Chapter 137: falling in his arms

"Is there something we left behind, son?" i asked Killian as he was turning back again and again,

He bit his lip and shook his head, "I was looking at different shops, mother, it has been years since I came out of the palace." he said as we crossed a toy shop.

"You did not come out even once?" i was surprised, i thought he did not go out after my marriage only.

He shook his head, "mother used to say i am too young to go out with her, i used to go out with father or grand mother sometimes, but after my graṇd parents  death, i never went out." he said and i felt bad.

"It's alright, we can come out on every weekend or whenever you want." I added ruffling to his hair and he took a sigh of relief, or was I overthinking again.

His eyes were still roaming and then he bit his lips and pointed at a shop,  "mother why don't we go there?" he said and i followed his eyes, it was a sweets shop.

"Oh, i apologise dear, you must be hungry, right? Mother,`` I called my mother who was walking with Dami, discussing something.

"Yes, Mari," they both turned back

"Why don't we eat something before shopping further, that sweet shop is very famous," I pointed at the shop Killian was staring at, as if there were some hidden gem in it.

"Mari, you finally did a good job this morning." said Rosellia who was finally coming back, assigning Isabella to the other two knights.

I just shook my head, she was more childish than Killian when it comes to food.

As we all reached the shop, and sat on the table, Killian took my hand and asked,

"Mother, brother Dami, will stay with grandmother, why don't you come with me  for a minute." i furrowed my brows but nodded,

He took me towards the powder room and I bit my lips, "Killian you are old enough to go by yourself, or ask Dami to accompany you." i chided him and he bit his lips, 

"Will you please wait here, just for a minute?" he asked in a pleading tone and I sighed.

"Alright, but come early." i said looking around,

He nodded and scurried in, i looked around the counter at different types of delicacies that were decorated in the showcase when i felt someone's eyes on me, i turned and only at that time, a small girl came running  giving me a push, which bent my heels and i was sure about to fall, when someone held me by my waist.

But more than the push I was stunned by the person, though he was wearing a cloak, I can recognise him in every way.

"What are you doing here, your highness?"

"What are you doing here, Marianne"

We asked simultaneously as I stood up again.

He removed his cloak and I could see surprise in his dark eyes that resemble mine, his always perfect hairs were messed up due to the cloak as he looked at me surprised.

"I am waiting for Killian, he is in there.'' I pointed and he furrowed his brows.

"Killian is not a baby, that you need to stay here, he could have taken a servant if needed, you are the duchess of the empire, it didn't suit you to stand here." he chided and i bit my lips, of course, i know that very well, and Killian had never did this kind of request ever before.

"I apologize, my lady, I didn't do that intentionally." said the young girl, she was around 5, and such a cute little angel, her honey brown eyes were shining and I smiled.

"It's okay dear, where are your parents?" I asked, putting a hand on her shoulders when she pointed at the couple sitting in the corner. Then she bowed and left.

"You should have scolded her." said the man and I glared at him.

"Did you even look how pretty she was, and she was just a baby, she did not do it intentionally.'' I said and he chuckled.

"Why are you laughing?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"Your first reason to not scold her was she is pretty," he said with a chuckle and I glared at him, sweet little children are the weakness of every girl.

"Tell me Marianne, have you ever cared about the personality or feelings of a person, or you have just cared about how they look, how young they are, you all women only go for face and age, then why marry an older man in the first place?" he said in a melancholic tone and accusing voice.

I furrowed my brows, how did talking about a young girl reach to this statement, out of everyone he should be the last person to blame me.

"You did not tell me what you are doing here, your highness." i asked again, as i did not want to create another spectacular show there and listen to the scolding of my mother.

"Ssshh, could you not see, I am disguised as a local here." he said putting a hand on his lips.

I nodded, "you are here for taking rounds?" i added and he nodded,

"But you always take rounds at the middle of the month, because there are already inspections of shops at the end of the month for taxation by the royal palace," I asked confused and he parted his lips.

"How do you know that?" There was a clear surprise in his voice, and I bit my lips, it's the third time of the day when I spoke without thinking properly.

"As a duchess, of course, i know every procedure of the working of dukedom.'' I said faking haughtiness and he narrowed his eyes but nodded.

"Mother, I am sorry for taking time." said Killian and then he looked surprised.

"Father, you are also here." why did it feel that he was not that much surprised.

Cassius nodded, "why did you ask your mother to wait here, it's not the etiquettes we have taught you." did he just use we, he meant me and him or he and Elizabeth!