The dinner was delicious, and we ate in silence. I was too focused on the food to notice the tension between Zed and Duke Orla. After dinner, we had tea and cake. I didn't hate tea, but I loved cake! The tea was bland, but the sweetness from the cake balanced it.
Overall, I was satisfied with dinner. I realized afterwards that I had eaten too much and felt bloated. Ugh! These dresses don't stretch at all! Thank God that I'm not wearing a corset underneath! This body was thin enough not to need the extra support. I used to hate wearing bras with underwires or anything metallic, like buttons on jeans. Most of the clothes I had worn in my original body were comfortable and a little stretchy.
I had plenty of dresses, but most of them were a cotton blend with bamboo or rayon. They were soft and flowy, with pockets. They had to have pockets! I had made a few alterations to the dresses in this world to include pockets, but some already had them. I had also padded the inside of my shoes to avoid blisters like Katie had mentioned in the novel.
I planned to make more comfortable clothing once I reached my final destination, which hopefully would be tomorrow. I couldn't wait to start my new life! The Duke noticed my uncomfortable posture and offered, "Shall we take a stroll in the garden?" I was momentarily startled. He had been so quiet during dinner that I almost forgot he was present.
After a brief pause, I agreed. I could use a walk to help my food digest, and I loved gardens! The Duke reached for my arm to guide me outside, but Zed stepped in between us. I was confused and looked at him for clarification with a quizzical raised eyebrow. "My Lady, as an unmarried young lady, you must distance yourself from strange men. You wouldn't want any rumors about your reputation spreading. I will act as your chaperone."
The Duke was offended by Zed's statement, but didn't take my arm. Zed was technically correct about the rules of courting in the Victorian Era, which is when this novel seemed to take place. Men and women who were not married or related were supposed to keep a respectable distance. They were only allowed to touch during dances or to help a lady keep from falling.
"I didn't realize that you were her relative, or is it that the two of you are married?" Duke Orla quipped at Zed. He was annoyed that he could not get closer to me, but Zed could. It was obvious by our different color hair and eyes that we were not related, and I had not introduced him as my husband.
"As a warrior, I am obligated to protect my lady's honor," Zed replied righteously. Duke Orla just kept quiet and led the way to the garden. I smiled to myself at their petty argument. I was not related to or married to either of them, and I was not planning to be. I was grateful to Zed for his protectiveness of me, but I hoped that he didn't have the wrong idea.
I could never be with a man who was too dominant and didn't allow a woman her freedom. I know that was expected during this time period, but I was a modern woman inside. My beliefs would not change so easily.
We walked to the garden, and Reginald followed behind at a respectable distance. He wanted to make sure that he was available if the Duke needed him for anything. Duke Orla tried to plaster a fake smile as he walked next to me. "Tell me about yourself, Lady Alisa. What brings you to Annalaias?" He asked nonchalantly, but I could tell that he was fishing for any information that would be useful to him.
"I left the Kingdom of Stanarussi after my father died. I decided to travel to the Independent Nation of Kanta to live with my cousins, your grace." I replied as demurely as possible while trying not to give away any information about my brother, who may or may not be after me, or the arranged marriage with the much older Count Silas.
I didn't need him to get the same idea as Al and try to "rescue me" with a marriage to escape the other arranged marriage, just because he was technically higher-ranked than the Count. I didn't care about ranks or money. I could take care of myself. I cared about my freedom to be myself and live my life how I wanted.
"My deepest condolences about the death of your father. I also lost my father, and had to inherit the Dukedom at an early age." He tried to gain sympathy and show that we had something in common. He was smart, but not enough to trap me.
"Thank you for your condolences, and mine as well, your grace," I replied as best as I could. I didn't have a Countess to learn from, only books and movies from Earth. I just remember that women were not supposed to speak too much in front of men, and were only supposed to be silent trophy wives.
Not gonna happen, buddy! "Your condolences are appreciated, but not necessary. It was a long time ago, and I have learned to handle the responsibilities well in his place. I dare say that the Dukedom has prospered under my leadership." He tried to humbly brag about his skills. Ah, the fragile male ego!
"I did notice the people in this town seem happy, much happier than the people in the Kingdom of Lancri." I could give him a small compliment, after all, he wasn't really a bad guy in the novel. He just had a different personality than modern men and didn't know how to express himself very well.
"What is it like in the Kingdom of Stanarussi? I have heard that the technology is advanced." He was curious, but also testing my knowledge of foreign affairs.
"I stayed inside mostly, but I have noticed a few things that are different." I gave a vague response, while technically true. The original Elisabeth was very shut in because of her father and brother's dislike towards her. She did not leave the tower except for a few social events.
"Oh, what kind of differences, may I ask?" The Duke was actually interested in hearing the answer.
"For example, like Shibasu, the women in Stanarussi have more freedom than the women in Lancri and Annalaias, from what I have seen. Zed is more well-traveled than I am, and would be able to answer better than I can." I answered vaguely and redirected the conversation to Zed. It felt weird having a conversation with him close by and being completely silent.
The Duke dismissed my attempt to deflect the conversation. "I am less interested in the women in Shibatsu, and more interested in you, Lady Alisa." The Duke boldly declared. Zed stopped in his tracks and waited for my response.
"I am flattered, your grace, but I am not interested in settling down in Annalaias. I have heard about the innovations of Kanta from my cousins and wish to see them for myself." I tried to let him down politely while making it clear that I am not staying here.
"I'm sure they have improved their nation after it was destroyed, but you should give Annalaias a chance. If you were my Duchess, you could help to bring some of these advancements to our town." The Duke was bold, and if I hadn't been from another world and already read the novel, I might have been tempted. He was handsome, wealthy, and seemed to be genuine, but I knew how he thought.
He wanted a pretty bird in his cage. That was not Katie, and it was definitely not me!