With only herself serving as company, Celeste settles into the unfamiliar accommodations. The king has truly outdone himself. 

He had prepared a room in the imperial palace for the newlyweds and it’s quite apparent that he put a lot of effort in. Red petals are scattered throughout the room along with burning candles to further the romantic theme. She somehow feels apologetic as she will be the only one taking up the space tonight.

Now that she is thinking about it– if the duke hadn’t left from their wedding, how strange would it have been to share the room with him?

Very strange.

Considering she could only hold eye contact with him for so long.

Letting out a sigh as she allows herself to relax into the bed, she thinks back to all the pitiful stares sent in her direction. Yet, in contrast to how everyone anticipated her to feel, she feels… unaffected. This situation was unavoidable after all.

At the same time, she couldn’t be too honest in her reaction. It was necessary for her to play the part of a disappointed, yet understanding wife of a busy duke. From what she could tell, she did very well. 

                                                                                           ***

What she didn’t imagine was how long she had to keep up the act.

“Welcome, duchess.”

Stunned by the large welcoming, her smile falters. “Hello, it is very nice to meet you all.”

Celeste thought she would wait at her parents’ manor while the duke is away at the border, but just after five days, she received a push from King Benedict to relocate to the dukedom. Reason being, the duke’s manor is close to the border and as a loving wife, she would want to be nearby.

Reality never hit her while she packed all of her belongings or when she said her farewells to her family, but it does when she arrives at her new home, standing before the entrance of Duke Ellis’s residence.

“We have been expecting you, Your Grace. My name is Baldwin, the head butler and this is Catherine, the head maid. We will be assisting you during your time here.”

“This is Anne, my maid. We will be in your care then.”

***

There were new things to get used to, new people to get to know, and a new chapter to be unfolded. She couldn’t deny how friendly Baldwin and Catherine are, but Anne’s presence is truly the most helpful factor.

“Are you lonely, my– Your Grace,” Anne corrects herself as she sets the newly-brewed tea down on the table.

This would certainly be an adjustment for anyone.

“Not if you’re here with me, Anne,” Celeste responds with a smile before she notices the expression on her maid’s face. “Is it so hard for you to believe my words?" 

“I suppose I imagined marriage differently,” she answers softly.

“What did you imagine differently?” 

“Well, the duke isn’t here at your side and it has been two weeks since the wedding.”

“He is busy.”

“Yes, but–,” 

“I am content and grateful, Anne.”

It must be hard for her maid to understand. Anne cares much for her and she isn’t aware of the truth behind the marriage. 

"Is this how my lady is when she is in love?" Anne sighs.

Did she also pity the duchess that supposedly loves the duke so much? 

To continue her role well, she starts by staying occupied- she can't miss the duke if she's busy. From the first day they arrived, Celeste needed to get used to knowing her way around the manor, which is much larger than the home she grew up in, and her new room. Baldwin had shared the duke had given orders to prepare a separate bedchamber for her. The two of them will have their own living spaces and Celeste secretly finds comfort in that.  

After that, she busied herself with mundane tasks that comes along with running a household– something that she has watched her mother do, as well as assisted in,

Surprisingly, she quickly adapts... though there is one matter about the manor she couldn't ignore. How empty it is.

Celeste learns from the maids and servants that this has been the duke’s longtime residence, but since he had been away at war for many years, it remains mostly empty. From the walls and to the plentiful rooms, there seems to be a lack of personalization to reflect the person who resides here.

With comforting smiles and happy expressions, they said to view herself as its first main occupant.

It’s possible that they have been feeling lonely as well.

***

Bart sighs. “Nothing out of the ordinary today.”

That has remained consistent for the past two weeks. Despite confirming there were footprints that couldn’t be accounted for, there were no other clues.

There is nothing for miles and no animal tracks to suggest they traveled by horse. It would have been difficult to bypass the gates to enter the territory, so how far could the individual get on foot?

There is fear that it has something to do with the border country of Bryson, but Duke Ellis finds it difficult to believe. The war had just been won and it is much too risky for them to attempt anything in the midst of their rebuilding.

“Bart, if you notice anything, no matter how insignificant, notify me immediately.”

There is no harm in being cautious. Though the war ended, peace requires work. Nonetheless, since nothing has changed, he thinks to return home for the time being. At the thought, he remembers that the home doesn’t only belong to him anymore.

“I am quite surprised you’re still here,” Bart comments light-heartedly, “You were just married.”

Just two weeks ago, he was looking forward to getting some rest. Yet, with the first whiff of possible trouble, he was dragged along without argument.

“It doesn’t mean to stop working,” the duke merely responds.

His second-in-command sighs once more. “I suppose not. I just figured you would like to spend some time with your newly-wedded wife.” Anyone would, but he should have known not to expect the same from the duke.

“This is priority.”

Bart frowns, but isn’t all too shocked by his response. “I think the duchess would be sad to hear that.” 

***

Sleep still escapes her often, so she has started to step out for late-night walks.

One nice thing about getting married is that her parents wouldn’t scold her for doing such a thing.

Following the candle lights that brighten the winding path, Celeste easily finds the small bridge set above a pond. It had been shared by the maids that the duke keeps koi fish in the back gardens. When he is home on rare occasions, he would feed them himself. Leaning over the wooden railing, she peers into the dark waters to see if she could catch any signs of these koi fish that the duke adores.

To her amazement, she does.

Peering closer, she counts how many she could see. If counting sheep couldn’t put her to sleep, there is a chance counting koi fish can, she thinks to herself with a smile. 

Out of the corner of her eyes, she notices erratic movements in the water and with careful inspection, she finds an unfortunate fish trapped between the branches that have fallen. Finding the railing gaps to be wide enough, she slips her body carefully in between. Crouching, she uses one hand to hold onto the barrier and the other to reach down below to clear the way for the struggling fish. She shifts her body forward a bit more when she can't reach it. Finally, her fingertips manage to skim the loose branch. Taking hold of it, she finds her center’s gravity titling closer to the pond’s surface. Fully expecting to submerge in the cold water, a tight grip on her other arm fortunately stabilizes her. Looking up, she finds the hand belonging to Duke Ellis and his face not far from her own. In a rush to prevent her from falling in, he’s bent low towards her. 

“You have impeccable timing,” she says, astounded.

“What are you doing out here?”

The two of them peek into the pond to catch sight of the previously trapped koi fish now swimming away. The duke takes a look around at the shrubs in the area.

“It must be time for them to get trimmed again,” he says more to himself.

She wants to ask him how his trip went, but she doesn’t want to overstep her boundaries with such questions. So, instead, she studies him silently for any injuries she could notice.

“What is it?” he asks while looking down at himself. 

Conscious of how awkward their reunion feels, Celeste tries to think of something to say. “I’m surprised of your return.”

“I do not… usually notify anyone when I come and go.”

“Oh.” That’s understandable.

“I suppose I should be more mindful from now on,” he says. 

Her hand reaches for her chest out of habit before noticing the absence of her pendant.

“Are you settling in fine?”

“Yes, everyone here has been very kind," she replies. 

She struggles with the small talk as all she wants to do is ask about the investigation, but she's knows this isn't the right time.

“Should we head in?” she wonders. 

With silent agreement from the duke, the two of them walk side by side in the direction of the manor. 

“What does your day look like tomorrow, Your Grace?”

“I need to report to the palace in the morning," he reveals. 

That has a familiar tone to it.

“Will you spare me some of your time whenever you are free?”