Chapter 46: A Duchess’s Decision
Bernice POV continues
In the midst of my work, Grant, the ever-dutiful servant, delivered news of the attorney’s presence once more.
"Duchess, the attorney came again," he informed me, his voice holding an air of respectful urgency as he stood at the threshold of my study.
"Let him stay in the study; I will be there," I replied without breaking my focus from the papers spread before me.
"And yes, inform the Duke as well that I wish to see him," I added, my words carrying a note of curiosity. Grant’s unexpected response, however, introduced an intriguing twist to the day’s events.
"Duchess, the lord went to see his majesty this morning," he revealed, his words sparking a cascade of questions within my mind. Why had my husband sought an audience with the emperor? Could it be related to my recent confession about fearing death? Perhaps he was trying to ensure my safety, although such a notion seemed far-fetched. Or could it be linked to the unsolved mysteries surrounding the deaths of the previous Duke and Duchess? That possibility hung in the air like an unresolved enigma.
"Should I send a messenger if it’s important?" Grant inquired, offering a solution to the uncertainty.
"No, it’s okay. I can wait. But once he returns, make sure to inform me," I instructed, a sense of anticipation settling over me as I contemplated the nature of the Duke’s visit to the emperor.
With Grant’s departure, I continued to immerse myself in my work, the documents and responsibilities of my role as Duchess demanding my full attention. Thoughts of my husband’s unexpected absence and his mysterious meeting with the emperor tugged at the corners of my consciousness, but I pushed them aside, determined to fulfill my duties.
As the hours passed, I finally concluded my tasks and decided to visit the study where the attorney patiently awaited my presence. His demeanor, however, had shifted since our first meeting. He appeared even more somber, as if burdened by an unspoken weight.