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Chapter 14
MAGNOLIA WAS TOO AFRAID to even look back. Just hearing that name made her skin crawl. The duchess had to grip the edge of the table as the waves of emotions crashed against her. She swallowed hard, trying to be rational about the situation.
There was no way that the princess of the kingdom invited the one person Magnolia loathed the most to her afternoon tea. But as Serena joined the princess and greeted her, Magnolia’s optimistic thoughts vanished.
‘How is this possible? It takes a week to travel from Kerika to the capital? Unless she was already here. Or maybe the princess had invited Serena before she even invited me.’
“Duchess?” the princess called Magnolia as she was the only one still standing, lost in her thoughts.
All eyes were on her, she looked around and sat instantly. Her head was in chaos. Her eyes traveled to Aurora, and she realized that this whole tea charade was for the princess to torment her by inviting t
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Magnolia Chapter 15
“Victor, fetch the doctor and bring him to the house.” Daniel barked as he picked up his wife. “We are going first.” He rushed to the carriage with Clara closely behind. ‘What in the world happened?’ Countless thoughts scrambled in his head, most of them involved the princess hurting Magnolia in some way. “Jeremy, get to the house as fast as these horses can go.” “Yes, Your Grace.” The pale coachman rushed to his seat and got ready to race for his life. Once inside the carriage, Daniel held his wife on his lap, stroking her face gently. She was burning. “Magnolia, can you hear me?” Her eyes flew open. “You have to protect Geoffrey from that evil bitch,” she uttered. “Promise me.” Daniel was confused. “Who? The princess?” “No.” Magnolia groaned from pain. “Lasen—Lasen.” She clenched her fingers around his arm. “She almost killed me many times, do you understand?” She twisted in
Magnolia Chapter 16
MAGNOLIA’S HANDS SHOOK as she carried the heavy plate to the living room. Serena had been enjoying using her as a maid lately. She hurried back to the kitchen to bring the tea tray. It was even heavier than the plate. She took slow steps while being very careful. Unfortunately, as soon as she entered the living room, her small wrists gave in, and the tray fell to the floor. Every single cup and saucer were shattered. “Hurry up and clean that mess,” Serena ordered. Magnolia was too scared to even look up. She picked up all the broken pieces and rushed to the kitchen to fetch new ones. As she reached for the cups in the cupboard, a hand snatched her head and smashed it against the wall. “How dare you embarrass me in front of my guests?” Disoriented, Magnolia tried to stand, maybe run, but she fell back down. “What? Going
Magnolia Chapter 17
MAGNOLIA TOOK CONFIDENT STEPS TO THE DUKE’S OFFICE. She stopped in front of the door, took a deep breath, then knocked. “Come in,” Daniel called from the other side. She entered and found him engulfed in a pile of documents. “I can come back later, you look busy.” “No, you are fine. I need a break anyway.” He leaned back in his chair. “Have a seat.” Magnolia complied, but she did not utter a word. Daniel gave her a moment, but he became impatient. “So? Are you here to stare at my office rug?” Magnolia blushed and Daniel regretted his comment right away. “Yesterday—” She took a deep breath. “The princess invited a woman from my past,” she paused. “The woman who took me in after I lost my family. Her name is Serena Lasen.” Daniel remembered how she begged him to protect Geoffrey from that woman. She was so desperate. She was silent for a while again. This time, Daniel gave her all the time she
Magnolia Chapter 18
MAGNOLIA LAY IN BED, STIFF. She could not sleep, and her eyes were fixated on the canopy above the bed. She could hear Daniel’s deep breaths. He had fallen asleep right away. ‘How can he just fall asleep like that? Does he even see me as a woman?’ She rolled her eyes. She turned to her side and faced Daniel. He looked so peaceful. It was the first time she got the chance to study his face this close without the risk of being found out. His eyelashes were longer from this angle and his parted thin lips were so cute. His silver locks were falling on his face. Magnolia gently pushed his hair back, but Daniel violently grabbed her hand, she yelped in surprise. Daniel opened his eyes, they were cold, dangerous, and they were staring straight at her. A shiver ran through her body. “You are hurting me.” Daniel immediately released her hand. “I am so sorry, it is out of habit,” he said. “Are you alright?” “Habit?”
Magnolia Chapter 19
MAGNOLIA WALKED TO GEOFFREY’S BED AND LAY NEXT TO HIM. “I will protect you no matter what,” she whispered against his forehead and hugged him tightly. Magnolia felt the bed shift and opened her eyes. “Good morning, Mama.” Geoffrey greeted her. “Sorry, did I wake you?” “Was I sleeping?” Magnolia blinked at him a few times. “Yes, but that is alright. I was taking a nap too.” He smiled. “I know it is not morning, I was just being silly.” Magnolia caressed Geoffrey’s face. “You know, what happened earlier was not your fault.” Geoffrey looked down. “The knight will be fine, he was not hurt badly.” “Really?” A smile appeared on his face again. “Yes, your papa told me.” She paused. “You know what else he told me?” Geoffrey looked at her in anticipation. She quickly pulled him and started tickling him. “That you need to laugh a bit more.” Geoffrey giggled as he tried to break free, but he could not. They played for a whil
Magnolia Chapter 20
MAGNOLIA ENTERED THE DINING HALL, escorted by Henry. The room almost seemed to have a never-ending table. The plates and glasses glimmered under the light. The extravagant chandeliers hung from an intricately carved sealing. Large, beautiful paintings decorated the walls. It was the most beautiful dining hall Magnolia had ever seen. Not that she had seen many. Of course, Marquis Flock was sitting at the head of the table and to his right the princess, who was the most important guest of the night. The second most important guest was Daniel, who was seated to the princess’ right. Magnolia found herself facing her husband from the other side of the table. She was seated between the marquise on her right and Henry to her left. “Oh, I am so delighted to have you sit next to me, dear.” The marquise smiled sweetly at her. “The pleasure is all mine, my lady.” Magnolia returned the smile. Dinner seemed longer than normal, or maybe
Magnolia Chapter 21
“I WILL SLEEP IN GEOFFREY’S ROOM TONIGHT. I will do so every night until you have someone prepare a separate room for me.” Magnolia’s words were cold and clipped. “Henry told me—” Daniel started. “Your Grace, there is no need for you to explain. We have a deal. I will do everything that we have agreed upon, so please, hold your end of the bargain and let us sleep in separate rooms.” Magnolia was calm and emotionless, her eyes seemed lifeless. Daniel wanted to explain to her that nothing had happened, that he was asking Aurora about the tea party incident and that she threw herself at him. He wanted to assure her that she did not see how he pushed the princess away, but he could see that she was not going to listen to anything he had to say at that moment. “I understand,” was all he could say. Magnolia walked to Geoffrey’s room. He was deep asleep. She changed her clothes and lay next to her son. She reprimanded herself all ni
Magnolia Chapter 22
“HENRY, I NEED A BREAK. My head is about to explode.” He laughed. “Fine, fine.” He also needed a break anyway. Magnolia stood from her chair and walked to the window to stretch her legs. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the bright afternoon sun. “I wish we could have had this class outside. The weather is divine.” “You are right, but I don’t think you would have been able to focus as much as you did here.” Magnolia’s eyes caught a carriage by the back gate with a coachman walking to it. She had not seen either before. “Henry?” she called. “Yes, Your Grace.” “Does the duke have any guests?” she asked. Henry stiffened. Thankfully, Magnolia was still looking out of the window, so she did not catch his reaction. “Not that I know of.” Henry tried his best to keep his voice as normal as possible, but he was unsuccessful. Magnolia’s suspicions were confirmed when the carriage came to
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