Chapter 2

MAGNOLIA OPENED HER EYES to a dark room. As she came to her senses, she sat up quickly. ‘Where the bloody hell am I?’ The incidents from before caught up to her quickly. “Geoffrey,” she whispered. 

She put her hand on her left side and when she did not feel any pain, she pulled up her nightgown. The wound was completely healed. Not even a scar was left.

‘What in the world?’

She left the bed and walked to the door, but when she tried to open it, it was locked. Her heartbeat rose. If she was confined here, Geoffrey was probably locked somewhere, or worse. “I have to find him.”

She hurried to the windows and opened one of them. She found herself looking down from the third floor at a flower garden. It was high, but the edges of the windows were wide enough to walk on.

She noticed a veranda on the second floor, just a few windows away. Without wasting time, Magnolia slipped out and cautiously walked on the narrow stone edge.

‘I can do this. I can do it.’ She kept repeating to herself.

She reached the window above of the veranda and slowly pushed against the wall. She slid down to a sitting position, then, she gripped the bottom of the window and lowered herself carefully. She finally jumped. When she landed, her body was trembling from the excitement.

Magnolia slowly walked to the glass doors, but as soon as she touched the handle, they flew wide open. She found herself in front of a surprised man, the noble from the forest.  

“How did you get here?” The duke was not expecting the encounter. She was supposed to be unconscious for days.  

Magnolia grabbed his collar and pushed him back into his office until he was slammed against his desk. “Where is my son?” 

He looked into her angry eyes, the same eyes he had seen in the forest. “Sleeping.” Magnolia’s grip loosened a bit. “Unlike his mother, he is a very gentle child.” 

“I want to see him.” She ignored his comment. 

“Maybe if you let go, I can show you to his room.” Magnolia was reluctant, but she released him. “Also, I would appreciate it if you did not roam the hallways of my castle, half naked.” Daniel took off his light coat and handed it to her.

Magnolia looked down at her see-through nightgown and instantly blushed. She put on the black coat and followed him as he guided her to Geoffrey. 

The hallways were dark, except for the lantern the duke was holding. But she was not scared. Dark hallways had allowed her to hide many times when she was younger. 

Magnolia found her son sound asleep in a room similar to hers. She caressed his hair and planted a sweet kiss on his forehead.

“Can we have a civilized conversation now, Lady Magnolia?” 

“How do you know my name?” Her eyes were wide.

“Geoffrey and I have become quite acquainted.” 

Magnolia could not help but feel uneasy. She kissed Geoffrey one more time before she left the room with the duke. They silently walked back to his office. He motioned to her to sit as he took a seat himself on the other side of his desk.

“Let me introduce myself, my lady. My name is Daniel Van Konigl, Duke of Salicera.” 

Magnolia’s eyes widened at his name. She stood up and bowed immediately. “Magnolia De Solange, at your service, Your Grace.”

‘Even I have heard that name before, everyone in the kingdom has.’

“Please, I think it is a bit late to be formal. Wouldn’t you agree?” Magnolia blushed as she unconsciously pulled his coat tighter around herself. Daniel hid his grin. “Have a seat, my lady.” Magnolia obeyed. “I am curious though, why De Solange and not Croix?” 

She clenched her fists. “Baron Croix was my late husband. I use my family name now.” Her words were clipped and full of distaste. 

‘A widow, then.’ 

Daniel eyed her for a moment. “May I ask how your husband passed away?” 

“He died in a riding accident.” 

“And where are you from, Lady De Solange?” 

‘Is this an interrogation?’ Magnolia sighed.

“Kerika, Your Grace.” She held his blue gaze for a while before asking. “May I ask you a question as well, my lord?”

“Of course.”

“How did I get here?”

“You fainted from the pain in the forest, and I brought you to the castle. I had a doctor heal your wound, using magic. He said that I have saved your life and that you wouldn’t have lasted much longer.” Daniel boasted.

‘Although, that old fart said that it would take her days to wake up. I should probably hire a younger doctor soon.’

Magnolia was not sure how to feel about the situation. ‘Saved by none other than the Ice Sword of the Kingdom.’

“I am most grateful, Your Grace.” She bowed. “However, I wouldn’t want to take advantage of your kindness. My son and I will be leaving the first thing in the morning.” 

Daniel studied her expression for a moment. “There is a matter that needs to be taken care of first, my lady. We are still dealing with the men from the market, the ones who have accused you of stealing.”

“But I have not stolen anything,” Magnolia stood up angrily. “Your Grace,” she added with a smaller voice.

