With the recent unrest spreading across Valtheris, an urgent meeting was called in the royal palace. Every noble occupied their usual seat, quietly discussing the fire in the commoners' district while servants moved around pouring wine and refreshments. Once the hall became silent, His Majesty slowly rose from his throne and looked across the room.
"With the concerning troubles facing our kingdom," the King announced, "I have invited someone from the Kingdom of Aerathia to assist us in restoring peace. Please welcome Duke Nathaniel Clifford of Aerathia."
The nobles applauded as a young man dressed in a dark navy coat embroidered with silver stepped forward. He bowed respectfully before raising his head with a calm smile.
"It is an honour to stand before the nobles of Valtheris. I thank His Majesty for placing his trust in me, and I promise to carry out my duties faithfully. I hope we can work together for the good of both kingdoms."
The hall erupted into applause once more before the meeting was dismissed.
Outside the throne room, groups of nobles gathered in conversation. Marion spotted Nathaniel standing alone and immediately walked over with Skender and Zayn beside him.
"Your Grace," Marion smiled, "allow me to introduce a few people before everyone disappears."
Nathaniel nodded politely.
"This is Lord Gerald Blackwood," Marion said, gesturing toward Skender, "and beside him is Lord Zayn Thornfield."
Nathaniel extended his hand. "It's a pleasure meeting you both."
"The pleasure is ours," Zayn replied with a grin as they shook hands. "You'll be working with us now, so I hope you don't get tired of seeing our faces."
Skender laughed softly and folded his arms. "Ignore him. He likes talking before thinking."
"I do not," Zayn scoffed playfully.
"You do."
Nathaniel chuckled at their exchange. "If this is how the nobles of Valtheris welcome guests, I think I'll settle in quite well."
Just then, footsteps echoed through the corridor.
"There he is," Marion said, turning around. "Perfect timing."
Duncan approached, having just finished speaking with one of the royal guards. He greeted everyone with a respectful nod.
"Good afternoon, my Lords."
"Lord Duncan," Marion called with a smile. "Come over. Duke Nathaniel, this is Lord Duncan Valcrest... His Majesty's favourite lord."
Duncan rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Your Grace exaggerates."
Nathaniel smiled... but instead of speaking immediately, his eyes settled on Duncan.
He studied him quietly.
Not rudely.
Not aggressively.
Simply watching him with an unusual amount of interest. The silence lingered just long enough for Duncan to notice.
"So..." Nathaniel finally said, his voice calm. "You're Lord Duncan."
"I am."
Nathaniel's eyes remained fixed on him. "I've wanted to meet you for quite some time."
Duncan blinked in surprise, "Have we met before, Your Grace?"
"No."
Nathaniel smiled faintly, "But I've heard your name often... so often that meeting you almost feels familiar."
The others exchanged brief glances.
Duncan smiled politely, though something about the Duke's unwavering gaze made him strangely uncomfortable.
"I hope whatever you've heard wasn't exaggerated."
Nathaniel let out a quiet laugh.
"Perhaps, or perhaps the stories simply haven't told me enough."
Their eyes remained locked for another brief moment. Duncan couldn't explain it, Nathaniel wasn't being disrespectful...
Yet it felt as though the Duke was trying to read every thought behind his eyes.
Marion broke the silence with a laugh.
"Well, now you've finally met the famous Lord Duncan."
Nathaniel finally looked away and smiled, "I suppose I have."
Duncan cleared his throat, "It was a pleasure meeting you, Your Grace, but I still have work to attend to."
"The pleasure was mine," Nathaniel replied with a courteous bow.
As Duncan walked away, he instinctively glanced back over his shoulder. Nathaniel was still watching him.
Not smiling.
Not frowning.
Simply watching...
As though trying to understand the man everyone spoke about. Duncan frowned slightly before continuing down the corridor.
Strange fellow...
Meanwhile, across the city, Maya spent the afternoon with Clara, Gabrielle, and Sandra in Sandra's flower garden. The four young women sat beneath a large tree while servants poured tea and arranged freshly baked pastries on the table.
Sandra could barely hide her excitement.
"I swear," she giggled, lifting her teacup, "every single day, he gives me another reason to love him."
Gabrielle rolled her eyes dramatically, "If I hear one more story about your perfect man, I'm throwing this cup into the pond."
Everyone laughed.
"Leave her alone," Maya said with a smile. "She's happy."
Sandra pointed at Gabrielle, "You see? Maya understands me."
Gabrielle folded her arms, "No. Maya is just too kind to tell you you're becoming unbearable."
Clara laughed before calmly sipping her tea, "I think she's adorable."
Sandra smiled proudly, "And besides... I think he's going to propose soon."
"Really?" Maya asked.
Sandra nodded excitedly, "I can feel it."
"I'm happy for you."
Maya smiled... but her smile quickly faded as her thoughts wandered elsewhere.
Sandra noticed immediately.
