The Duke's Passion

"Your highness, are you alright?" The head maid inquired worriedly. "Her royal highness didn't mean it."

She consoled. I furrowed my brows as I glanced at her.

Didn't she know my origins? That didn't even prick my heart. I lived my life living humbly. Insults like that? I'm immune. It was honestly cute of her.

"It's alright." I waved and shifted my gaze back to the wife number two's back. "Do you know her name?" 

I inquired mindlessly. I already knew their status, but not their name. Although I had no problem naming them by numbers.

"How dare I speak the name of her royal highness?" 

"Oh…" I nodded in understanding. "Nevermind then." I would just call them wife number one and two. 

But honestly, her hair color was very pleasant in the eye. Every time she took a step, her rich, dark plum hair bounced, waving from side to side along with the wind.

Aside from her oozing, arrogant attitude, she's truly a beauty. What a waste… I didn't know why I thought so, but that's what my instincts told me.

Before I retract my gaze away from the retreating second wife, something caught my interest. Just as wife number two turned to leave, wife number one appeared!

'Ohho… I wonder how they will act in front of each other?' I wondered, paying attention to their gestures.

From a bystander's point of view, they didn't seem to have a good relationship. Although they were sisters, they're both married to the same man. What did I expect?

Wife number two seemed a little agitated, while wife number one was just chuckling. Although, the latter's cunning smirk was would easily put someone in a foul mood.

I watched the two of them exchange 'pleasant' greetings until wife number two stormed away. I wondered what they talked about?

Before I could feign ignorant, wife number one caught my gaze.

"Ahem!" I cleared my throat, avoiding her cunning gaze immediately.

Why were they here one after another? Were they that excited to see the mortal who bewitched their brother?

I dragged my feet back to the sit. Wife number one was walking at a snail's pace. I would just stand when she came in.

Soon, I sensed wife number one trudged inside the gazebo. When she did, I turned my head in her direction and stood up. The maids who were bringing tea and snacks were standing behind her.

"Greetings, your royal highness." I greeted, doing a small curtsy.

"Raise your head." She ordered in the same pristine tone. 

As instructed, I raised my head and faced her. She gazed at me from head to toe. Unlike how number two gazed at me, number one smiled and nodding in satisfaction.

"Serve us tea." She waved and walked towards the seat across from the spot where I perched. 

I remained standing on my spot. Upon noticing I wasn't moving, she chuckled.

"Sit, my sister-in-law." She beckoned, extending her arm towards the seat across from her.

"Yes." Again, I followed her instruction and sat down.

With both of us seated, the maids prepared the table. Setting up sweets and tea in silence.

The air between us felt awkward and nerve-wracking. I was fortunate that wife number two only said a few snide comments and left.

But a tea with the first wife? Who also asked me to sleep with her last night? I didn't know what to feel or her intentions.

Once the maid was done, her royal highness across from me offered a smile. I smiled back, albeit awkwardly.

"Be at ease. I do bite, but not to others prey." She humored, chuckling as she picked up the cup of tea.

"Heh… that's very reassuring, your royal highness." 

"Haha!" 

I'm not lying, though. For some reason, I found her words a little more reassuring. Perhaps because I felt she meant it?

"I only came here because I know my sister will come see you. I'm worried." She said, after taking a sip.

"Thank you…?" I didn't know how to respond to her. Hence, I expressed my little appreciation.

To ease myself, I picked up my cup of tea. Slowly, I moved it in front of my lips.

But I stopped as I raised my gaze at her. Why was she staring at me like that?

Despite my suspicious gaze, she only smiled until her eyes squinted in a curve line. Her smile was beautiful, but somehow it made me feel restless.

I glanced at the tea on my cup, sniffing its aroma discreetly. It exuded a unique aroma, but still smelled pleasant.

'Is this poisoned? But this tea came from the same teapot.' I wondered.

Still, I shrugged my thoughts. I didn't think I'd die in poison here. That's not their style. It'd be more realistic to say they'd rather cut me limb by limb.

Hence, with that thought in mind, I took a sip. Just a paltry amount of it caused my entire face to distort.

Bitter. Too bitter.

"This tea is diluted blood processed meticulously so it can be drank as a tea. It seems it's not to your liking." She giggled.

I immediately placed the cup back on the saucer. Did she say it was blood? Even if it was diluted, it turned my stomach upside down.

"Who served her this tea knowing this child is a mortal?" As I swallowed down the bitter aftertaste, wife number one inquired.

Her sudden, cold, intimidating tone sent a shiver down my spine. Slowly, I raised my gaze and set it on her.

She's scanning everyone. In my eyes, she seemed displeased. And yet, she made me drink it despite knowing what kind of tea it was.

"If no one confessed, bite all your tongues off right now."

"What --!" I froze and gasped.

My eyes slowly widened as I shifted it to the maids bowing outside the gazebo. Did I really hear her correctly?

The maids outside gazed at each other. To my surprise, they all pushed the maid who served the tea.

"Your royal highness! I'm innocent! I merely served the tea!" 

"Hmmm." Number one twirled her hair with her forefinger. "What punishment should we give on this maid?" 

She asked, casting me a look. I flinched upon catching her gaze.

"Pardon?"

"My sister sent you this tea to tease you. However, it's your lady-in-waiting and servant's duty to check everything before it goes to you. Since this tea is not for a mortal that can enjoy, punishment should be done, right?" She explained with a smile.

"Wha..."

"My sister-in-law, don't even consider on bringing up any cheap mercy. That is, if you want to survive this place until your groom arrives."