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Chapter 6
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2021-09-07 12:30:41ON THE WAY BACK, Daniel noticed that Magnolia was absentmindedly touching her left wrist. He wondered what she was thinking about.
“My mother’s necklace looks great on you.” He broke the silence.
“You did not have to give me something so precious, Your Grace.”
“Please, call me Daniel from now on. I know it is not an ordinary marriage, but there is no reason not to be friends.” Magnolia pondered his suggestion for a moment.
‘A friend. I have never had one before.’
She looked at him for a bit longer before she answered. “Then, you call me Magnolia.”
“Deal, Magnolia.”
She smiled. “Daniel,” she barely whispered as she looked out the window, but he heard her.
When their carriage arrived at the castle, all the servants and knights of House Van Konigl were standing outside to greet them.
“Why is everyone out here?”
“They are congratulating their Duke and Duchess.”
As soon as they exited the carriage, all the servants bowed and said in sync “Congratulations, Your Graces.” Then, the soldiers slammed their right fists on their chests and yelled, “Long live the Duke and Duchess of Salicera.” It was impressive with the large number of men. Magnolia did not know the duke had this many knights. It was an army, really.
“Supper must be ready, so let’s eat. I know you did not even have breakfast,” Daniel uttered as he escorted her inside.
This was all strange to Magnolia. Nobody had ever cared whether she had eaten or not. And why did the duke care anyway? This was only a marriage of convenience, so she had no expectations at all.
“Mama.” Geoffrey ran to her and hugged her.
Magnolia picked him up and kissed his cheek. “Have you been a good boy?”
“Of course, Mama.” She kissed him again. “So, are you now married to His Grace?”
Magnolia’s eyes traveled to the duke. “Yes, we are married.”
Geoffrey turned to Daniel. “Then, are you my papa now?”
Magnolia’s face lost all color. “Geoffrey—” she started but Daniel interrupted.
“Would you like that?” He took Geoffrey from Magnolia’s arms and carried him.
The boy considered the question for a moment. “Yes, I would like that very much.” He nodded.
“Your Grace—” Magnolia tried to apologize, but Daniel stopped her again.
“Please, it’s Daniel, and I really don’t mind if Geoffrey considers me as his father. After all, I am adopting him.”
“Yay! Papa!” Geoffrey hugged Daniel. He stiffened in surprise, but it did not take him long to loosen up again.
“Let’s go have some food, I am famished.” Daniel led the way to the dining room with Geoffrey in his arms.
As Magnolia watched his back, a strange feeling filled her chest. It was so intense it almost hurt.
After they ate their meal together, Lady Green took Geoffrey away and Daniel excused himself because he had work to do.
Magnolia walked to her new room. She felt exhaustion taking hold of her, as if the fatigue of the last few weeks or even months had hit her all at once. Without even changing her clothes, she just fell asleep.
***
THE NEXT MORNING, Magnolia opened her eyes to Clara’s voice. “Good morning, Your Grace. I will prepare a bath right away.”
‘Oh my, is it morning already? I thought I would only take a short nap.’
She felt a bit embarrassed. She was still wearing her dress, so it was obvious that there was no wedding night. ‘The people working for the duke would not dare spread rumors, right?’
She bit her lip nervously. “Umm, where is the duke right now?” Magnolia asked with a low voice.
“His Grace left early this morning. He traveled south with some knights. I heard that one of the towns was attacked by bandits.”
“Oh, I see,” Magnolia tried her best not to sound too surprised. “Thank you, Clara. I will ring for you when I finish the bath.”
Clara hesitated. “Your Grace, are you sure you do not need me to help you with your bath?”
“Yes, I am sure.”
“But you are the duchess now.”
Magnolia smiled. “I am still the same person, Clara. I still do not need help with taking a bath.”
“As you wish, Your Grace.”
As Magnolia soaked in the hot bath, she could not help but feel a bit disappointed. It was only yesterday that the duke was talking about friendship, and today he just traveled without even telling her.
‘So much for keeping appearances.’ She buried her face in her hands.
“Ugh, I should have at least changed my clothes, and what kind of wife doesn’t even know when her husband is traveling?” She groaned before she let her head sink under water.
