A knock on the door pulled the duo away from eachother, creating respectful boundaries between them. The Duke walked over to the open window and pretended to be looking at the flower fields and enjoying Evermire's majestic countryside scenery.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6cftHGzsP
Ori, on the other hand, shuffled around with the pillows and the blankets, trying to make herself look as believably I-just-woke-up as possible.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBibdIluoK
As she was used to living in a confined space, Ori had made a habit of pretending to be asleep or having woken up after an excruciatingly long nap to evade responsibilities like cooking, cleaning and knitting.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0XSkF0OT4
The brunette licked her finger and dabbed the corner of her eyes with it, she ruffled her hair to make them look shabby and lived-in, before clearing her throat to provide consent.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDV8vQ8iAk
"Come in," Sirius announced with a small nod directed at Ori.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC1mAVPzQQ
The doors were pushed open and in walked Albert with a train of maids sashaying their frilled frocks, following closely behind. His small head was bent, facing the floor, and his shoulders were hunched together as he greeted, "Good Morning, my sire."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZNlx3y7xm
"Good Morning, Jenkins," Sirius acknowledged from his spot in front of the window. Gusts of wind swayed in and out, playing with his silver locks.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwexbiFUzu
The butler lifted his head to face the person sitting on the bed and let out a small shriek when he did not see the form of his Master greeting him. He looked around to find his master standing far away from his deserving place.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTadbiUE1fe
Albert's nose twitched and eyes almost watered as he pointed an accusatory finger at the lady in his Duke's bed, filled with emotion. "A peasant has soiled your sheets, my sire! Allow me to punish her accordingly now that she has awakened!" Albert threw a dirty look in Ori's direction, whilst the latter clutched a hand to her heart: mocking offence.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdiXi1R39j
"What do you mean by soi—"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH8O4Bu0TM
"Jenkins, you disappoint me." Sirius tsked, walking over to Albert. He stood in front of him, tall and domeneering as the butler bent his head in respect, remembering his place and importance.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NgO3ZW8dJ
"I thought I could trust your research skills, Jenkins, but you were wrong about Lady Gregory here," Sirius extended a respectful hand in Ori's direction, whilst the brunette watched the plot unfold with wide eyes.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtAA2aB6he
"L-L-Lady? This? Her, I mean?" Albert all but snapped as he jerked his head up with comical haste and looked his master in the eye. Had the Duke been hypnotised? Albert glanced over at Ori and a natural scowl settled in his face, upon seeing her.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvUhwy69TL
Since the Duke had his back at Ori, she made excellent use of the opportunity and pulled her tongue out to tease the old man butler.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4WMWkLl17
"Respect, Jenkins. She is a resident of the Ender Towne. If I hadn't sent my men to look out for her we would have been in such a pinch because of you!" As always, Sirius' tone was calm yet his words held the precise intensity of a shout.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoJrTONpDX
Ori pulled out her tongue and flipped off the old butler.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIwRC76QkL
The flabbergasted man looked between the two with his mouth making unintelligible noises, "Bu-hut-wu-ut?" and "Ye-wu-at?" before he could find his coherence back. Words flowed better when he stared at the ground rather at the insane woman or the bewitched Duke in front.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMGXR9KWMt
"Your Grace! The Gregories are textile merchants! Does it make any sense for her to be dressed in utter tatters everytime she has broken in the Estate to find you? Dare I say, in all your good wishes, I think Your Grace has been fooled by a swindler!"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ntqWp3nZP
Upon hearing that, Ori snorted so loud that some of the women— in the trail of robotic maids behind Albert— dared to look up and sneak glances at her.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRn7MHWZmd
"Oh-ho, Jenkins! Do you think I'm that easy to lie to?" Sirius scolded in his most diplomatic, yet condescending voice, amythest eyes getting shades darker with his glare directed at the little old butler.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1tBCaUmQH
"No! I beg for mercy! You're one of the smartest men in the Nobelai Empire! How could I have ever!" Albert wailed, all of his being descending to the ground and bowing at Sirius' feet. "Forgive me for I have sinned!" He begged, desperately so.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7p6DPxwXw
Sirius raised his brows, turning just a hint to look back at Ori — whose eyes were red and shoulders shaking from all the muffled laughs— and shared a small smile with her.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6stCDwQhQ
"What do you reckon, Lady Gregory? Should I forgive him for his actions?" Sirius asked gently.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDnfyfBT9G
Ori raised a curious brow. What was she supposed to say? To live or not to live - was that the question?!
