Chapter 9 - Getting Acquainted

"Oh, fancy meeting you here Your Grace. Are you buying arts supplies too?" Melissa acted calm and decided to ignore Duke Kensington's displeasure towards her. She could see through his eyes that he was disturbed by her sitting down on the floor like this. 'Who cares! I'm not your wife yet!'

Ignoring her question, Duke Kensington asked, "Aren't you getting up?"

"I'm not done yet." Melissa answered while continuing to choose her colours, completely ignoring her fiancé, who was obviously trying to get her attention.

Duke Kensington looked at the young lady sitting on the floor and couldn't help but be amused at this scene. He wasn't particularly pleased with it but somehow he couldn't bring himself to reprimand her. She was so immersed with what she's doing, as if she's in her own world and he didn't want to disturb that.

After standing there gazing at her for a few minutes, getting no response from her at all, Duke Kensington decided to move to a nearby bench and wait for her.

The girl was so beautiful but she seemed to be completely unaware of it. He had come to Dream Arts today to speak to the manager about getting new supplies when he noticed her walking into the shop. A young man, which Duke Kensington recognised as a Knight working for the Knights mansion based on the insignia on his uniform was following her around.

Duke Kensington didn't approach her at first but went about to finish his business. When he was done, he didn't see her anywhere in the shop. However, as he was about to leave the shop, he noticed the same Knight standing outside, possibly still waiting for her. Duke Kensington then walked back in to look for her and after few minutes of searching, he found her sitting down on the floor, in front of the paints' section.

As how she had dressed the first time they met, she was dressed the same this time as well. Her attire was simple but on her, it gave such an allure and made one wanted to look at her again and again. Her long hair was tied up in half bun and her low neckline revealed just enough to spark one's imagination. His eyes glanced swiftly at the shape of her bosom before slowly tracing up to her neck and eventually it landed on her lips. Her lips were luscious and pink with a tinge of rose red. He subconsciously wondered how would those lips taste if he kiss them.

Duke Kensington unexpectedly found himself swallowing his saliva and his nether region started feeling a little bit uncomfortable. He was surprised with himself, responding to her like this. He held no affection nor desires for any other women and believed his energy should be spent in building an empire for his family. When Lady Delia was chosen as his bride, he visited her only when he needed to perform his husbandly duties, which was not often as well, and once he's done, he would leave and went to sleep in his own chambers. He held no love for Lady Delia, only a sense of responsibility towards his wife.

The more he looked at Lady Melissa, the more hardon he got. Duke Kensington tried his best to calm down, lest he would make a fool of himself especially when Lady Melissa was present so close to him. He seriously didn't want her to think of him as a perverted man. He closed his eyes and channelled his thoughts to his business ventures and the next steps he should take. By the time his regained his normality, he looked up only to find Lady Melissa was nowhere to be found.

Duke Kensington groaned at this impudent woman. How dare she pretended he didn't exist when she could have clearly seen him sitting here. He stood up and saw her at the counter, paying for the materials she wanted. He quickly strode to her side and glanced at the materials she had chosen.

"Pack everything the Lady had chosen with no charge." Duke Kensington said to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper merely bowed at him with a simple "Yes, Your Grace" and went to do as instructed.

Melissa didn't expect him to come to her again. When she finally chose her materials, she saw him sitting on the nearby bench, deep in thought. Not wanting to spend another minute with him, she quickly slipped away before he noticed her. But here he was again, trying to take control of her purchase!

"Your Grace, I have money to pay for all these. You don't need to do it for me." Melissa patiently said. Duke Kensington could sense impatience and annoyance in her tone. He was somehow surprised and could not help but wonder what did he do to irk her so much. Until a few days ago, they had never met each other nor had any relations whatsoever. Why did this lady seem to dislike him? 

"Don't worry. You are welcome to come anytime and get anything you need in the future. You'll be the Mistress of this place after the wedding." Duke Kensington said, disregarding what she said.

"Mistress? Are you saying you own this shop?" Melissa started to hate the way the story unfold.

Duke Kensington just smiled and didn't say more. Melissa closed her eyes briefly and let out a long breath. When she opened her eyes, Duke Kensington was staring at her, puzzled at her reaction. Not wanting to create any awkwardness between them, especially since they would be wedded soon, Melissa simply smiled and said, "That's very generous of you, Your Grace. Since you're in a giving mood, why don't you help me carry these to the carriage?" With that Melissa curtsied slightly and walked out of the shop without waiting for Duke Kensington. 

Looking at her retreating back, Duke Kensington was stunned for a while before laughing out loud. The shopkeeper was taken aback by this. The Duke actually laughed! Never ever would he imagined this day would come. Duke Kensington carried all the parcels out and when he reached the carriage, Lady Melissa was already seated waiting for him. Sir Andrew recognized Duke Kensington and hurriedly went to take the parcels from him before placing them in the carriage.

"Very well, thank you Your Grace. Have a lovely day ahead." Melissa looked at Duke Kensington who was standing outside the carriage and extended her gratitude. However, what happened next baffled both her and Sir Andrew as well. Duke Kensington opened the door of the carriage and stepped inside, and went to sit opposite Lady Melissa. 

"Your Grace, what do you think you're doing?" Lady Melissa asked, her voice slightly raised which indicated her raising anger. What the hell is this man trying to do? He thinks this is an Uber shared ride??

 "My Lady, please pardon my intrusion. If it's not too much trouble, may I seek help for you to send me home? I believe it's on your way home." Duke Kensington said with a smile on his charming face. 

"Isn't that a little too presumptuous, Your Grace? What makes you think I'm going home? I might have some other things to do." Melissa replied, all the while maintaining a smile on her face. 

"Oh really? I presumed you'd be going home as I believed the royal tailor would be visiting you today for the wedding dress. Or am I wrong?" Duke Kensington replied with a mischievous grin. 

Melissa suddenly remembered what Duke Malcom had told her this morning, that the royal tailor would be coming to take her measurements today. How could she forget that! This man...is he out to embarrass her purposely! 

"Cough! Cough! Ah yes, you're right, Your Grace. It slipped my mind. Thank you for your kind reminder. Sir Andrew, lets send the Duke home first." Melissa finally accepted defeat. Somehow the plot twist would never side with the female lead! Such bad luck, now she was stuck with him for another 30 minutes or so. Lady Melissa's personal carriage was not big to begin with, since it was meant only for her alone. Therefore with him sitting across her, his long legs brushed against hers no matter how hard she tried to avoid them. Ah! Whatever! Let’s ignore it for now. She said inwardly while shifting her gaze out of the window.