Chapter 11: Lord Killian

When night arrived, I had thought I would be sleeping comfortably on my luxurious bed but nothing like that happened. Whenever I closed my eyes, his eyes haunted me.

Those cold and indifferent eyes, I had seen before being beheaded. Why was he haunting me now? Is it because I still hadn't put any effort into improving my relationship with him?

'Killian, I need time to make amends,' I pleaded as if he was there, haunting me, "I would never let you be a cold and indifferent person,'' I pledged. "I will spend my life making our relationship stronger than your birth mother."

As if finally satisfied with my reply, his eyes left my apprehensive mind. I took a breath of relief when darkness welcomed my closed eyes and rubbed my hand on the silk bedsheet I was sleeping on. Happy to live another day, I thanked God and slept.

When morning arrived, I was welcomed by the warmth of the sun's rays on my face, and the smell of my favourite red camellia. Lina must have put them here for me.

Opening my eyes, I smiled, and stretched my body. The first thing that greeted my eyes was the shocked faces of Norma and Lina. They were looking at me like I had killed someone.

I raised a brow, and frightened, they held their heads hung low. 'their expressions had become the source of my entertainment now.'

Opening the curtain of my bed, I moved when Norma ran and took my sleeper in her hands so that I could wear them easily. 'Being Duchess sometimes feel like you are handicapped' i used to enjoy these privileges in the past, their slavery, but now it felt the tyranny of nobles towards commoners.

I shook my head, to keep those depressing thoughts away and smiled. Walking towards the window opening towards the garden, I took a deep breath welcoming the new day with open arms.

'Today I would fulfil my promise to you Killian' filling with determination, I moved towards my daily routine. Lina and Norma helped me in taking a bath while Kate prepared my clothes, they all were looking a bit less afraid of me today.

"These earrings and pendant are looking very good on you" I complimented them and they both bowed giving me a shy smile, their ears turning red, but there was still some apprehension on Lina's face, but I let it go. I was sure it would go with time. I had a long life to change her views, a very long life.

I sat on the stool in front of my vanity table, looking again at the young me, while the girls were busy decorating me like I was a piece of art. No matter how many times I had looked at my younger self since yesterday, It still awed me.

As if sensing my continuous gaze on the reflection, Kate asked me hesitatingly, "your highness, are the ornaments not up to your taste" that was when I noticed I was wearing an Amethyst set, many nobles did not like to wear, as its value was low in comparison to other gemstones, I furrowed my brows at the thought.

"Apologies, your highness.." I raised my hands to stop her,

"It is going well with my purple dress, good job Kate" I complimented and she smiled like a blooming flower, 'so easy to please!'

"Lina, I would have my breakfast with Lord Killian. All the preparation should be perfect." I saw the confusion in her eyes, but like always she bowed her head further and left my chamber.

"Kate, I want you to go and prepare a gift for lord Killian, something he would like," I said to her when she put the last ring in my finger.

She also bowed and left the chamber now only I and norma, my youngest staff left.

I eyed the girl hesitatingly, not sure of how to put my question. She was just eighteen years old, much closer to the age of Killian than me.

"Norma, what are the words that make a child feel good?" I finally asked her the question and as expected she was looking shocked.

"If you keep on going to widen your eyes, it will turn like that permanently and then no one would marry you.'' I threatened her in a serious tone and surprisingly it worked well, her face turned perfectly normal and serene, but she was still silent, making my impatience grew.

"So," I asked in a hard tone this time, bringing her back to her senses.

"Your highness, every child likes to be praised. And they like to go out and play and eat tasty food. They also like hugs and kisses." she replied in a hesitating but sure voice.

"Good, you will make a list of things child like in two days, everything should be written in it,'' I ordered, but this time there was a satisfied smile on my face which gave her assurance and a smile bloomed on her face too.

"Yes your highness," she nodded, bowing her head.

Within a few minutes, kate returned with a small box and Lina arrived just after her,

"Your highness, breakfast will be served in the young lord's chamber and the lord has been informed about your presence."

I nodded my head, taking the small box in my hand as I asked, "did he say anything?"

Lina bowed and nodded, "he said he would be waiting for your presence, your highness."

A smile bloomed on my face, so there were still chances to make amends. Though I couldn't compare it with the past, as I had never asked him for having breakfast together, 'would he have given affirmation at that time too?' no matter how much I try to run away, those past memories still kept flowing, like waves of the sea keep drenching the shore, so that it could never be dry.

That thought instantly left a bitter taste in my mouth.

[Hey guys, hope you are enjoying reading the book, please do comment to let me know my flaws, add it to your library for further updates. And please do vote as you all know this book is under the contest of 'villain theme' and I was on first rank lat night, now I slipped to second if you could not for next 9 days, I may win the contest. Hope you would support my work. Thank you]