<<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.

Williams had returned home and entered the room. He had entered the living room and saw Thomas pacing up and down the room. He furrowed his brow curiously, puzzled on what was going on.

"Thomas?"

Thomas flinched when he heard the Duke's voice. He looked at him and saw the blank look the Duke had worn. He swallowed hard and suddenly began to sweat.

"Duke Williams, you-you are back." Thomas stuttered.

"Yes. I had no plans to spend the night there." He said coolly.

The screams as well as the cry of the Rebecca could be heard downstairs. This regularity of those sounds got the Duke's attention.

"What was that?" He asked Thomas frigidly.

"Um, um, that's-." Thomas replied nervously, scratching his head.

The loud groan interrupted him. Williams recognized whose voice it was.

"Would you just stop stammering and answer me clearly?" Williams asked icily,

"Why is my wife screaming?"

"I'm sorry, Your grace. You had given me instructions to watch over her but I was distracted and didn't know when she had gone to labour. It was Zita who had informed me about the present situation." Thomas answered timidly, with his head low.

"Labour?" Williams said in disbelief. He stood there, surprised and puzzled at the news.

"It can't be. She isn't due until the next two months."

"Your grace, I have no idea what childbirth feels like nor am I consistent to its timing." Thomas said openly,

"The midwife had believed Her grace must be troubled by something or someone to go into labour earlier than expected."

"I have to go there." Williams said firmly, taking a step.

"No, Your grace. The midwife has strictly forbade your presence. It was rumoured to  her you were arguing with the Duchess." Thomas revealed.

Williams refrained from going upstairs. He exhaled and sat down on the chair. He tapped his foot impatiently, anxious about the well-being of his wife. Soon, the screams died down and were no longer heard. The midwife climbed down the stairs and saw the Duke were he was seated.

Duke Williams stood on his feet and quickly approached her.

"How-?"

"She is fine." The midwife answered warmly, cutting him off.

"And the baby?" He asked eagerly.

"She is all right as well. The Duchess is tired; the childbirth took away most of her energy. She is asleep and doesn't need to be disturbed." She said plainly,

"I will take my leave now."

The midwife curtsied before him and left the house. Williams had his gaze at the staircase.

"The Duchess has given birth to a Lady. What will you name her?" Thomas asked him excitedly.

"That's not my duty. She's the Duchess' daughter. Her mother will take care of that." Williams answered curtly.

"But isn't she your daughter as well, Your grace?" Thomas inquired, curiously that his master he had his suggestion a cold shoulder.

"She is-."

"Thomas, why don't you go and do something else other than annoying me?" Williams said coldly. He scowled at him. He left the living room and climbed up the stairs.  

Williams got to the landing and walked towards the Duchess' room. He was about to get hold of the handle but stopped when he saw it turning. Zita came out of the room and was startled by his presence.

"Your grace!" She said softly and curtsied. She didn't make eye contact with him.

Williams ignored her and entered the room. He gently closed the door, not letting it reach its frame and walked to the bed. The Duchess was indeed as asleep. He stared at her for awhile and caught a glimpse of the cot.

He walked towards it and had his eyes on the baby. She was the healthy for a child who was born prematurely. Her eyes were closed but she wasn't asleep. She had a frown and often opened her mouth-she was about to cry.

Williams looked at the baby coldly; there was no cheerfulness in his facial expression. He glanced at her sleeping mother and continued looking at her. He wasn't excited about her coming and didn't hide. He seethed and left the room, without waking his wife up.

<<THE ROYAL PALACE>>

Fiona was in her room and was sad about the Duke's rejection. She had cried when he had left and stopped when she couldn't continue anymore. She sat down on her bed and mediated on what the Duke had told her.

"Arrogant, rude, an egoist..."

Fiona was distracted the creak of the door as it opened. She looked at the person at the door and purposely diverted her eyes. Her facial expression changed.

"May I come in?"

