Please be Patient, Grand Duke - Chapter 14.2

“Let us return after ten days then. You need to prepare for your engagement ceremony, present yourself to the Emperor and spend time with Princess Rosina,” said Anastasia.

Kieran was satisfied with his engagement. He had known her for a long time and desired to be connected to the Imperial family. Everything was returning to normal, and Kieran had learned new things after becoming healthier. If his country was protected by goddesses of arts, culture, and agriculture, Geore was ruled by science and war. Therefore, Geore was filled with knowledge he couldn’t learn back home. Ordinary people could make drinkable water using science and a high-energy generator could light the entire palace for three hours. It was amazing, and that was why Kieran hesitated to return home, even after his doctor told him he was cured.

“I will stay in Eton for a year after the engagement ceremony, for Rosina’s benefit.”

Anastasia agreed, although she wanted them to marry soon, Kieran was right. He would become the Duke when they married, which meant he had to be perfect. However, Kieran had too many weaknesses as he had not even graduated from the academy. Even if he couldn’t be stronger than the Ihars, she wanted him to be equal to them.

Anastasia looked at the letters on Kieran’s table after he left the room. There were invitations from Geore academies, greetings from acquaintances, and Rosina’s letter. She smiled to herself knowing that the two of them would make a perfect pair, especially since she saw that they were sending letters to one another every month. She decided to read the letter when she saw that the seal was already broken.

***

“Betty.”

Betty and Pepe looked up at Lia simultaneously and stopped cleaning the room, “Young Master, do you need anything?” Betty inquired.

“Yes, I want to go to town to buy a few things before going to the capital.”

“I will go and prepare the carriage then.”

“Thank you. I will go with Pepe, so please prepare the rest of my luggage.” While Lia had been indifferent as much as she could, Betty looked suspicious.

Lia turned the page of the newspaper she was reading and found an article about the murders on Etear Street, which the Marquis had also read. It was about mourning the women who had died and the hunt to catch the murderer. The journalist had written in detail about how the murders had been committed and emphasized that the culprit only targeted the rich or nobles. Lia could see by the way he carried out the murders, the intense hatred he had within him. What did he hate so much? Power, money, or women? She put the newspaper down on the table as the carriage was ready, and Betty asked Lia as she was putting her jacket on, “What do you need so urgently that you need to go out?”

“There’s a limited edition fountain pen I keep thinking of. The owner has said that he won’t sell more after they’re all sold.”

“Then, I will ask the owner to have one ready. Where is it?”

“What if they are all sold? I will have to go to look at other shops then.” Lia left before Betty could say anything else and climbed in the carriage along with Pepe.

“It’s been a long time since we went out!” Pepe spoke excitedly.

“Do you like going out?”

“Of course!” She replied, with the biggest grin across her innocent face. Pepe waved to Betty as the older woman stood in front of the mansion, making Betty’s face turn into a scowl. Lia opened the window to tell Betty not to worry before the carriage started to move.

“Let’s be back before dinner time.”

“Are you honestly going to buy a fountain pen?” Pepe asked, lifting an eyebrow.

“Yes.”

“Really?”

Lia nodded before adding, “Yes, and also some clothes.”

“Clothes?”

“Not for me but you,” she said smiling, “I told you I will take you to the capital, which means you need suitable clothes.” She watched as Pepe’s face lit up. “Don’t you think it’s high time we got new dresses?”

Pepe nodded in agreement. She was one of the few people who knew that Lia was a girl and she remained silent due to strict instructions given by the Marchioness to do so. Lia could read what Pepe was thinking with those excited eyes, and then she turned her attention to the scenic ride, watching as the magnificent metasequoia trees passed them by.