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Chapter 18
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2021-09-22 12:30:16MAGNOLIA 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?” <
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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
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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
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“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
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“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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THE WHOLE WAY BACK TO SALICERA, Magnolia’s thoughts were filled with questions about her family, about her origins and where she was from, about her parents and whether she had any siblings. She had been having nightmares from when she was a little child before. She reckoned it was a memory of the accident from her childhood, but it was always chaotic and fuzzy so she could never get any details from her dreams. The only thing Daniel said to her after Serena left on that day was that they still needed to search more. The only information she gave him was that De Solange was not Magnolia’s real family name.But she did not know what it was. Magnolia absentmindedly stroked Geoffrey’s hair. He had been sleeping on her lap for the past hour or so. ‘Maybe I should not have tried to kill her before she had given up more information.’ She sighed. “Are you alright, love?” Daniel asked. “Yes.” She smiled at him. “I am fine.
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A FEW DAYS LATER, they took a trip to Hamelsta. Their carriage arrived there at nightfall, so they decided to spend the night at the town’s inn and visit the house the next morning. Magnolia could not sleep all night. When a sliver of light sneaked into the room in early morning, she got up and watched from the window as the light slowly spread through the dark sky. ‘What am I going to discover in that house?’ Magnolia wrapped her arms around her body. Her anxious feelings had been steadily growing as she got closer to this town, as if she would find something that would only hurt her. “Are you alright?” Daniel embraced her from behind. She slowly turned to face him and hugged him back. “Yes, I am now.” Her words drew a smile on Daniel’s face. He squeezed her against him, and they stayed in each other’s arms, watching the sun rise. A servant from the inn brought them a breakfast tray, but Magnolia could not bring
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FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS, Magnolia excitedly finished her tasks one by one. From sending out invitations, to finalizing the dinner menu, and deciding on flowers and tableware for the dining table. Since it was her first hosted dinner party as Duchess of Salicera, she wanted everything to be perfect. Compared to the Flocks’ party, this was a very tiny one, but Magnolia felt even more pressure because Daniel’s aunt was going to be there. Paula was supposed to arrive in the afternoon. “I think I will wear the blue one.” Magnolia finally decided on a dress to wear. Clara helped her get into the indigo velvet dress, then she spent the next half hour perfecting a hairdo, until someone knocked on the door. A maid appeared and bowed to the duchess. “Your Grace, Lady Kalph’s carriage has reached the outer gate and will be arriving soon.” ‘Oh my.’ “Thank you, Lydia.” Magnolia put on the sapphire necklace that Daniel had gifted
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MAGNOLIA LOOKED AROUND THE DINING TABLE and felt a sense of satisfaction as her guests enjoyed their dinner. Everyone was smiling and conversing. The decoration and service were flawless, the food was delicious, the wine was abundant. It was just the perfect dinner party. Daniel noticed his wife’s high spirits. He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, she gave him the widest and happiest smile he had ever seen. His actions did not go unnoticed. “Duchess, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” started Earl Kalwen, which drew everyone’s attention. “We had lost all hope for our grumpy friend,” he continued, nodding in Daniel’s direction. “But it seems you have tamed the beast, he even smiles now.” A few chuckles erupted around the table. “Lord Kalwen, you are too kind, but I am afraid you might have mistaken my husband displaying his sharp teeth for smiling.” Daniel’s laugh echoed around the room and Richard and the othe
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“GOOD MORNING, LOVE,” Daniel greeted Magnolia as soon as she opened her eyes. “Good morning.” She smiled. “Let me just confess that, even though I have not held my wife in months and there is nothing more that I wanted to do last night, I am still happy with this situation.” Daniel motioned to Geoffrey who was sleeping between the two. Magnolia laughed until her eyes teared. “I look forward to when you do have the chance to hold your wife, Your Grace,” Magnolia teased. “Now you have me daydreaming about things a gentleman should not be daydreaming about.” Daniel raised a brow, making Magnolia laugh even harder. “Good morning, Mama. Good morning, Papa.” “Good morning, dear.” Magnolia showered him with kisses and hugs. The three of them got ready and headed to the dining hall. They were all excited to have breakfast together, like the old happy days. They joined Paula and enjoyed a peaceful family breakf
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“I’M BUSY, MAG,” Killian said as he moved one of the crates from the cart. “You have not taken a break for hours,” Magnolia did not add a word, but she stared at him with determined eyes. The gray eyes that reminded Killian of their father every time he looked at them. He chuckled. “Fine.” He shrugged. “I guess I’ll take a break now.” Magnolia beamed and linked her arm through his. “I have made sandwiches.” She wiggled the basket she was holding. Killian smiled. “Good, I am starving.” He was so happy to see life back in his sister’s eyes. Ever since Laya found them and told her about Geoffrey, she was back to being herself again. She missed her son, but knowing that he was alive and safe was enough to make her happy. A picnic this time of the year would usually be impossible, but the day was quite hot for the season. The siblings walked a bit until they reached a vast plain. They spread a blanket and s
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“ALRIGHT, I WILL TELL THEM. But I will come back as soon as I do.” Magnolia nodded at Daniel before giving her full attention to Titus. They both stared at each other for a moment. ‘The man who killed my parents and Daniel’s parents is standing before me.’ Her jaw clenched. She was going to bring him to justice, though. A public execution decided by his old allies would be an even more humiliating ending for this murderer. “That is exactly why no Gottanlich should have stayed alive,” Titus said, motioning toward the two mages still stuck to the wall. “Your powers are too strong and dangerous.” “It’s amusing that you are alright with people’s powers if they are serving you, but once they oppose you, they are too strong and dangerous.” Magnolia shrugged. “Do you really think that your decisions that led us here were the right ones?” The king was silent for a moment.“I don’t regret any of my decisions,” he fin
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“COMMANDER,” King Titus barked. “Yes, Your Majesty.” The commander turned to the royal knights who were encircling the king and queen. “Bring Their Majesties to safety immediately,” he ordered. The knights complied and escorted them away. Another swarm of knights rushed in to block the way behind the monarchs. “So predictable,” Daniel whispered with a smile. “No one shall pass,” the royal knights’ commander announced. “Royal Knights,” Daniel called. “I do not wish to clash with you, a blood bath is not necessary here. We are all children of the First Queen Magtig and I do not wish to harm my brothers.” Daniel looked around at the hard faces staring at him. “King Titus has let us all down. He has abandoned the values that make us who we are. Sadly, he does not have Malorenia’s best interest in mind anymore. He is too worried about making sure the Crown Prince, who is not a pureblood, inherits the throne. He cannot see reas
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