A Key

"And since we are going to marry. You will be the new duchess of the house. Would you like that position?" A startled laugh slipped out of her. He didn't so much as crack a smile.

Good God, did he expect a proper answer to this piece of nonsense? 

"Oh yes, I would love to be a duchess and have all this wealth for me. So that I could rest lazily like those nobles do." He did not miss the mocking in her voice and the way she looked at his spotless soft hands as if he had never done manual work. He had not. But why did she care?

He ignored her mockery and smiled again. Now that she had taken a bath and wore normal clothes. She looked much more decent, beautiful even. Her honey eyes matched the duke so well that no one would ever have a doubt about her origins. And could any other family have those burning red hair?

No, she was the living proof of the miracle. She was the reply to all his desperate prayers. But how much should he tell her? For if he did not, others would and then it would not be easy to control her as he could do now.

"That is all? I thought you would want revenge too. For what they have done to you?" She hesitated, suddenly uncertain of why she felt so hostile toward him. In all fairness, he was being pretty kind and caring. He helped her escape. He fought for her in the bar and he even tried to save her mother. Alas! It was too late and it was her father's mistake. If he had not dragged her. She closed her eyes. Revenge, she wanted that!

But why did he want to help her with that revenge? 

"It could not be that you like my face. Could it be?" nobles value face a lot. Her mother always told her that your face is precious. Never let a wound leave a scar there. But she only thought her mother was paranoid. But this man, He was even going to give her mother a proper funeral and then he would marry her!?

"And just how many times can a noble marry? How many times have you been married?" He paused at her question and looked at her with an amused look.

"You have a wild imagination. A man could only marry once. Either a commoner or a noble. The rules did not change for anyone." one could have lovers though. As many as they wanted as long as no one would find out about it.

The reply made her bristle. He was offering kindness that she didn't deserve, which meant he wanted something. What could a man like this possibly want from her? Her body could not hold such value.

"Then, why me? I am not a fool to believe you fell in love with me at first sight." The woman was not a fool. Any other woman would have made sure to pounce on the opportunity and would have only fawned on him. But she was cautious and alert.

As expected of his daughter? Faint emotion flickered on his face and was gone before she could name it. 

"No, I do not believe in love." she nodded. At least they agree on a point. "But you are the key to my strengthening the position as a duke." no, she was wrong. He was a senile person who was trying to sound sober.

"I know what you are thinking. But would it not be better to have a meal first?" he pointed at her tray and she hesitated. She was hungry but she could not leave at this crucial point. What if he was trying to distract her?

"I am hungry too. After I spent last night with you. I did not get a wink of sleep. And then we have to leave for the funeral of your mother. We can talk in the carriage then?" for he did not trust the staff standing around him. Her presence should stay a secret and he still needs to be sure about his words.

She hesitated but slowly nodded. She picked up the simple items she knew how to eat.

She picked up a piece of toast and applied a bit of jam on it. And then she took a glass of warm milk. It had cinnamon and cardamom in it with nuts. She had never known the taste of nuts but had always imagined it.

And the jam was extra sweet. It was not chewy like they fill their sweets. But fresh, nutty, and strangely black.

"That's chocolate. Do you like chocolate? But she had spread it on her toast. He laughed looking at her confusion and she blinked.

For the first time, he did not look calculative or tense since they met. But it was one genuine smile even when it was at her expense.

"You have applied it right. Try some avocados and strawberries too. Or you might like an apple." apple? She had noticed them but she was going to store them in her room so she could eat them later.

But now that he had offered, she hurriedly filled the toast in her mouth and pounded for the apple. The maids twisted their lips in an ugly manner. And Dion lost his appetite looking at her.

She was eating like a beggar who had seen food for the first time. Shoving everything in her mouth at once and did not care about chewing. Using both hands to eat and then picking one thing before she could finish the other. He closed his eyes when bile rose to his throat. Perhaps it was not a good idea to ask her to eat first. Now he wanted to puke.

Her hands were smeared with oil, chocolates and the remainder of her food while her face was covered with.. Gross! 

"Would you stop that?"