Mistaken Rumors

The gaze of the present duke was sharp and piercing even though he was looking off into the distance with the helmet hiding most of his expression sitting on a simple golden chair to emphasize the central focus. His expression was despondent, however, heedlessly indifferent.

Cosette turned back and saw that Gwen stopped, and she lifted her gaze to what Gwen was fixated on. Gwen didn't want to seem overly rude to ask the burning question on her mind, but Cosette followed her line of vision.

"Ah, this is a portrait of His Grace done five years ago."

"How old was he then?" Gwen asked.

Silas shrugged. "Likely twenty-two."

Gwen covered her laugh with her hand from the ease of his answer. It wasn't as if his knights would keep track of his birthday. There was a flicker of recognition in her mind from the face, but she couldn't put a finger on it.

Contrary to what she had heard of him, Maximillian was said to be a man that was a monster who towered over everyone and was hostile.

There were numerous rumors of his ugliness, but Gwen begged to differ. He was breath-taking handsome, but many things could change in five years. He could be scarred from head to toe or be more handsome in real life versus the painting depiction. Either way, it wasn't her place to ask such a question, so she dulled the thought away.

Her eyes flicked back down to the ground, feeling awkward that she was staring at the painting for a few minutes while the rest stared at her. Gwen finally nodded, and Cosette seemed to silently sigh in relief as they all kept going through the mansion.

Her favorite part was the conservatory which entailed a glass dome of the large circular hall with greenery thriving inside with the sunshine falling through. There was a wooden veranda by the side of the pale blue entrance doors into the conservatory with seating underneath the shade. There were various flowers and produce that grew in the winding water veins.

They walked in a huge circle and ended up in the residence area where Cosette showed them her room. Her heels clicked on the marble flooring, and Gwen tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Where will Avery and Lauren be staying? They are my personal handmaidens, so I would prefer for them to stay close to me."

Cosette nodded. "I understand, Your Grace. We have servants' quarters nearby. I can assure you that they are great rooms, and they will be able to attend to you firsthand."

Gwen pressed her hands together while Avery and Lauren nodded when she slid a glance over at them confirming their reaction. "That sounds perfect."

Cosette smiled, as she opened the door to her room. "This is the master bedroom, Your Grace."

She hesitantly stepped inside and flicked on the lights. It felt like she was intruding on his private space. The rest of them followed her inside, and Gwen swept her eyes over the grand room. It was a pure white room even with the curtains drawn.

The bed was pushed to her left with two nightstands, dressers, and other furniture to the right. If she went straight ahead and pulled the curtains to the right, it would be the glass doors and tall windows that slid open onto the balcony. The desk was next to balcony doors as well with storage for multiple books and stacks of paper.

The room felt forgotten, but it still had an air of regality and warmth. She peeked her head into the bathroom and gasped. The bathtub was more like a swimming pool, and the shower was beautifully done with marble floral title patterns running up the length.

There were multiple showerheads and a separate toilet room. She closed the door behind her since she also got the impression that Cosette and the knights also have never gotten a glimpse of the room as well.

"This room is beautiful. It would be an honor to reside here," Gwen said.

"Don't feel burdened, Your Grace," Cosette answered.

"We'll bring your luggage here to unpack, Your Grace," Silas added.

"Thank you."

"Please rest for the time being as dinner is getting ready," Cosette said.

Gwen nodded and sat on the plush bed while the rest filed out except for Avery and Lauren. Gwen rolled her shoulders back before remembering to braid her hair back, her fingers deftly weaving through the strands, to keep it out of her face. Avery placed a hair tie in her palm, and she tied the end. She wanted to fall into bed and sleep away from the long journey.

In the end, unpacking came first, and Avery did most of the bulk of taking out all of her dresses and other heavy-duty equipment that was supposedly all of her clothing. Lauren hung all the ornate pieces in the wardrobe and placed the other garments in the dressers.

Gwen lit a match and started a small fire in the enclosure of the fireplace to which Avery pestered her that she would do it. Gwen smiled tiredly and sat back on the velvet chaise in front of the warm flames. Avery handed her a cup of water, and Gwen took a sip of the refreshment.

"You can rest, Your Grace," Avery said. "I'll wake you up when it is dinner."

"Thank you, Avery."

She closed her eyes and sighed out a breath of exhaustion. Gwen had finally made it to the estate, and she was excited to meet everyone.

Although with the lack of energy, she would soon get back with long hours of sleep, she didn't want to seem a pushover or a lackey now that she was the mistress of the estate which was a huge responsibility.

Gwen was encouraging herself to stay positive. Everything would have the chance to work out and eventually fall into place.