Chapter tenNormally, the rich were independent of the poor, and sometimes even turned them to part of their wealth.But when that unfortunate moment came that the cream would need help from the less affluent, it normally stirred confusion.But to Monica, it was amusing instead. She tilted her head with a grin while she watched the men, "Oh my…"Absent mindedly, she threw the bag of money back to Braxton and curtsied for the millionth time, "Well I am at your service.""You will have to join us to the empire," Peter informed her.And that was when she realized she had no horse. And what a pleasant idea she thought of then, "Can I ride with you my Lord," she asked while facing the Earl of Vetcom.Instantly, Jason huffed and pulled the straps of his animal, riding away from all of them. Well that made the lady smile in satisfaction.But then her stare travelled to a footman riding behind the Monarchs. How dare he be on a horse while she was looking for one!"Get down," she commanded.Th
Chapter eleven"So… meet the ladies," Philip smirked with pride.The Scottish hid the displeasure she felt with a smile. Anna…Rebecca…And the very same snake she lost contact with a long time ago, Elizabeth…The Duke's sister eyed Monica from head to toe, not a single smile on her face. She did not blink twice before she looked away.Monica was smiling now with her eyes travelling from one lady to the other two. Her next actions seemed practiced.A grin.Wave of her hair.Then a curtsy, "My pleasure."Elizabeth Aflong had that sudden uneasy feeling again. This was the second time her fiance had brought her home, and judging by the way she looked, her marriage was really under a threat. And that same feeling she knew her from somewhere returned."Who are you," she finally asked her.That voice…The lady with the red hair smiled randomly. It was surprisingly exciting to here that voice again, "Monica," she replied and smirked wickedly afterwards, knowing her next words will wreak ha
Chapter twelveIt had been three days and she hadn't returned his letter. To her, she needed a break from all of them for a while, even Philip.Sighing, Monica tossed stones into water and watched the ripples die slowly. As much as she enjoyed painting fear in the faces of the ladies, pain still stung her somewhere, one she hated to admit when she saw them. It all reminded her of the image years ago.When her small figure hid under the King-sized bed, Forland Carlovette aimed a rifle at her father, snarling out words that were drowned by her muffled cries.Still, she had prayed for the last Duke of Anfield not to shoot him, one prayer she knew was impossible to be answered. And within a split of a second, Forland had pulled the trigger.She still laid there, shivering under the bed and blocking her ears as a child she was, watching the man who gave birth to her crumple to the ground. The image made her smile in nostalgia. Then she tossed another stone into the water.It only took days
Chapter thirteen"It was nice playing with all of you," Monica smiled with a wave of her hair, "Unfortunately, I have to fall."The men eyed her wryly, trying their best to make sense of her words. But long before they did, the lady bowed and flipped off the branch, FALLING STRAIGHT DOWN!It was then they understood what she meant by I-have-to-fall. And just like most surprised people, they just paused and watched, seemingly trying to understand if she had really jumped off a branch down to a waterfall.Meanwhile, Monica dived down along with gravity, letting the gushing wave of wind flush past her violently.There was no feeling more magical. It was freedom, something she hadn't truly felt in a very long time. And finally…water!It engulfed her in, splashing over her entire body and pulling her down. Swimming up to the surface, she gasped dearly for air while her wet hair stuck down to her face and body. It was surprisingly warm, releasing a little amount of vapour around the edges.
Chapter fourteenThe man was dressed in a military uniform?! Well that was more surprising than exciting for the young Duke of Anfield as he stared at the visitor his butler had escorted into his office. Philip's amber eyes rested on Nax's entire built physique, studying the man from head to toe with a frown. Anyone could have found that rude, but the older man plastered a smile all along. Finally, The Duke's eyes travelled to Tiffany as he sighed, "And who might this be?"The butler was a bit hesitant, nervous as well as afraid. While he studied his master's gaze on him intently, he answered, "Well I found him outside. He asked to see you. To be honest, I am not aware of his identity Your Grace." His last words came with a small bow."And you did not see it fit to seek my permission," he retorted, raising his brows teasingly. Tiffany seemed to struggle with his next words as his open mouth shook. When that continued for a time good enough to bore Philip, the Duke sighed, "You may le
Chapter fifteenMonica squeezed her wet hair through the towel while she stalked behind Elizabeth into the sitting room. Why was she even agreeing to this? She had asked herself this question half a dozen times before she stepped into her cousin's carriage, and seven times more before she had reached here. No matter how closely related they were, she knew getting too attached might stir up ugly revelations in future.But while she had been frowning in thoughts, she'd barely noticed when the other lady began throwing orders at the footmen and maids standing with them."I'd like to talk with her in private. Please leave," that came out as a desperate snarl even Monica found a bit fearful. Elizabeth turned to her afterwards and plastered another of those her smiles again, showing her to the best seat in the chamber, "Please have a seat my dear. What would you like to drink?"The Scottish tilted her head, slowly studying her with disgust. After that happened for a while, she sighed and lo
Chapter sixteenThe Marquess grinned warmly while he looked at her, an act that was the direct definition of temptation. Why did all the English Monarchs have to be sinfully beautiful? While Monica still found herself gawking at the dark hair of the Marquess of Bellingham, she heard him ask, "Apart from that, is there anything more?"Monica tried to remember what they were even talking about. Her eyes automatically travelled to what the man looked at. While both watched the lawn below them, Philip practiced archery with such dexterity you would think he was born with it. Then she remembered what they were talking about.With a forced smile, she sent Earl Robinson a suspicious glance and replied, "There's nothing more my Lord. I barely know the Duke."He seemed to nod his agreement to that and resume studying the Duke, "That is one thing I will have to correct.""Excuse me," the lady squeaked with a confused frown, "And what does that even mean?"The Marquess just kept on grinning, no
Chapter seventeenThe sight the Marquess first received after he made it through the doors was…well…He would say it was expected, and not expected at the same time. It was expected for any couple to be wed in two weeks time, and certainly not expected for a lad like Philip.The Duke lifted his face from Elizabeth's own and turned to Earl, forcing the anger he felt to show in his eyes. "Ever heard of knocking?" He inquired with a deadly arch of his brows.Earl stood, arms crossed, his appearance as solemn as any formal Monarch should be. With the look on his face, it would be impossible to guess how much he wanted to strangle Philip.And as he always did, he disguised every emotion with a smirk, "I never knock when you are involved because I'm pretty sure you won't be involved in anything…devious." He gave him a daring glare and continued, "But my my… Here you are rubbing faces with the Viscount's daughter even before you are wed. Give her a break Your Grace."The Duke rolled his eyes