"Maya?"
"Hmm?"
"You've barely touched your tea."
Gabrielle leaned forward, "Is something bothering you?"
Maya hesitated before letting out a quiet sigh, "My father introduced me to someone."
"The Duke?" Clara asked.
Maya nodded.
She told them everything... from King inviting Nathaniel to Valtheris...
To their first meeting...
To the fact that her parents clearly approved of him.
The garden fell silent. Finally, Gabrielle spoke.
"If I were you... I'd marry the Duke."
"I agree," Clara added. "He's respectable, powerful, and by all accounts a good man."
"But I don't love him," Maya admitted softly.
Sandra reached across the table and gently squeezed her hand, "Then don't marry him."
The others turned toward her, and Sandra shrugged.
"What?"
"If your heart belongs to Duncan... then fight for Duncan."
Gabrielle shook her head, "And if Duncan never chooses her?"
Sandra smiled warmly, "Then at least she'll know she fought for the man she loved instead of spending the rest of her life wondering... 'What if?'"
All three girls looked at Maya.
She lowered her eyes before smiling to herself.
"I'll follow my heart."
After returning from the palace, Duncan headed straight to his room. He loosened the collar around his neck before taking a long bath, hoping the warm water would wash away the strange feeling Nathaniel had left behind. Yet every time he closed his eyes, he remembered the Duke's unwavering gaze. It wasn't threatening, nor was it friendly. It was simply... unusual. Drying his hair with a cloth, he let out a quiet sigh before walking into the dining room where Ruby had already instructed the servants to prepare lunch. He barely touched the food before another thought crossed his mind.
Maya.
He hadn't spoken to her for days. Ever since the fire and the investigation surrounding Chief Zion, work had consumed nearly all his time. He also remembered his mother's conversation about Evelyn's marriage proposal.
Thankfully, Ruby had turned it down. The thought of Maya being forced into a marriage she didn't want didn't sit well with him. Setting his spoon down, he made up his mind.
"I'll visit her tomorrow."
The following morning, Duncan dressed neatly in a grey tunic with matching trousers. After fastening a dagger inside his boot and another beneath his cloak, he adjusted the rings on his fingers, sprayed a little perfume and mounted his horse before riding toward Ashbourne Mansion.
The journey didn't take long. Upon arriving, one of the maids welcomed him inside before asking him to wait in the parlour. Duncan had barely taken his seat when she returned with an apologetic smile.
"My Lord... Miss Maya is in the garden."
"I'll wait."
The maid hesitated, "She's... with her suitor."
Duncan paused for only a second before smiling politely, "I see."
He slowly stood up, dusted the sleeve of his coat, and nodded.
"Then I shouldn't interrupt them."
Turning toward the entrance, he had only taken a few steps before a familiar voice stopped him.
"Lord Duncan."
He turned.
Nathaniel stood beside Maya, both of them walking back from the garden.
"Your Grace," Duncan greeted with a polite bow.
Nathaniel returned the gesture before taking a few steps closer. His smile remained warm, yet once again, his eyes settled on Duncan with that same quiet curiosity. He wasn't glaring... he wasn't challenging him... he was simply looking, as though every meeting answered a question only he knew.
"I heard you were leaving already," Nathaniel said.
"The maid informed me Miss Maya was entertaining company."
"She was."
Nathaniel glanced briefly toward Maya before looking back at Duncan, never quite breaking eye contact.
"That was considerate of you."
Duncan smiled, "We've known each other for years. I'd hate to interrupt."
Maya walked closer, sensing the unusual atmosphere between the two men.
"Lord Duncan..."
He turned toward her, his expression immediately softening.
"Lady Maya."
She hesitated before speaking.
"This is Duke Nathaniel..." She smiled awkwardly, "...my suitor."
For a brief moment, Duncan looked genuinely surprised before recovering with a smile.
"I see."
He nodded respectfully, "Then allow me to congratulate both of you. I wish you a happy married life."
Nathaniel smiled, "Thank you."
Again...
His eyes never left Duncan.
Not in hostility.
Not in rivalry.
Simply observing him with an attention that almost made the conversation feel longer than it actually was.
"I came to speak with Lady Maya," Duncan admitted, "but another day will do."
"I hope we'll meet again soon," Nathaniel replied calmly.
"I'm sure we will."
Duncan bowed before turning toward his horse.
Halfway to the gate... something made him stop. He looked back. Nathaniel was still standing exactly where he had left him.
Still watching.
Maya noticed it, too. "What is it?" she asked softly.
Nathaniel blinked, almost as if he hadn't realized how long he'd been staring. A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Nothing."
He looked toward the open gates where Duncan had disappeared.
"I was only wondering..." He paused. "...whether the man everyone admires is truly the man everyone believes him to be."
Maya frowned slightly, unsure what he meant, Nathaniel simply smiled and gestured toward the mansion.
"Shall we go inside?"