Chapter 19

MAGNOLIA WALKED TO GEOFFREY'S BED AND LAY NEXT TO HIM. "I will protect you no matter what," she whispered against his forehead and hugged him tightly.

Magnolia felt the bed shift and opened her eyes.

"Good morning, Mama," Geoffrey greeted her. "Sorry, did I wake you?"

"Was I sleeping?" Magnolia blinked at him a few times.

"Yes, but that is alright. I was taking a nap too." He smiled. "I know it is not morning, I was just being silly."

Magnolia caressed Geoffrey's face. "You know, what happened earlier was not your fault." Geoffrey looked down. "The knight will be fine, he was not hurt badly."

"Really?" A smile appeared on his face again.

"Yes, your papa told me." She paused. "You know what else he told me?" Geoffrey looked at her in anticipation. She quickly pulled him and started tickling him. "That you need to laugh a bit more."

Geoffrey giggled as he tried to break free, but he could not. They played for a while as Magnolia chased him around the room and tickled him every time she caught him. But they were interrupted by a knock.

"I apologize, Your Grace. But if we do not start soon, you will not be ready for dinner on time." Clara said as Lady Green walked closely behind her.

Magnolia considered not attending, using feeling ill as an excuse, but her pride prevented her from doing so. She was not going to let this situation affect her duties as the duchess, and she was going to prove to everyone that she was fit for the role.

"Do you think you laughed enough?" Magnolia asked, turning to Geoffrey. He nodded his head, giggling a little more. She ruffled his hair. "Are you going to be a good boy and listen to Lady Green?"

"Of course, Mama."

"Alright, I will be off now." She gave him one more kiss.

As she walked past Clara, her maid put a long shawl on her shoulders. Magnolia realized that she was still only wearing her nightgown and robe. She tightened the shawl around herself.

"Thank you, Clara."

As usual, the preparations took a long time. Clara tried her best to cover up Magnolia's eyes. They were still red and puffy from crying earlier.

She curled her hair and helped her put on her lavender dress. She adorned her neck and ears with morganite jewelry to compliment the dress. Clara also chose it because it was a wedding gift from the Marquis and Marquise of Corossa.

She had to organize hundreds of gifts and label them as the butler instructed. She was glad she was the one to do it, though. It made her job easier for days like this.

Magnolia looked in the mirror, she looked a little different with her curls done this way. She liked it.

"You are a miracle maker, Clara." Magnolia smiled. "Thank you."

"Your beauty makes my job easy, my lady." Clara answered as she bowed.

Magnolia ascended the stairs, still blushing a bit from her maid's comment. Then her eyes fell on Daniel. He was wearing a royal blue dinner jacket and his hair was combed back.

When he noticed her, he walked to the staircase and waited for her. The color of the jacket was reflecting on his eyes. It made their color even more intense.

Magnolia's heart skipped a beat. 'What am I thinking? Have these past few weeks made you so weak?'

When the duke offered his arm, she ignored it and walked right past him. Daniel was too shocked to move, and all the servants and guards pretended they did not see anything.

The ride to the Corossa house was short but very awkward. When they arrived, there was a long line of carriages before them, and they had to wait for their turn.

Magnolia was a bit surprised. When she heard dinner, she thought it was going to be a small gathering with close friends. But this almost looked as big as the king's ball the other night.

They finally made it to the entrance. Daniel exited the carriage and offered his arm.

"Are you going to refuse my arm again and embarrass me?" She slipped her arm through his.

"Of course not, Your Grace. I know how much you care about appearances," she whispered with a smile on her face.

Daniel pressed his lips together. He had planned to apologize and talk about what happened earlier, and last night. But he did not know how to start the conversation with her in the carriage, and now it was too late.

'It is probably going to be awkward the whole night.'

They walked in and they were immediately greeted by the marquis and marquise.

"Daniel," the marquis called as they shook hands. "How come you have not been visiting even though you were in the capital?"

"I apologize, my lord. It has been a bit busy."

