The Scoundrel's Tribute

The second Duchess

Dmitry

- That's all the Duchess had been up to lately your Highness. - the spy finished his weekly report and I've dismissed him. My right hand, Victor coughed and said.

- Looks like she really had a change of heart. I heard that on the day they met in the garden she even kneeled into the grass to make sure the Little Lady was unhurt.

- Do you really believe that this is a change of heart? No... Rene is a wicked woman. She is capable of anything to get her hands on what she wants. This must be another one of her tricks to get closer to me.

- But, didn't the Lady herself said that she has no longer desire towards the Duke? - Victor asked and he grinned mischievously. His blonde hair and cheeky green eyes made him stand out of my army and his soft smile made him one of the best negotiators.

- Anything she said so far was a lie. - I said with a sigh. I heard the butler open the door.

- Pardon me Duke, but the little Lady is requesting audience. - I nodded and he let Dina in. She ran to me and hugged me.

- Hey daddy! - I kissed her cheek and hugged her to my chest.

- Hell my angel! What are you doing here today? - I asked and her eyes sparkled.

- I found someone who would come with me to Anna's birthday party!

- Really? Who? You know it must be someone of the same or higher rank than the Earl Smhucz if they weren't invited personally. - she nodded and smiled brightly. At times like this she looked exactly like Catherine.

- That's the best part daddy! She had been invited and she is of a higher rank!

- Who is she? - I asked but wasn't prepared for the answer.

- The Duchess! I visited her and she said if you allow it, she'll come with me! Please allow it daddy! I really want to go! I've never been in a birthday party and Anna is my best friend! I miss her daddy! Pleaseee! - she begged me technically and I heard Victor's soft chuckle from my side. I sent a glare at him which made him immediately to shut up. He cleared his throat.

- Little Lady, if you excuse me my intrusion, but since when are you getting along with the Duchess? - her eyes stared at Victor and she blushed sitting on my lap.

- Well... We haven't talked since I spilled tea on her, but she was kind back than and today too. She gave me tea and cookies. - my heart skipped a beat.

- Dina... Have you consumed anything the Duchess gave you? - she nodded and I looked at Victor who immediately rushed out of the room to get the doctor. I turned Dina to face me.

- I've told you several times, you mustn't accept anything from that woman Dinara! Do you feel sick? The doctor will be here soon. - she jumped out of my hands and screamed.

- I'm fine daddy! She didn't do anything funny with the tea of the food. She drank the same tea as I did and she even shared a cookie with me to prove it wasn't poisoned! - I sighed.

- Dina, she won't die from poisoning, but you could!

- How do you know she won't daddy? - she asked and my heart skipped a beat. How should I tell my daughter that I've tried to get rid of that woman since we married? But somehow, she always survived. Thank God the doctor arrived before I had to answer her question and examined Dina.

- The Little Lady is perfectly healthy. I've requested a sample of the cookies and the tea they had with the Duchess as per Lord Victor instructed. They are completely fine. The tea actually os really good for growing children and it has calming purposes too. As for the cookies, they are simple ginger cookies. - I thanked him and he left. Dina stood in front of me and waited.

- See daddy. Please allow it! - she said and I groaned. I got up and held her hand.

- Where are we going daddy? - she asked as we walked out of the office followed by Victor.

- I'll speak with the Duchess, but so you know, I hate this idea. I don't trust her at all. - Dina grinned and fastened her pace. When we arrived to Rene's office she greeted me coldly. The affectionate glances and seductive smiles were gone. She even dressed a lot more normally than before. Rene used to wear revealing clothing to charm me into her bed but I felt disgusted by the thought of touching her. I could still remember our wedding. How the barely sixteen years old little girl smiled at me as a professional woman from a brothel and tried to get into my bed each and every night. A shiver ran down my spine when our eyes met. Her unique opal and deep blue eyes were dim and calm this time and I didn't like it at all. This calm aura around her made her dangerous, since I couldn't predict her next move. After our brief discussion I turned to Victor on our way back to my office.

- What do you think? - he shrugged.

- She is different, but seemed to be telling the truth.

- I want you to go with them. If Rene tries the slightest trick, kill her at that instant. - Victor nodded and I kept working but my mind was somewhere else. I missed Catherine, Dina should go with her to places like this. Although, my poor love was always criticized in the higher society. For her background and how I've deceived the Princess because of her. So when Catherine got pregnant, she was more than delighted to use her pregnancy as an excuse to avoid these gatherings. I looked at the painting in front of me and sighed.

- I miss her so much. - I said and Victor turned towards the painting from his own desk.

- Duchess Catherine was an angel who descended from Heaven to us. We all miss her Highness greatly, Dima. - Victor said and I lingered my glance at the painting for a while. Catherine smiled happily holding Dinara in her arms and I was standing behind them. I swore to protect her, and I failed. I won't make the same mistakes with our daughter. She is all that's left from Catherine in this world and I'll get all obstacles out of her way, even if I'm going to perish in Hell for my sins.