- Alyshia's pov -
I stood there without moving, a smile escaped my lips, which I wasn't aware of. It made me happy that I wasn't being abandoned again.
-knock knock-
I snapped back to my senses, my head turned, and I looked at the maid standing near the door, "Your breakfast is ready, Duchess."
I nodded and followed her to the dining area. As I reached the dining room, my eyes became wide with shock when I saw the number of food items placed on the table.
My mouth salivated, and drool escaped, which I wiped away in a flash without anyone noticing.
I sat on the seat near the house head's seat and waited patiently for Shahr. I kept looking at the entrance because it was becoming increasingly difficult to control myself.
I have eaten flat bread and soup, most of my life, so let alone eating I have never even seen such delicacies.
As I was getting impatient a maid stepped forward and said, "Duchess, the Duke is busy in a meeting, he isn't coming."
My lips became pouty, I was waiting for a man who was a no-show. As I picked up the spoon, reality hit me.
I don't know any eating etiquette. A memory flashed in front of my eyes, Layla and the maids laughing at me when I ate the cake with my hands.
What if I get laughed at today too? My mind became fuzzy, black smoke covered my eyes, uneven breathing, I turned to the maids. Head lowered, eyes glued to the floor, they didn't seem interested in me.
I finally felt relieved and let out a sigh. With some confusion, I picked up a spoon that wasn't too big or too small.
As I took the first bite, my eyes shone with excitement, such tasty food, it was out of this world. I wanted to eat a lot, but because I was used to eating less, I couldn't eat much. And with just a few bites, I was full.
"The food was magnificent, thank you so much." With excitement I gave a high five to show my appreciation for the food.
High fives are something that everyone understands no matter the language.
The maids stared at me with wide eyes. I froze, wondering if I had done something wrong. Before I could say anything, the maids smiled.
"Thank you, Duchess, the Duke never gives praises, that's why we were shocked." One of the maids replied.
I felt relieved. After I was done eating, I took a small stroll around the duchy. The duchy was so big, 10 times bigger than the count's mansion.
It had everything: gardens, fountains, fields, forests, even ponds. My eyes glittered with excitement, I could spend my whole day just strolling around the mansion.
Day passed... Night fell... Changing into my night gown, I lay on the bed to sleep, that's when someone knocked on the door.
I wondered who it was and went to open the door. The door opened with a clack sound, and in front stood my dearest husband.
His eyes locked into mine, staring at my night gown, he quickly averted his eyes. When I looked down, and realised I had forgotten to cover myself with the shawl.
I quickly took the help of my hands to cover myself, but no matter what, the disaster had already happened, he saw me. My face flushed red.
"I came to say goodnight." Shahr uttered, "I have an important task to fulfil."
I nodded. My heart fluttered, he thought of informing me that's what mattered the most.
After Shahr left, I plopped on the bed, hid my face in the pillow, "Urghh, why did I forget to take the shawl?" It was embarrassing, but it can't be changed now.
The next day, we were supposed to visit the Emperor, who couldn't attend our wedding due to poor health.
It would be my first time meeting the emperor. I was nervous, and I guess, Shahr sensed that. Before we set out for our journey, he came to me.
His hands reached out to me. While holding my hands he said, "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
My heart yet again started to pound loudly. So loud that everything around me became silent.
His hands were rough, not soft at all. And there were calluses. When his body's heat was transmitted to my body, my body heated up instantly.
My cheeks flushed red, and my palms became sweaty.
"Huh? Why are you red all over? Don't tell me you are sick!" His hands immediately reached out to my forehead to check my condition.
I was filled with shyness.
My face became even redder and hotter.
"What happened? Your face is even redder now. It must be an internal sickness. We should call the doctor."
"I'm not sick..." I said. I retracted my hands and swiftly sat on the carriage which was like a small comfortable house from inside. It was decorated beautifully, the sofas were softer than cotton.
The walls were shining, and a pleasant scent roamed around the carriage. It made me feel like home.
I didn't dare to look at Shahr as I was feeling very shy but for a while when he didn't arrive, I raised my eyes and looked at him.
He was still standing in the same spot. His hands hanging mid-air, and with a disappointed expression, he was looking at me. I wondered if I disappointed him.
After our eyes met, he broke eye contact and sat on the carriage. The small carriage was filled with his alluring, sweet yet fresh scent.
I opened the carriage window and let some air pass out.
I knew exactly what was happening to me. Mother and father had a love marriage, but the relationship went downhill.
Shahr and I had an arranged marriage, or it can be called a scam too, since he wanted to marry Layla originally, so I shouldn't expect anything out of the ordinary from this relationship.
While thinking all these, I didn't realise when I fell asleep.
"Shia... Alyshia..."
I woke up to Shahr's calls. When I opened my eyes, I found Shahr standing right in front of me.
He was leaning towards me, his face just inches away from mine.
We could feel each other's breath. Just as I was, he was also startled, and he swiftly moved away.
"I was calling you for so long. We have reached." He uttered covering his mouth with his hands.