I was attacked with multiple questions-
"Hello Duchess, how are you?" Said the first one.
"How old are you? We seem to be the same age." Said the second one.
"Have you settled yourself at the duchy?" Asked the third one.
Though overwhelmed, these questions didn't bother me, but another knight said something that got me thinking.
"You are so pretty, no wonder the Duke fell for you." Said a lady knight casually.
I froze. The Duke fell for me? Who told them that? They have misunderstood.
I looked at Shahr who stood silent, probably not wanting to embarrass me by correcting them in front of everyone.
Eyes filled with expectations and excitement they stared at my deep soul. Feeling uncomfortable, I gripped Shahr's overcoat for support.
I had just parted my sealed lips to say something, but before me Shahr said, "you are all being unbelievably discourteous, the head of the duchy is standing right before you and not one of you has offered a greeting."
Realising what they had done, they quickly paid obeisance and it made me dumbfounded, they paid their first obeisance to me.
My mouth wide opened, I stared at them dumbfoundedly, but none of them seemed fazed by it.
With dread pooling in my stomach, I turned to look at Shahr, expecting him to be furious.
He was standing there as if nothing out of this world had happened. If any other husband saw this they would have exploded with rage.
After paying their obeisances to the Duke they dispersed. Shahr and I, continue walking around the ground. Shahr was showing me all the weapons they use in wars.
Though learning about swords isn't a part of my hobby, I still enjoyed listening to Shahr, who was explaining about swords with deep excitement.
"If you don't mind, I would also like to share some war details with you." Uttered Shahr shyly.
I knew nothing about wars, but the shine in Shahr's eyes, made it impossible to say no. I nodded, he almost jumped in excitement, he dove into explaining how they fight in wars, how they lure the enemies, how they won.
Unexpectedly, I found myself taking an interest in it, every time I didn't understand anything,I asked Shahr and he explained them patiently, never once making me feel stupid.
His gentle behaviour towards me, his care, his sweetness everything was showering my plan of not falling in love with him.
My heart, slowly yet steadily thumped, his scent, his pheromones, when they brushed past me, my whole body shivered with excitement.
Such alluring smell, I had never smelled before. I knew, I was falling hard for Shahr.
They way his lips moves when he talks, the way his eyes blink, the way his hands move, everything was taking a place in my heart. And, I wasn't able to control this feeling.
As I was listening to Shahr's explanation, my eyes wavered and caught sight of a guard sprinting towards us. Noticing my gaze had averted Shahr turned and looked behind.
"Duke... Huff, Huff, the Emperor has summoned you. Urgently." Said the guard.
Silent fell upon us, the gaurd who had notified Shahr about the emperor's call noticed something which made him frightened, he quickly took some steps back.
When Shahr turned towards me, I understood what the guard was frightened about. Shahr was calm, he wasn't angry, happy, or anything, his face showed no expressions and somehow, that was far more frightening.
"I- have to leave." Disappointed reflected in his tone.
My heart sank, I was enjoying my time with Shahr, now I would have to sit in the corner of the room, alone... Bored.
"Come back safe." I gestured. Shahr gave a weak, broken smile, before turning to leave. I watched him walk away, he was disappearing from my sight.
From his walking it felt like his soul had left his body, he had no excitement or energy. I stood there till Shahr had completely vanished from my sight.
I turned to leave too, but my foot tangled in my dress, I lost control of my body and braced myself to hit the ground, until two hands appeared out of thin air and caught me from falling.
I cautiously opened my eyes, which I had shut in fear. When I raised my eyelids to look at the person who saved me, I saw an unfamiliar knight.
"Are you okay, Duchess?" He asked, concern written all over his face.
I slowly raised my hands, but before I could gesture anything, a familiar voice echoed in my ears.
"What is happening here?" Shahr stood before us.
The knight quickly helped me stand properly, "Duke, the Duchess was about to fall so I helped her."
Shahr stood there silently. He just stared. My eyes fixated on him, I had at least understood he was angry, but the reason? I couldn't find any.
"GUARD." He yelled, I flinched, everyone present on the field froze, and stared at Shahr with confusion, including me.
A guard ran up, "Yes, Duke?"
"Tell the emperor, I will come later." He walked towards me, held my wrist in a harsh grip and said, "come with me."
I was getting dragged by Shahr again, but this time it was different, he wasn't matching his steps with mine, his grip was hurting me, watching his back I sensed something was wrong.
I tried to free myself but no use, he was stronger than me, after a while of struggling I stopped, Shahr dragged me to the room and made me stand in front of him.
As I raised my eyes and looked at his, my heart clenched, his eyes were flaring red, his chest going up and down, his veins visible.
My gaze dropped instantly, I stared at his feet. I had no strength to ask him what was wrong. His hands gripped my chin, and forced my face upward.
No matter what, I couldn't stare at his flaring red eyes, I averted my eyes that's when his demanding yet cold voice reached my ears.
"Look at me."