The maid climbed up the staircase while Rebecca followed her. She had her hand on the handrail as she climbed up. She heaved as she got to the landing.

The corridor was wide, enough to be a venue for a small event. There were about six rooms upstairs, including the master's which belonged to Williams. The maid walked to a room and turned the handle. She held the open for Rebecca and waited for her enter first.

Rebecca surveyed the room as she walked in. She was amazed by what she saw. There was a queen-sized bed, which had lemon patterned bedsheet on it; the duvet had the same pattern; the dressing table was close to the windows; there was a baby cot beside the bed; there were paintings hung on the wall-of birds in the air, the forest, a sailboat in the sea and lastly, of an old lady who wore a stiff smile-there was a chest of drawers and a wardrobe at the end of the room, directly opposite the bed.

As curious as she was, Rebecca walked towards the cot. Inside the cot, there were baby clothes as well items the baby would be fond of when it will born. She turned her head round and looked at the maid.

"Was it the Duke who got all these?" Rebecca asked eagerly.

The maid replied a nod. She observed that the Duchess was stunned by the gifts.

"Is this room mine or it belongs to the Duke?" Rebecca asked curiously, with her brow slightly furrowed.

"No, Your grace! The Duke likes to be alone and doesn't like to be disturbed. That's why he strictly ordered that a room should be arranged specially for you." The main said candidly, with her hands behind her.

"Oh!" Rebecca said, a little disappointed,

"Um, what's your name?"

The maid was stunned at the question. She looked both ways to confirm if she was the one that she was referring to you.

"Me?" The maid replied doubtfully, pointing at herself.

"Yes. There isn't anyone in the room asides us." Rebecca said, being friendly. She had a warm smile.

"I am Zita, Your grace!" The maid replied, feeling edgy. It was evident in her speech.

"It's nice to meet you, Zita. I'm Rebecca but you can call me Becky."

"I certainly can't, Duchess. The Duke will be furious with me if I address Her grace by her nickname." Zita said plainly, giving her reasons.

Rebecca was about to speak with the door creaked open. The Duke stood there and looked at the two. Zita frighteningly had her eyes on the floor and avoided eye contact. Rebecca saw the look he wore-certainly a sign for her to avoid him-and she swallowed nervously.

"I-I will go and set the table for Her grace." Zita stuttered cowardly and quickly left the two.

The bang of the door made Rebecca's heart beat to increase. Being left alone with the Duke made her nervous as she already was. The Duke stood a step forward, standing slightly opposite her.

"I hope you like the room?" He asked her plainly.

Rebecca nervously nodded and avoided eye contact. The Duke looked at her, and then her belly. He seethed at the sight of her pregnancy and heaved. He had his fist clenched behind him.

"Th-thank you for the gifts. I'm-I'm sure the baby will like it." She said awkwardly.

Williams diverted his eyes to the baby cot beside the bed. He hummed and had his gaze on her. His smile was stiff. His expression sent chills down her spine. The room was filled with silence; Rebecca found the room uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry that my condition won't let me perform my nuptial duties this night." She said, looking at him.

"I'm not bothered. You're certainly not my taste; even without your pregnancy, I wouldn't touch you. Your presence irritates me." He answered bluntly, not concerned about her feelings.

Rebecca felt insulted and her eyes became teary.

"If you hate me, why did you marry me?" She asked keenly, in a feeble voice.

Williams still felt unaffected by her emotions and wore a cold look.

"I did that to save your poor parents from the shame and disgrace you've caused them. It was easy for you to mess round and behave like a slut that you didn't think about their reputation. But I guess when the result displayed itself, you petty boyfriends were quick to quit you." He replied sternly.

Rebecca couldn't help but let the tears ran down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them off and sniffed without looking at him.

"I want to be left alone." She muttered, a bit loud that she could be heard.

Williams looked her blankly, showing no remorse for his actions. He wasted no time and left the room. Rebecca sat down on the bed and cried quietly.

Williams sat down at the dining table and slowly ate his breakfast. He looked constantly at the empty table. One of the maids came in, holding a jug filled with orange juice. She kept it on the table and was about to take her leave.

"Where is my wife?" He asked flatly.

The maid flinched when she was being addressed and looked at him.

"The Duchess is in her room, Your grace! She had declined having breakfast with you and wished not to be disturbed." The maid replied frankly.

The Duke didn't take her message into consideration and nodded. He cut through his eggs with his cutlery and said,

"Tell her I said, it's mandatory to have breakfast with me. Even if it's against her wish."

His voice was hoarse as he spoke.

"Your grace?" The maid uttered doubtfully and quickly held her tongue.

Williams looked at her sternly. The maid awkwardly left the room and climbed up the stairs. She knocked on a door.

"Your grace, may I come in?" She asked from the closed door.

"Yes, you may!"

The maid turned the handle and opened the door ajar. She entered the room and looked at the Duchess, as well as her colleague, Zita.

Rebecca was seated at the dressing table and was writing a letter. She had already started and was about to conclude what she had intended to tell her receiver. She quickly added the closure and folded the paper. She kept the letter in the envelope and stood up from the chair. She walked towards Zita.

