It was almost the new year and Duke Ashford started the annual meeting at his mansion. That was something that was done at the end of the year to evaluate how that year went.
I had never joined the full meeting, only from the middle to the end. I only joined when the duke called for me and that was usually in the middle when talking about poison and the princes. While the beginning was usually full talking about politics and some secrets that I always desperately wanted to know. I wondered when the duke would let me know those things.
That time I was working at the poison laboratory in the basement when a servant came. "Lady Whitley, the duke wanted you to come."
I stood up and walked to the meeting room with some report in my hand. I wished for a good result at the meeting.
"Wellcome Olivia." The duke welcomed me with a warm smile in his mouth. I guessed he was in a good mood that day.
Besides the duke, there was his son, Rowan Ashford, my father, and some nobles that worked for the duke. "Greetings," I bowed and greeted everyone in the room.
"Take a seat Olivia." The duke offered me a seat.
Once I sat beside my father, the meeting continued. We talked about the progress of the poison research.
"Based on the research we were working on, we will start to try using some other material like Cherub and Dailic as ingredients." That's the closing of Sir Clark's report.
Cherub and Dailic? Those herbs are a good medicine, but they could act as poison. Only a very talented doctor could turn them into medicine. That's why Sir Clark tried to make a poison out of those herbs.
But, there was something weird. Cherub and Dailic were rare in the empire. Was it possible to run such a research?
"Good work to all of you." The duke praised all of his workers. "Continued your good work for next year." That was his closing for this meeting. All the workers left the room except for Rowan, my father and I.
Usually there would be a discussion between the duke, my father and I. But that time, I wonder why the duke asked Rowan to stay. Was there something he wanted to discuss with Rowan too?
"First of all I want to say thank you to you, Olivia. You did a good job this year as well." That was what the duke said once the silence filled the room.
I smiled just to be polite. "You flattered me, your grace. I haven't done my best this year. Rather, I made some mistakes. For example Prince Francis' case."
The duke let out a small laugh. "That's okay Olivia. I told you that you have done great for his case. You just need to adjust. For the other works you did them perfectly. So, in average, you did a great job"
What kind of compliment was that? But that was a good thing. At least the duke trusted me so much.
"So, based on Olivia's performance, I think that it will be good to have her as my daughter in law. A combination of Rowan and Olivia will be a perfect one. We can start it with engagement. What do you think, Marquis?"
Did I hear it right? I became the duke's daughter in law? I couldn't tell if that was a good or bad thing. Should I be happy or not? Engaged with Rowan, the eldest son of Duke Ashford, meant became the future Duchess Ashford.
"I'm honored, your grace. I think this is a good idea to make them together. As you said, they are a perfect combination." From his tone, I could tell my father was overjoyed. For someone who only thought about reputation and honor, having his daughter engaged with a young duke was a great thing.
"Hohoho," the duke chuckled. "Is that so? Then, how about you, Rowan?" He looked at his son.
Rowan, who was sitting calmly beside him, took a glance at me, then looked back at the duke before he spoke. "I never worked together with Lady Whitley before. But based on her work and how father praised her, I think it's a good idea to have her by my side. But still, we need her opinion right?"
Everyone started to look in my direction. From the way my father looked at me, I was sure he wanted me to accept the offer. "I'm honored to be your daughter in law, your grace. I will try my best not to disappoint you."
That meeting ended up well with the decision to announce and report my engagement with Rowan Ashford.
Once the meeting was done, all of us left the room. "Lady Whitley." Rowan called for me.
I came toward him and bowed. "You can call me Olivia, sir."
He chuckled with his hand covering his mouth. "Ah, then. You can call me Rowan. We don't need to use formalities from now on," he said.
"Yes. I will try."
"There's something I wanted to discuss with you for a while. Do you have time?" I wasn't sure what he wanted to discuss with me, but somehow I got a bad feeling. Yet I couldn't refuse his first request with me right?
After thinking for a while I answered him. "Yes. What do you want to discuss? I will try my best to give you my solution."
"Then, follow me." He brought me to a garden at the mansion. The view here was really great and I liked it so much. There was no one here, which made me feel more at peace. Maybe I would visit this place more often, not only focused on the lab.
"One of Prince Roosevelt's classes is about managing steel stone, so he has access to it until now. Father started a trade with Duke Echetier with it and I am in charge of it." So, he talked about steel stones? Did he notice?
No, he wasn't noticed. At least, he didn't mention me, so I still had a chance. I would act as if I didn't know. "Congratulations, sir. I mean, Rowan. Is there any problem with it?"
"Well, the problem is about security. As you know, it is prohibited to bring steel stone outside the palace, let alone trade it. So, it will be a big problem if someone notices. Do you have any suggestions about it?"
No way. He noticed me that time. He just acted that he didn't notice. I should had noticed it when he mentioned a mouse at that time. It was so dangerous. I had to watch what I say if I wanted to stay alive.
"The best way to hide it is by making sure to do it when no one notices. Choose a deserted place and a good time. Make sure to have a good alibi when someone is about to notice. Those are all that I know, Rowan."
He nodded with his hand touching his chin. "Good. I will try to make sure everything is safe." Rowan patted my shoulder. "Thank you for your advice. I'm looking forward to us working together." He left me alone.
Finished with work at duke's mansion, then the time for me to go back to Whitley's mansion. I wished there was no problem there and I could rest and think for the next day.
Unfortunately, that wish of mine didn't come true. "Olivia!!!" A voice from a girl who was only one year older called for me. She is Lydia, my older sister.
"Are you happy now that you are engaged to Sir Rowan?!" She shouted at me. "I will never agree to this!!!"
I only sighed a bit. "Sister Lydia. I know that you won't agree with my engagement. I'm aware of it." I took a step forward. "But, unfortunately, I'm not the one who decides it. If you want to protest, then..." I leaned forward and whispered to her ear. "Why don't you protest to our father?" I left her after bowing slightly.
Sister Lydia. She was always jealous of what I got. She was once my father's favorite child, but since I started to catch more attention, she was almost forgotten. Lately, our father placed her to take care of a small family business.
Truthfully, I didn't hate her. We became like this because of our father's greed. He only valued his talented and potential child and would abandon those who didn't give him benefit.
For us, his children, we had to struggle in order to live and be recognized. So I started to learn a lot and become the most talented child.
I worked so hard to get my own power. A power that put me in a high position where even Duke Ashford or the empress couldn't touch me.
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Hi, this is me again with a new chapter. Thank you so much for read this story this far.
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