Chapter Text
Your heart jumped in excitment at the thought he organised a date. A date. Not a fake scenario to fool people your in love. You two would be able to enjoy each other company truthfully, without any misconception of your relationship.
You made sure your attire was perfect. The best colours that never failed to suit you and something that he has never seen before. Your confidence rose with how much efforts you put in. You felt like a weight left your shoulders, more free and confident in yourself.
You went out to the stables, where you would ride besides Al to travel to the picnic. Upon your arrival, Al was already waiting for you, looking as calm and imposing as ever. But with all the time you spent with him, you could notice the slight twitch in his jaw, his eyes scanning the two horses to make sure everything was perfect for you.
Once he noticed you approching from the corner of his gaze, his eyes softened, the small smile of seeing you again graced his lips. He took your fingers gently in his, kissing your knuckles, for it was his favourite way of greeting you, hoping his devotion and love would convey through this act.
“Hello my love, ready for our little pic-nic?”
“Oh yes, can’t wait for you to lose our little race to the meadow”, you chuckled as you approached your carefree mare.
You mounted your horse by yourself, Al doing the same besides you, the corner of his lips curving up at your competitive side.
“Oh dearest, don’t think I’m letting you win, you know how competitive I am after all.”
You do. From time to time, you both liked to challenge the other, pushing each other to the limits.
“See you there husband!” You called out before riding towards the meadow. After all, who said you needed to play fair?
You heard an amused curse behind you as he was hot on your trail, not letting you win so easily. The trail shrunk until you were riding into the forest, dodging trees left and right. The leaves filtered the sun rays, fresh air filling your lungs as your breath became more scarse. In the corner of your eye, you noticed Al catching up to you until you were equally matched.
“It is known that the first one to start the race is the last one to finish wife”, Al teased.
“Words said by petty losers, husband”, you retorted back, teasing him back with a hint of laughter in your voice.
It was barely audible with the sounds of hooves racing, crackling the fallen leaves and branches on the ground along with the blood racing from the competition, but you could hear his small laughter. The softness of that sound widened your own smile.
That is, until you heard Al’s breath being knocked over, him falling off his horse as it kept racing.
“Al!” You cried out.
You huried back towards him, jumping off and rushing towards him to make sure he was ok. He groaned, trying to get back on his feet after the shock but you pushed him down to examin him for any visible injuries.
“Don’t get back up just yet my love, I need to make sure you’re well”, you worriedly patted him for any indication of bruises. You started with his neck, his arms, then down his chest until you reached his lower abdomen. A groan left his lips, a sound you whished to hear under different circumstances.
“Al! Are you alright! Does it hurt when I press down here?”, you applied light pressure again, afraid of the implications of internal bleeding. You remember reading about such outcomes and you downright refuse to let your future unravel this way.
“Oh no! Your ears are red! Does it have to do with your injuries? I don’t remember if it’s a side effect of internal bleeding, oh Al please wait a second I’ll fetch the doctor, wait
noIthinkyoushouldcomewithmeIcan’tleaveyoulikethiscanyoustandI’llhelpyo-“
Warm hands despite the fresh breeze cupped your cheeks, interrupting you in your panic. His green eyes held yours in captive. You could make out the darker ring around his iris, the different flecks of green adorning his eyes before being engulfed by his dark pupil. You stayed a moment like this, both of you out of breath. You from your rambling and him being knocked out from his horse by a branch.
“I am fine my love.” His raspy voice really should have a warning. Like a spark to a match, your body seemed to burst with an insatiable need only he can tame the fires within. “And I can asure you, it was certainly not an injury down there”. He chuckled at your confused state before you caught on. He felt your cheeks flame with embarassment, causing a teasing smile to grace his lips. You didn’t know if you wanted to push him back down for making you worry or kiss the smirk away.
You deemed the second option the best.
As your lips met his, you couldn’t remember if it was the first time you actually initiated the kiss. His lips were still for a split second before deepening the kiss. His hand went past your cheek to the back of your head as the other glided down to your waist, his thumb drawing small circles there. He pressed you closer to him as if the meer inch gap between your bodies was unacceptable. Your hands pulling him against you more for the need of air.
