Dark Lord's Obsession

Chapter 13: Reborn as a Duchess

Louisa’s Point of View

The Duchess stopped crying and looked at me in shock. Her eyes were staring at me blankly. Slowly she stood up as well. Without paying much heed, I stormed out of the room and headed towards the hall. As my angry steps were approaching the hall, my courage was fading away. I had never taken part in any political matters till now. How could I possibly show up and claim my title? My confidence was wearing out though I didn’t stop until I reached the room where noble ladies of my age were humiliated and traded.

The royal knights from the capital were there to take care of the business. Thie looks were intimidating. I had heard enough about them. They weren't just knights, rather noble borns and held high status in the kingdom. They were masters of water element controls and well respected for generations. The king left this job on them for nothing. How on earth could I defy their orders? My heart was hammering while I bit my bottom lip to hide my fear.

Then my eyes fell on all those girls and Kiara, standing in the middle of the hall in a queue as if they were not even human. Their haggard face and teary eyes were hanging low as if they had committed some crime. My gaze shifted towards my uncle, standing there shamelessly while trading his daughter. Other nobles from Narodnye was also standing in silence, even after watching everything. How could they be so heartless? I felt disgusted. I was lucky not to have a father like them.

“They are not bad. That will do.” One knight spoke after observing every inch of Kiara. 

His eyes were filled with filth. Kiara trembled under his gaze as her eyes welled up. Suddenly her eyes moved a little, and she noticed me. Her proud face was covered with shame and humiliation. Her lips trembled as a gasp left her mouth. Probably she wanted to say something but couldn't. Only her lips were able to form the soundless word, 'Help!'

"Chain them. We will take them all to the capital." That knight ordered.

Chain them? Like some animals? I gulped those words hard. I still could remember how badly Kiara treated me, but she was also a human. My aunt was right. No one deserved to be treated this way. Above all, those other girls had never even done anything wrong except being born in a noble house. Suddenly a fragment of my memory flashed in my mind. The words my father said just before leaving for the war.

'My sweet daughter, they are my people, my child, and after me, they are your responsibility. Promise me to look after them.' 

His last words! How could I forget? Those teary faces were never what h wanted to see. He treated his people as his children, and after him, it was my responsibility. I was weak and failed my people till today, but not anymore. Even though I had no experience with politics, even though my uncle tried his best to keep me in the dark, away from the title, I couldn't give in. Mirion's word's flashed in my head. My decision could change the lives of many!

The chain of my thoughts broke as I heard a scream, "No... please, spare me!"

It was Kiara. 

"Father! Please, help me, father. I am your daughter." She begged again while uncle kept numb. Was he even a human? 

A guard was there, caging her hands and ankles with an iron chain as if she was some wild animal.

"Shut up! You better know your worth." One knight yelled over her face, making her whimper. She was still bold enough to protest, whereas those other girls couldn't even spare a word.  

I couldn’t bear the situation any longer. My infatuations turned into a deep shout, “Enough!”

The knights and my uncle stared at me blankly while I entered the hall. Some of those shameless fathers looked at me with glittering hope in their eyes. Were they truly helpless?

“You cannot possibly take them for a mere negotiation. They are humans, and they worth way more. Please LEAVE Narodnye at this instance.” I spoke every word carefully, emphasising on leave.

“And who are you?” A royal warrior questioned. The head knight, I supposed.

“Louisa! What are you saying? They are from the capital.” Uncle spoke worryingly.

"I am well aware of where they are from," I spotted.

"Then I assume you also know their worth in the eyes of the king," uncle's voice changed the tone.

"I know very well who they are and why they are here. I could hardly believe you are siding them." I replied in disgust.

"This is a political matter, Louisa. You shouldn't meddle into it; else the outcome will be unfavourable." Gritting his teeth, he spoke. I know what you meant, uncle! You wanted me dead. Per heaps another late-night attack will be the outcome, wasn't it?  You were selling your daughter and threatening me! How could you be so shameless?

“How could you? Do you have no shame?” I yelled, fixing my eyes at uncle. Then my gaze shifted towards those so-called noble council members of Narodnye.

“And you all once pledged your loyalty to my father. You all claimed to love him to date. This is how you serve your loyalty? Selling your own daughters to the dark emperor?” My voice showed that hidden anger of my heart.

“My lady… we had no choice…” one of them mumbled, lowering his head.

“My father died to protect you all. Was it only to see a day like this? His most trusted subordinates negotiating with those creatures of the dark?” I questioned again.

They kept quiet, even my uncle, hanging their head low. What else could they do? How even could they think of trading their daughters? 

“Lady Louisa of Castle Narodnye? The chosen concubine?” with creases on the forehead, that knight more like questioned himself. I turned towards them.

