xChapter 29 - The Seductress on His Doorstep

Chapter 29 – The Seductress on His Doorstep

Aaron had been giddily counting down the days until Chloe could return and assist him with a scented bath. And in this time of immense stress, he was looking forward to the end of the tournament and his master’s departure. Jorge and the Archduke, peering curiously into Aaron’s grief-stricken face, did not dare ask him what the matter was.

“I…I see…Are you bringing her along as a laborer, sir?” Aaron inquired, staring at the men with blank, focus-less eyes.

Jorge was quick to butt in, “But given her talents in medicine, why not bring her along as a doctor, Your Grace?” The Archduke was about to casually grant Jorge’s stealthy request to include her in the infirmary officially. In fact, he was planning on having her look after the horses.

The knights on the expedition would be on horseback most of the time, and any injured animals would be switched out with those supplied from nearby fiefdoms. However, the commanders’ steeds were as important as their owners’ self-esteem, and hence needed someone dedicated to treating their wounds and monitoring their health.

Aaron quickly assessed the situation. It seemed as if the matter of bringing Chloe on the trip had been decided. If that was the case, Aaron figured that he should convince his master to take Chloe as his personal servant – he was afraid of losing her forever to the infirmary.

“The girl has been looking after my sister Anna as well, Your Grace. She is a wonderful servant, and would serve you well as your personal maid. She is good at healing wounds and giving massages, and with her experience working at the stables, would it not be wonderful to have her look after Chsantos as well?”

While Aaron and Jorge quietly battled for their control over Chloe, the Archduke, as though it did not matter, either way, commanded Aaron to do whatever he saw fit. Aaron, relishing his victory, bowed his head towards his master. Jorge’s shoulders drooped in defeat. But no matter, he thought – participating in the expedition was going to bring great honor to the child.

Thus, without her knowledge, Chloe was set to journey with the order of knighthood. They would depart after two days.

***

Alexandro was supposed to attend a party at the palace after receiving Aaron’s report but did not go, given that the party was going to be full of marriageable young ladies assembled by Duncan.

He’s got no pride anymore. Duncan had recently changed his strategy and begun inviting as many ladies as possible to Graham Mansion like a madman. It was exhausting for Alexandro to enter his own home.

Despite the late hour, fifteen or so women were waiting in the parlor, wanting to speak to him. Even though he had a mind to hold Aaron responsible for letting this happen, Aaron was powerless against Duncan, the true owner of the house.

A few days later, Duncan sent even more women to the mansion. In essence, this time, in addition to well-bred aristocratic ladies, there were women of all classes, including prostitutes, maids, teachers, soldiers, and nurses. Their ages varied, and some were mature ladies in their forties. Alexandro proceeded to his bedroom, unfazed, but the ladies followed him with persistence and desperation. They screamed and ran off only when he threatened them with his sword.

He did not wish to be tangled with his father’s plans. Duncan – the chief strategist of the empire – thoroughly represented the greed that Alexandro had despised all his life. The Archduke just wanted a simple life of obscurity away from the capital, looking after farm animals and growing crops. He could not care less about the family name.

Not wanting to become the head of the household, he had asked his father to adopt or have another son to fill the position. The law of the land prevented an unmarried or unengaged man from becoming the head of his family, and he guessed that this was why his father was so desperate to marry him off.

Alexandro returned home early in the morning, after a long night at the office. Luckily no one had been waiting in the parlor. He headed to the bedroom with a nagging feeling that something was not quite right.

The servant guarding his bedroom door flinched at the sight of his master before opening the door. Alexandro entered, finding the guard’s reaction suspicious.

As he entered the room, he began detecting the perfume of a lady. There was someone else in his bedroom. He proceeded with caution.

“You were working late.” Lady Clara Bandorras was seated in the chair next to the bed. He was revolted by her sweet, welcoming smile. The sight of the woman, who had impetuously entered his bedroom without his permission, hungrily wanting something beyond the riches that she already possessed, filled him with disgust.

She must be crazy. He quietly took off his overcoat. Not fond of having others touch him, he did not have a valet to help him dress and undress. Clara, watching the Archduke undress, swallowed reflexively. The thought of having him all to herself made her breath heavy with desire. What a beautiful body to go with a handsome face, I’m so lucky.

“I’ve been waiting for hours,” Clara spoke in ecstasy.

The Archduke did not answer and did not even throw a glance at her. However, she was sure that he was going to be hers tonight. No man – not even a terrifying war hero – would refuse her beauty and luscious body. And she was the only child of the Duke of Bandorras – the most powerful single woman in the empire.

Now dressed in nothing but his drawers, the Archduke plodded towards the bed. Clara approached him.

“Do you know how many times I’ve come to see you? I have never had to wait for anyone before…”

“My lady, it’s rude that you barge in here at this time,” with Clara’s face up close to his, the Archduke cut off her sentence impatiently. This was the first time she had heard him speak. His voice is perfect, too. It was deep, charismatic, and masculine. Feeling faint at the sight of the beautiful man about to become hers, she could not control herself.

“His Highness has proclaimed that any woman who spends a night with you would be rewarded with a large house in the capital, regardless of her class. He has also permitted all women to visit Graham Mansion. Hence, I couldn’t care less about propriety,” standing on her tiptoes, she whispered into his ear and daringly wound her arms around his waist.