Chapter 4-Why are you acting like this?
"You're being unreasonable here Lowell Edmond. I know that you despise me ever since I forced you into this marriage against your own will. You've always hated my presence in this house so shouldn't you be happy? I am setting you free," I stated in annoyance.
"Why are you doing this all of a sudden? Weren't you always happy being the duchess of this household? What's with your sudden change?" He asked.
"As I've said, I am sick and tired of this marriage and I know that you hate it too. So why can't you just accept the divorce?! Could it be because of my parent's political power that you don't want to lose? Or is it because you're scared of that I might try to tarnish your reputation later on?" I sneered.
"No, it's not because of that. I just..." he stammered.
I took a deep breath to try to calm myself down from getting frustrated and try to pursue him again.
"Look, let's settle our relationship nice and clean here. About my parent's political power side, I'll still get my parents to support you and lend you power when you need it. I won't do anything to destroy your reputation since I don't have any grudges towards you, but all I am asking from you is to let Leo live with me. You can come and see him anytime you want since you're still his father. So please just let me be with my son," I pleaded.
"As I've said, I am not divorcing you. Whether you like it or not, you're the one who dragged me into this marriage so take responsibility for what you've done," he replied.
After hearing his reply, all of the frustration and annoyance that I've been trying to control exploded.
"I've always been doing everything that a married woman is supposed to do! You're the one who never tries to put in any effort into this marriage or make it work! It's always me! Where do you think the thick blanket in the night that was wrapped around you in here came from?! The tea and food that was given to you, who do you think made it? It wasn't the maids, it was me! I learned how to make it because of you! And guess who cleaned up the mess in your office every night? It's also me! I did everything! But did you ever do for me?! Nothing! The last thing you could've done was be by my side when I was giving birth to Leo. But you weren't there either!" I snarled.
"No one asked for you to do any of those things, those are the servant's jobs," he stated.
"That's right, I didn't need to do any of those things. But yet, I still did it because I am a fool. It probably really annoyed you didn't it? But don't worry, because I won't be doing any of those things," I scoffed.
I tried to control myself again and wipe my tears away when started rolling down my cheeks uncontrollably.
After seeing me crying, I felt bad and tried to wipe my tears away with his hand but before he could reach my face, I slapped it away.
"You know what? I've had enough," I sighed in frustration and left.
After I had failed to pursue Lowell to get a divorce, I went back to Leo and took him out into the garden for a walk after he had finished his breakfast.
"Are you alright Mother?" Leo asked after noticing my annoyed expression.
"I am fine don't worry," I reassured him.
"Are you going to get a divorce from your father?" He asked.
"I want to but it seems like something is stopping your father from doing it. But it doesn't mean that I am going to give up," I explained.
"But...weren't you in love with father?" He asked in confusion.
"Well, I was in love with him. But it's different right now. What I want right now is to be free from this unwanted marriage," I whispered.
My eyes then drifted on to a red rose that has the same colour as Leo's eyes. I then plucked out and put it on to Leo's ear.
"You look beautiful," I chuckled and I touched his cheeks as the wind blew his hair.
"You've been acting very strange lately mother. Did something happened?" He asked in concern.
"It's nothing...I just simply had a dream, a long one," I answered.
I then turned away from him and looked up at the sky, feeling the breeze against my face and smiled.
"Or maybe I am just really tired. After all, 40 years is a long time," I whispered in bitterness.
I then looked back down at Leo and patted his head.
"You'll understand it when you grow up," I said.
He nodded as a response and we continued our walk together in the garden without knowing the red crimson eyes in the office that had been watching us through the window.
-One week later-
"Good job Leo! You're getting better and better every day with your swordsmanship, I am proud of you!" I praised him while wiping his sweat away with my handkerchief.
"Is this all for today James? Leo is starting to get tired," I asked.
"Yes, this is it for today duchess," James answered.
"Looks like it's time for your studying with Mr Richard, make sure to work hard ok? I'll go to the kitchen and make you some tarts," I stated.
"You'll cook the tarts yourself?" Leo asked in amusement.
"Yes, so work hard ok?" I patted his head.
Leo nodded and went into the library to meet up with his teacher while I went into the kitchen to cook.
"Good afternoon, duchess," the maids bowed.
"Good afternoon everyone," I greeted back and went over to the cupboards to grab out the ingredients.
"Is the duchess making some more food for the duke again? Shouldn't she just ask us to make it?" One of the new maids asked.
"No, the duchess likes to have the duke eat the things that she cooks," one of the other maids answered in a low tone.
I let out a chuckle after hearing their whispers.
"No, I am not making anything for Lowell. These are Leo," I explained to fix the misunderstanding.
"WAIT, IT'S FOR THE YOUNG MASTER?!" They all exclaimed in shock.
"I am sorry, please forgive us. We didn't mean to raise our voices at you," the head chief apologised.
"It's fine," I reassured them and went back to making tarts.
After I had finished making the tarts and put them on a plate then exited the room with the tarts in my hand.
"I guess what the others have been saying wasn't a rumour, the duchess is only focusing on the young master now instead of the duke," one of the maids whispered.