Leticia remained stunned for a good while, with her hand still grasped around the teacup. Unsure of what to make do of this situation, she remained quiet. Her eyes lost focus and her body felt slightly feint.  

She was barely getting herself adjusted to this new life, and now she was getting engaged to someone.  

“Duke Fredrick, are you alright? You look quite pale.” Lady Natalia said with some sympathy in her tone of voice. She had gotten herself up from her seat in concern, and was about to make her way towards her. 

Leticia lowered her hand and put the cup onto the table to grasp the situation further. “Engagement...are you certain of this?”  She asked with her hands now shaking, while she wiped away any residual tea from her lips.  

Lady Natalia who seemed unconcerned by this, remained calm in demeanor, while her gaze remained unbroken. Her eyes looked slightly elevated and her lips were pressed together with disappointment. “I am more than certain of this. Our families had agreed to this engagement. I am quite surprised you were not aware of this.” 

Leticia remained stiff, with her face scrunched inwards. She had read all the paperwork earlier, and looked through some documents in Fredricks study but there was nothing that stated he was getting engaged.  It felt like something was a bit ajar, and she might have to look into it.  

Lady Natalia took another sip of her tea, and placed it back onto the table. Her hands extended out to grab her fan that still rested on the table and placed it onto her lap. She seemed to have emptied her cup of tea, and with her free hand she poured herself another cup.  

“I was not aware of these arrangements, Lady Natalia. I do apologize.”  

Natalia simply smiled while she maintained her elegant posture. “I find it quite strange that you were not aware of this engagement, Duke Fredrick. I do feel quite hurt on this matter.” She motioned, with the free hand now upon her chin. “I do have to say, the word Duke does have a nice ring to it.” 

Leticia felt a tone of aggression from her, and knew that this woman was using the title of Duke as some sort of leverage. After-all, Fredrick was not married yet, so the title would not originally not have applied to him.  

It was only after the rebellion he was given the title by Leticia's brother, who now was the king of Braxton. It bypassed any rules of him needing to be married, but it did not spare him from the inner courts gossip on how he had been given a free pass when others had to marry in order to maintain their titles.  

“I understand your plight, Lady Natalia. I was not aware of this matter, so I will get to the bottom of this matter.” Leticia assured her with her hands extended out as a sign of friendship. Natalia too surprised, extended her own hand and took it.  

“I am immensely pleased Duke Fredrick for this delightful time. I do hope this can be solved in an orderly fashion.”  

Leticia gave a few nods of approval reluctantly to keep the peace. “I might have been preoccupied with other matters in the territory, that my family must have forgotten to inform me.” Leticia made the excuse. 

“I would be quite pleased if you did look into this matter.” Lady Natalias demeanor changed slightly to a warmer tone with her awkward smile from time to time. She felt satisfied it seemed, as she constantly would change her topics form the green house to Fredricks mother that she admired greatly. “The late duchess was a wonderful woman. I do admire her greatly.” 

Leticia who too had some fond memories with the late Duchess could only reply with, “I do miss her greatly.” 

“The late duchess I am sure would be pleased that we will be together. I have many wonderful ideas that might please you and would mirror her great life.” She excitedly added.  

Leticia who found that a bit obsessive remained silent to her thoughts, and continued to listen to her nonsense for a good duration of time.  

It seemed as if she had already planned all the years they would spend together. The number of children they would have, to how she wanted the estate renovated to her needs. Leticia slowly phased her out and continued her gaze behind her to focus on the flowers till she finally stopped talking for a short while. 

Leticia was about to say something when Natalia who had not finished talking simply extended the conversation. “We should discuss the upcoming ball that the king will be hosting. We are to be engaged soon, so I hope you would escort me.” 

Leticia stopped midway from the word she wanted to say and continued to stare at her as her mouth continued to talk about the upcoming ball. It was out of etiquette that she would have to do as she had asked. 

“I will be there to pick you up and escort you, Lady Natalia.” 

She in turn was ecstatic to hear this reply, and her face beamed. “I do hope our bond grows, so that with time we can do great things.”  

Out of etiquette Leticia smiled. She planned to have this engagement nulled. “It seems it has gotten quite late, will you being have dinner with me?” 

Lady Natalia seemed giddy with the thought, as she placed a hand on her lips and giggled.  “I am thankful for the thought, but I do have to decline your invitation for a meal. I do have to excuse myself Duke Fredrick, for I do have to attend to other matters.” She pushed back the chair and then got up slowly, while her free hand tidied up her dress that was slightly wrinkled. She had forgotten the fan that was settled onto her lap earlier, as it now laid on the floor. Her face flushed that she broken the rules of etiquette, and she slowly lowered herself to pick up the fan off the floor. She then followed this with a curtsey and Leticia in turn stood up and bowed. Lady Natalia extended out her hand, and there was a brief moment of silence between them, as if there was something more.  

Ah... Leticia had forgotten as she held out her hand, and without a second to spare Lady Natalia placed it upon hers. It was all etiquette.  

“We can admire the late Duchess’s flowers.” She gestured while Leticia escorted her slowly through the front glass door onto the cobble stone road, which led to a plain dirt road that was used as a short cut. It would pass by the stables and further down led towards the courtyard, which in turn led to the entrance that was adjacent to the main road.  

Once there, Leticia slowly released her grip of Natalia’s hands as the golden vined gate slowly opened to allow for a silver lined carriage with two finely toned bay horses to trot in and stop once they had reached just below the entrance.  

“I hope you have a safe journey, Lady Natalia.” Leticia tried to sound sincere and put her lips onto Lady Natalias hand that took her by surprise.  

“How romantic.” She mused, before she gave a large cunning smile to the gesture. 

The coachmen had hopped off the back of carriage, and had made his way towards the entrance and bowed.  

“Open it.” she ordered and he opened the door for her. “I had enjoyed my time with you Duke Fredrick. I hope to see you soon.” She was escorted inside by the coachmen who then closed the door behind her, after he was sure he would not nick her dress. 

He hopped back on in a hurry, and the carriage with a snap of the whip took off in a steady pace. 

Leticia put a hand up to wave her farewell, just long enough for the carriage to vanish beyond the horizon. She took the time to spat out a good amount of saliva from her mouth and wipe away her lips with her own hand in disgust. That woman was conniving and cunning.