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUv1JM5qgf
Sirius closed his eyes for a split second and directed a small nod to her.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6nwYkjPbU
Ori's nostrils flared in confusion, brows having a meeting in the centre of her forehead, discussing what in hell's name the Duke wanted from her. Gratefully, in a moment's notice, she remembered — his small nod, just seconds before he had asked the door to be opened.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnXeYa83sj
Ori's face broke into a gummy smile and she raised her hand to give him a quick, small, thumbs-up. She cleared her throat whilst getting in character.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLKzujUriH
"Well, I don't mind. Though Mister Butler hasn't been the best person around, I guess he was just wanting to protect you? I mean, I did dress inappropriately to be visiting a Duchy but that was all a part of a bigger plan," Ori shrugged, mouth stretched out wide in a gummy smile as she waved the topic off through white lies.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxGCcpIUxB
In his bow, Albert frowned at Ori's declaration and the floor witnessed it. 'What plan?! What in hell's name was this woman?!' his brain fired away. Albert's bullshit radar was tingling on high alert.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKNNeZp0rM
The Duke nodded politely. "As you say so, my Lady," he gestured the maids to get Albert on his feet. The old butler was dragged up, a mess of sobs and whines. "You should be grateful for our Lady's kindness and behave well in her presence from now on," the Duke preached.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh11pgXxuKV
"Yes, Your Grace, my sire, your wish is my command," Albert uttered in a husky voice. His eyes betrayed him and landed on Ori again, who held up two mocking fingers with all her teeth out on show. Albert did not know what the gesture meant but it sure did make him feel insulted.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR0xB1DamB
"Very well," Sirius patted his back, "Are we ready for breakfast?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh930wjVbcK
"Yes, Your Grace. Marquees Thorn has been waiting for a while now," Albert replied, eyes lowered.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsJzaYSm7f
"Ah, dammit," Sirius cursed under his breath, "He's going to berate about this forever." Sirius' hands flew to his waist, gaze alternating between Ori and Albert. "Do this, get Lady Gregory ready for breakfast and we'll be heading down together. Would that be fine with you, my Lady?"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB5gexB44G
Ori, who had only been a spectator of their strange world was blissfully surprised at the invitation. She did not mind breaking into places to win her own righ but entering their world and being as up-close and personal as eating together seemed a little too intrusive. There were many-a boundaries that Ori was willing to cross but this wasn't one of them.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzy1IARRB5
Mother-supreme had always warned her to stay away from the Argentis. They were sneakier and more competitive than all classes, constantly haggled by an urge to maintain their position as the second best but also rise up to more power.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiZcfP3COx
At the end of the day, the Duke too was a Silver blooded Argenti.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yzBVBVaK2
Ori coughed awkwardly, her hands sheepishly waved in denial. "I- uh, I think I should head home now. This-this was all pleasant and everything but, uh, yeah, thank you very much!"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYoN3AdxEX
Sirius narrowed his eyes at her small figure, bundled up in blankets and trying to shrink away from the responsibility of the promise they had made — almost. His dark purple eyes stared her down like a hungry predator stalking his prey.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNEWd9SobV
"No, I insist. You must join us," his words were firm but Ori considered them modesty.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrG2eDUW6C
"Oh, no no, no, you don't have to! Really —"
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CU8wSvcM9
"We shall be continuing the conversation we were having," Sirius cut in, "You must come down if you want to follow through."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IPUn9uzLa
In a sudden moment, Ori's face paled as his words floated back into her head — 'I want your life.' Ori contemplated the meaning behind his words— why would he kill her if he had promised to make her a Knight?
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWHRIx2CbZ
But, she cannot be trusting rich older men- that's the history of mostly all Tavern girls in a nutshell.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3zQmnOmfZ
In addition, Ori had been particularly offending the Duke for a long while now (read: four months and twenty-seven days) and he still hadn't thrown her to the gallows — but that doesn't mean he hadn't been planning it!
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWXQzdqAnQ
Just like he manipulated Mr. Butler right now!
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr6wqt4VeG
Ori's gaze found the Duke's eyes, fixated on hers with an inexplicable intensity. His dark brows were ever-so-slightly furrowed and lips were ever-so-slightly twisted downward.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgN96WZfd1
Ori's hands flung to her torso and cross-clutched her arms. No, he did not look like that...but how was he so filthy rich? A mere ducal title cannot earn enough to fake entire households into existence— right? Was he one of those Resurrectionists? The Grave Robbers? Organ Dealers?!
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaAVcmTVLN
Is that what he meant by, 'Quite Magnificent?!'
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnitRVxa19K
"Oh-wow, freakin' psychopath-" Ori mumbled under her breath, philtrum stretched out and head leaned back as she looked him up and over.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0HlEsoHrV
"Absentmindedness," Sirius coughed the word, "Does not make you a Knight. Complying readily, does."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOkGh1MgSO
His words had a message to convey and they accomplish their mission when Ori sucked in a breath and nodded. She was overthinking things again, in irrelevant tangents. Being a Knight comes above all!
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6esy52cYuY
"I'll- I'll come down with you, and eat," she agreed, eyes evading contact. She wanted to be a Knight, but she could not help the omnious feeling that she was getting from the Duke.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4RRA9Cl0k
He was finally agreeing to make her a Knight.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE905Lgspvg
But, why were her eyes lingering at the open window, mind urging her to jump down the vines and run as fast as possible.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiCaTc62KI
She wouldn't be able to. She could barely stand.
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjBXF4nsbL
Ori's little reverie exploded when she felt the Duke's face right beside hers, whispering
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4ihrJkJ8U
in her ear, "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Dreams don't get handed out in a silver platter everyday."
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjEuqxq2x3
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHv3p2DEBA
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaJlonadwo
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVPkje9U3W
365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT5lcGf7Pu
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.