The marquise held his face in her hands. "Are you too old to visit us now that you are married?" she joked as her eyes smiled in the duchess' direction.

Magnolia was shocked at how close they seemed. The scene made her heart fuzzy.

"Please let me introduce my wife, Magnolia Van Konigl, Duchess of Salicera."

Magnolia curtsied. "Please call me Magnolia," she said.

The marquise took her by the arms and kissed her on the cheek, the way close family members greeted each other. It made Magnolia freeze.

"Oh dear, you are so sweet. Oh Daniel, I love her already. Great choice my boy." She beamed at Magnolia who was blushing uncontrollably.

"I agree with my wife," the marquis added while patting Daniel on the shoulder.

"Now please, do go in. I hope you enjoy the evening. We still have to greet arriving guests, but I will see you later. I cannot wait to spend more time with you, dear." The marquise squeezed her hands. Magnolia curtsied again and took Daniel's arm.

"I hope they did not make you uncomfortable, they are very kind people," Daniel whispered near Magnolia's ear.

"Not at all," she answered. "They do seem very genuine."

As they made it inside, Magnolia could finally see the size of this dinner party. There were probably about forty people in the room already.

"You made it." A familiar face approached them.

"Good evening, Henry." Magnolia greeted him.

"Your Grace." Henry smiled at Daniel. "You look like you were just scolded by Mother." he grinned.

"Mother?" Magnolia repeated. "Is the marquise your mother?"

"You have not told her?" Henry frowned at Daniel.

"I just did not get the chance to."

"I am the second son, I do not like titles though." He gave her a big grin. "Have you seen my brother yet?" He asked the duke. "He cannot get his hands off his new bride." He joked and Daniel cleared his throat.

Henry looked at Magnolia who seemed a bit uncomfortable. "Oh, my apologies. That was very inappropriate."

Magnolia laughed. "I have never seen you this energetic, Henry. It is very refreshing."

Henry smiled. "Thank you, my lady."

"Her Royal Highness, Princess Aurora." The butler announced.

A few murmurs were heard around the room. Obviously, the princess' arrival was a surprise to everyone. Everyone bowed as she made her way to the center of the room.

"Well, this dinner has gotten a little more complicated." Magnolia heard Henry whisper to Daniel. "Mother is going to put even more pressure on the servants."

"Was she not invited?" Daniel asked.

"Not that I know of."

As the room went back to its original lively atmosphere, the princess walked toward them. All three bowed to her.

She looked stunning. She was wearing an emerald dress that went perfectly with the color of her eyes. Her soft blond hair cascaded over her bare shoulders, and her figure was flawlessly enveloped in the silk of her dress.

"Your Highness." Daniel kissed her hand, and then Henry did.

"Duchess, how are you feeling? Last time you left in such haste, and you looked unwell."

Just remembering that afternoon made Magnolia's throat go dry.

"It is very kind of you to ask, Your Highness. Indeed, I did not feel well. Even the royal doctor had to come to treat me. But I am alright now. Thank you for your concern." She curtsied again.

"Oh, how is your aunt doing?" Aurora asked Daniel. "Even though she is the royal doctor, I never get to see her at the palace."

"She is doing well, thank you for asking, Your Highness."

'The royal doctor is Daniel's aunt? How come nobody introduced her to me? And she kept calling me Duchess.'

Magnolia blushed from a mix of embarrassment and anger.

"I believe it is time for us to make it to the dining hall," Henry announced. "May I escort you, Your Highness."

"Actually, I prefer to have Daniel do that," the princess requested with satisfaction in her eyes. She knew that Daniel could not refuse the princess' request, especially in front of so many watching eyes.

"Of course, Your Highness." Daniel offered her his arm. He did not even glance back at Magnolia.

"May I, Your Grace?" Henry held his arm out for her to take, and she did.

"Thank you, Henry." Magnolia tried her best to sound natural, even though her emotions were like a stormy sea.

'She just called him Daniel. Is she officially picking a fight with me?'