was left with my curiosity picked. I cleared my throat and they turned to look at me. I felt my cheeks heating up.
"You were saying, you heard something else…" I sipped my tea.
Both of them looked at each other snickering, they didn't have to conceal it, I could tell.
"Yes, my lady. A soldier called Elton and his mother live in a house near the bakery shop. We are good friends, and we grew up together until he left to become a knight under the orders of the Duke…"
I gulped, he can't be, this can't be a coincidence. I must warn Irina.
"He came back a few months ago and told us about Duke's infatuation with a woman, he said that the Duke carried with him at all times the portrait of his former fiancée."
I was about to drop my cup of tea, but the voice of madam made me react on time.
"Oh My! He can't forget her. Then why did they separate?"
"I don't know, and Elton didn't tell us, it must be something difficult to say, even to him, the blabbermouth. He only said that the Duke's fiancée was an extraordinary woman."
"She was?"
"I don't know more, but the knights respect her very much."
I felt happy and… sad, at least they remembered me. My smile came out without me knowing.
"I think Elton will come next week. He said he wanted to bring Lily some dresses from the Capital."
What?! I could feel my face losing color and my fingers shaking. Damnit! Control yourself, Lucia.
"Miss Kobach, can we invite the knights to dinner next week? I promise that they are an excellent company."
"The knights?"
"Yes, Sir Elton usually comes with Sir Greyson and some others to visit his mother and my two boys. They grew up together."
"This…" Oh no! I should say no but Madam Thorne will be disappointed. I should warn Irina! Irina!
"Please, Miss Kobach."
"Alright…" What did I say?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
YawningBrain
YawningBrain Dear Readers,
Just a bit of peace before... (￣y▽￣)╭ Ohohoho.....
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone