Partnership

Duke Devland was the first at her side, glaring at the doctor. "I thought you said she was fine! Does this look fine to you?"

Samuel frowned and offered an explanation, though his voice carried an undercurrent of concern. "I said there is nothing detrimental to Her Highness's health. For a while, her body will still be in shock."

"But.." The Duke began to protest, his worry refusing to be silenced.

"I am fine," Dione turned her gaze to the doctor, her regal poise undisturbed. "Thank you for your evaluation, Doctor. You can hand the prescription to my personal attendant, Marianne. She should be waiting in the corridor."

"Of course, Your Highness." It was evident that the Princess was gracefully dismissing him and he did not dare to delay. As he was exiting the bedchamber, he gave one final glance to the woman sitting upright in the large bed.

Samuel had cared for Dione's mother during her illness, and this connection had cultivated a deep respect for Princess Dione who closely resembled her mother, despite the unfavorable rumors that swirled around the palace.

He was well aware of the trials she had endured after losing both her parents. Among the palace staff, a common saying prevailed: "If you seek a peaceful life, steer clear of the youngest princess." All her attendants had either retired, been reassigned, or had their positions terminated. She was left with just one loyal maidservant and a lone guard, stretched thin in his duties.

While Samuel understood his limitations in aiding her, he couldn't help but worry about this young lady, especially after her engagement to the Heartless Duke of the Salian Empire.

However, witnessing the Duke's unwavering commitment to safeguarding Dione from the Marquess' nefarious intentions, Samuel felt a newfound sense of reassurance. He silently bestowed his blessings upon the couple and though it was uncommon in noble marriages, wishing them a lifetime of happiness.

"Are you sure that you're alright?" The Duke asked again after the doctor had gone out. He reached over to pour her a small glass of water.

Now, in the quiet intimacy of their chamber, it was just the two of them. The Duke stood vigil by her bedside, his worry as palpable as the air they breathed.

Dione felt a warmth wash over her, a sensation she hadn't experienced in a long time. How long had it been since someone other than Marianne or Ezra had expressed such genuine concern for her well-being?

"I'm fine," She affirmed, her gaze locking onto her own reflection in the crystal-clear water within the cup. Her fingertip traced the rim of the glass, and a silence enveloped them, carrying with it unspoken emotions that needed no words to convey.

"The Marquess…is he?" Dione's voice held a hint of concern as she broached the topic.

"As unfortunate as it is, he is alive merely wishing he were dead," the Duke replied, his tone heavy with a mixture of disappointment and frustration. "Still, I must extend my apologies, Your Highness. I have long since known Princess Valerie to be stubborn and petty and should have left you more than just Caleb for protection. It was truly poor planning on my end."

Dione's brow furrowed as she listened to the Duke's words. She took a moment to collect her thoughts before responding, her voice tinged with guilt.

"Your Grace, please, there's no need for apologies," she said, her gaze still fixed on her own reflection in the water. "I understand the challenges that come with dealing with Valerie and I appreciate your efforts to keep me safe. You couldn't have predicted her actions If anything, it is my fault for being foolish enough to let my guard down given the circumstances."

She paused, her fingertip still idly tracing the glass's rim, creating a soft, melodic sound. "What matters now is finding a way to resolve this situation. I know that my brother does not care and will not move for me. Valerie will likely take this opportunity to spread rumors and demander my reputation even further. The only leverage I have is Lady Aisha's reckless speech at the tea party…By the way, where is Sir Caleb?"

After she fainted, Dione had slept for quite a while. She did not wake up until halfway through the next day and was immediately bombarded with a crying Marianne and doctors to examine her.

It had been a couple of hours since she had awaken but she still did not se Sir Caleb, not even when the Duke arrived.

Azriel had been listening intently as Dione spoke, his expression focused as he leaned closer to her bedside. When she mentioned Caleb's name, his face darkened considerably.

"He is accepting his punishment for failing to protect you." He stated flatly.

"Punishment? What for?" There was a slight shock in her voice. "I gave him the order to leave my side.This ordeal is of my own fault, there is no need to punish-"

"With all due respect Your Highness, that is not up to you."

Duke Devland's harsh voice cut through the air of the bedchamber, abruptly cutting off Dione's speech. "I gave Sir Caleb direct orders that not a hand was to be laid on you and yet you were hurt in his care. Regardless of your orders, this mistake is his responsibility alone to bear."

"I'm the victim and yet I don't have a say in this?"

Azriel did not speak, the silence that floated between them becoming his response.

Dione huffed, crossing her ams over her chest, eyebrow raised. She was baffled. Why was he being so difficult over this?

"With all due respect, Duke Devland," she started, "I will not allow you to do such a thing to Sir Caleb. It is unreasonable to blame him for a foolish decision on my part and if anything, I should be taking the blame. If there is anyone to punish here, it would be me."

A dark, low chuckle reverberated through the room. To Dione, it felt as if the room had suddenly dropped in temperature. A pressure that made her swallow deeply emitted from the Duke as he gazed at his with an unfathomable emotion.

"You will not allow me?" His voice was low, quiet as he inched closer to her, close enough for her to crane her head back in search of space. She had none, as she was still sitting upright in her bed. "Just what authority do you believe you have to disallow me from disciplining my soldiers, Your Highness."

Gazing into those deep eyes of his that seemed to want to swallow her whole, Dione had no clue where her sudden bout of courage came from.

She steeled her gaze, staring him right back in the eyes with just as much fierceness, "Your Grace, I am aware that to you I am just some silly powerless Princess but soon enough I am to be your wife, chosen by the Gods themselves. Considering our positions, you need me just as much as I need you, if not more. This is a partnership. I deserve to have some say in things that directly impact me without having to blindly follow your every whim."

Dione's heart thumped in her chest and for a while, it was the only thing she could hear.

She stared back into the Duke's inky black eyes, meeting him evenly. His breath tickled her cheek. It felt like they remained in this stalemate for eternity but in reality, only a few seconds had passed.

The Duke drew back first, a slight grimace on his face, mixing with irritation. In a subtle motion, his hand gripped his chest. "Ha, fine. If it matters this much to you then do as you please. I will not disrespect you like so again."

She wanted to say more but in the blink of an eye, Duke Devland had already reached the door. He paused, his hand on the handle and glanced back at her, "And if you're going to claim to be my wife, you should at least learn to call my name properly…Dione."

The door clicked.