“I am aware. We just need to catch those men. After that, you are free to go.” 

‘He is aware?’ Magnolia was lost for words. “How did you—”

“Please, Lady De Solange, we can discuss the details in the morning. Let’s call it a night.” The duke looked exhausted—he was exhausted.

“Of course, Your Grace.”

“Let me guide you back to your room.” He walked around his desk and offered her his arm. 

“As long as you promise me not to lock me in there.” 

Daniel smiled, which took Magnolia by surprise. He had a dazzling smile. “I promise, my lady.”

After the duke took her to the room, she lay in bed for a while, thinking about all that had happened. She could not help but feel grateful that both she and Geoffrey had a warm and comfortable bed to sleep in tonight. She fell asleep with a smile on her face. 

***

IN THE MORNING, Magnolia was awoken by servants opening the curtains and bringing in clothes.

“Good morning, Lady De Solange,” one of the servants greeted her. “My name is Clara, I will be your lady’s maid during your stay, my lady.”

“Please, call me Magnolia.”

“As you wish, Lady Magnolia.” The maid bowed. “His grace has requested you to have breakfast with him and we are here to help you get ready, my lady.” Clara motioned to the bathroom.

“I do not require help taking a bath, but I do need help putting on that thing.” She pointed to the blue dress the maid was holding. “It looks like a difficult task for me.” Magnolia said with a smile.

“Of course, my lady.”

After taking a bath, Clara helped Magnolia put on the sapphire dress they had brought for her. Then, she guided her to the dining hall, where she found the duke and Geoffrey sitting at the table. 

“Mama,” her son screamed when he saw her, he immediately ran to her.

“Geoffrey, I have missed you.” She hugged and kissed him.

“Me too, mama. Do you feel better?”

“Yes, I am fine, darling.” Magnolia straightened up and then bowed to the duke. “Good morning, Your Grace.”

“Good morning, please have a seat. Geoffrey and I are starved.”

“Yes mama, we were waiting for you.” 

“Oh, I apologize for my tardiness.” Magnolia hurried and sat opposite of the duke, with Geoffrey right next to her. 

They were served an extravagant breakfast. She looked over to her son. He had never had this many choices for a meal, yet he still ate with the good manners she had been teaching him. She smiled at him proudly. 

Then, she looked over to the duke. He was enjoying his cup of tea while reading the paper. Now that she studied his features, he was quite handsome. The sun rays that dared reach his silver hair—a Van Konigl trait—made it look even brighter. His dark blue eyes, even though cold, were beautiful. As for the smile she had a glimpse of the night before, it would enchant any lady who saw it. 

Magnolia looked back down at her delicious breakfast, she took a bite of her freshly baked bread with butter and closed her eyes in bliss. 

‘This is what a normal life would be like, or at least a more extravagant version of a normal life.’ 

She smiled to herself at the silly thought, then, she remembered the reality of her life. There was nothing normal about it. Her smile disappeared immediately. When she looked up again, she met the duke’s gaze. Startled, she felt her cheeks burn crimson.

Daniel, who had been staring at her for the last few minutes, was intrigued by the fast changes of her facial expressions. He wondered what she was thinking about. “I hope breakfast is to your liking, my lady.”

“Of course, Your Grace.” She averted her eyes.

“It is delicious, Mister Van Konigl,” Geoffrey declared with his lips red from the strawberries. 

Magnolia’s eyes widened. “Geoffrey,” she called at once. “That is not the appropriate way to call a duke,” she said with a firm voice, which surprised the boy and Daniel equally.

“It is truly fine, he is just a child.” Daniel attempted to make light of it.

“How is a child supposed to learn if we do not teach him, my lord.” Magnolia dismissed Daniel’s comment. “Now Geoffrey, you need to call the duke, ‘your grace’, or you can say, ‘my lord’, understood?”

“Yes, mama,” Geoffrey answered, a little dejected. “I am sorry, mama.”

“It is alright, dear.” Magnolia finally smiled at her son. “You are still a little boy, and you still have so much to learn about the world.” She wiped his lips with her serviette. “And I am so proud of you.” 

“Mama, I am proud of you too.” His sweet words surprised her, but it only took a second for an even bigger smile to tug on her lips. 

The scene moved something in Daniel. His chest felt warm. He had never wanted to have a family of his own, he had no time nor desire. He had also made a promise to himself a long time ago—the day he lost his family. He pledged to never love anyone as much as he loved them. He could not bear losing a dear one ever again. Losing his parents had nearly destroyed him. But if he were to have a family, this scene would be closest to what he would have probably wanted.