"Please give this to Thomas. Let him deliver this letter discreetly without my husband knowing." Rebecca instructed Zita.

Zita collected the letter from her and nodded. She curtsied and left the room. Rebecca had briefly narrated her experience of being married to the Duke to Crystal. She sought to be relieved as she shared her feelings with her best friend. She turned to her side and saw the other maid.

"Yes?" Rebecca said plainly, with her gesture partially friendly.

"Your grace, I had told the Duke what you said but he ordered that you should come down and have breakfast. Even if you intend not to." The maid answered.

Rebecca listened to what she had said and rolled her eyes.

"Just because I let him insult me last night, doesn't mean I'll let him force me to do things I choose not to." She gabbled,

"I stand by what I had earlier. I'm not interested. And if he persists, he would have to come and tell me to my face. That's if he is not scared of me."

The maid was surprised at her attitude. She had thought the Duchess was the weak type but never knew she was this bold-not the type to be easily intimidated, not even by the Duke.

"Go on! Tell him what I've said." Rebecca said.

The maid stalled for two minutes, eager to know if she would change her mind and regret what she had said. Rebecca stood firm on her decision. The maid curtsied and left the room. She returned to the dining table.

Williams had lost his appetite and waiting for Rebecca to come downstairs. He furrowed his brow when he saw only the maid. She knew what she was about to say would definitely upset him and had her gaze on the floor.

"So, where is she?" He asked icily, raising his voice at her.

"The Duchess has refused to have breakfast with you. She said if you insist, you should go and tell her yourself." The maid said plainly.

"She said all that?" He thundered, slapping his hand on the table. He angrily stood up from his chair.

"Yes, Your grace!" She replied frighteningly.

Williams pursed his lips.

"You may leave." He said dismissively, pissed off by the Duchess attitude.

The maid left the room. Williams walked out of the dining room and went straight to the staircase. He had climbed a stair.

"Your grace?"

The Duke turned his head round and looked at the person who had called him.

"A letter came for you." A steward said, showing him the letter he was holding.

Williams looked at the stairs. He heaved angrily and retreated from his proposed plan. He took the letter from him. He looked at the envelope and saw the royal stamp on it.

"You may go!" He dismissed the steward.

The steward nodded and returned to his position, at the front door.

Williams quickly opened the envelope and took out the letter. He opened it and read the content.

"Williams, My beloved,

How are you? Surely, you're still disappointed by my absence all these months. I hadn't notified you of my travel which His Majesty had ordered that I do. He wanted me to be acquainted with my cousins who lived in the south of Scotland. I'm deeply sorry if you felt angry by my disappearance. But I write to let you know that I've returned from my unplanned trip.

Please, do come and visit.

Yours affectionately,

 Princess Fiona II."

Williams was surprised at the letter. He reread the content, to be sure he hadn't assumed anything.

"Fiona is back?" He muttered in disbelief.

Thomas entered the room and saw the puzzled look the Duke wore.

"Duke Williams,"

The Duke looked at him and put the letter back in the envelope.

"Are you-?" Thomas asked but was cut off.

"Have the horseman get me a horse. I'll be leaving soon." Williams said plainly. He quickly handed the letter to Thomas.

"Keep it in the stateroom and keep an eye on the Duchess."

Thomas glanced at the envelope in his hand and then, the Duke.

"Is it after or before I tell the horseman of your impromptu departure?" Thomas asked confusingly.

"Don't be a fool. Go and meet the horseman first." Williams replied harshly, not in the mood of his stupidity.

Thomas nodded and did as he was told. The Duke looked at the staircase again, hoping to vent his anger on his wife, whom he felt insulted by her disobedience. He stalled a little and left the room.

<<THE ROYAL PALACE>>

Princess Fiona was seated at the dressing table, looking at her reflection in the mirror as she brushed her hair. She could see the maid, whom had often accompanied her everywhere as she stood at the door, through the mirror. There was a knock on the door.

"Do come in!" Fiona said in high spirits. She had a warm smile. She knew that the Duke would be eager to see her and happily waited for him.

"Your Highness!" The butler said with a bow.

Fiona excitedly kept her hairbrush on the table and stood on her feet.

"Tell me you have news about the man whom my heart beats for?" She asked eagerly.

"Certainly, I do. The Duke has just arrived and is waiting for you in the drawing-room. He wishes that you should be in a haste as he is very busy." The butler said plainly.

Fiona smiled and left the room. She climbed down the stairs and went straight to the drawing-room. She had seen him; he had his eyes at the window as he gazed the view of the stable from there. She crept towards him and hugged him from behind.

"I knew you would come." She said happily, resting her head on his back.

Williams felt her embrace and turned his head round. He glanced at her and diverted his gaze back to the window. He instantly broke the hug. Fiona was stunned at his disapproval and perplexed. She stood beside him.

