When Olivia awoke, the maids entered, readied her bath, and assisted her in changing. That day, they had prepared a pair of wide grey trousers that resembled a skirt, and a white shirt adorned with a beautiful gold-thread embroidery of tiny flowers.
Amelia combed Olivia's hair into a half braid secured with a golden ribbon, matching the shirt's embroidery, leaving the other half of her hair loose. As Amelia finished styling her hair, she inquired.
"Do you know where the Duke is?"
"The Duke was stepped out to the headquarters. my lady. It's likely he'll stay there all day and might not return until dinner time."
"Very well. By the way, do you know if Madam Margaret can come today?"
"Yes, my lady, she will arrive shortly, so you had better hurry with your breakfast."
After Amelia finished combing her hair, Olivia rose from the chair and sat down to have her breakfast. When she finished eating, she asked Mari, who was collecting the plates.
"Mari, do you know where my puppy is?"
"Yes, my lady, the puppy is in the garden with Ana. Today is her turn to feed him."
"Thank you."
Olivia left her room and went to find Ana, who was trying to feed the puppy, but it was not letting her get close, just as it had behaved the previous day with Mari. Olivia approached, and when the puppy saw her, it ran towards her, jumping at her feet.
Olivia lifted the puppy into her arms, and it began to lick her face, seeming very happy to see her. She told Ana.
"Give me his food; I will feed him."
"Yes, my lady."
Sitting on a breach, Olivia began to feed the puppy. This time, it did not sniff what was inside the bottle but eagerly put it straight into its mouth. Seeing it eat so desperately, as if it hadn't eaten in a long time, Olivia asked Ana.
"Has the puppy not been eating well?"
"No, my lady, we tried to feed it yesterday, but it wouldn't let anyone near."
After the puppy finished its milk, Olivia scratched its belly, which it seemed to enjoy a lot, and she said.
"What am I to do with you, my little wild beast? I think I now know what to name you; I'll call you Ruffian. What doo you think of that, Ana?"
"It suits him perfectly, my lady."
Lifting Ruffian up, Olivia announced, "From now on, you'll be called Ruffian."
While Olivia played with Ruffian, one of the maids approached to tell her that Madam Margaret had arrived. Olivia set the puppy down and went to meet Madam Margaret, but Ruffian didn't want to be apart from her; it ran after her, latching its little teeth onto Olivia's trousers.
Finding this so endearing, she didn't have the heart to leave him, so she picked him up and carried him to meet Madam Margaret.
Upon entering the room where Madam Margaret and her assistant were waiting, they bowed and said.
"Good morning, Duchess."
Approaching them with Ruffian in her arms, Olivia said.
"Good morning, I've brought my little furry friend along; I hope that's alright."
Upon realizing it was a wolf pup rather than a dog, the two women said, "Duchess, you do know this is a wolf pup, right?"
"Yes, I know. I found him in the forest a few days ago, but he's so small and cute I couldn't resist bringing him with me."
The two women exchanged a look and remained silent, unable to fathom why the Duchess nobles often had peculiar habits, such as the time both had taken measurements for a foreign noble's dress while she kept a huge lion as a pet.
Thus, the Duchess having a wolf as a pet didn't surprise them as much. Madam Margaret revealed several dresses she had been working on, showing them to the Duchess. The dresses were simple yet elegant, just to the Duchess's taste.
When Olivia saw the dresses, she found them beautiful since they weren't as voluminous as those worn by other nobles, so she chose a soft lilac dress to try on.
While Olivia slipped into the dress, Ruffian trotted around the room. Madam Margaret made some adjustments to the dress, and upon completion, she brought out a large mirror, asking.
"Duchess, do you like the dress, or would you like to try another?"
Upon seeing herself in the lovely dress with bare shoulders, Olivia was thrilled and declared, "I adore it, this one's perfect."
"I'm pleased you like it. These are some new designs I've been working on. I'm not sure how they will be received by other nobles, but I thought they might appeal to you."
"All your designs are very lovely, Madam Margaret. I am certain other nobles will be lining up to purchase them."
"I hope the Duchess's words come true. By the way, my lady, that dress would look even better with a necklace."
Glancing at her bare neck, Olivia realized Madam Margaret was correct, but she owned no jewels and had been reluctant to spend, as she often splurged on clothes and shoes. She admitted.
"You're right, perhaps I will wear one that day."
After helping the Duchess change, Madam Margaret packed the dress in a box and departed. Amelia, having overheard the conversation, inquired.
"My lady, do you have a suitable jewel for the dress, or shall I call the jeweler for you?"
As Olivia held Ruffian, who had begun growling at the maids, making them slightly uneasy, she replied.
"I own no jewels, but I've already spent enough on dresses and shoes, so I won't wear any."
