I Was Supposed to Kill the Duke, But I Became His Wife Instead
Episode 3
The next evening, in the grand dining hall
Aria sits across from Aemilian at the long wooden table, servants bustling around them
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
*looking up from his wine* You have good taste
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
The wine, the meal, the conversation
Aria Vale/FL
*smiling* I thought you didn't notice such things
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
*coldly* I notice everything
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
I just choose not to comment on most of it
Aria Vale/FL
💭 He's like a fortress
Aria Vale/FL
💭 Impossible to read
Aria Vale/FL
💭 But I'll break through
Servants bring out the main course - roasted pheasant and vegetables
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
You're not eating
Aria Vale/FL
I'm savoring the moment
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
You have a silver tongue
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
But your eyes tell the truth
Aria Vale/FL
💭 I need to be more careful
Aria Vale/FL
And what truth do my eyes tell?
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
*leaning in* That you're not who you claim to be
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
That you have secrets
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
That you're dangerous
Aria Vale/FL
*smiling* Everyone has secrets, Your Grace
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
*smirking faintly* Indeed
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
But I have nothing to hide
Aria Vale/FL
💭 That's where you're wrong, Your Grace
Aria Vale/FL
💭 You have everything to hide
Suddenly, the doors burst open
A panicked servant rushes in
Servant
Your Grace! Lady Aria!
Servant
The king's men they're here! They demand an audience!
Aemilian stands abruptly, face darkening
Servant
They’re in the courtyard now
Servant
Banners of the royal crest
Servant
They… they said it’s urgent
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
*curt* Prepare the receiving chamber
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
Bring wine
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
And no one speaks unless spoken to
He turns to Aria, his voice flat but sharp
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
Come with me
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
Smile like you belong here
Moments later — the grand receiving chamber
The king’s men stand tall in gold-trimmed uniforms
At their head: Lord Verran, the Crown’s High Marshal
Lord Verran Aldric
• Age: 48
• The Crown’s High Marshal — commander of all royal military forces
• Stern, strategic, and unwavering in discipline
Lord Verran Aldric
Your Grace
Lord Verran Aldric
Lady Aria
Lord Verran Aldric
Forgive the intrusion, but His Majesty requires answers
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
Answers to what?
Lord Verran Aldric
*glancing at Aria* Rumors
Lord Verran Aldric
Whispers that your engagement is a… fabrication
Aria Vale/FL
💭 So soon? Who tipped them off?
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
*calmly* Then allow me to put them to rest
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
Aria and I are quite… fond of each other
Lord Verran Aldric
*skeptical* Then you won’t mind proving it
Aria Vale/FL
💭 They want a show
Aria Vale/FL
💭 Let’s give them one
She steps closer to Aemilian, fingers brushing his sleeve
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
*a flicker of hesitation* You may
She cups his face cold, sculpted, too still and leans in slowly
Aria Vale/FL
💭 I’ve kissed men to poison them
Aria Vale/FL
💭 I’ve kissed men to kill them
Aria Vale/FL
💭 But this… feels different
But the silence it leaves is deafening
Lord Verran Aldric
*clearing throat* Very well
He turns away, satisfied but watchful
Lord Verran Aldric
His Majesty will expect you both at court within the week
Lord Verran Aldric
Congratulations… fiancé and fiancée
The soldiers file out, and the doors close again with a heavy thud
Aria Vale/FL
*backing away slighty* You kissed me back
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
*coolly* You kissed me first
Aria Vale/FL
💭 He deflects everything
Aria Vale/FL
💭 Like he’s scared to feel anything at all
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
Stay close
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
The king’s court isn’t half as dangerous as this castle
Duke Aemilian Cross/ML
And it already has knives pointed at both our backs
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