The Duke's Passion

"It is my honor to be chosen as your lady-in-waiting, Your Majesty." 

Silvia curtsied in front of the empress inside the latter's sitting room. When Silvia raised her head, a gentle smile appeared on Florence's face.

"Marchioness, you don't have to be so formal. Take a seat." Florence motioned her hand to the settee across from her seat. As soon as Silvia sat down, the empress sized her up.

Just by looking at Silvia and the air surrounding her lady-in-waiting, she could tell the rumors were true. Before the empress, Silvia was known to be the noblest woman on the continent. With her enchanting beauty aside, Silvia's contribution to the empire was something that empowered a lot of women — one of them was Florence. 

She had heard and was very interested in news about the Marchioness of the empire even before she became the empress. The reason Florence didn't even check the other candidates was because of that. Silvia was already the best, and she already liked her even before she met her in person.

Florence was more like Silvia's admirer. She felt a bit shameful that the latter was ought to work for her. 

"I prepared tea that came from our Karo Kingdom. I hope it is to your liking, marchioness." She broke the silence after a minute and smiled. 

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"No, thank you. I am in your care from now on."

Silvia's brows raised as she studied the empress briefly. "Your Majesty, I am your lady-in-waiting. A person who will assist you and give you advice on official matters if necessary. I appreciate your kindness, but you shouldn't be too soft on me."

"Haha. I know, but I still want to be kind because I like the Marchioness a lot." Florence giggled while keeping her reserved attitude. "I was certain you had a lot on your plate already. But I appreciate you accepted my request, regardless."

"How dare I refuse...?" Silvia's heart softened the more she talked to her. Now, she was certain Florence invited her for a very innocent reason. The latter made her feel bad for accepting it with an ulterior motive.

"You see, Marchioness, since you are my lady-in-waiting, I would like to chat with you for a while. Would you indulge with me?" 

"Well, of course."

It didn't take long when the two of them relaxed in each other's company. Florence was easy to like as a person. She was kind and wise; someone who was perfect for being an empress. 

At first, Silvia thought Florence invited her to be her lady-in-waiting because she had heard about her history with Rufus. Not many knew about them, but she was Heliot's sister. So, she assumed Heliot told his sister about it. 

That was the main reason Silvia accepted the invitation, even though she didn't want to. She wanted to clarify to the empress that there was nothing between them anymore. But it seemed there was no need. 

Florence invited Silvia for a logical reason. Or rather, she just simply used a logical argument.

"I truly wish we get along, marchioness."

"Silvia, Your Majesty," Silvia corrected with a subtle smile. "If you feel comfortable addressing me by my name, I would appreciate it."

Florence's eyes softened. "Then you can call me --"

"Please, Your Majesty. Although it is alright if you call me by my name, I will feel burdened if you tell me to call you with just your name." Silvia intercepted even before Florence could finish her sentence. "As the Empress, even your family cannot call you by your name. I simply asked you to call me by my name was because I am your subject."

"Oh..."

"But that doesn't necessarily mean it will change our relationship, Your Highness." Silvia offered a kind smile. "I hope you understand my disposition." 

"It's alright. It's my fault for forgetting that I am now an empress and I must adhere to certain rules."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." 

"Not at all." Florence waved her hands as she chuckled. 

For her, she already liked Silvia even before. But she liked her even more now. Talking to her relieved a lot of stress because in between their chats, Silvia would tell her informative advice. One of them was how, as the previous queen, became a marchioness instead of being banished after her 'previous' husband, the emperor's death.

The answer was simple, and Silvia was very nonchalant about it. It was all thanks to the 'late' emperor Rufus' adoptive father. He was a tyrant, and his decision was absolute. But how Silvia was accepted was because of her own efforts — Samael simply opened the door for her.

"I will excuse myself first. I will see you tomorrow, Your Majesty." Silvia prepared to leave after over an hour of just chatting with Florence. She just arrived this morning, and she needed rest before her official duties tomorrow. 

"Very well. I hope you rest well."

"Yes."

With that being said, Silvia left the room. When the door closed, a bitter smile resurfaced on Florence's face. 

"She is so beautiful," she whispered. "And very noble. I hope we get along well."

******

Dinner came quickly. It was one of those days that the emperor and the empress must share a meal together. After days of not meeting each other, they had to fulfill their duties since it was part of their hectic schedule. 

Sitting on both ends of the long dining table, she glanced up at him. Just like their first dinner together, Rufus wasn't speaking as he simply ate. 

'I should talk,' she told herself. Even if Rufus told her she shouldn't expect anything from him, it was better if their relationship wasn't this distant. At the very least, they should be at least comfortable with each other's company. 

Florence took a deep breath as she mustered her courage to speak. "I met with Lady Silvia today." He paused as soon as her voice reached his ears. 

"Mhm. I heard." Rufus raised his eyes, holding his cutleries still. His lack of reaction was already expected, so she ignored it. 

"I could tell she is a remarkable lady. Thank you for recommending her to me, Your Majesty."

"Mhm... she is." Rufus pressed his lips into a thin line while rocking his head. His answer put an end to the conversation almost instantly. But that wasn't the reason Florence went silent. 

'Huh?' she blinked, watching Rufus continue eating his meal. 'Did I just imagine it?' she wondered.

Just now... did she see it correctly? How did her husband's eyes soften for a split second?

'No. I'm probably exhausted myself.' Florence mentally shook her head, throwing that idea at the back of her head.. Little did she know, she shouldn't have disregarded that first sign to protect her fragile heart.