Bala: The Duke's Contract Wife

A Duchess that Maraina Needs

Victor didn't visit Rose that night. The man was unfortunately busy with his work. Even Rose couldn't see his face for a few days.

Rose herself was busy helping Rositta and Johan return the children to their families. Most still had families living in Maraina. Countess Corina assisted them in arranging carriages to send the children back to their respective homes.

Those who had no families left from the beginning or rejected by their own families were given a place in Countess Corina's orphanage.

"I always couldn't believe the nasty rumors of you in Elysseria, Duchess," Countess Corina said suddenly in her office at the orphanage. The building stood very close to the residence of Countess Corina. "Before I left for Maraina, I met you at a tea party arranged by your mother. You're a very smart and sweet kid."

Countess Corina immersed herself in reading the report of the names of children and the finances of her orphanage. While Rose helped to sort out how to accommodate the new children with necessities such as clothes and food.

"And now that you've arrived in Maraina..." Countess Corina turned her head, looking away at the large window behind her desk. Some children were playing in the front garden of the orphanage. "...You make Maraina better."

The old woman turned her face back, facing Rose. "You are the Duchess that Maraina has been needing." A knotted smile appeared on her face.

Rose was stunned. It was the first time someone praised her performance. At Fullmeir's residence, everything she did was considered a pass by Rendre. Except... Pierre often appreciated the schemes Rose made.

"I have to be a competent Duchess," Rose said, "Otherwise Vic—I mean, the Duke, wouldn't allow me to live in Maraina."

Unexpectedly, Countess Corina laughed out loud when she heard Rose. Confused, the girl raised her eyebrows. Countess Corina finally stopped laughing because she saw Rose being confused.

"Are you serious?" asked Countess Corina, "Is that what the Duke told you?"

"That's what we agreed on. And I'm just saying this to you because I trust you," Rose continued, "If you leak it, you'll pay for it."

Countess Corina fell silent. "Really? I find it hard to believe that."

"Why?"

"Duchess, don't you see the way the Duke looks at you?"

Rose closed the report book in her hands. She was done with all the children's needs. "How does he look at me?"

Countess Corina's brown eyes stared straight at Rose. "The Duke looks at you like... he desires for you."

Suddenly Rose remembered Victor's eyes when he had just returned from his expedition. The gaze on his eyes when Victor persuaded Rose to do their first night. Thinking about it brought a sense of heat to Rose's cheeks and neck.

She averted her face away from Countess Corina. "He needs my skills."

"I think it's more than that," Countess Corina said again.

"Why are you saying the same thing as Rositta did?" asked Rose angrily, "What do you know?"

Hearing Rose's tone, Countess Corina frowned. "Duchess... Don't tell me, you've never been in love?"

Rose stared at the old woman. She did not understand why Countess Corina suddenly spoke the word 'love'.

"If what you're referring to is love, that implies a desire between two people without a blood relationship... I don't believe that."

Rose dropped her eyes to the fingers on her lap. Love doesn't exist. The last time she felt loved was when she was with her mother. But it was a long time ago that she forgot what it was like. And the more time passed, she has eliminated the desire to be loved by others. She didn't need love.

Countess Corina chuckled. "Then you're in for a sweet surprise."

Rose was about to ask what the old woman meant when Rositta walked into the room. "Duchess. Young Duke Paul and the Duke have picked you up."

Countess Corina raised both of her eyebrows, her face showing interest. "They picked you up together?"

"Victor–the Duke asked me to accompany him to the city. I just found out today he took Paul too."

"You don't have to use the Duke title in front of me. After all, the Duke himself asked you to call him by his name, didn't he?" continued Countess Corina, "Duchess, I hope this is not too forward. But... What did you feel when you were with the Duke and Young Master Paul?"

What do I feel?

Rose squinted, trying to understand what the Countess was thinking. But she couldn't get the slightest idea. Rose became confused about how to answer the countess.

What do I feel when I'm with them?

Rose recalled every time Paul visited her room and they ended up sleeping together, trying to get rid of each other's nightmares. Then she recalled how Victor wiped away her tears. Only that man has ever seen Rose cry since her mother's death. Then, how Victor's touch or even stare created a feeling she couldn't name appear inside her.

What do I feel?

Rose realized that she had been silent for a long time and that she couldn't answer Countess Corina. Those facts upset her. She was always the one with the answers and could understand things quickly. Not knowing is a weakness. 

She looked into the eyes of Countess Corina. She didn't know why the old lady looked at her with such a gentle look.

"You don't know what you're feeling...," the countess said.

Rose became more upset. She didn't like to be the one not knowing something. But Countess Corina's words were a fact. And because Rose couldn't argue, she finally left the room straight away. Without saying goodbye to the owner of the building or Rositta, she rushed to the front yard of the building.

Once at the front door, a white chariot with Maraina insignia stood before her.

Victor came out of the chariot with a blooming smile. And just like that, Rose's previous anger just vanished.

The man stretched out his arms. "It's time to pay your last debt, Rose."

Rose couldn't help herself not to smile.