Please be Patient, Grand Duke - Chapter 17.2

“Young master?”

Lia took a deep breath upon opening her eyes. She had expected to be outside, but she was in her room. Pepe had woken her up late at night in her room.

“Pepe, how did I come here?” Lia asked.

“The young Duke brought you in. He said you fell asleep outside,” said Pepe, “I was so surprised.”

“What? He did?” Lia asked.

“Yes,” said Pepe.

“Where is he now?” asked Lia.

“He went back to the capital,” said Pepe.

Pepe helped take off Lia’s clothes as she sat on the bed. She helped her to the bathroom. She smelt of damp after having fallen asleep in her damp clothes. Lia entered the tub in the warm water and breathed in the lemon and herb scent.

Claude had carried her to her room. She wondered why he hadn’t woken her up instead. She flushed thinking about it. Knowing Claude, he would never have good intentions. She wondered what he might be planning this time.

“Pepe, am I heavy?” she asked.

Pepe laughed. “You are even lighter than me.”

Lia scrubbed herself with the sponge while she murmured to Pepe to not lie to make her feel better. “He will ask how I can be so light despite being a boy.”

Pepe giggled and scattered petals in the tub. She scrubbed Lia’s back. “I am worried that you have grown into a lady now,” she said, “You have curves, and no one will be fooled any longer. Since master Kieran has become well again…”

“Pepe, you are overstepping your boundaries,” Lia warned.

“I apologize,” said Pepe.

“Please don’t say such things again,” she said.

“Understood,” said Pepe.

Lia went back to her bedroom after washing up. Although she had skipped a meal, she didn’t feel any appetite. The Marquis was not here, he was busy with work. Lia was alone in the huge mansion besides the maids and servants. Lia asked for a bowl of fruits instead of food. She opened her bag which had two dresses and a cocoa-coloured wig. She had made Pepe buy them for her. She tugged at the sleeve of the dress, while her mind was far away. Pepe was right, she was growing into womanhood. It would become increasingly difficult to hide her identity no matter how much she wanted to. She understood why the Marchioness had explicitly said a year.

She thought of Ian Sergio, who had kissed her on the back of her hand. She thought of Claude, when he had pushed the sandwich dish in front of her. A man who already knew she was a woman, and another who suspected it. Both were dangerous.

Lia should be wary of them. She resolved to avoid them as much as possible. She knew Anastasia would not keep her promise. Lia closed the bag and helped herself to a helping of the cut fruits that Pepe had brought for her. A light breeze rustled through the curtains covering the open window.

***

“Lian!”

Kieran came running up to Lia the next day as she stood modestly at the entrance and hugged her. Lia could not believe her eyes. Kieran, who had been an innocent and tiny little boy, had returned as a grown man. He was similar in height to Claude and was much more muscular. However, his emerald eyes were the same as she had seen it four years ago. His voice had become deeper. Lia was so happy to see him again and hugged him back. But she saw the Marchioness getting out of the carriage and shook Kieran off.

“Mother,” she said and bowed to Anastasia. The Marchioness smiled and placed a gentle hand on Lia’s shoulder.

“You have done much while I was gone,” said the Marchioness.

“No, you have done much more than that,” said Kieran.

“Thank you. Well, shall we go in?” said Lia, smiling brightly. The Marchioness headed inside the mansion and Lia walked by Kieran’s side.

“You have changed so much!” said Lia, “But all for the better.”

Kieran chuckled. “You have also changed radically, Lian,” he said.

“I haven’t changed much,” protested Lia.

“Oh, you have,” said Kieran, “You look like a lady now. Let’s go in fast. I have something to say.”

Kieran took her hand and they walked hand-in-hand inside the bustling mansion. The luggage looked mixed. Some luggage was carried inside while some were carried out. It was a bittersweet thing that Lia’s luggage was being hauled out while Kieran’s had just arrived. They stood and looked at the luggage being carried in and out and were about to head to Kieran’s outhouse when the Marchioness spoke.

“Lian,” she said in a tired voice, settling herself on the sofa. “Let us talk for a while. Now, please, if you don’t mind.”