Ending The Wicked Love - Chapter 5

Alina was surprised to see me tired from running.
“What happened? Did Duke Lysander hurt you again?” she asked, worried about my condition.
“N-no. D-duke Lysander wants me to be his f-fiancé.” I said while trying to catch my breath.
“What?!” Alina screamed in surprise.
Alina and I didn’t say anything for some time, shocked by Duke Lysander’s words. It’s indeed rare for a duke to propose to a woman of lower status to become his wife.
“So are you going to accept it?” Alina asked.
“No way, who wants to be with a scary man like that.”
“That’s right, recently there have also been rumors about Duke Lysander.”
“What rumors?” I asked, Duke Lysander doesn’t look like a man who stirs up rumors.
“My friends in high society said that the duke is engaged to Duke Monrence’s daughter.”
“But there’s no way he could propose to me if he already has a fiancé.”
“Yeah, it seems like it’s just a rumor.”
“Anyway, for now, I’d better just ignore it.” I said, not knowing what to do.
“That’s right, just ignore him, maybe he won’t come to you again.”
“Oh yeah, what are we going to do now?”
There were still a few hours until dinner.
“Do you want to go shopping?” she asked.
“Hmm, I don’t think so, yesterday I went shopping for a gift for you. Oh right, I almost forgot. Here is the gift, for you.” I said, handing her a small bag containing the music box I bought yesterday.
Alina looked at it and said, “Wow, it’s very beautiful! Thank you, Leah, you are the best!”
“It’s nothing, I’m just glad you like it.” I said while smiling gently at her.
“Then do you want to take a look at my house?” she asked.
“Yes, after all, this is my first time at your house.” I answered.

Alina took me around her house, starting from the family room, then the study room, and finally the library.
“Wow, the library in your house is really big!” I exclaimed, amazed at the scale of the reading room, which was a two-story room with all the walls filled with various kinds of books.
“But even so, my family rarely reads, so this room is kind of useless.”
“Then, I will have to come to your house often to read.” I said while laughing.
“Come often, I will accompany you.”
“Okay, I’ll come as often as possible.” I said while nudging her arm.
“If you want to read, read quietly.” said someone on the second floor.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Leah. I just felt annoyed by Lady Alina’s annoying voice.” that person continued, eyes glancing at Alina.
Gosh, it’s the duke again. Why is he everywhere?
“Aren’t you being outrageous, Duke Lysander? Who allows you to call Leah by her nickname.” said Alina, annoyed.
I can tell that both of them don’t like each other. Well, it’s not like anyone can be fond of such a person.
“As her fiancé, I have the right to call her that.” said Duke Lysander, filled with confidence.
Well that’s just crossing the line. Since when is he my fiancé?
“I’m sorry, Duke Sir, but I absolutely never agreed to be your fiancé, therefore, please call me ‘Lady Eleanor’. Thank you.” I said in an annoyed tone, holding Alina’s hand as we walked out of the library.
“Wait, Le- no, Lady Eleanor, can you come to my estate tomorrow? There’s something I want to talk about,” he asked.
“I don’t think so, Duke Lysander.” I said, declining his invitation, then closing the library doors.
“I’m sorry, Leah, I kept you from reading.” Alina apologized as soon as we’re in the corridor.
“It’s not your fault, so don’t apologize, the one who should apologize is Duke Lysander.”
“But still, you’re here as my guest.” she said, feeling guilty.
“I know.”
“Never mind, I’ll ask the servants to prepare a bath for us.”
“I should shower in the guest room, right?” I asked.
“Yes, on the second floor.”
“Okay, we’ll meet again in the dining room.”

The servants prepared warm bath water for me. I took a shower while being massaged by a maid whom I thought was a massage expert. After that, they dressed me in a long-sleeved dark blue dress with some beautiful, intricate white lace.
In the dining room, I saw the Marchioness and Ethan who were waiting for Alina and me.
“Good evening, Marchioness Hartbow, Ethan.” I greeted them.
“Good evening, Eleanor, have a seat while we wait for Alina.” she said, pointing to the chair across her.
“Very well, Marchioness.” I said.
“Has the duke returned?” I asked, realizing that Duke Lysander and Austin weren’t in the dining room.
“Yes, they returned to the Duke’s residence.” she answered.
At that moment, the hall door opened, showing Alina, Marchioness Hartbow said, “Oh, you’ve arrived, come, sit next to Eleanor.”
“Yes, mother.” she said while sitting next to me.
“What were you all talking about?” Alina asked.
“It’s nothing, Eleanor was just asking about Duke Lysander and Austin.” replied Marchioness Hartbow.
As if planned, the maid came in, bringing food that was probably enough for 10 people, and that didn’t include the dessert that would be served after we finished eating the main dishes.
“Mother, why is there so much food?” Alina asked.
“I thought Austin and Duke Lysander would go home after dinner, so I told the cook to cook more, but they came home because of urgent work.” replied Marchioness Hartbow.
It turns out they went home because of that. So if I come there tomorrow, won’t I bother them? In that case, it’s better that I don’t come, but what if Duke Lysander really has something important to talk about?
“Let’s eat.” said Marchioness Hartbow.

I was lost in thought, playing with the food on my plate, my mind full of questions, Why did Duke Lysander propose to me? Why does he suspect me of being a spy for the Monrence family? Does this have anything to do with the rumors being spread? Why me? Does he know something?
Alina looked at me and asked, “What are you thinking about??”
“N-no” I said, snapping out of my thoughts.
“Then eat before your food gets cold.” Alina said.
“Oh, right.” I said, starting to eat.
After we finished eating, Alina and I went back to her room to change clothes and sleep.
“Are you going to see Duke Lysander tomorrow?” Alina asked while lying on her bed.
“I think so, I want to know why he proposed to me.” I answered.
“Then, I will accompany you.” she said
“Sure, after all, he didn’t ask me to come alone.” I said, then we fell asleep.