“I’d rather get killed than becoming your mistress or wife”

*PREVIOUS CHAPTER*

"I want to be someone who can protect herself, so please teach me" The commander gave me a nod and sighed. "I expect you to be on the training ground tomorrow at 9 a.m.. Please rest well". The commander left.

***

I was waiting for the commander to arrive, but instead I saw a knight running towards me. "

The knight kneeled and spoke: "Lady Celestine, sir Huigh won't be able to make it to today's training. His wife got really ill yesterday and couldn't look after the children". I sighed in disappointment and gave the knight a nod. "Sir Huigh told us to let you practice with us, so please follow me" The knight gave me a wooden sword to practice and taught me some postures and tips with the sword.

***

I finished my first training successfully and I got a lot of compliments from the knights. I told them to keep my training a secret for the marquis couple and luckily they agreed. There were only a few days left before the wedding, so the king required our presence first. "Mary, help me get ready to meet the king" Mary nodded and helped me get dressed.

***

*Royal Palace, 2 p.m.*

Duke Florys was waiting for me at the entrance of the Royal Palace. He was wearing a black suit with tints of blue with his family crest engraved on his sword. When we entered the palace, there were a lot of guests from neighbouring countries. We had to wait an hour before we could meet the king. Just as we sat on a bench in the waiting room, Elia came.

"My dear little sister, how are you doing?~" Elia sarcastically said. "I'm fine" I crossed my legs, a sign I didn't care. "So disrespectful! How dare you say that to a princess, you lowlife!" She already held her hand out, ready to slap me but stopped when she saw the duke sitting next to me.

"Nice to see you duke Florys, how have you been?" Elia bowed formally, knowing that the duke had more power than she had now. "Aren't you a little disrespectful towards your sister? Ignoring her but noticing me, how slutty". The duke made Elia furious inside, she clenched her fists so tightly that her nails cut into her skin. "Who are you to tell me? You're just an orphan with a title! Your parents were disgus-" The duke slapped Elia before she could finish her sentence. "Don't you dare to talk about my parents like that", the duke's eyes were full of anger, it looked like he could murder her right now.

"Duke Florys and lady Luvenis, the king is asking for your presence now" a butler interrupted the two. The duke and I quickly left Elia, who had a swollen face.

"Duke Florys and Celestine la Luvenis, I heard that you two are getting married without an engagement party?" The king was quite surprised and so was I, I didn't know that people held engagement parties. "Yes your majesty, we planned the wedding next week when Spring arrives" the duke was quite cold and he didn't even look the king in his eyes. They looked distant with each other, not friend nor enemies. "Lady Luvenis, are you also agreeing to this?" I gave the king a nod, he just sighed and raised his hand.

"The wedding will be held in the Royal Church, please invite as many people as you want" the king left. "That old man is still as clueless as ever" the duke sighed, letting his pokerface go. "Lady Celestine, you should speak up when someone is against you" The duke looked really tired, he had dark circles under his eyes and he looked a little pale. "I understand sir" I couldn't say anything apart from that. My head has going crazy, what would a couple do when they got married?! Most people want children, does the duke want a child?!

My mind went crazier as seconds passed. The duke got up and left with his personal guard. I was left behind, like always.

*sigh*

When I wanted to take my leave, the third prince entered. "We meet again lady Celestine~" he looked quite energetic, although he had hickeys all over his neck. Elia and the prince weren't even married yet, did they already do 'it'? Will I need to do that too with the duke...? I was quite stressed on the inside, but had to stay calm. The prince wasn't someone I could offend, but I needed to avoid him at all costs.

"So, my lady. Do you want to be a princess? I could make it happen" Danvy said, I just cringed and tried to hold back my laughter. "Is it funny, my lady?" I couldn't help it and laughed out loud. "I'm sorry prince, but are you serious?!" I was laughing even harder. "I'd rather get killed than becoming your mistress or wife" My eyes started tearing up from all the laughing, I quickly wiped them away and put my serious face on. "Please do not bother me anymore, if you want to sleep with someone so bad, go find Elia" I spoke with a cold voice, leaving him shocked.

***

*The duke's POV*

I saw Danvy enter the king's office and didn't have a good feeling. I was standing around the corner, able to hear Celestine's and Danvy's conversation. "I'd rather get killed than becoming your mistress or wife" I heard it clearly. It was definitely Celestine's voice. I let out a smile, at least she wasn't as stupid as other noble ladies. I left the palace, satisfied that Celestine was going to my wife.