Ian I have a job for you but things should stay between me and you '' I ordered and the young boy looked at me with utmost seriousness as if I was about to send him to war. For a moment I felt awkward continuing it., but I had to do it.
"I want you to book the whole adult theatre that was in the outer part of the town where the night show is organized today."
He looked at me as if he had heard wrong or I had used some foreign language that he did not understand and I had to snap my fingers in front of him to get a reply.
He coughed as his ears and face turned red, and I felt further awkward.
"I.. i look into this matter this instant." he said controlling his voice and i only nodded in return.
"Take the carriage with you. I will use the local carriage '' I said and he looked shocked again. Where did my calm and never so surprising Ian go, or was I the one who had changed so much to make him behave like that?
"But your highness, how can you take a local carriage? They have commoners in them."
"Have I not taken them when I go to towns for inspection?" I asked and he nodded.
"But it would not get entry in the duke's palace. How would you return back?" he asked, confused.
"I am not going to return for today. I want you to roam around, book a night theatre and then take the carriage to the inner part of my chamber and go to my chamber for sleep. Everyone should think I was the one who entered. Do this work very cautiously Ian, no one should know that I am not in the palace, not even the trusted maids' 'I said in a grave tone and his solemn mood returned as he nodded.
I stopped the carriage when we reached the town and walked towards the designated place, James had asked me to.
I changed my clothes and used dark paint over my face to make my face. When I was sure my face was dark enough, I used a moustache. And then the wig to turn my hair blonde.
I was looking as ugly as possible, that no one would notice me much. But at the same time I was afraid that Marianne felt repulsed too.
I shook my head, I will somehow convince him.
Soon there was a carriage with Marquees Essendsons seal on it. I bowed towards the knight as he was higher in rank and entered the carriage.
He asked me a thousand questions on the way, from where I was to where I got the training from. Good thing was I had already created a story, so I had all the replies to his questions.
Finally I thanked all the lords when I reached the Marquess palace. James was already there waiting for us. He looked at me for a minute without saying anything and then laughed out loud.
"I never knew you looked so ugly, '' he said in between his laughter and I just gritted my teeth.
It was really true that every dog had its day. He turned silent when he saw that I was not replying.
"Marianne is in the main parlor room with mother. You can go there and tell them that you are her new assigned knight, I have already told her about you. Best of luck" with that he left.
I moved toward the parlor room with so much anticipation, But when I walked there Marianne was professing her love for Philip. Though I knew it was a drama, I still could not bear that she would claim to love that monkey.
I moved and the vase fell down. Good thing was they noticed me and she recognised me instantly and took me towards her chamber.
The moment she asked all the maids to leave and we were alone, I pinned her on the wall.
"You deserve a punishment Mariane, you are going to theatre with me this instant.'' I said in a husky voice as I moved towards her. She closed her eyes and nodded, eben before she realised what i was asking
It felt so good to see that effect on her, that my anger subsided in an instant.
"But how will we go out together. My mother would rather kill me if I told her I am going to the theatre." she said once the words registered her mind.
"You are not going to the theatre, you are going to stay with Roselia for tonight. And I will surely follow you as your knight ``I said with a wicked grin and she blinked.
"You do not need to worry about it. Your brother would cover everything. You just get ready and take a maid's uniform with you to change your clothes later.`` I said with the same glint in my eyes.
"Why are we doing so much hard work just to see a play? We can go later too. We will take Killian with us too" she said with bewilderment.
How shall i explain to her the place where i was taking her was not for Killian.
"Don't ask so many questions Marianne. It is your punishment, remember."
"But I was just doing what was needed. It was not like you will not flirt with Isabella" she retorted and I shook my head.
"I will not flirt with her. I will marry her in two weeks. That is the time I am giving you to end your drama. Or I would belong to someone else. Now go or else i will take you like this" i said as she looked at me shocked.
Her eyes were glaring at me but my eyes were intense too. In the end she nodded with gritted teeth and got ready to go with me.
We both walked to the back door and once again got out of the palace like thieves in the servants carriage.
[Hey, this time it's not a tease.. Spoiler: they are going to do the deed. hehe]