Fiona turned a deaf eye and intentionally cut her dead. Queen Violet knew from her gestures that she wasn't welcomed. She entered and closed the door behind her. She walked towards the bed.

"His Majesty wishes to know why you have declined to have tea with him?" Violet asked calmly, in a friendly tone.

"I'll like to keep my reasons to myself. My brother shouldn't worry much; I am fine and not ill." Fiona answered coolly, without making eye contact.

"But you don't look happy. Did something happen?" Violet asked worriedly.

Fiona rolled her eyes at her and stood on her feet. She looked at her coldly, with her arms folded.

"When you will learn to stop pestering me? Isn't it obvious that I don't like you?"

"I was only worried and wanted to know why you were sad. I do care about my sister-in-law." Violet answered frankly, being sincere about her feelings.

"I don't really need your care or your affection. You're just my brother's wife. No, I have to rephrased that." Fiona said scornfully, with a sneer,

"You're just a souvenir. The only reason you were given to my brother was to stop the existing war between your kingdom and mine. I never understood what my brother saw in you. You aren't that beautiful nor sensible."

"Clearly, you've been of no use to the royal family. It's been six years of marriage and you still can't give us a successor to the throne. My father's lineage will be erased because of you. You might've got lucky on your first try but it sadly left." Fiona taunted her, wearing a smirk.

"I've been trying my best to give His Majesty a child. I have no power of my own to bring forth a child. I'm not the one who gives children." Violet replied feebly, heartbroken by her insults.

"You've to try even harder. If this year passes and you're still unable to give me results, I wouldn't hesitate to tell His Majesty to look for your replacement. I might consider to let you to continue staying with us." Fiona said proudly.

Violet couldn't find her voice and stayed mute. She held back her tears.

"I will go and tell His Majesty that you won't join him."

Fiona smiled slyly. Violet turned round and left the room. As she closed the door, without blinking, tears leaked from her eyes.

The sun had risen and was partially overshadowed by the clouds. The clouds were of two colours-grey and white-which indicated the chance of rain later that day. The winds blew less violently as it did days ago.

Williams was in his room, seated on a stool and had a paintbrush in his hand. His room was wide, wider than the Duchess' as well as the rest. There was a king-sized bed, which had plain blue bedsheets; there was a bedside table which had a lamp on it; the room was really arid as it had more windows than other's and there were different paintings hung on the wall.

Williams had an obsession for art when he was a child and had been blessed with a talent to visually present his ideas or thoughts through painting. A part of the room-close to the windows on the left side of room-was used an art room. His tools were properly arranged on the table and were in order. He moved the brush on the canvas in front of him and painted what he had in his mind. The painting was half done, almost revealing what is it was.

Williams was had the brush in a colour on the palette and was about to continue his painting when he abruptly stopped. The Lady's cry from the Duchess' room had interrupted his concentration. He angrily kept the palette on the table beside him and stood on his feet. He was annoyed by the child's continuous cries. He left his room and went to the Duchess'.

Williams entered the room and was a little surprised. He had partially closed the door behind him and walked further into the room. He looked at the bed and saw the Lady as she cried for her mother's attention. Rebecca wasn't in the room and had left her daughter unattended.

Williams stared at the child blankly as she cried. Her cries only annoyed him.

"My life had been peaceful until you came along." He blurted out, wearing a plain look,

"If your mother wanted to have you that much, she should be at your side constantly to make sure you don't annoy me."

The door opened softly and Rebecca came in. She was startled by the figure in her room.

"Your grace?" She said doubtfully, in a feeble voice.

The Duke heard her and turned his head round. He flashed a glance at her and looked at the child, who was still crying. Rebecca heard her daughter's voice and walked towards her. She saw that had been crying and quickly carried her in her arms.

"It's okay. I am here." She said affectionately to her daughter, in a soft voice.

The Lady stopped as she recognized her mother's voice as well as her touch. She was two weeks old and could see clearly. Rebecca smiled at her daughter and gently swung her in her arms. She had named her Catherine.