"I understand that you are still angry about my disappearance. I had intended to let you know about it but His Majesty insisted that I must be discreet about my holiday. My brother can be demanding sometimes." She explained, with hopes he would forgive her,

"I had written the letter to explain myself. I wish you let not your anger ruin our relationship, Williams."

Williams sniggered at her and found her words amusing. He turned to his side, facing her. Fiona couldn't still apprehend his cold gestures.

"I didn't come for your apology nor am I angry with you. From the start, there hasn't been an us nor will there be. I had put up this charade long enough because my mother had begged me to." He replied coolly,

"Williams?" She said doubtfully. Her initial expectation was suppressed by his attitude.

"You've obviously bribed my mother with every gift you could think of-expensive jewels, land, maids and others which I have lost count of. I had always disliked your presence in my life from the very beginning. I had made it known to you but your stupid love wouldn't let you see it."

"Your Highness, I didn't come to insult you or make you see your foolishness in your fantasy. I had come to tell that I belong to another and I don't want you to bother me no more. I'm contented with the woman I have chosen, though it might displeased my mother-your best friend. I have no plans of including you in my life, not even as my second choice." He said bluntly, not hiding his marriage with Rebecca.

Fiona's eyes leaked but she quickly wiped off the tears on her face. She scowled at him.

"Who is she?" She asked him, gritting her teeth.

Williams smirked at the sight of her anger. He remained silent.

"Tell me, who is it? An Emperor's daughter? Another princess?" She asked him angrily.

Williams persisted in his silence and walked few metres away.

"Don't tell me it's a commoner?" She assumed, with her nose wrinkled in disgust.

Williams stopped but didn't face her. Fiona nodded to her suspicions and walked towards him. She stood in front of him. He looked plainly at her.

"Wait!" She slung him off,

"You saying you chose some filthy commoner over me? Someone, who clearly smells like worst than a horse dung? Am I right?"

Williams rolled his eyes and shook his head disappointingly.

"I should've known a man like you had no decent taste. You're clearly the type who spits out sugar and goes for lime instead. How pathetic!" She said scornfully.

"Beauty without brains; that's what you are! Arrogant, rude, an egoist; I can't live with someone like you. At least the Duchess has some good qualities in her. You might learn a thing or two from her." He said smugly, satisfied in his mission.

"His Majesty won't spare you." She threatened him.

Williams took a step forward, standing very close to her. He looked at her directly her eyes. Fiona didn't back out from the stare.

"I never asked for any of these." He muttered, in a low voice. His words were firm and unmoved.

Williams left the room. Princess Fiona watched him and slowly returned to her distress-tears had race down her cheeks the minute he left.

<<DUKE WILLIAMS' HOUSE>>

Rebecca had come downstairs the moment Zita had told about the Duke's departure. She ate breakfast peacefully, hoping it wouldn't be interrupted by her husband. After she was done, satisfied with what she had, Zita offered to show her round the house as well as the field close to the house.

The Duke had been given hectares land which he built his house in and left the rest as they were. They walked in the slightly overgrown grass.

"This has been peaceful morning." Rebecca said gladly. She had her eyes at the blue sky.

Zita felt otherwise. She knew her words would only cause problems later. She had the urge to tell her mistress about it but forcefully kept it to herself.

"His grace will certainly be furious when he returns." Zita said cowardly, unable to deal with the tension.

Rebecca looked away from the sky and had her eyes on Zita. Zita knew she had become the object of concentration.

"He was angry when he heard of your disobedience. You only escaped his wrath because of his departure. But when he returns, he won't spare you." She continued, without making eye contact.

"I have always respected His grace but after what he said to me, I'm only an object mockery to him. He hates me and only married me to make me suffer." Rebecca said openly, still affected by his description.

"Your grace, your husband doesn't despise you. He had carefully planned your arrival to the house. He had everyone on their feet and made sure the house was befitting for you." Zita explained, in favour of her master.

"Yes, he did all that to prepare me for the worst. He bluntly told me that he despises me. What's there to hope in marriage like mine?" Rebecca said airily. The breeze blew and had some strands of her hair in hair. She wore them behind her ear.

"A woman in love often do stupid things only to regret it later. She had hopes of a happy ending but got laughed at the end."

"Such a woman must have truly be loved in with the man whom she desired." Zita said, keen to the conversation.

Rebecca looked at her stomach and let a sigh. She had her hand on her stomach.

"But he never loved her back. She was left with what she thought would be happiness." Rebecca said wryly.

"Does Her grace refers to herself?" Zita asked curiously.

Rebecca replied in a nod.

"Your grace, would you be glad to share the journey your love with me? I promise to listen without judgement." Zita persuaded her, eager to know more.

"Probably when I've fully let go of the pain and shame I feel within." Rebecca answered calmly.

Zita didn't force herself and hummed. She got bitten by an insect-a little ant-and slapped it off her leg. She looked at her mistress and her eyes widened.

"Your grace!" She exclaimed fearfully.

Rebecca looked at her blankly. She had been lost in thoughts and snapped out when she heard her voice, slightly loud. She looked at the directions Zita's eyes were was surprised. Her water had broken.