Revenge of a Duchess

Chapter 3

I took a deep breath before I entered the Queen's rooms. I was here to have tea with her and the prince even though I would rather run in the opposite direction. It was engagement I couldn't wriggle out of, since it was arranged before my father rejected Prince Lucas last week. The fallout had been bad, with the Prince bombarding my father with letters and even the King had gotten involved. And people were whispering all through the city about it, wondering what the Prince did to make the daughter of the Duke refuse him. I had a sneaking suspicion that Lucas had tried to come to our home but my father had stopped him. It didn't matter. I couldn't get out of seeing him today. My stomach was twisting into knots, the image of his dead gaze before I died haunting me. I didn't want anything to do with him now. Why wouldn't he leave me alone?

The butler opened the oak doors to the Queen's lavish rooms with a quick side glance at me. No doubt he would be telling all the staff about my visit later on.

"Lady Yasmine is here, Your Highness," he said, and suddenly the Queen and her wretched son were before me. The Queen was a beautiful woman, with long blonde hair and a sweet smile. I wasn't fooled by it. She was as calculating as every other noble, and she knew how to wield her power properly. I kept my gaze focused on her, unwilling to look at the prince until the last possible moment.

"Your Highness," I said, curtsying prettily. She smiled, watching me carefully.

"Lady Yasmine, it is nice to finally see you. Haven't you got a greeting for my son as well?"

"Of course," I said, and slowly turned towards him. He sat uncomfortably on his chair, staring at me. There was still something so beautiful about him. The blonde hair and the strong jawline, the blue eyes and the way they lit up when he smiled. I used to think that it was his goodness that made him even better looking. That no other man could compare because of that. The sexy edge to his smile when he flirted with me made it even better. Even now, I could feel those butterflies starting in my stomach but it twisted into nausea. This was my murderer. He was sitting watching me, his face very pale.

I curtsyed to him with a quick 'Your Highness' and sat down beside the Queen, as far away from him as possible.

"Please have some tea, Yasmine," the Queen said pleasantly. "We have so much to talk about."

Ugh, she was a snake as well. A predator stalking her prey with ease. A servant poured some tea and I sipped it, burning the edge of my tongue.

"Now, I must have an explanation for your refusal of my son," the Queen said, and I nearly spat out the tea.

"Mother-" Lucas began, but she interrupted him.

"It's best to get to the point."

"I wanted to speak to Yasmine alone," he replied angrily. As if that was going to happen. I would rather be alone with my best friend forever Melanie.

"I'll leave after a reasonable explanation. The situation has been highly embarassing," the Queen said, raising a finely plucked brow. I swallowed my tea, still avoiding Lucas's eyes.

"I refused because we won't be happy together. Prince Lucas and I don't love one another and I have no wish to be Queen. I just want to be the Duchess of Pire. You've satisfied convention by asking a high ranking family for their daughter and now you can ask someone more suitable," I said quickly, placing my teacup down and splashing tea onto the table. Lucas jerked in his chair at my words, his fingers wrapping around the cup as if they were squeezing the life from my neck.

"We don't love one another," he said, his voice low with anger. A faint flush came over his cheeks. "What are you talking about? You know how I feel, Yasmine. I want to marry you, to make you the princess-"

"Don't say that word to me!" I snapped, rage making me lose control. How dare he try and call me that?! When he was going to promise that life, our life, to Melanie. The Queen's mouth was slightly open, her eyes flashing between the two of us. "I'm not a princess and I never want to be! Find some other poor woman to fill that role."

I took a breath and realised how scandalous this looked. The servant standing behind the Queen looked shell-shocked, his mouth twicthing as if he wanted to laugh.

"I apologise for my outburst, Your Highness," I said, nodding to the Queen. Lucas was growing redder by the second.

"I can see there is some confusion here. Perhaps you should speak to my son for a moment whilst I speak to my husband," the Queen said, rising from her seat. Panic flowed through me at the thought of being left here with him. What if he tried to hurt me? I didn't really know this man at all even though I thought I used to. I felt trapped in this room as if it were the dungeon he threw me into.

"I-" But she was already gone. I pushed my chair back, ready to bolt.

"What is going on, Yas? Why did you...why did you say no?" He moved towards me, his hands outstretched as if he wanted to run them through my hair, just like before. When I thought he wanted only me. The strong smell of pine made me shiver.

"I don't want to be with you," I said harshly. "That's all. I have to go, I have another engagement."

I rose from my chair before he could say another word and power walked past the grinning servant, who couldn't mask his amazement.

I pushed open the door and managed to get into the hallway before he stopped me.

His hand brushed my shoulder and I flinched, throwing myself forwards. I spun around, breathing hard. He was staring at me in confusion, his mouth turned down in a frown.

"Yas, I don't know what I've done but I'll fix it! Don't leave like this. We've spoken about being together, there's never been anyone else I want to marry, you know that. I haven't stopped thinking about you since last year and I can't be with anyone else."

Once upon a time the words would have moved me to tears. Here he was, confessing his love. His eyes were shining with unshed tears, his hand was still reaching for mine. It was, all in all, an incredible performance. But that was all it was. I could feel the blade slicing my neck.

"Not anyone else," I said, shaking my head. "There are plenty of woman desperate for your hand, Prince Lucas. I wish you luck in finding someone suitable because it will not be me."

Without another word, I turned on my heel and walked away. He called my name but I was walking too quickly, passing nobles and servants. A lady in a midnight blue gown gave me a look as I passed, whispering about the rejected proposal. I didn't even know where I was walking to, lost in some strange part of the palace, when I walked straight into someone.

"Oh!" I exclaimed, suddenly taking in my surroundings. "Excuse me."

A young man stood in front of me, a surprised look on his face. He had tanned skin and glossy dark hair that fell dangerously close to his eyes. He was tall and well muscled, his strange outfit showing his bare arms and shoulders. He was one of the most beautiful men I had ever seen. And I didn't recognise him from my last life at all.

"It is no problem, lady," he replied in a lilting accent. "Are you lost?"

"Yes," I said, flushing red. "I'm not sure where I am. I want to find the exit."

"Don't we all," he replied, flashing me a smile. I went weak at the knees. "I can show you where to go. Pardon my for being rude, but are you the red-haired Duchess who rejected the prince here?"

I winced. Even handsome foreigners knew about it. The man's dark eyes narrowed and he smiled at my reaction.

"That would be me," I said. "It seems my reputation precedes me. I'm Yasmine."

He led me through various corridors, the two of us alone, which was shocking but I didn't care.

"I'm Asher. But there must be a good reason a beautiful lady like yourself would say no to the blonde prince," he finally replied, running a curious eye over me. I shivered.

"There is," I said, offering no more information. "But nosy people love to make things up to gossip about. I'm just the latest news."

"Are you calling me nosy?" he asked, grinning. I studied him as we walked, my panic at being near Lucas fading. A spark of something ignited in my chest. Maybe it was excitement.

"Maybe I am," I replied. The old me would have been mortified at this conversation. I would have been afraid Lucas would be angry that I was talking to this man alone. But now I could do whatever I wanted. "But, nosy or not, you've been helpful."

He laughed, and the sound was deep and musical. I shivered again. We were beside a large door and I could hear the low hum of voices through it.

"This is a shortcut to the exit," he said with a smirk. "It's been nice meeting you, Yasmine."

He leaned closer to me, and my eyes widened. A whiff of lavender hit me before I took a step back.

"Perhaps I'll see you again," he said with a wink and then he walked away, leaving the door slightly ajar. I stared after him, butterflies in my stomach, and then forced myself through the door to find my panicked attendants.