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Chapter 43
DINNER WAS A WHOLE AFFAIR. Instead of the dining hall, it took place in the ballroom. Probably because they were not going to be able to fit fifty people in that hall.
The dressed tables were too long to even clearly see the guests sitting on the other side.
After Magnolia and Daniel checked on Geoffrey and bid him goodnight, they joined the guests just in time to enter the room.
The duke was immediately greeted by many. Acquaintances waved and smiled at him, and people who were never introduced to him bowed, hoping that the event would be their chance to meet the Duke of Salicera.
The couple were seated by Richard, which Magnolia was grateful for. She did not know anyone in the room except for the Kalwens. Most of her acquaintances arrived in the following few days.
The birthday ball itself was in a week, but as the dowager countess had announced to her earlier, the festivities would last for days.
After the bathtub earlie
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Magnolia Chapter 44
IT WAS FINALLY THE DAY OF FLORENCE’S BIRTHDAY BALL. Magnolia had watched her friend over the past few days as she struggled with her mother’s introductions to the lords who were attending. She wanted to help her, but there was nothing she could do. She even asked Daniel if he could intervene, as the duke. But he told her that only Richard could, but he listened to everything his mother said, unfortunately. At the ball, Florence was juggled from one arm to another. Every time the music started, she was dancing with a different partner, her mother made sure of that. She was finally relieved when everyone was invited to step out into the gardens. She immediately found her friend and told her that she was going to sneak away. “Would you like me to accompany you?” Magnolia asked. “I am only going for a walk to get some fresh air.” She shook her head. “Enjoy the show in your husband’s arms,” she whispered to her before winking. Then, she disap
Magnolia Chapter 45
“I AM SURE SHE CAME HERE.” Richard said as they made their way toward the lake. “My sister always comes here when she wants to be alone.” “She did want to go for a walk alone, I think the ball has taken a toll on her,” Magnolia tried to start a conversation about Florence’s marriage plans. “She was very stressed when I saw her earlier.” She looked over to Daniel to try to get his help but ended up crashing into Richard’s back when he suddenly came to a halt. She gasped in surprise. “Are you alright?” Daniel caught her from falling. “What in the Gods names?” They heard Richard mumble. Then he took fast stomps to Henry and his sister. “What the bloody hell is this?” he roared, pulling Henry away from Florence. “How dare you?” His left fist landed on Henry’s face, sending him flying to the ground. “No, Rick,” Florence called as she tried to hold her brother back, but Richard pushed her with too much force. She yelped when she hit the ground.
Magnolia Chapter 46
“I UNDERSTAND THAT WE WITNESED THE EVENTS FROM LAST NIGHT, but I would rather stay out of it.” Daniel shrugged. “It should be a family matter between the Flocks and the Kalwens.” “I would like to be there for Florence,” Magnolia said. “Honestly, love, she was the one who made this whole mess,” he told her. “Henry has sworn to me that there is nothing between them.” Magnolia was silent. She had suspected that the whole thing was orchestrated by her friend, especially after witnessing Henry’s reaction. But she could not bring herself to reprimand Florence. She knew that she was desperate. Of course, involving Henry like she did was wrong, but sometimes desperation blinds people. She sighed. “Mama, Papa, look.” Geoffrey ran toward them while holding a little white puppy. “Oh my, who is this?” Magnolia asked as she crouched to take a closer look. Daniel did the same. “His name is Ben, can I play with him?” Geoffrey’s ey
Magnolia Chapter 47
“I KNOW MY HUSBAND IS NOT HERE, but I can assure you that whatever we agree upon he will also accept,” Marquise Flock said with a gentle smile. She was sitting next to Henry on the green settee facing Lady Kalwen and Marquis Galley. “That’s good to hear, Lady Flock.” Lady Kalwen nodded. “House Flock is ready to take responsibility for whatever happened between our children,” she added. Florence’s eyes were glued to the floor, she was too embarrassed to look up. “Which is nothing, nothing happened,” Henry said with an exasperated tone. “Are you telling me that what I saw with my own eyes did not happen?” Richard sat up in his chair. “I saw you kissing my sister with my own eyes.” “Maybe what you saw was your sister kissing me?” Henry shot back. “What?” The earl jumped from his seat. “What are you insinuating?” “Henry, stop this,” Lady Flock pleaded. “I am insinuating that I am a victim of your s
Magnolia Chapter 48
“IT’S GOOD TO BE HOME,” Daniel said as he lay in bed next to his wife. “I think I have to agree.” Magnolia faced him. “It’s nice and quiet, it feels nice after the past couple of weeks we spent in Geiranger.” “It was quite exciting, was it not?” “I would not say exciting, Daniel,” Magnolia uttered. “Both your friend and mine are in a delicate situation.” “To be more accurate, ‘your’ friend put ‘my’ friend and herself in a delicate situation,” Daniel corrected with lifted eyebrows. Magnolia rolled her eyes at him. “Well, they are getting married so there is no need to blame anyone anymore.” “I’m afraid Henry will blame Florence forever.” They were both silent for a long time, each thinking about their friend. The result of the Flocks and the Kalwens’ meeting was that Henry and Florence would get married. It was decided that the wedding ceremony would take place in a month. They did not want to r
Magnolia Chapter 49
MAGNOLIA WATCHED THE WOMAN who was sitting across the table from her with curious eyes. She was truly beautiful, her hair was black, long, and straight all the way to the bottom where small curls formed. Her skin was smooth and slightly sun-kissed, and her eyes were as dark as a moonless winter night. “I don’t recall that.” Daniel shook his head. “Oh, I do,” Laya shot back. “You almost passed out and I had to carry you back to camp.” “I will never admit to it, Laya.” He raised his eyebrows with a shrug. “I know you will not, it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.” They both look at each other for a moment before they burst out into laughter. Magnolia cut another piece of her mutton while trying to keep her emotions from reaching her face. She knew she was jealous. Her mind understood that it was silly, that they were only friends, comrades from the war. But she could not control her feelings. They seemed to have
Magnolia Chapter 50
MAGNOLIA SAT ACROSS THE TABLE FROM LAYA. She wished she did not have to lay eyes on her, but since she was in Salicera, there was no better person to teach her how to use her magic. ‘How ironic?’ The image of Laya saddling Daniel at the training ground and whispering in his ear tortured her again. Magnolia pressed her lips together in annoyance. “Daniel told me about what happened when you were attacked,” Laya started. “Would you mind telling me how you felt at the time?” Magnolia shrugged. “It was a really bad situation,” she said. “Daniel was injured, and the man was planning to kill him—kill us.” “Was it fear then?” Magnolia frowned. “I guess it was fear,” she answered reluctantly. “But I think there was something else, something I can’t really explain.” Magnolia did not share the part where she heard a voice that asked to let it out. “Alright, how about you start by trying to remember how yo
Magnolia Chapter 51
OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, Magnolia had slowly been able to control her powers. She could finally call upon her magic without having to get angry first. Daniel had found an abandoned building about an hour ride from the castle. There was nothing around, so Laya went all out while training the duchess. It was quite exhausting for Magnolia though, especially that her mind was restless about her family. She felt a tightness in her chest every time she thought about them. “Would you like to go for a ride, Laya?” Magnolia asked with a hopeful voice. “You do realize that we ride for two hours every day to that Gods forsaken place Daniel found for us.” Laya expressed her dislike of that secluded building every chance she got. “I was thinking that maybe we could take a break from training today and visit a nearby town,” Magnolia suggested. Laya pondered the idea for a moment then smiled. The duchess had already made
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