Chapter 5
1416 Words
ANDI
JUST like the Grand Duke ordered, Adelina escorted me to one of the rooms inside the House of Costa Lucca.
"Where is His Grace's room?" I asked while we were walking along the long hall on the second floor of the castle.
Adelina stopped on her track and turned her back to face me. "I don't see why it is concern you, Signorina," she said with a straight face.
"I believe I have no reasons to explain myself to you but fine. I need to have easy access to the Grand Duke just in case—"
"Just in case you're planning anything other than your job, isn't that right?" she cut me off.
"Just in case something or should I say someone tried to harm the Grand Duke," I continued raising my eyebrow at her. This woman looks prude, but she doesn't intimidate me at all. I have faced more powerful people throughout my job.
"Are you implying—"
"I'm not implying anything, Adelina. You're the one who's putting words into my mouth."
"Impertinent!" she said, raising her voice at me.
"What is going on here?" said the voice which came out from the room right next to us.
"Nothing, Your Grace," I immediately answered as Adelina hasn't composed herself yet from our previous arguments. "I was requesting Adelina if I could have the room right next to yours so I can have easy access on you just in case something bad happened. Right, Adelina?"
"Y-Yes, Your Grace. But I also tried to explain to Signorina Andi that His Grace doesn't want anyone around his room," told Adelina.
He shifted his gaze at me as if confirming what Adelina said. I felt a sudden uncomfort under his gaze but I tried my best to compose myself.
"It is only practical that I occupy the nearest room beside yours," I explain briefly.
"Do what she asked, Adelina," he said.
Shocked spread all over Adelina's face, "But Your Grace—"
"Am I heard?" he cut her off.
"Y-Yes, Your Grace," she immediately folded. "This way, Signorina," Adelina said. It is evident that it was against her will but she can't disobey the Grand Duke's order.
When I was about to follow her, I notice the room next to the Grand Duke's chamber. "I'm taking this room," I said referring to the room beside me.
"That is not possible, Signorina—"
"Have someone prepare the room for the Lady, Adelina," the Grand Duke ordered.
"Your Grace!" Adelina exclaimed in disbelief. It was as if she saw someone raised from the dead. The Grand Duke gave him a deathly glare. Adelina quickly backed off and bowed her head. "If it is your will, Your Grace," she said before picking up bunches of keys from her front pocket. "This way, Signorina," she said before leading the way.
I was about to thank the Grand Duke but he immediately turned his back and went back to his room.
I followed Adelina and was amazed when I was greeted by a huge room that scream wealth and power. The windows are high the I can almost see the sun from here. There's a huge bed in the middle of the room that looks inviting. I suddenly felt an urge to lay down on the soft mattress and sleep like a log.
"I know you no nothing about the proper decorum here inside the House of Costa De Lucca, but I expect you would at least try to respect our century worth of traditions," Adelina said when she looked at me.
"I have no intentions of disrespecting anyone inside this castle. I'm only here to do my job and that is to ensure the safety of the Grand Duke," I responseded.
"I hope you keep it that way. The Grand Duke is set to marry an eligible woman from a royal house, I hope we're clear on that."
I almost rolled my eyes to the back of my head when I realized that Adelina is suspecting me of seducing the Grand Duke. I clenched my fist to stop myself from explaining to her. I don't need to tell her about anything. I'm here to do my job and that's exactly my plan.
"Dinner will be served at exactly seven in the evening. We expect you to be there, sharp," she added before turning her back and went straight to the door.
I can't believe how exhausting my first day in the castle. I haven't recovered from my jetlag, and yet, I was given a "warm" welcome by the Grand Duke.
The huge bed beside me looks inviting. I didn't waste any moment. I threw myself on the bed but I winced when I lay on my injured side. "F*cking héll!" I shouted. The ointment and the muscle patch that the Grand Duke has given to me was so effective that I almost forgot about my bruise. Not until I carelessly threw myself on the bed.
I blew a loud breath when the pain slowly subside. I slowly closed my eyes and feel the warmth of the bed. I haven't had a decent sleep in awhile. I don't know why but I feel a different kind of warm and comfort from this bed. As if the previous owner knows how to warm anybody's heart.
I'm not used to sleeping with my clothes on. That's why I started taking off my tank top and my pants without bothering to open my eyes. I threw my clothes on the floor and curl up on the bed like a child.
"I see that the room has passed your liking, Signorina," said the familiar baritone voice.
"F*cking héll!" I screamed in shock. I'm quickly got up with my eyes wide open. I immediately hugged myself trying to cover my body from his gaze. "Don't you know how to knock you f*cking bastard?" I immediately covered my mouth when I realized what I've said. "I-I mean y-you startled me, Your Grace," I said while trying my best to get under the sheet to cover my almost naked body.
"For a woman, you curse more than should be," he said completely ignoring what I said as if I was not naked in front of him. "I heard a scream and I thought something had happened. That's why I run here as fast as I could," he explained.
"T-Thank you for the concern, Your Grace. But I'm fine," I said, stuttering. I slightly frowned when I noticed that he was standing in front of the door near my bed instead of the door that I used to get inside this room. My eyes widen when I figure out something. "I-Is that..."
"A connecting door? Yes it is," he proudly answered.
I know it should be a good thing since this will be easier for me to get access on him when I need to check him up. But I don't know why I suddenly felt nervous knowing that he can come into my room whenever he wanted.
As if the Grand Duke will find interest in visiting you in the middle of the night, Andi. Stop dreaming, I scolded myself. What am I thinking? The Grand Duke will never see me as a woman worthy of his affection. Pain shot right through my heart upon realizing that ugly truth.
"That's good to hear, Your Grace. I'm glad that it won't be hard for me to check up on you from time to time," I said before forcing a smile on my face.
The sadness that starting to crawl into my chest was quickly replaced by loud thump when I saw him walk slowly towards the bed. I remember that I haven't put on my clothes yet.
"Don't come near me. I'm naked, Your Grace!" I exclaimed.
He just raised his eyebrow before giving me a playful smirked. "I thought you're used to being naked in front of men?" he asked.
"I-I'm just trying to be professional, Your Grace."
"You don't need to worry about a thing. Your body don't excites me," he coldly said before turning his back and return to his room.
I already know that but I don't know why I still got hurt upon hearing it from him. Somehow, I was hoping that he wasn't the man that I thought he was. But in the end, he proved me wrong that a man like him would never see me as a woman.
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- Writer