The growl of your stomac interrupted this moment.
“Come on my love, let’s have this pic-nic now shall we?”
“Yes, but for the record, I won”, you teased and turned back to get the horses.
It was but a whisper, faint as if the race was not the topic conquering his thoughts.
“That you did my love”
—————
Your named being screamed for the whole household to hear was not a surprise. Being the oldest sibling with a numerous amount of younger siblings in your care was as handfull than juggling fire sticks on an unstable platform while knives were being thrown your way. Quickly gathering your plain but practical skirts, you rushed down stairs.
“A visitor for you”, your too calm for a kid sister answered the door.
“Thank you my dear, go on and join the others”.
Now, on a Thursday afternoon, waiting for your parents to return, the least person you were expecting on your doorstep was Duke Alphonse Ambrose of Webmond.With his perfectly shaped suit, his deep green eyes captivating yours into a trance, you could barely utter a word. Anything really, a greeting, inviting him in. Being curteous with your guest. Though it must be hard to think when the only thought running through your mind was how such a scary man could be so pretty at the same time.
“Oh.. umm… I- how can I help you your grace?” That was off to a good start.
“May I speak with you.” His voice calm and collected. Did he even have emotions?
You gave a small nod before opening the door widely of your townhouse. Though modest considered the other aristocrates, you were thankfull for such space for your large family.
“Alone.” You followed his gaze to your youngest siblings spying on you.
“Of course, follow me, we can use the drawing room.”
You lead him to the drawing room, closing the doors for a bit of privacy. You would think that a Duke would hold a conversation. Alas this one took his time studying the room. Drifting his gaze to the worn paper wall, the used, but well maintained chairs and the paintings on the wall. The silence was stretched, his presence taking the entire room as he finally gave you his attention.
“I am in need of a wife”, he states.
Your eyes confused on why he would announce it to you of all people looked at him waiting for him to continue. His gaze harden at your lack of engagement as he continued.
“My estate needs managing and my Aunt, Duchess of York, is pestering me with talks of a union.”
“I am sorry to hear about your troubles your grace”, your obliviousness starting to irritate the Duke.
“I have heard many praises about your gouvernance skills, and especially managing your household with your countless sibling, I believe you would qualify as a suitable candidate”, his expression remained cold and calculating.
Wait.
WHAT!!???
YOU!!????? AS THE FIANCE OF THE DUKE OF WEBMOND!!???? Your mind was chaos as your thoughts scrambled to make sense of his proposal.
“Pardon me your grace but…. Me?”
“Yes”
Your mouth was wide open for a few second in shock.
“But… may I ask why?”
“It is very simple. I seek a companion to manage my estate and my Aunt will be appeased by my new marital status. In this contract, I will help your family financially and the status will be saved. I am a buisness man at heart my Lady and I believe we both will benefit from this transaction.”
Your mind had so many questions. This was too good to be true. You finally had a way to help your family, for them to not struggle in society as you have finding a partner and all the snarky comments.
But.
You wouldn’t be marrying for love. You think back to your younger self, reading romance and dreaming of someone unconditionally loving you as you loved them. You heavily doubt a future like that with the Duke of no emotions over there. It is clear this is a contract and he is not looking for affection. If he wants a buisness partner, you could be a buisness partner. You tried following your heart and it lead you to despicable Hughes. The heart is a fragile thing and you learned your lesson, garding yours in an impenetrable forteress.
“This is a very apealing offer your grace.”
“Am I being rejected?”, the temperature seemed to drop but you stood your ground.
“If I am to accept, we need to carefully consider the circumstances. My parents would not allow me to marry out of love you see… they had a great love story you see and they wish the same for me. We would have to fool them if you wish to take my hand in marriage your grace.”
A calculating glint in his eyes made you cautious of this terrifying beauty.
“I expected as much, my Aunt is the same, she will not let me marry anyone.”
“Well then, I feel like we need to prove to them we are in love”
“I don’t fall in love my lady.” He outstreatched his hand, the handshake sealing the deal between you both.
“Good, me neither”
.
.
.