Chapter 7

The study room decoration really described how the owner's life is. Simple, cold, practical, but they have elegant taste to it. Iris came to adore it. Black furniture with onyx floor and elegant simple lamp really suited her taste.

"So, Princess…"

"Nope, Jude, let me start first." Judah sighed for the interruption. Lucky this damned Duke is his friend.

"Princess, you must have heard the rumours about me. I want to warn you that it is real."

"Which rumours is it? Pardon me, I might have not well travelled and not hear any of it." Iris spoke calmly. Iowyrthe was taken aback. Judah tried his best to hide his laugh.

"Yeah yeah, you bully, of course I heard about it." She thought to herself.

"Hmm, so…" Iowyrthe paused for a while, "All the ladies that engaged to me in the past cannot meet my expectation. They are weak, needy, annoying, burdensome, clingy… Gaaahh I hate them. In your first day in the engagement, I have to save you from the troll, got my attire drenched in poisonous troll blood, forced open the carriage door, and got you out. Not to mention I lend you my cape and you paid it back with hitting my head with carriage door. Though it is nothing for me really. In conclusion, you are weak and burdensome. To lead Callavan, we must both strong and can match with each other. If you really want to continue with the engagement, please think about what you can give for me. What can you do to pay me back? If I am not satisfied with your answer, kindly prepare to break this engagement and go home to your country."

She stares at him amazed. "Wow, such a snob. I will not be going back to Musou feeling caged and unwanted but I don't really need the engagement either though. Let's see Duke Lleuelyn, I know we can work together to achieved what we want."

"I understand, Your Highness. I will do my best. I will give you my best answer. Let us enjoy these 13 days ahead, shall we?" She smiled radiantly. The smile to cover some deep secret. When Iowyrthe saw that, he knew there's something behind it, but he didn't think much about it and kept going.

"All the maid is pretty busy, so no one will be assigned directly to you. Hmm, and knights. No knights too. Also, as you know Callavan is lack of woods, and we have to import it. So, your fire woods will be limited. The meals will be sent to your room unless it was scheduled for us to have meal together. Now, Jude, what is our schedule?"

Her eyes are turning to the sapphire eyes of Judah. "The Marquis is quite handsome too. Silver hair and sapphire eyes. No wonder the maids are blushing when he took the carriage. Plus, his personality is top notch. Guess I better make use of him."

"Today you will rest and after that Lady Leia will escort you for the estate touring. They are several places I think you can visit. Next, a lunch with the Duke. It will be credited to the one-hour meeting mandatory. After that, you can rest or walk in the estate or read. Up to you, Princess. Last, at 19.00 we will have a welcome dinner for you."

"So, I have 2 hours spent on her, today?"

"It is mandatory, Duke. Directly from the Empress."

"I understand Marquis Kvasir, thank you for your explanation."

"Now please go, Princess. I have something to talk about with my staffs."

"Sure. Excuse me." Her eyes rolled as she walks toward the door.

"Your Highness, please come with me; I will show you your room." Lady Leia greet her in front of the door.

As they walk by, Iowyrthe speaks to Judah, "You really think she is special huh? Because the hair and eyes?"

"Not solely on that. But, there's something different."

"What difference? She's same like other. Weak. Now call Grizsha and Thomas."

"Sure, My Handsome Liege." Judah felt that an explanation is no use for the stone-headed Duke.

Judah came along with Grizsha and Thomas. Grizsha La Mer is an ex pirate. His ship wrecked, but luckily get ashore in Troika. Due to lack of money and food, he begged Judah to take him as a worker. With the roasted chicken, he paved the way to become the main cook in Kvasir Manor. Until the egoistic Duke snatched him to the Lleuelyn Manor. Duke Lleuelyn lure him with his crewmate who become the Duke war's prisoner. They are Isla and Palinor, who now is working in the estate too as knight.

"Now Griz, I want you to help with the princess' diet. No meat or sugar for her. Small portion is good to. Plain food is the best."

Thomas and Judah shake their head in disbelief. So petty their duke is, but can't blame him for the obsession and the past experience with those ladies.

"Is she that fat?" Grizsha yelled.

"Well, nope. But I believe if you want the best strongest duchess to be, this one is not on the list."

"Ah, not your type again? I see, I see. Aye then."

"I know you are the best Griz. I never regret dragged you here from Kvasir Manor."

There's a knock in the study room door.

"Come in."

"Greeting to you Duke. I have received an information from Nicholas that those bastards started to move. We believe the troll incident was part of their plan."

"I see." Iowyrthe sighed, "Then be prepared, Nicholos. The incident is the good test for the future duchess to be though. It shows me her weakness. She's not fit for the role." He smirks cunningly. Though something in his heart tell differently.

Thomas and Judah sighed again. Normal lady will likely be fainted if they hear about the troll. Not to mentioned if the carriage were trashed like that and their head hit until it bleeds. The Princess seemed to be calmer in handling the situation. However, presenting that fact to the petty Duke, won't change anything.

At this point they won't have any future duchess.