Arabella
My life was over even before it began, I got down from the carriage with the help of the maid that was sent to pick me up from my father's small cottage.
I have no idea what awaits me behind the walls of the Manor in front of me.
I would probably get killed or used as a sex toy and tossed aside, no one would care, I was the daughter of a poor farmer.
"This way ma'am" Evelyn said, her voice soft and soothing, my eyes were lifeless as I walked into the Duke's Manor, guards and maids in the Manor bow to me as I walked with Evelyn by my side.
That's right, I was the Duke's wife now, today is my wedding day, no, the day I was sold to the Duke of Valmor.
Evelyn led me into my residence and I thanked her politely before walking in.
"Please let me know if you need anything ma'am" she said softly and I nodded at her before entering fully.
My eyes ran through the huge space, I walked towards the bed and sat on it, it was still the early hours of the day.
Immediately I relaxed on the bed, my tears ran free, I don't want to stay here, I want to go back home, a small hitch escaped my throat as I sniffled my tears.
I missed the animals in my father's ranch and my mom's cooking but most of all I missed Rhea, my best friend.
I didn't know how long I sat on the bed crying, neither did I remember when I fell asleep on the bed but the knock on my door woke me up.
"Miss" I heard Evelyn's soft voice, she was the maid assigned to me and she wasn't bad, I find her voice soothing but I don't need a handmaid.
I slowly got off the bed and walked towards the door, opening it for Evelyn, her face showed shock when she saw me but it quickly drained away, she was probably shocked by my red eyes, I didn't have to see a mirror to know I looked terrible right now, I had been crying after all.
"The Duke is almost back, I was asked to prepare you" Evelyn said respectfully.
Right, today is my wedding day, it wasn't a nightmare after all, it was real. The moon shone brightly in the sky.
I slept for long.
I let Evelyn into my residence and she walked towards my closet bringing out a blue dress I never knew was there, I barely touched anything since I entered this room this morning.
"Is this okay ma'am?" Evelyn asked and I nodded, I don't care what I wear.
"Alright, I would prepare your bath" she said and walked towards the bath, I looked at her small figure With plain eyes, Evelyn was about my age or younger, I felt like stopping her from doing anything, I didn't want to see the Duke or even be married to him but she was just a maid doing her job.
"Your bath is ready" she said as she walked towards me. "I would help you out of this dress" she added.
She must be surprised I was still wearing the dress I wore to the Manor this morning but I couldn't care less, changing my clothes was the least of my problems.
"That won't be necessary, I can manage" I said to her and she stiffened in shock, guess most high class women always had someone help them.
I was just a poor farm girl in the kingdom of Valmor, I never had any handmaid growing up, I do everything myself.
Evelyn stood at the edge of the room as I slipped out of my dress and walked into the bath, after I had my bathe I came out and Evelyn was already holding my dress.
I wanted to tell her I would wear it myself but I wasn't familiar with such dresses, it was expensive and complicated.
Evelyn helped me into the dress but the corset tugged at my tummy, preventing me from breathing properly as she tied it around me.
"I can't breathe well" I told her and she flinched before loosing it.
After Evelyn was satisfied with my look she escorted me out of my residence and towards the Duke's residence.
"I would take my leave now, the Duke isn't back yet, you'd have to wait" Evelyn informed and I nodded.
She left and I took deep breaths before going in, the guards at the door opened the room for me and I walked inside, if I thought my residence was huge, then this was enormous.
It wasn't just huge but it screamed luxury too, I expected nothing less from the Duke.
Even though I looked expressionless on the outside I was dying inside, my thoughts tangled like the corset tugging at my ribs, I wondered what the Duke was like.
I have never seen him before but I have heard rumor from the village ladies, they said he was handsome and dreamy but he was cold and cruel.
I heard he once killed a prince who tried to rebel, no one in Valmor can kill royalty except for other royal members but he did as a Duke and wasn't punished for it.
Rumours spread quickly that the king was afraid of him but most people didn't believe that. Why would a king be afraid of a mere Duke.
I don't really care about the Duke's life or any thing involving those of high class, I just wanted to go home but that was impossible.
I was sold after all, my father borrowed money from the Duke and couldn't pay back, I was the payment and my mom let them take me.
"You would be a duchess and you would get all the beautiful dress"
My mom's voice rang in my head but I don't want all the beautiful dress, I don't want to be a duchess, I want to go home.
The hairs on my body stood still and I felt my heart raced, why was I uneasy?
I head faint noises outside the door and it opened slowly revealing my husband.
Chiseled face, golden eyes, beautiful dark blonde hair, and a very tall man walked into the residence.
The air thickened and my palms were sweating profusely at his presence, his face showed no emotion, just pure coldness enough to freeze me to death.
Duke Rowan Thorne.