The butler welcomed us and guided us to the garden where the party was being held.
The garden was enchanting. Compared to the Castille dukedom, this one felt warmer and lighter. It was full of colorful flowers, neatly arranged tables, and already bustling with guests. My stomach tightened as all eyes turned toward us.
"Oh, Lady Aria! I am so honored that you joined my tea party," a sweet voice said.
"The pleasure is all mine," I replied politely.
"Come, let me introduce you to the rest of the ladies. We are all very eager to know you." She took my hand, her excitement bright in her eyes. She was lovely—reddish-blond hair, sparkling blue eyes—and seemed genuinely kind.
I caught hushed murmurs behind me. "Look at her hair... so black." My hearing was always sharp.
The introductions continued, one by one:
"This is Lady Catherine, the second daughter of Count Hall."
"How do you do, my lady?" she curtsied gracefully.
"And this is Lady Malissa, the youngest daughter of Duke Durham."
She looked me up and down as though I were a commoner. "Hello, Lady Aria."
I forced a polite smile. Only three dukes held true power in the kingdom—Castille, Bennet, and Durham—and the Castille dukedom was by far the strongest.
"Come, Aria, try these macaroons—they are very tasty. Oh, pardon me, may I call you just Aria?" Caroline asked, blushing slightly.
"Yes, that's fine, Lady Caroline," I answered with a smile.
"Oh, please call me Caroline too," she said with sparkling eyes. She was simple, sweet, and laughed so freely—I liked her instantly.
"Lady Aria, are you going to attend the prince's coming-of-age ceremony in two months?" one of the ladies asked.
"Oh, I thought girls under eighteen weren't allowed at balls," I admitted.
Malissa snickered behind me, clearly amused at my ignorance.
"That is true, but royal birthdays are exceptions for girls over sixteen," Caroline explained patiently.
"I heard he will be looking for a bride at the party. I'm so excited!" Catherine added. Coming-of-age ceremonies for boys were at nineteen.
"Yes, perhaps he will notice you, Aria. With hair like yours, you would catch every eye," she continued.
"Oh, but I thought you had to be eighteen to marry?" I asked, confused.
Malissa laughed again, pettily.
"It's true, but you may have a fiancé once you turn sixteen," another lady explained.
"Yes! Your hair is truly unique," Catherine remarked in admiration.
"The Northern Kingdom is full of dark hair colors. You must be from there, Lady Aria?" Malissa asked arrogantly.
"Yes, I believe so," I replied.
"Oh, speaking of the Northern Kingdom, I heard the Northern King will attend the banquet as well," someone whispered.
"Oh, the devil king..." another muttered.
"I'm curious to see what he looks like," Caroline said, genuinely interested.
There are four kingdoms—Northern, Eastern, Western, and Southern. We live in the Eastern Kingdom. The Northern Kingdom is an ally, though many terrifying rumors circulate about its king—he is said to be brutal and bloodthirsty.
"Lady Aria, how is noble life suiting you? It must be so exciting after living among... peasants," Malissa asked with smugness.
Ugh, what an arrogant girl, I thought. She was just like the typical villain from the novels I read—petty and petty-minded.
"Lady Malissa, don't be rude," Caroline gently intervened.
"Oh, I didn't mean to be rude. It's just that her life seems like a fairy tale," Malissa added, feigning innocence.
"It's fine, Caroline. I am very grateful to the Duke for taking me in. Life in the orphanage was hard, but I had dear friends. Life among commoners is not horrible—they are people like you.'' I said
'In fact, it is a freer life' though I keep that to myself
A hush fell over the group. I could tell they were uncomfortable with the comparison.
"Ugh, nobles are so arrogant," I muttered quietly.
"Yes, commoners are people like us too," Caroline added, smiling supportively.
I knew it—she is truly a sweet person, I thought, and I returned her smile.
"Hello, ladies," a cheerful voice interrupted.
"Oh, Brother Johannes! What are you doing here? This is a girls' tea party!" Caroline exclaimed, startled.
"You must be Lady Aria," he said, turning toward me. "I'm Johannes Bennet, Caroline's older brother." He smiled and kissed the back of my hand politely.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Johannes," I replied.
"The pleasure is mine," he said, bowing slightly. "I'd better leave before my dear sister kills me," he added with a playful wink before walking away.
I chuckled. He was playful, but there was a warmth in him, much like his sister.
"I'm sorry about my brother," Caroline apologized.
"Don't worry. I see the resemblance—he's just like you," I said.
"Ugh, don't compare me to him. I'm far prettier," she teased.
I laughed, and she joined in.
The rest of the party passed peacefully. Malissa made occasional rude comments, but I ignored her entirely, focusing on the kindness of Caroline and the other ladies.
By sunset, I returned home exhausted. I told Maria I didn't need a bath or dinner and collapsed onto my bed.
Then, there was a knock.
No, not now...
"Come in," I mumbled.
"Lady Aria, the Duke requests your presence in his chambers," said the head maid.
My sleepiness vanished. My grip tightened on the bedcovers. "Why?"
"If you please, follow me. The Duke is waiting," she said.
I rose, dread pooling in my stomach, and followed her down the hall. She opened the door for me, and my eyes fell on him—though he wasn't fully present at first.
"The Duke is in the bath, my lady," she murmured.
My heart sank. I stepped inside anyway. The scent of warm water and oils filled the room. He was seated in the tub, his expression unnervingly calm.
"Oh, honey, you're here. You haven't bathed yet? Come join me," he said, smiling.
"I've already bathed, Father," I lied, trying to keep my voice steady.
His smile faltered slightly, replaced by a calculating look. "Do not lie to me, Aria. I know everything that happens in this house. Althea, help Lady Aria undress."
I froze. My body felt numb as the head maid, silent and efficient, moved to comply.
"Leave us, Althea," he commanded.
I was seated between his legs, my back to his chest. His presence was suffocating, overpowering. I could feel the heat from his body, smell the sharp scent of his cologne mixed with the water.
"You smell... remarkable, Aria," he murmured, his voice low and intimate.
He began to move a washcloth over my arms, shoulders, and breast. Every touch felt invasive, a violation of my personal space. My chest tightened and I shivered, trying to suppress my panic. My thoughts raced—I have to get out. I have to survive this.
he rubbed my breast in circle moves giving a little pressure on my nipples letting them stand up and hardened, then he descended to my belly reaching to my private part. My breath quickened, my body reacting despite my fear.
I gripped his hand
"Relax, honey," he whispered, his tone almost gentle, "there's no need to resist."
he started to rub gently then he discard of the wash cloth, now I can only feel his fingers he slide them between my folds up and down taking my breath away, no one ever touched me there. he stopped at one place and start to rub it in circular motion gently at first then he raised the pace and started to rub fast and hard it gave me an undescribed feeling.
I started to moan loudly. I felt his member hardening on my back.
He pushed a finger in me, and I squirmed trying to get away only to press at his member more making him groan
''stop moving Aria, or you will regret it'' he grunted
I pressed back against him, silently crying, my mind screaming for escape. The room, the water, the scent, and the sound of his voice pressed in on me, overwhelming every sense.
''please stop'' I pleaded, but he kept pushing in and out while he rubbed that place with his thumbs making my eyes roll behind ''it's ok Aria just relax'' he whispered
he thrusts faster and faster. I felt the urge to urinate, and I tried to push him away pleading for him to let me go
''your highness please I feel strange I need to release''
he picked up the pace more ''it's alright Aria just let it go, release'' he commanded, and I did I arched my back and pushed my head back on his shoulder screaming silently
he kissed my temples and said '' good girl ''