I felt relieved that my past has stayed buried for one more day. While Shahr returned to his work, Malvin and I, sat to learn, well precisely I sat to learn and he sat to teach.
He began with simplest arithmetic, numbers and symbols that had once felt like an impossible task. Strangely enough, I could understand them with ease, was it because I had an adult mind, is that why I could understand them so easily or did I have a natural talent for it?
That feeling made me giggle softly. It made me feel complete, it made me feel that I could be useful to Shahr.
We didn't learn much since it was my first lesson, Malvin refused to overwhelm me. He dismissed me with a handful of homework.
Before I could get up, Shahr stood up from his seat and stood between me and Malvin. "Let's go."
Perplexed by his actions, "Where?"
"To the training grounds obviously." Completely unfazed, "You haven't practice yet today."
My spirit ran awat, I had used so much Brain power today which I never did in my entire life, now I have to go to the fields too, and swing sword a hundred times? I pleaded him with my eyes to let me have today off, but that cruel man didn't let me have my fun.
He didn't even hesitate to drag me to the fields, "It's important to practice every day." He lectures, "It's the quality of a great knight. What will you do if you don't practice one day and you end up forgetting everything?"
"Duke, no one forgets everything in a day. Please let me rest today." Squeezing his hand tightly I pleaded but no use.
Making me stand in front of a dummy he ordered me to hit it 120 times. My eyes widened, turning my head I gestured-
"Duke..."
"150." His stern voice echoed in my ears.
"Duke..."
"160..."
I understood more words means more sword practice, pouting my lips, and puffing my cheeks, I picked up the sword. I was fuming in anger from inside, I had decided that one day- one day I would take revenge on this man, I will make him feel the same.
By the time I was done my body had no strength left in it, I collapsed onto the ground. My legs numb, muscles jumping... My whole body felt sore.
Two, very familiar pairs of legs walked towards me, I turned my head to the other side because I didn't want to see his face...
A soft laughter came to my ears, as I was turning my head to see who it was, suddenly I felt like I was flying. He picked me up so effortlessly as if I were an apple.
"Is my wife angry with me?" His teasing voice and flirty eyes, made my stomach twich. I didn't say anything and turned my head to the other side.
"Hahaha... You are so cute, wifey." His laugh, his warm hands, his firm chest, I didn't want to admit it but I knew everything about him was making me fall for him.
Carrying me to my room, he placed me on the bed. Cupping my cheeks with his hands, "Please don't be angry anymore. Please." He showed his puppy eyes to me, "Get ready and come to eat, I'll be waiting for you."
After he left, the maids helped me to get changed. After that I dragged myself to the dining hall where Shahr was waiting for me.
There were many delicious foods served in front of him, but he touched none. Every time I saw this I wondered how did he controlled his urges and waited for me. If it were me I would have ended up devouring everything before he even arrived.
...
Just as I picked up my spoon, my plate was pulled away by someone. Turning my head I stare at him, stunned.
"Don't misunderstand. I want to feed you, as an apology for my earlier behaviour." He explained calmly. He spooned the soup carefully, blew on the spoon, brought it to my lips and fed me, I just stared at him in awe.
When I was looking at him feeding me, my mother's memory flashed before my eyes, she used to feed me the same way. Without my knowledge tears rolled down my cheeks.
I quickly wiped them away, trying to hide them from everyone, but to my bad luck they were already in notice of Shahr, His eyes filled with worry, "What happened? Why are you crying?"
Gently wiping away my tears he asked, "Did I make a mistake again?"
I shook my head left and right, "No... I just remembered my mom. She used to feed me too."
Patting my head, he whispered in a soft tome, "Don't cry, your tears break my heart. If you want I can feed you every day."
I burst into laughter. My laughter seemed to be contagious because Shahr laughed along with me. He fed me till I was full and couldn't eat anymore.
... Time slipped before I even realised it.
Before coming here I thought I would be beaten, abused, wouldn't be given food, I would have sleep on the hard cold floor but after coming here I experienced many new things which I had never experienced in my life.
Here I was learning new things, cooking, knitting, embroidery, making friends, and also getting to know my husband slowly.
He is a reserved and cold person, he doesn't like to show his emotions much... That's what others told me about Shahr, but my experience of him was completely different, so different that it feels like they were talking about someone else... Not Shahr.
He is nice, sweet, gentle, caring, smiles a lot, laughs a lot, teases me a lot, punishes me when I don't complete my tasks, feeds me, teaches me and many more things.
I have also learnt that his favourite colour is silver, and favourite season winter. His parents died in an accident when he was very young. He had to take over the Barony at a young age. Every year he visits their graves.
"Duchess... Why are you smiling at your embroidery like that?" Asked Seir bringing me back to reality.
I lifted the small handkerchief proudly and showed it to her.
"Wow Duchess, the flower is turning out so pretty." Uttered Seir.
"No one can guess it's your first attempt." Simly's words flattered me, my cheeks flushed red from embarrassment.
"I'm sure the Duke will be over the moon when you give this to him." Seir exclaimed, "I doubt he will be able to sleep tonight due to the high dose of happiness."
My cheeks burned, I couldn't help but smile and laugh in embarrassment. I hid my face with the handkerchief and wished the same.
...
I ran to Shahr. Handing him the embroided handkerchief I gestured, "This is for you."
His eyes shimmered in happiness, "you made this?" I happily nodded my head.
Softly placing his thumb on my cheeks and brushing his thumb, "Thank you so much. It's beautiful. I will always keep this with myself." He showed his rare and breathtaking smile only to me.
That is exactly what I wanted to hear. My heart was instantly filled with a feeling of accomplishment. A big bright smile appeared on my face which reached my eyes.
"It's must be time for you lessons, right?" He asked, I blinked my eyes indicating yes, his smile took my breath away, "Go, and study hard."
Happily dancing, I left. Malvin was waiting for me at the Duke's office room. He glanced at me as I settled down, I wrote, "Sorry," in a piece of paper.
I used to struggle to write as my studies were stopped at a young age but lately that problem also seemed to be vanishing slowly.
"That's alright." Malvin exclaimed in a calm demeanor, "Let's begin."
... We were half way through multiplication when two maids entered the office room with snacks trays in their hands. I was familiar with one maid whose name was Venish, but I couldn't remember the other one.
She was young and a new face to me but I didn't put much thought into it, since there are many maids in the duchy, I thought she must be someone with whom I haven't had many interactions.
As they were serving us snacks, the new maid sneaked some glances at my work and uttered hastily...
"Duchess, you don't know how to do multiplications? Even my 6 year old brother can do that." A soft chuckle cut sharp into my heart.
My anxiety took over instantly, eyes blinked vigorously and lips clicked together.
The other maid Venish hurriedly stood between us and made the new maid kneel in front of me, along with herself.
"Duchess, please forgive her. She is my niece, She has recently joined work, and this is her first job. She doesn't know anything and is still unknown to proper etiquettes." Venish pleaded, "please forgive her rudeness Duchess, I'll teach her properly, next time she won't make such mistakes."