Reincarnated as the Lady Prodigy

Thirty

Meeting Duke Alerra

JOZINE/ZAIRE LEVI'S POINT OF VIEW

24 hours. I've been locked up in this goddamned room for 24 hours but my blood pressure is still the same. I. Am. Fuming. Mad.

First of all, there is nothing to do here since I'm under house, room-arrest, meaning, I am not allowed to leave my room unless I'm permitted to do so, bullshit, I know. Secondly, Clarence has the gall to visit me even when I said I refused. Stupid right? It doesn't look like all the servants are willing to listen to me, I noticed that when I returned. I also noticed that some or servants, those that I'm quite close with are gone. Fired. I already who did that decision, she was the one who got the guts to visit my room despite being rejected. The knights guarding my room obviously won't listen to me. Who would listen to a talentless hunter? No one. Not in the damned mansion at least. Lastly, Felicia once again surprised me with the news that tomorrow Duke Alerra will visit the mansion to meet his betrothed, me. ME.

They are so freaking persistent, aren't they?

As much as I’d like to believe that Duke Alerra somehow fell in love with me at first sight, if he really saw me, I don’t think I can’t trust that naïve thought. Love at first sight? By someone like Duke Alerra? I don’t want to judge but I don’t think so. His reputation and the fact that his Ducal house was one of the houses that funded and helped the foundations of the kingdom makes me wonder why. Why would someone of that standing willing to marry someone who’s only a noble in name and has little land compared to the others?

Vesaurius Household. A noble household without any title. What could this household offer to someone like him? Why me? The now-talentless Lady Jozine. It just doesn’t make sense. Its suspicious.

“Haa,” I breathed. The preparations are ready. Elise and the others are also safe since they didn’t return back in the mansion. It was such a good thing to have Amba remain in the mansion while I was away. I learned a lot of news about the mansion and Griselda. Tion is still in the capital. It’s convenient having the rats gather information for her since they’re not magical beings that can be usually detected by magic, it’s possible to have them as intel.

Duke Alerra. Sought after by countless noble ladies back in the capital but turned them all down for me. Others think that I’m a lucky lady to have someone like him chase after me. Bleh. Nonsense. Such a man whose ambitions can drive him to do anything. Duke Alerra is rather a secretive man, which adds to his appeal, especially to young ladies. Man, ladies love someone mysterious, it just gives them a reason to conquer that man more, not for me though. Although I don’t know what he wants from me, I discovered quite a number of unexpected things about him.

He’s supposed to be a refined man, prudent and confident, but, according to Amba, Duke Alerra has a hobby of collecting girls. It’s not every night but he has quite the taste. How passionate. He must be active with his s****l life, how envious. Just kidding! Haha!

“Are you ready, Lady Jozine?” asked the maid from behind the door. I took a quick glance at myself in the mirror. I look like the proper Lady Jozine with this gown, my hair is also tied like a flower with some loose strand. My dress shows my neck delicately and some of my cleavages since. I think this is the purpose as to why my hair is style this way. I look proper, but, a little sexy compared to how Jozine is usually dressed.

My shoes made a clacking sound while I’m walking, although I don’t like high-heeled shoes, man, the sound is satisfying! Kukuku! I didn’t even notice I’m grinning alone with my eyes close just to savor the sound of the maid didn’t call for me and reminded me that we have arrived.

What a bummer. I was having fun. The shoe sound sure is satisfying.

With a heavy sigh, I opened the door of the tea room. I heard the sound of the maid’s gasp but I don’t know what the gasp is for.

“Greetings Duke Alerra, I am Jozine Vesaurius, first daughter of the Vesaurius Household.” I greeted with proper courtesy. I didn’t learn this. I don’t need to. This was all based on Jozine’s memory and my body seems used to it even though I haven’t done this personally.

“You may raise your head. I’d like to see how lovely the first daughter is.” Why does that sound like I’m being sold? Wait, in a way, I am. Hoho.

I raised my head and looked at the Duke in the face. Ah, he’s handsome alright. Dark blonde hair, proud nose, his presence screams nobility. His stance, his eyes, his gestures are all refined. He’s another example of a perfect noble.

He smiled to Felicia beside him, “Truly, your daughter lives up to her reputation.” What reputation? Not having magic? Heh, as much as I’d like to retort like that, unfortunately, I can’t. I can’t be rude to him since he is still a Duke regardless of my dislike of him. I might be prejudice against him but I really don’t like him. He gives me the feeling. I have to be wary of this man. This man, he’s strong. His eyes too… there is something about the way he looks at me. It’s not the way you look at someone you like or admire. It’s the look of someone interested. Interested in a way I know that I won’t like. As if a child who got his new toy. It’s eerie.

I fake a chuckle like a proper lady, “You flatter me, my duke. I am simply someone without magic. For that reason, I am rather doubtful if I am worthy to stand beside the Duke.” Heh, get that! Aren’t I such a proper lady? Wahahahaha. Damn, I’m bored. Must I continue boot-licking this dude? I don’t like it.

“Oh, you shouldn’t concern yourself with such matters, Lady Jozine. I shall handle everything while you must only remain beside me. Comfortably.” He stated with a smile.

Hmm… I smiled too and looked away. “Please, don’t look at me like that, Duke. I…”

He chuckles before he asked Felicia to leave the two of us alone while we stroll the garden. Felicia left with a warning in her eyes.

We are now walking in the garden, the Duke would occasionally ask me stuff about me, what I look, what I do. He would ask me things a man would usually ask to a lady he likes.

“Duke Alerra, I wonder, how did you know about me? Have we… met before?” Maybe he’s part of the missing memories? Jozine must have known him but just forgot about him?

He glanced at me, “Ah, this would be our first official meeting. I knew about you back when you were studying in the capital. I heard tales of the only light magic user who can use attack magic through it. I was interested so I tried meeting with you but… as a student you were rather busy and you always travel around helping others. I choose not to bother you and leave you be.”

“O-Oh… I… I’m sorry. To think I let the Duke— “

“No, don’t apologize. It was my choice, you had no idea about it. When I heard about what happened to you and the state you are in right after you lost your magic, I decided to pursue you once again.

“Pursue me?” Pursue? Is this pursuing me? This is downright tying me down to him. Agh. This is the way of the nobles. My gosh, if you want someone to court them, ask them out! Not asking them for marriage where they don’t have a choice but to agree. What the hell. This is supposed to be romantic but still… I feel something is off.

“Yes. Pursue you, Jozine.” He said my name so lovingly.

I stared at him before I nodded my head. I see…

I smiled at him. “Thank you, Duke— “

“Michael. Michael Alerra, you can call me Michael.”

The Duke and I spent our time in the garden until afternoon and then the Duke big goodbye.

I went back to my room after meeting Felicia who kept asking about what happened between us and what we talked about. Such gossiper.

I sigh while staring at the ceiling. He’s a romantic man.

However, what’s with the evil magic around him? Is he… was I right? 

To be continued...