Welcome Party

It wasn't an exaggeration to say no one expected anything grand from the Duchess. A lame husband and a penny pinching Duchess. The only one who didn't know how cheap the Duchess was is her husband who just arrived in the north.

"I heard he was more beautiful than a woman."

"I heard he smiled like an Angel."

"No wonder this party is grand. Perhaps angels really shouldn't walk the earth with their bare feet."

Fabian and Wren passed the nobles and merchants as they spoke in hushed tones. No one dared to speak louder lest they be heard by the Duchess. Behind the angelic looking, smiling Count was the Duchess with a gaze sharper than a sword.

She wore her usual shirt and trousers but this time, they had her official titles on it. She won several medals of honor from the war and basically threw it to the back of her wardrobe when she arrived in the north. It was saved by her servants and they decorated her outfit with it when she requested it, making sure to mumble complaints that she could hear.

Count Aderam didn't make it to the castle with any of his luggage, which was something that was odd but no one asked about it. It felt like if they said something, the Duchess would push them to another task she would rather not do. So, the clothes he was wearing belonged to Fabian who just happened to share the same size as the Count. He hadn't even gotten the opportunity to wear the clothes and they were cruelly taken from him by the Duchess's servants.

"So, Lord Renfield, do you see them?"

"You mean the men audacious enough to unleash killing intent in here? What's uncommon about that?"

"It's obvious they're not from around here. Just because the lady isn't doing anything doesn't mean she can't. So, it's up to us to deal with it."

"It's a party, Wren. Why should we have to do such bothersome things?"

"I see the lady's laziness has rubbed off you."

"I gave my brains out when I had to sign several household dispute settlements. It's the same thing day in day out. The wine is the highlight of my night!"

Fabian moved closer to the spread, picking out a glass of wine immediately. The lady was stingy but not with food and wine. Her appetite was ravenous and it benefited everyone around her.

"Our lady might be stingy but at least she feeds us."

"What if they poison the wine?" Wren asks as Fabian lifted the cup to his lips. He lowered the cup and his attitude changed.

"Find those bastards immediately."

Wren chuckled. Fabian and Aretha were very similar, both true to their desires. He made his way out of the hall, pulling the attention of said people. With his small frame and the fact that he was unarmed, he was very much a target. They would definitely come after him. In the dark, he would be free to tear them up. A savage smile appeared on his face.

He, like Fabian and Aretha, was also true to his desires.

He walked back into the hall, cleaning his hands with a towel he soon dumped on a passing servant. He finally made it to the front to greet the Duchess and the Count.

"Oh, Wren, you're here. And I see you took care of it."

"I did, your grace," he bowed.

"Took care of what?" Count Aderam asked, looking back and forth between the two.

"Oh, nothing. It's just a little mundane task we have to accomplish on nights like these. A routine check, if you will."

"Oh. I guess it's necessary because of the demons," he nodded.

"Yes, because of the demons. Do you want more wine, perhaps? You can drink all you want. Wren, fetch my husband another glass of wine."

"Yes, your grace," he bowed and left.

"Isn't he the head knight?"

"Wren? Of course he is. Smartest kid among them. Don't look down on his size. He can wrangle a demon king on a good day."

"If so, why send him to bring me another glass lol a servant? Aren't you worried he'd be resentful? I mean, it is a party."

She finished the wine in her glass and smiled at him.

"You're right. I'm being too harsh on him. Perhaps I should go and bring the wine myself."

"No, you don't have to…"

"So you'd trust a servant to bring your wine over my trusted head knight?"

"I…no. No, I won't."

"That's what I thought. I understand you want to be kind to the people here but trust me, if they were given the chance to cast you out like a dog, the would do it without a second thought. If I left you alone for fewer than 5 seconds, you would be swarmed by 'well intentioned' people who want to do nothing but break you down so they can control you. I won't let anyone do that to you."

Her tone made him shiver. Perhaps it was the wine but she looked less cautious of what he thought than she did earlier in the day. Her words made her sound vaguely similar to her family who would've preferred to keep him locked up in a cellar for the rest of his life. But his family never made his body feel this hot and unable to control a physical reaction.

Wren arrived back with the drink which was collected by her. She put the drink straight to her lips, drawing an eye roll from Wren. However, she leaned down and put her lips on Caspian's.

The crowd stood, transfixed as the two shared a passionate kiss. Those who still thought it was a sham wedding we're starting to get convinced and agitated.

She pulled away and licked her lips. He was left more dizzy and disoriented than when he took his first sip of wine.

"Hmm, sweet," she remarked in a particularly hoarse voice that only turned him on further. Never ever was he more grateful for the blanket that went over his laps to keep his leg warm in the new harsh climate.

"If that wasn't a hint, then I shall say it out loud. I am going to continue this party in our matrimonial bed and wish everyone else a lovely night to continue partying. If anyone comes to disturb us, you shall loose your head. See you later, folks!"

She put her hand on the handle of his wheelchair and began wheeling him away. He had no way to protest but…he didn't even want to.