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IT IS STRANGE, being called duchess. Magnolia had never imagined, even in her wildest dreams, that she could ever become a duchess. She wondered what that horrible woman would think if she learned of her new title. Her jaw tensed at the thought of that monster. “Mama?” Geoffrey brought her back from her unsettling thoughts. “Yes? Did you say something, honey?” Magnolia pushed her emotions to the side and smiled at her son. “I called you a few times, Mama,” he said with a frown. “I thought you fell asleep.” Magnolia chuckled. “I am sorry, Geoffrey. I was just thinking about something,” she reassured him. “Did you need something?” “I was wondering when papa is coming home.” Magnolia unconsciously looked to the chair where the duke usually sat. Over the past couple of weeks, they have been having every meal together. It felt odd that they were having lunch without him. “He has some important wor
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DANIEL’S HANDS were on Magnolia’s wet back and her chest was pressed against his. His face was so close, she could feel his warm breath on hers. Her ears were ringing with embarrassment. “I need you to get out so that I can put some clothes on,” Magnolia said through gritted teeth. Daniel helped her stand straight and then turned away to leave the bathroom. Her body was shivering from the whole situation. With shaking hands, she put on her robe and took a few deep breaths to calm down. It was in vain. She walked to the room and found Daniel looking out the window. When he saw her reflection in the glass, he turned to face her. He held her gaze for a moment. Her eyes were frightened, wild, like a cornered animal. Magnolia looked away as she hugged herself. She cursed herself. She had always made sure to cover her body after her baths. Even Clara did not notice her scars. She did not want anyone to see them, especially the duke. She felt vul
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“SO, EVEN THOUGH I FORBID YOU from leaving your room, you still did?” Serena Lasen was not mad. On the contrary, she was ecstatic because she was going to punish Magnolia. She took an excited deep breath. “Bring me the whip from the drawer.” Magnolia walked to the table and with shaking hands, opened the drawer. She took out the black whip. “No, not that one. The one with stones.” Magnolia’s twelve-year-old body shuddered. She grabbed the other whip and brought it to Serena. It had five braided leather pieces hanging from it, and each braid had a small stone attached to its end. Magnolia swallowed hard as she handed the whip to her guardian. “Uncover your back,” she ordered the little girl. She obeyed silently. She unbuttoned her dress and turned her bare back to Serena. Her breathing quickened and she squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the pain.
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MAGNOLIA ARRIVED FIRST at the dining room. She took her usual seat as the footman poured her tea. A moment later, the duke entered and for some odd reason, Magnolia’s eyes automatically traveled to his groin area. Daniel noticed immediately and chuckled. “I am alright now, you don’t have to worry,” he teased. Her eyes widened and she looked away. “Papa.” Geoffrey ran to Daniel, saving his mother from embarrassing herself any further. “Have you grown since the last time I saw you?” He picked up Geoffrey. “Do you think so, Papa?” The boy beamed. “Well yes, I believe you have grown.” Daniel nodded. “Did you hear that, Mama? I have grown.” “Yes, great job. You have been doing great finishing all your food.” She smiled. Daniel placed Geoffrey in his chair, then he took his at the head of the table. As soon as they started eating, Henry showed up at the door. “I apologize, Your Graces.” He greeted. “I am
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Daniel forced himself to break the kiss. If he had not, he reckoned the ladies who were bullying his wife would have had to witness an even more inappropriate scene. Magnolia’s forehead fell on his chest. “Please, do not let go,” she murmured. “I think my legs will give in if you do.” Her revelation drew a smile on Daniel’s face, and he tightened his arms around her. Magnolia was out of breath. It was not her first kiss, but she did not understand why the feelings were dramatically different. In the past, when the baron kissed her, she felt revolted and cringed away from his touch. His kisses were violent and demanding. But why did she enjoy Daniel’s? Why did she want him to kiss her more? Why did she want to stay in his arms forever? The thoughts created chaos in her head, they went against everything she had promised herself when she was finally free from the baron. Why was she letting a man touch her and worse, she enjoyed it? “Can you walk
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