“NO!” I answered in a clear voice. Glaring at them, disgusted, I declared, “I am duchess Louisa Benson Smirnov Turgenev of castle Narodnye.”

My words consumed the people in the room. An utter silence wrapped the walls. The surprise was written on all over their faces. The surrounding air became heavy. I patiently waited for the comeback.

A peal of sudden laughter broke the uncomfortable calmness. With a frowned face, I looked for the source to find out that same knight.

“The duchess? Aren’t you a little too young for that?” He mentioned.

“My father was the firstborn of this family, and according to the law of Narodnye, I am the only heir of this castle after my legal age of maturity, which is eighteen. I am entitled to be the duchess of castle Narodnye.” Without showing any fear, I answered. I didn’t know how I mustered up that much courage. The only thing that kept ringing in my head was my father died for these people, and I would never let his death go in vain. I would fight until my last breath.

Seemingly my words had no effect on him as he continued to humiliate me, “you are just a lady who has been chosen by the king and nothing more.”

My blood was boiling with their every word. They had no respect for women. Standing on my doorstep, those lowly peasants could even humiliate me! My father would have never allowed that. Any brave soul would never allow that.

“How dare you, a lowly knight, to talk back like this? I will prefer death over becoming his concubine.” My voice trembled in a fury, and my face was red by now. I couldn’t contain my anger anymore.

 “Louisa, stop this. You are not the duchess.” Uncle argued. Of course, he never wanted me to ascend the title of duchess.

“I have seen enough of this, uncle. You are unworthy of this title. A man who cannot protest his child can never protect his people. I am at my legal age, and I am taking over the title from this moment.” I challenged him.

“You…” He wanted to say something, making his way towards me, pulling a tight slap on my face, but his hand was caught in the midair by one of the council members. Two warriors immediately rushed between uncle and me, guarding me against him.

“She is indeed speaking the truth.” That man supported me.

“The one who cannot protect his own child can never protect a castle.” Another from the council spoke up.

I could hardly believe this was happening. My people were supporting me. Uncle became dumbfounded, and I took the opportunity to make him silent forever.

“That’s the law of our land. Challenging me will be challenging the noble council of Narodnye.” I warned him in a cold voice. I never thought I was capable of doing all these. My angel was right. We could never wish for a change; we needed to be the change.

Uncle became silent after my words. I turned towards those maidens. Their faces were glittering with happiness and hope. A distinct satisfaction filled my heart. I wasn’t worthless after all. My father loved them, and I would do what he would have done at the time of need.

Turning towards the royal knights, I ordered, “leave my castle and never come back. Else you will be imprisoned for insulting the duchess.”

“You are making a mistake!” The head knight warned me.

I knew they wanted me to react, but I would never give them the satisfaction. After living in the castle for years, I had seen enough, learnt enough. Taking a deep breath, I regained my composure.

“I am not afraid of the consequences.” I calmly replied.

My sudden calmness scared them. Gritting his teeth, that knight spoke again, “you have insulted the king by defying his orders.”

“A king who prefers to sell his people is no longer our king. The fall of Arak has proven how pathetic he is. From this date, Narodnye will never bow before a coward like him.” I responded. 

My words indeed made the point clear enough. Those knights were furious.

“I will report this to the king. You have started a war, you fool. You will encounter the royal army next. Hundreds of royal ships will reach your shore soon. The Narodnye will see its end because of your stupidity.” Pointing his finger at me, he yelled.

But I wasn’t afraid. I knew the king was a coward but not a fool. He would never break a civil war in such a situation, especially when Lumina was also against his orders. That would bring disaster to the kingdom. 

I smiled at them as I spoke, “We will wait for the day. The Narodnye marine warriors will welcome them happily.”

 As soon as those royals knights stormed out of the castle, I ordered, "release them."

"Yes, my lady," a guard bowed before me, freeing those lasses from the chains.

Kiara rushed towards me and hugged me tightly while whispering, "thank you, cousin. Thank you so much." 

Her voice shivered, so did her arms. I patted her shoulder without any words. My mind was a mess. I never thought I was capable of doing such a thing. Challenging then king, taking over the title. My emotions clouded my mind, making my legs go numb. I pulled away slowly. Swallowing my tears, I rushed towards my chamber. Miriam was waiting for me.

"My lady!" she greeted. 

I didn't utter any word. Closing the wooden door, I hugged her tightly and burst into tears. Was I even ready for this? To take care of all these people? To fight against the king? I knew nothing about politics. How could I rule?

"What will I do, Miriam? I am all alone! And the king will be against me." I whimpered.

I wished I had someone to advise me. I wished I had my father by my side. I was still eighteen years old who never seen the outside of castle Narodnye. Did I make the right choice?

"My lady, some people are royal by birth, but some are born to rule. You did the right thing, and you will find your people by your side." Miriam muttered, caressing my back.