Before Amelia could say another word, Olivia swiftly exited to the garden, concluding the conversation. However, Amelia disapproved of Olivia attending without jewels, as at tea parties, ladies Often flaunted their wealth through attire and adornments. But knowing the Duchess would resist buying jewels no matter how much she urged, Amelia spoke with her husband Alfred to persuade the Duke to purchase some jewels for the Duchess.
...
That day Olivia ate in the kitchen among the maids, and Layner prepared her a delightful strawberry cake which she rapidly be a nice treat for Leonard to try. However, he had sent word that he was swamped with work and must stay at the headquarters.
In the afternoon, Olivia found herself idle, so she dedicated her time to playing with Vandal. As evening fell, after dining, she retired to her room with Vandal in tow; he had been whining when left alone. She indulged in a soothing bath and then settled on the sofa with Vandal sprawled at her feet, attempting to read a book but quickly losing interest and placing it back on the table.
The room felt exceptionally empty that night without the duke's presence. Though he usually arrived late, ever since his return from the border he had taken to sleeping beside her.
It was not until that moment that Olivia realized how accustomed she had become to his company, as the notion of not seeing him until the next day unsettled her. She tossed and turned in bed, pondering what the duke might be doing, and ultimately drifted off to sleep just before dawn.
The next morning, Olivia was roused by Vandal's yelps-he seemed hungry. Exhausted from a restless sleep, she rang the bedside bell reluctantly, and maids promptly entered with breakfast, including milk for Vandal.
Prioritizing Vandal's cries that were driving her to distraction, Olivia fed him before dressing herself. Once sated, the pup curled up on the rug and nodded off. Olivia found it unfair, yet realizing he was still a mere pup, she let it slide. Following her meal and changing attire, she descended the stairs and noticed Alfred handing Amelia a basket to deliver a change of clothes and food to the duke.
Upon overhearing Amelia's errand, Olivia blurted without a second thought, "I wish to accompany you."
Alfred was astonished by the duchess's sudden desire to leave the manor-she had never done so since her arrival. Uncertain if was permissible, but deciding it wasn't a bad idea as they were visiting the duke, he replied, "Then I shall have the carriage prepared at once."
To Amelia, Olivia requested, "Could you ask Layner if there's more of that strawberry dessert from yesterday? I'd like to bring some for the duke."
"As you command, my lady," Amelia obliged, relaying the request to Layner in the kitchen. Layner swiftly prepared another strawberry tart, after which Amelia returned to join Olivia, who was waiting at the entrance for the carriage.
Typically Amelia would take a plain carriage for outings, but with the duchess accompanying, the duke's carriage was warranted.
The journey by carriage lasted an hour, and upon arrival at the headquarters, the guards, spotting the duke's carriage, approached to identify its passenger, as the Duke of Forest was busy training with other soldiers. The coachman informed them that the duchess was aboard, and they were promptly allowed entry.
Stepping out of the carriage, Olivia marveled at the enormity of the place, soldiers hustling in every direction. As she took in her surroundings, Amelia ushered, "My lady, follow me and do not fall behind."
Olivia trailed Amelia to the duke's office, and upon knocking, a tall man with light brown hair and gray eyes emerged, inquiring, "How may I assist you?"
"We've come to see the duke."
When Darius opened the door and beheld the two women inquiring after the duke, he longed to dismiss them before his return. Wearied by frequent such visits disrupting his work, he hastily instructed, "The duke is currently training, so he won't be able to see you. Is there anything else?"
A pang of sadness struck Olivia, having ventured all the way to the fortress to no avail. Nonetheless, unwilling to leave just yet, she asserted, "We could wait for him to finish."
"The duke is quite occupied, miss, so I suggest you return home as he will not be able to receive you."
"Well then, it can't be helped. Could you please give this to the duke?" Olivia presented the basket.
"I will make sure he gets it; do not worry," Darius replied, taking the basket from her hands.
"Thank you. Amelia, we better head back."
"Are you certain, my lady?"
"Yes, he must be very busy. It's best not to impose any further."
"As you wish, my lady. I will inform the coachman to ready the carriage."
After their departure, Darius placed the basket on his desk and resumed his duties. Meanwhile, on her way back to the carriage, Olivia caught a distant glimpse of Leonard training shirtless, his splendid bare back shining in the sunlight. For a moment, Olivia stood transfixed, admiring her husband from afar.
Amelia, who had walked ahead to inform the coachman, turned to find Olivia lagging behind, captivated by the sight of the duke. It amazed her that, despite some time elapsed in their marriage, Olivia still blushed like a smitten schoolgirl whenever the duke was near.
Approaching Olivia, Amelia notified her, "My lady, the carriage is ready."
With one last look at Leonard, Olivia resolved, "Let's go."