17 Unmasking Intentions

"Bernice!!!"

"Wake up!!"

"Please don't scare me like that!!"

Again, the same dream. Why?

"Do something! Make her look at me!!! Or I'm not sure who I will end up killing!" The voice went scary, trembling my entire body.

***

"Lady"

"Duke is here," Nanny called me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Duke? Who? Where is father?" I wondered why the nanny was telling me this.

"Lady, it is Duke Alexavier Agnes."

"And about the Marquis, he worked in the royal palace, so he went there. So now you have the most authority to receive the guests," she said.

I sighed and got up from my place.

I'm still wearing my knight exercise outfit. I'm in pants and leather boots. The top part is no different, but I have a frilly shirt which is the only thing making me look girly, even though the pants surely do not describe me as girly at all.

"I think it is the time Excalibur should know how to receive guests," I said and thought about walking toward his room, but the nanny stopped me.

"You can't."

"Because he too went with the Marquis, and now you are the only one here." As she said this, I clenched my fist in anger. This is really frustrating. Everyone knows how I have changed. Even my father saw my behavior last time, then just how the hell could he leave the place like this when he is fully aware he has a guest to attend.

I didn't expect this from my father.

"Okay fine, I will attend to him," even though I'm not sure about the outcome.

Nanny placed a coat that was clearly worn by the Marquis, but now it was placed above me, saying right now I'm the Marchioness of this place.

I felt goosebumps as if some burden went on my shoulders, making me shiver. Still, I coped up with this and walked toward the living room where he was sitting. Tea was placed above him, but he hadn't touched it at all. I really wanted to say we have not put poison in his tea so he could do it, but I held it back.

"Greetings, lady," he greeted me as he saw me walking toward him.

"Greetings, Duke," I said and sat above him.

"May I know what made you come here?" I came straight to the point.

"Is there a reason I can't come to see the Marquis mansion?" I didn't see the question coming when most of the time this man stays silent, showing his poker face or he just cuts off, but he never asks a question ever.

"I'm sorry if I ask something offensive to you, but I just couldn't understand why you have shown your side to me? Did I do something?" he asked.

I can see he is playing with his fingers. No, it was more like rubbing. But this situation is kind of new to me. I never see the coming nor am I sure what to say in this situation.

"Lady Bernice?" He called me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, sorry I was absent-minded." I spoke.

"I'm not sure too what made you feel this way, but I wasn't ill-minded. I'm not sure how other ladies behave with you, but for me, violence was never ever a way I could accept." I can't believe I'm saying this. I can't believe I, Bernice Balliol, fell in love with him for his war-winning news, saying that she doesn't like violence.

"Lady Bernice, you should know how to lie better." I flinched.

How did he know I lied?

"What are you saying?" I still asked.

"Lady Bernice, I too have the awareness about your swordsmanship. And after seeing you coming out here in these training pants, I'm not sure you have any more excuses either." he said.

I gulped.

Yeah, how could I forget that I have too many plot holes in my lies.

I'm sure Father has told everyone about my practice with swords as well as my outfit. How could I even forget such an important thing?

"So, Lady, will you tell the truth now?" he asked.

"It wasn't a lie, Duke. It was clearly not a lie, as I'm learning swordsmanship to protect people, protect myself, and protect my family, unlike you, a war hero who drenches himself in blood all the time in battle. Do you think it is something equal to me as I learned how to wield a sword?" I asked.

Yeah, this time nothing is a lie. Yeah, I learn swordsmanship for my liking, but yeah, the main reason behind this is to protect myself. Yeah, I will never ever be going to find myself in the dark place again, surrounded by ambushed enemies who will again pierce their swords inside me, dying in the place all over again.

No, never.

"Lady, are you sure this is the reason?" he asked again.

"Yes, this is my answer, as you are not my type just the way you thought everyone is." I spoke.

Yes, Bernice, forget about him. He doesn't deserve you.

"How do you know that I thought you must be thinking I'm your type?" I can feel a sly smile across the corner of his lips.

But why is he messing with me when he used to barely speak? We used to always meet at the dining. He would silently have his food or he would ask if I needed anything or he would tell me about the Duchess's responsibilities. Then why is he taking so much interest in this matter? If the Marquis is not here, then he should just leave. I'm not telling him to stay here to keep my heart. I'm not telling him to even show the least bit of etiquette. Then why is he doing it? He is making me think as if something is already plotting against me even without my knowledge. Why? Has the timeline really changed so much because of my return in time?