Chapter 22: The Unwanted Duchess
"Duke, we have reached!" the driver informed us.
My heart was pounding rapidly. Numerous thoughts raced through my head. My inner voice kept reminding me of past experiences, telling me that he would do the same again. It kept saying I would be abandoned and left to die, just like last time.
"Madam."
"Madam."
I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at him.
"Yes, were you saying something?" I asked.
"Yes, the people of Ablia are waiting for you," he said.
The people of Ablia? Did they truly want me here with their beloved young duke, who was the hero of the Duclea nation? I wondered why the people of Ablia acted as if I were a parasite when I set foot here. Was it because they didn't care about the other regions of Duclea and were entirely self-centered about Ablia?
I wasn't sure.
I snapped out of my thoughts and held his hand as I got down from the carriage.
"I'm Grant, the butler welcoming you to Ablia state." he said, bowing politely.
Before he could complete his introduction, I heard the murmurs of the crowd, making my ears feel numb.
"Is that the Marquis's daughter rumored to be engaged to the young duke?"
"Yes, it's her."
"She looks so simple, unlike our duke."
"Yes, she doesn't even have the charm. I wonder what made the duke marry her."
"Did she force him?"
"Maybe she did black magic on him."
"Yeah, otherwise why would our duke marry her? He can have any princess. His face is so handsome. He has so many achievements. He is the strongest knight protecting the nation as well as this state. Then why would he marry her in such a hurry if it isn't the case?"
"Yeah, right!"
Hearing all of this, I wanted to scream. I wanted to confront them, but I clenched my fists in my skirt.
"Madam, let's go inside," Grant said, snapping me out of my thoughts. But it didn't comfort me as I saw those ungrateful maids bowing to me.
"Madam, this is Yuna, and she is going to handle all your personal tasks. So, from now on, she is your personal maid," he said, introducing her to me. She was looking down and nodding as he spoke.
"Welcome to Ablia, Duchess Bernice Balliol Agnes," I got goosebumps. I despised this name, this title, clinging to my name, but I couldn't rid myself of it.
"I will show you to your room," she said and led me upstairs. I noticed my old self, looking at the duke with a warm smile, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation. But she left with disappointment. Now, I looked at him in the same way, but the smile was no longer with me, nor was the affection.
"Duchess, do you need something?" she asked as I stopped.
"Yes, I need to talk to the duke," I said.
"You can talk later. Now, let me show you and help you prepare for a bath," she interrupted my words.
I turned to her.
"Can you repeat what you just said?" I asked.
"You can talk later—"
"Say it once more, and I will pull out your tongue," I glared. I finally realized that no one here respected me unless the duke said something. I was named Duchess, but with a title that felt ridiculous. I couldn't allow it to happen. I was only a Duchess known to the nation back then and now as well. Otherwise, why would no maid, no guard, and not a single person be there for me in this land when people would get scared easily if the low-ranking people made a slight mistake while serving the high-ranking officials?
"Duke," I called out, interrupting his conversation with Grant.
"Yes, Madam," he looked at me.
"We need a contract!!!" I spoke.
"A contract?" he asked.
"Yes, a contract. We need a contract that will be beneficial to both of us," even though it felt like a lifeline for me. Yeah, if this contract happens, then I'm free from all my worries. I would no longer have to keep living here, worrying about my death, which would keep me awake all night.
"Madam, what are you talking about? We don't need—"
"We do need this," I cut him off.
"Who said we don't need it? Yes, you can say that if I were to marry you because of my feelings, then we wouldn't need one. The same goes for you. But this is merely a marriage of convenience, so there needs to be a contract to keep everything in its right place," I explained.
"Or you married me because you love me?" I knew you never did, not the way I did.
"No, let's sign a contract. Tell me what you want!" he said and started writing everything down on paper. I didn't know what he was writing, but as I finished writing mine, we exchanged our papers.
The Duke should maintain the household. There shouldn't be anything that harms the household, Ablia. This should at least be maintained for a year. These were the conditions from the Duke's side, which were simple.
My conditions were: Both sides should respect each other's privacy. If everything continues well for a year, the Duke should sign the divorce papers. I didn't have many conditions, but they were all aimed at saving me.
"Divorce?" he asked.
His facial expression was something else, something I had never seen before. I wonder if I had asked the same question in my previous life, would he react the same way? Would he have that frown on his face that could mislead people about his feelings for me? I guess not. But here I am, doing something that my previous self would never have asked for, not even in her dreams.
"Yes, divorce. I don't want to keep it hidden from you, but I never wanted this marriage," I said, even though it hurt me like crazy.
"What if I don't?" My switch had snapped.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone