Chapter 150: lunch with Philip

I looked at the heap of files that were collected in just three days, I was sick and then the party I arranged and a small trip to the town had led to this. I wonder how much work was collected for Killian too, and his teachers, did they improve!

I had given her headteacher a warning but I was sure that would not be enough to stop her. A written notice was needed, but I could not send that until I got the right to take care of his education. I sighed as I opened the lowermost drawer and took the parchment out of it. I had made a complete detail of his education procedure and the way he was treated there.

I still could not believe that as the future heir of the dukedom, he was treated this harshly at his own home.

No, I had to find a chance to meet him today, and show him the report.

"Your highness" greeted Kate as she entered.

"Yes"

"Physician is here to change your wound and check your pulse." I was sure Killian had sent the physician, he worried a lot about me these days, and here I was still bound to rule and procedures.

"Send him in" I instructed, taking a deep sigh, and she nodded and came back with the physician...

I walked towards the sofa so that he could check comfortably, my maids helped him in applying the ointments and changing the bandage, as he took my pulse and checked my eyes.

"Your wound is almost healed, your highness, there will be no need for the bandage from tomorrow," he announced and I took a sigh of relief. It took a lot of effort and extra jewels to cover it completely.

"Your highness" he called me hesitantly again and I turned back to his face.

"Yes"

"The medicine you had taken yesterday.." he started and I clenched my fists, I went out of the order, even disguising myself as a maid of marquees Baringstone to hide the matter from the palace but in the end, they still knew.

"Which medicine you are talking about?" I faked ignorance, no one could claim anything if I did not accept it.

He looked at me with widened eyes, surprised at my reply. What was he expecting? I would tell him the whole story with tear filled eyes that how I took drugs to get the reports in my hand that Marques Wiltshire was using drugs, what a smart person he was!

"The medicine you had taken yesterday, your highness" the man started again, and I wondered why everyone around me did not take the hint!

"I don't know which medicine you are talking about, I had only drunk a little more wine than necessary,'' I replied furrowing my brows as if his words were confusing me.

He looked at my face for a minute as if trying to unravel the hidden mysteries and then nodded.

"I apologise, your highness. There must be some mistake in my calculations," he replied bowing and I nodded.

"I understand, William, is there anything else?"

"No, your highness, I will come tomorrow to check the wound and your condition," he replied as he stood up and I nodded.

Walking back to my chair, I started checking the files again. 

"Your highness, lunch is served" she announced and I looked back at the files that were still left untouched.

"I will have lunch later," I announced

"Oh, my lady, you should take care of your health, having meals on time, is a very important part of staying healthy, my lady." I looked above to see Philip entering the office, so he finally stopped calling me Marianne. Good, the way he took my name in the past few days had always made my skin crawl.

"Welcome, my lord, in my humble office, how can I help you." Since he had stopped, I was also free to address him properly.

"I must say you are a good observer and easily change your tactics according to the attack of the enemy," he said chuckling, and I wondered if he just called himself an enemy!

What a strange man!

"Thank you for the compliment, my lord. Please take a seat."

I waited for him to say something, as he sat there but he just looked around as if he was in the garden enjoying the scenery, while all my office had some cupboards filled with files and some basic needed furniture, with the dark colour theme and minimum decoration.

"My lord, did you need my services anywhere?" I asked again and the man finally looked at me.

"Ah, no, actually I was here to have lunch with you, but as you said, it will take some time, so I am waiting here patiently," he said waving his hands in the air.

Have I accepted his invitation to have a meal with him!

"It will take some time, I would feel bad if you stay hungry because of me, my lord" 'so go and eat!' I added in my heart but the man just shook his head.

"Since, you know that my lady, then why don't you come and have lunch first, then you can continue with your work, a filled stomach gives better energy to work," he added and I sighed.

"Alright, let me call Killian, then he will be waiting for me," I said as I looked towards Norma, who bowed and walked towards the door, without even saying anything.

"Ah, I don't think that would be needed. I saw Killian walking towards the duke's chamber. They must be having lunch together." he added and I furrowed my brows.

I thought Killian would be worried about me and would be here earlier than I would expect him, but he was not going to come at all. I took a deep breath, Cassius was his after all, and I have to leave soon too.

So, it's a good start, I should try to detach myself from him slowly so that we both did not feel hurt at the end. If only I had known that my story would turn this way, I would have not increased his expectations towards me.