Revenge of a Duchess

Chapter 4

"I want to get involved in foreign affairs," I said, and my father spat out some wine, covering the table.

"That isn't something young ladies normally focus on," he replied after cleaning up the spilled wine. It had been a few weeks since I rejected Prince Lucas in person, and my worries about my father had been growing. He was supposed to lose his life on the border with Scylla in a few years. I wanted to stop that from happening.

"Well, it's what I'm focusing on," I said, giving him a serious look. "I want to help with managing affairs for the Duchy. I know we have some land near the border and it would be beneficial to be on good terms with the Scyllans."

My mind wandered to Asher, with his sexy smile and his parting wink. That wasn't why I was doing this.

"I'm not against it, Yas, it's just very...unusual. Prince Lucas has been wanting to visit, you know." I winced. Yes, Lucas had been sending letters that I didn't open. He needed to take the hint. I should send them over to Melanie's house.

"I'm not interested in seeing him," I replied. My father nodded, running a hand through his messy red hair.

"Well, if you're really interested...I can have Tobias teach you about negotiation and Scyllan trade. He meets with the Scyllan ambassadors and tradesmen." Tobias oversaw my father's estates and dealt with imports and exports. It was important to always have the best products, and Scylla produced high quality cloth and valuables. I knew this...because Lucas had told me, in my other life.

"That sounds fantastic!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around him. He chuckled, hugging me back.

"You were never this affectionate before!" he said. "It's nice to have my little girl back."

No, I had thought young woman didn't hug their fathers and only focused on balls and stupid things. What an i***t I was! Melanie had encouraged it, of course, with soft reprimands and raised eyebrows. Speaking of her...

I let go of my father reluctantly.

"I'm sorry to go, but I have an engagement with Melanie," I said, pasting a smile onto my face.

"I was wondering when you would go and see her. You've been so busy," my father replied. "But she's a good friend, it's important to keep them close."

She was my enemy, not my friend. But it was important to pretend that she was still one. It would make her easier to deal with. I didn't even know what treachery I had been accused of in my last life, but she could have been behind it.

I walked back upstairs, leaving my father to his wine, planning to dress the part of the Duke's daughter.

I entered Melanie's small town house, the pretty outer facade giving way to a tired interior. There were chips of plaster peppering the floor and large cracks decorated the old walls of the ceiling. An older servant led the way to a smallish room painted in rose pink where Melanie sat on a small couch, a cup of tea in her elegant hands.

Her eyes widened when she saw the rich blue fabric of my dress, the patterns beyond anything she could afford. I gave her a faint nod of the head, from a superior to someone beneath them in station. I wanted Melanie Villiers to remember who she was.

"Good afternoon," I said sweetly, taking a seat beside her, so close I could smell her sickly rose perfume.

"Where have you been?" she exclaimed, putting a hand to her mouth to gasp dramatically. "It has been forever, Yas! And why haven't you told me everything about Prince Lucas?"

She tilted her head and watched me intently. All in all, I was surprised I hadn't noticed how fake her performance was a long time ago. The fake gasping, the focus on Prince Lucas, it was all so obvious. Her luscious, dark hair framed her heart-shaped face and a faint shimmery powder outlined her eyes. She had always hated her eyes, saying they weren't a nice colour. Of course, I had always denied that but....they stared at me, empty and grey. Colourless. Without life.

A small pain erupted inside my chest. Melanie, my heart sister, my best friend. But I supposed eyes were the windows to the soul after all.

"I just wasn't feeling it anymore, you know?" I answered, enjoying the furrow of her brows as she took in my words. The confusion that all my intense feelings for Lucas were suddenly gone. "He's just a bit...boring."

I shrugged, and her eyes narrowed.

"But what about the Queen? Surely she won't be happy about breaking the engagement with the Duchy of Pire? And Prince Lucas just adores you. He must be devastated."

Why was she trying to push me back towards Lucas? Didn't she want him for herself?

"I think he'll recover," I replied, letting a flicker of false concern cover my face. "I just wouldn't want him to be with me when my heart isn't really in the marriage. And I'm sure the Queen will require another noble replacement worthy of a prince."

Melanie scowled and then tried to cover it by sipping her tea. Melanie Villiers, daughter of Lord Villiers of the middle of nowhere wouldn't be a very noble replacement. I really did wonder how she had managed to get Lucas in our last life. The scheming Queen wouldn't have been very pleased.

"I'm sure," she replied, patting my shoulder. "But who will you marry now?"

She went to place her tea on the table in front of us but suddenly it slipped from her hands.

"Ah!" she gasped, her hand going to her head. I grabbed her arm, wondering what this performance was. Or... if it even was acting?

The tea cup shattered on the floor and a servant came rushing in.

"Miss Melanie!" the servant shouted, coming over to her. She had her head between her knees, her hands covering her ears.

"What's wrong?" I asked her, still holding her arm.

"Yas...Yasmine..." she muttered, slowly lifting her head. "W-where am I?"

I stared at her, wondering what was going on. In my last life, I would have been so worried, wondering if my soul sister was going to become really ill. But now...I surveyed the scene with coldness. What was wrong with her?

"You're at home," I said gently. "Everything is alright."

"You're safe, Miss Melanie," the servant said, her voice high with stress. "I can get your father if you wish. I think you should retire to bed."

"N-no..." Melanie whispered. She shook her head and tried to stop her hands from shaking. "I'm sorry Yas. I didn't mean to smash the cup. Maybe you could stay for a while? I've been having these dreams..."

So her awfulness was catching up with her, was it? Or was this another ploy to pump me for more intimate information now that I thought she was unwell and would cater to her?

"I don't think that is wise, Melanie," I replied, taking my hand away from her arm. "I think you should rest. I don't want to overexcite you, especially as you aren't well."

"B-but-"

"I think Lady Yasmine is correct," a booming voice from the doorway to the room announced. I glanced up and saw Lord Villiers, his hawkish eyes focused on his daughter. "My daughter must rest, my lady. She has been under the weather for the last week or so. However, I am sure she would benefit from visits from you after she has recovered."

I smiled, a flicker of unease darting through me. My father had always valued Lord Villiers, but there was always something about him that made me uncomfortable. He was a big man, well-muscled and fit, with a dominating presence. His dark hair was the same as Melanie's, and his eyes were always cool and icy.

"Of course," I replied, wanting to get out of there as quickly as possible. It had been a strange afternoon. Melanie reached out a hand as if to stop me, but I deftly avoided her with a quick 'Goodbye' and a bow to Lord Villiers before leaving the room. I heard the low rumble of Lord Villiers as I left the house.