Bullied by my Step-brothers

Chapter 3

When I woke up again, there was a face on top of mine calling my name over and over. It was Dorian, trying to wake me up to my surroundings.

I heard, "Her eyes are opened," as I tried to sit up. "Why do you bother doing anything? You need two days of rest," Dorian told me, knowing that I wasn't ready to think straight.

I didn't even try to speak because I was so tired. I just laid down and rested. The day went by quickly because I slept on the comfortable bed for hours until evening.

After a long sleep, I decided to leave the mansion on my own. I took off the blanket that was covering me, opened the room door, and walked out in the red dress I was given. I walked slowly to make sure no one heard me. The hallway was confusing because it was full of old pictures in beautiful frames. The clean tiles felt good under my feet as I walked slowly. I didn't even know where to go because I didn't know how I got out of there.

"Where do you think you're going?" a deep voice asked from behind me, surprising me. I turned around to see his face, which was still as beautiful as ever. He leaned in closer and asked, "Are you not running away?"He said with a smile.

Whatever it was that drew me to him also stopped my lips from moving. I just stood there staring at him. "I did tell you to stay in bed," he said, staring into my eyes. "Well if you don't want to rest, I'll have to take matters into my own hands," he said, easily lifting me up.

He held me softly with his strong hands, and all I could do was look into his eyes as he carried me. I almost screamed, but I put my hand over my mouth to keep from going off.

He went into the room I was given and carefully placed me on the bed while carefully watching my face and lips. He then laid my head down and said in a soothing voice, "Don't try to leave; I'll make sure you get good rest; trust me; I'll never hurt you."

I tried to stop thinking about him because his smile made me feel even better. Then I asked myself, "Why is he doing all of these things?" "I hardly know him," I thought, and then I felt someone at the door. "I know the questions you have, but I can only answer them when you've had enough rest to make a decision—the decision to marry me," Dorian said, looking at me. I could see that the top button of his shirt was undone, and his hair covered part of his shoulder. "Anyway, good night, my lady," he said as he shut the door.

Thinking about what he had said made my heart race as my feet shook quickly on the bed. I wanted to scream with joy; this was heaven. My mind kept going back to his actions and words, like how he had held my back and stopped me from falling. When he picked me up, my face turned red, and I felt my heart racing. I have only known him for two days, but whatever it was, I didn't want it to end.

Since I got up as early as I usually do, the morning was pretty busy. It was hard to get through the house to get to the kitchen. I wanted to greet Master Dorian but was told he had to go to an important meeting, so I decided to cook him something to thank him.

The maids in the kitchen watched me nervously walk up the stairs. "Please, my lady, you can't be here; you need to rest. Your food will be brought to you," one of them said, holding my hand. "Well, I know how to cook, and I plan to make something for Master Dorian. Can you at least let me do this much?" I begged.

"Well, we'll help you, ma'am," she said. As I cooked, my face lit up with happiness. The kitchen was big enough for more than ten people to work at once, and with the girls' help, I made a delicious meal before the master came home.

I quickly went to the living room and told him I had made him some food. As he sat down, he looked at me and said, "Well then, my lady, I'll have a taste of your food."

I saw him look at me and then at the food, and his fingers moved in a strange way. The room was empty, and all the maids had already left. I wanted to leave, but he kept looking at me. "Please, come here. You can't prepare a meal and then walk away," he said, picking up his cutlery. I slowly walked closer to him, and he dropped it, pulling me so close that I fell on his lap. I was scared, but he smiled at my stunned face.

"Are you really against me?""N...No Master Dorian, it's not like that," I said, still trying to avoid him. "Then look at me," he said, putting his hand on my face and pointing to himself. I turned around to see his beautiful dark grey eyes staring deep into mine. "Please enjoy your meal," I said, trying to calm down. "Well I do know that I'll love the meal," he said, looking at my confused face. "Just be mine Kathleen," his voice said.

He knew I was ready when I let him kiss my hand and say, "I know you don't want to say anything, but I need to hear that you agree to be mine. I'm not forcing you, my lady; it's your choice." I told him, "Yes, I'll be yours," and I didn't even wait for him to finish. Now I'll be his wife, Dorian's wife, the dark duke's woman, Kathleen Dorian Valerion. I didn't seem to care; at least I'd be loved and cared for. I'll make sure my stepmother feels bad about what she did to me, and for now I'll enjoy being a duchess.