Her head turned, I immediately backed off, so she wouldn't see me, I don't know why I did that, even though I had nothing to fear. My heels clicked sharply in the silent hallway, giving me away.
The two maids stiffened.
"Wh- who is there?" They whispered fears shaking their voices.
If they saw me, would they accuse me of eavesdropping? But I had only been passing by. I didn't want to be seen, or blamed. But running away would be cowardice of me. So I just stayed rooted to the spot.
I had made up my mind, if Shahr accused me of taking advantage of him, I was ready to explain everything to me.
When the maids peeked around the corner and saw me standing there, they froze. Knees bent, they fell to the grounds.
"Duchess, please forgive us." They begged.
I stood there stunned, I thought I would be blamed for eavesdropping, but contrary to it the maids begged me for their lives.
"Duchess, we didn't mean anything bad. Please Duchess forgive us." Tears rolling down their cheeks fell on the floor. Their voices echoed the hallways.
Some maids came rushing there, including my personal maids.
"Duchess, what happened?" Asked Seir.
My lips sealed I just stared at her. I didn't want anyone to know what I had overhead. It was the truth, and I was certain that everyone in duchy thought the same too, but hearing it out loud hurt.
"Duchess, we have disrespected you greatly, please forgive us. Please spare our lives, we have families to take care of." The maids pleaded.
Malvin, who was strolling from there happened to witness this scene. He came rushing and took care of the situation. I was sent to my room and the maids were taken away by Malvin.
I did beg Malvin to not punish the maids, he promised too, but I didn't know whether he would fulfill his promise or not. I decided I would ask the Duke once he returns.
But...
Turning my head, I stared at myself in the mirror... Fear crept into my heart.
What if the Duke also thought that I was freeloading? What if he decides to leave me and marry someone else? What if... Various questions ran through my mind. I couldn't sit still any longer.
Jumping off the bed I rushed outside. I did run out, but I stopped as soon as I realised that I didn't know where Shahr's office room was and I called myself his wife.
As I wandered off in the estate I began to realise that I knew nothing about Shahr, His age, birthday, about his mom-dad, his favourite colour, what kind of work he does, nothing, I knew nothing.
The only one thing I knew about his was that he likes mushroom soup, which I learnt just hours ago. My heart tightened, legs started to tremble but I still couldn't find his office room.
"Duchess, are you looking for something? May I help you?" Asked a servant.
I almost asked him for the Duke's office room, but I didn't because I wanted to find the Duke's office room by myself.
With a lot of searching and wondering off here and there, I finally found the office room. Knocking on the door I stood there breathing heavily.
When fhe door opened, Malvin looked surprised, Shahr looked at me confused. Walking over towards me, he asked, "What happened? Why are you huffing so much?"
"I didn't know where your office room was, so I kept searching for it." I gestured.
"But Shia, didn't you visit my office the very next day of our wedding." Murmured Shahr.
My memory instantly returned, I did visit his office once. Then how come I forgot where it was? Was it because it was my first day here, I couldn't memorize the roads or was it because I was too nervous today?
"Shia..." He leaned closer, cupping my face with his firm and big hands, "what happened? You are sweating a lot. Come inside." His grip tightened around my wrist, gentle yet insistent, he pulled me inside the room without giving me a chance to resists.
Malvin left the room.
Shahr murmured holding my hands, "Shia... Tell me, what's taking over your mind?" His voice alone made all my worries wash away instantly... But not enough for me to speak.
Minutes passed in silence...
He eyes eagerly waited for my reply.
Shahr, who was patiently waiting for me, couldn't wait anymore and asked, "Did those maids upset you?"
My gaze shot up to his, but I turned away the moment our gazes collided. He understood my anxiety without a word.
"Shia, look at me." His fingers brushing on my cheeks, turning my head towards him, "I have punished those maids, you don't have to care about them. Forget everything they said, they are stupid fools they don't know what they were talking about."
My worries increased, "you have punished them? Why? I specially told Malvin not to punish them, he didn't tell you?" I felt a spark of rage inside me when I realised Malvin hadn't kept his promise.
"He did tell me, that's why I didn't punish them severely. But my wife, a punishment is needed, because if I don't punish them now then tomorrow someone will question you again which I don't want." He replied.
"How did you punish them?" I asked.
"I have sent them to work at my farm house."
My eyes glittered in excitement, I asked, "You have a farm house?" Completely forgetting that we were discussing a serious topic.
My reaction made Shahr giggle softly, "Yes, I have a farm house."
Again silence took over, I sat there hesitating, fidgeting my fingers, I gestured, "Duke, I want to share some of your responsibilities."
"Shia, I told you, not to take those maids's words by heart. They were uttering nonsense." He murmured.
"No Duke. I have always agreed with you but on this I can't. They weren't talking rubbish, what they said was absolutely correct. I don't help in the duchy's responsibilities, when I should do, it's my negligence. And I sincerely apologise for this."
Frustration took over me as I gestured this. The frustration was on me and not on Shahr, how could I forget that marriage is also about sharing responsibilities.
I was so busy meddling in my own affairs that I forgot about Shahr. I'm so selfish.
"I don't care..." He leaned closer to me, "I don't care whether you work or not."
Standing up abruptly I uttered, "but I do. I don't want to sit around. I want to share your responsibilities, problems, happiness... Everything. So please let me help out."
Maybe my heartfelt plead had finally reached him, nodding his he said okay. I jumped in excitement and mistakenly took him in my embrace.
My eyes widened as soon as I realised my actions. I moved backwards, but I was stopped by his strong arms.
"Stay like this..." His soft voice gave me goosebumps all over my body. I stayed quiet without moving while his embrace grew tighter.
Getting no air, I aggressively patted on his shoulder, he let me go. Both of our cheeks were red from embarrassment.
"Umm, come here."He said moving to his desk, "let me show you some documents."
Opening a very important looking document he flipped through the pages, my nervousness increased as reality had finally hit me.
"This is the accounts book of our duchy. All expenses, liabilities, profits from various business, revenues everything is written here." He uttered pointing towards the book.
I could only understand some letters and numbers, other than that everything seemed to be unreadable to me.
"What happened?" He asked in curiosity, "why are you not saying anything?"
My hands suddenly felt heavy, I couldn't gesture anything.
"Oh, I got it." Uttered Shahr, "You don't understand these terms. Am I right?" My heart thumped loudly, the truth that I was trying so hard to hide was going to come out.
"A cousin of mine also don't know anything about accounting or book keeping, because she never learnt. When she was young she spent all her time playing around and troubling others, you might have been just like her, huh?" He teased me.
The relief that washed over me almost made me giggle out loud, but I suppressed my urges somehow.
Shahr's lips curled up, "I'll tell Malvin to teach you everything."
My eyes glittered in excitement, I was finally going to be educated properly, now I will be able to help Shahr in his work.
Pointing towards the tea table in Shahr's office room he uttered, "Go sit there. I'll call Malvin."
Dancing and jumping, I sat. Shahr giggled at my actions and called for Malvin.
"Yes, Duke?"
"My dear wifey, didn't take her lessons properly, she was busy being naughty, so I want you to teach her everything, from basics maths to book keeping." Ordered Shahr.
Malvin nodding his head, "As you wish, Duke."