Artizia closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
The early autumn weather was rejuvenating. Being by the sea meant that there were no extreme changes in temperature all year round, so the light breeze felt like spring.
The maids had set her up in the shade on the balcony. They had fussed a little when she told them that she wanted to be alone. She leaned her head back tiredly. The compromise had been that the balcony door was left open so that they could hear if she called.
She needed the time alone to sort out everything going on in her head. With a weary exhale, she locked her eyes onto a drifting cloud.
What was going on?
That morning that she woke thinking she was someone else; the sudden meeting with that… thing. The past week had been full of bizarre experiences.
For three days she had believed that she was Eliza Varma who had died suddenly at sixty. The memories of that life were too vivid; too personal for her to suspect that they were anyone else’s. But now that her memories as Artizia Azulrain were back, there was no disputing that these were hers either.
Had she remembered a past life in a different world? Magic had been a surprise for Eliza, but Artizia had grown up using magical devices. Had that been why no one had been able to pick up on the switch? But Eliza and Artizia had grown up in different environments – shouldn’t they at least be slightly different?
And what was with that dream? It had been so realistic, yet incredibly surreal – what was that thing? It had been in the shape of a man, but hadn’t felt alive. Even now, her heartbeat was picking up. Dangerous. Whatever it was, it was dangerous. Though it had been friendly, Artizia remembered that her instincts had screamed at her to run away. It was not something she could take on.
To top it all off, there was that final vision--
“Are you okay?”
She visibly jumped at the unexpected voice. Wide, golden eyes swung from the vacant spot in the sky where a cloud had been to dark, concerned eyes. Artizia blinked a few times.
“Your Grace,” she greeted when she found her tongue again. “I didn’t hear you. What brings you out here?”
“I came to check on you,” he replied. He hesitated before asking, “Do you need me to call the maids?”
“Why?”
“You look quite pale. Do you feel like fainting again?”
Despite the mess in her head, Artizia found a wry smile pulling at the corner of her lips. “You make it sound like I make a habit of it.”
The Duke said nothing for a while, eyes searching her face with some concern. She waved a hand dismissively.
“I am fine. They’re spying on me from behind the curtains. If I faint again, they will see it.”
He turned slightly at her words and glanced through the glass doors. True enough, the younger maid was seated in a spot where she had a clear line of sight to the Duchess. The Duke turned back to his wife who was gazing off into the distance again. It seemed like she had already forgotten he was there. His eyes flickered to the vacant seat next to her, then back to her.
Theo had threatened to lock the office doors if he went back too early after seeing Artizia, but it was clear that she wasn’t keen for company. He followed her gaze to the distance shoreline.
“It’s a beautiful view.” He said at last.
There was a moment’s pause, then, “Yes, it is.”
“Are your chambers to your liking?”
“I haven’t been conscious for long enough to say,” she replied distantly. Alexander felt a surprised smile tug on the corner of his lips. Was she even aware of what she was saying? Considering how blunt her answer was, it was unlikely.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t finish watching the play.”
“Mmm, they must have enjoyed the spectacle.”
Alexander paused and glanced behind him again. Judging by the maid’s serene expression, she couldn’t hear what Artizia was mumbling. He turned his attention back to Artizia ponderingly.
“Theo says you’re upset that I’ve been working since our wedding.”
She hummed noncommittally.
“Are you?” He prompted when she said nothing else.
“A little. Would be nice to see your face.”
His smile stretched slightly. He had gotten married for the sake of duty and to get his parents off his back. There had been no expectation of a loving marriage. He had to admit though; he felt a small lick of pleasure at her admission that she wanted to see him.
“Shall we have dinner together?”
“Sure.”
“I will have the meal brought up here.”
“Okay.”
“I shall see you then.” He said as he turned away. Theo surely would be pleased to hear that he had taken the initiative to ask for dinner. He had been here long enough; it was time to go back.
Artizia hummed again, not looking up even as he walked away. He left the room after informing the maid about dinner, unexpectedly looking forward to Artizia’s reaction when she realised what she had unconsciously agreed to.
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