"Why did you leave her unattended? Didn't her cry bothered you as much as it bothered me?" He asked curtly, in a stern voice.

Rebecca diverted her eyes from her child's to the Duke. She saw the frown he had worn.

"I didn't leave her unattended. I had fed her and stayed with her until she fell asleep. I only went downstairs to have breakfast." She answered timidly.

"But she wasn't asleep when I entered. She almost removed the house from its foundation with her cry." He said ironically.

"My child is harmless and can barely do much asides eating and sleeping." She replied plainly.

"But she has certainly become a thorn in my flesh. Can't she do anything useful rather than disturbing everyone with her cry? It's unbearable." He said frigidly, annoying by the child's presence.

"She is just a child and can't control herself." She retorted, upset by his attitude towards her daughter.

"But you can prevent it." He shot back at her.

His voice frightened the child and caused her to cry again. Rebecca softly hushed her daughter and made her daughter calm.

"She is just a child and has done you no wrong. Why would you treat her with this much bitterness?" She inquired eagerly.

Williams turned a deaf ear to the question and remained mute. Rebecca wished to know his resentment towards her daughter but he avoided the question.

"Just keep her out of my way. If she gets close to me by chance, I'll be force to separate you from her." He warned her, keeping a straight face.

"If our presence irritate you, then why did you bring us here? We were better off in my parents' house. At least, we would be comfortable." She asked him, raising her voice at him.

"Like I said, keep her away from me." He repeated. He was firm. He turned around and walked to the door.

"If we aren't welcome, we may as well leave your house and go back to where we came from." She said openly, still maintaining her boldness.

Williams stopped. He pondered what she said and looked at her.

"And you think I'll allow to go that easily? Certainly not! The child can leave; I don't care where or whom you leave her with. As long as she is in this house, I will never be pleased with her. But you, you can't leave. You're my wife and whatever I say stands. Don't think you can get away from me easily." He told her off.

Rebecca looked at him fearfully. She wasn't expecting to get such a response from him. The Duke left the room and returned to where he had come from. Rebecca looked at her daughter, who was asleep and feared for her life.

<<STRATHPEFFER VILLAGE>>

Hilda had gone to the market with Crystal. Crystal had been fond of The Duchess' family since she was a child. She lived in the same neighbourhood as them and moved in with them when her parents died in a storm while they were at sea.

Crystal held the basket with was filled with different food produce as well as some seafood. They strolled home. Hilda had been anxious about her daughter's well-being since she had left. She hadn't heard anything from her.

"Crystal?" Hilda called her calmly, hiding the anxiety to avoid it been obvious.

"Yes, Mrs Hilda!" Crystal replied, flashing a glance at her.

"Have you heard anything from your friend? It has been a month since she had gone to live with her husband and she hasn't written to me." Hilda expressed openly.

Crystal had received Rebecca's letter and did her best to conceal the drama that was happening in the Duke's home.

"She is fine, Mrs Hilda. I'm certain the Duke is treating well. She had written to me weeks ago and told be how happy she was in her home." Crystal lied convincingly, hoping Hilda would believe her.

"If you say she is fine, then I believe you." Hilda said, feeling relieved by the message,

"I was worried that things might not have been good over there. The Duke seems like a good gentleman. For a man to marry someone who was pregnant with another's child, it is rare."

Crystal smiled sheepishly and diverted her eyes to the side of the road. She had seen something that had taken her interest. It was a carriage that had pulled over in front of a shop. The horseman was dressed in formal outfit-which signified that he served the royal household. He held the door open for the king.

"His Majesty is back?" She said inwardly, surprised to see him.

Crystal had her eyes on him until he entered the shop. She stopped walking and glanced at the carriage.

"I have to tell Rebecca. She has to know that her child's father is back." She thought.

Hilda had noticed her absence at her side and turned her head round.

"Crystal," She called softly.

Crystal looked at her, caught off-guard by the call.

"Are you okay?"

Crystal replied in a nod. She glanced at the carriage again and walked towards Hilda.