The Duke's Unwanted Wife

While she was riding to the Duke's Mansion with Sebastian, Alana thought it was uncomfortable but she had been on more awkward rides and thus appreciated the fact that he didn't start any overly curious nor intrusive conversations. He didn't start one, period. But riding in a carriage with Fredrich, Alana definitely thought she would be stricken with lightning. She occupied the space meant for another person without a single argument whatsoever! What's worse, she didn't even want to be there!    

    

"Is there anything, in particular, you'd like to see in Traisen?"    

    

“I would like to visit the Beldania memorial”    

    

The smile that occupied his face dropped. There were a few things that could trigger the Duke, one of them being the Beldania memorial. A few years back, the forces of the empire invaded the Kingdom’s southeast, almost breaking through. The former Duke Kristen risked his life to fend off the invasion, dying at the hands of one of the generals of the empire’s army. The memorial was built to honor him and the hundreds of soldiers that died in the invasion.    

    

“Would I be intruding?”    

    

“......no”    

    

Actually, his childhood was a bit tragic. Since his father died when he was younger, the burden of the dukedom fell on his mother’s shoulders. Raising her child and supporting the dukedom was a lot for her and she eventually fell ill, going to seek refuge in a coventry. Thus, Fredrich had to take over the dukedom at a young age without either of his parents.    

    

“I’ll take you there. It’s been a while since I’ve gone to see father”    

    

Alana was really thankful for his immediate approval. She really had to go to the graveyard. It was important for both her and Leilin. She only smiled outwards, regardless of whatever she was thinking, and looked outside the carriage. The normal scene of a bustling town came to view and it was relaxing to watch. That was until a carriage passed by, bearing the arms of the Adamantine house. She couldn’t see inside the carriage but she knew with certainty that Sebastian and Natalia were in there.    

    

“Isn’t that the Duke’s official carriage?” Sebastian asked after casting a short glance outside.    

    

“Let’s ignore that and focus, Sebastian. We have more important things to do”    

    

“If only you’d let me at him…..”    

    

“NO. Let it go, Bastian. Please”    

    

Sebastian sighed, closing the curtains. None of the carriages stopped, each continuing to their various destinations. Natalia’s attention went back to the catalog at hand, showing the shops that were up for sale in Traisen. Extending a branch of her business in Traisen was something she never considered in the past. In this life, she was more than willing to live for herself.    

    

“You still haven’t decided?”    

    

“None of the shops I’m seeing are in the areas I want. I might have to persuade someone to sell their shop to me”    

    

“Won’t that be against the neutral trade agreement? They can spread rumors about nobles coercing commoners to sell their properties”    

    

“Indeed, it’s such a hard thing to bypass. I might even be charged higher or sold the shop illegally which would definitely cost higher. Well, that’s why I have you here, my dearest brother Bastian~”    

    

“There’s no way you’d truly see me and not try to use me” he sighed, his mouth upturning into a smile. His sister rarely asked for help but when she did, it was always interesting to follow through.    

    

“Which area are you interested in?”    

    

“The border of the Forest of Damnation”    

    

“You want to set up shop near the most dangerous part of the town?”    

    

“Also recruit men that work in the forest”    

    

“You’re planning something reckless again, aren’t you? As long as you are safe, I don’t mind. We have to stop at the realtor before we proceed to check the properties in the area. Leave the talking to me”    

    

“Of course, brother”    

    

They soon arrived at a large building with the inscription of Emirite Realtors. It didn’t have a family crest despite being such a large building with elaborate decorations which meant it was owned by a commoner with affiliations to the Merchant Association. This particular Realtor was owned by someone who was very high up in the organization, someone more powerful than most nobles. However, someone like him would still have to submit to the Marquis.    

    

The two walked in and were immediately ushered into a private room. They were served tea where they didn’t have to wait long to be received by the manager in charge of the store.    

    

“Good day to you, Duchess Kristen, Lord Adamantine”    

    

The teacup in their hands halted. It was the first time she had been addressed like that, excepting the town guard who saw her come in the Duke’s carriage. If he addressed her as such, then news had already spread of who she was, despite not holding a tea party to introduce herself. It was way overdue and yet, she was unwilling to do it.    

    

As for Sebastian, he was used to them addressing his sister as Lady Adamantine. She had become Duchess Kristen in such a short period of time, making her seem like someone so distant. It was a strange feeling he didn’t like. He dropped the tea cup back on the saucer loudly.    

    

“Is the tea not to your liking, my lord?”    

    

“It’s so so” he replied, glaring at the manager. Natalia could more or less guess what was going on in his mind so she patted his hand.    

    

“We’re here to find properties around the border of the Forest of Damnation”    

    

“I’m sorry my lord but due to the low demand, we don’t really have properties for sale around there. The security is bad and the influence of the underworld there is strong. The property we have closest to there is located right beside the town’s guard station. It is a property that has not yet been claimed by them yet because of the constant violence”    

    

“.....I see. What do you think, Natalia?”    

    

“It should be worth checking out. Can we see it today?”    

    

“Of course, my lady. If you would just follow me……”    

    

“Are you sure you want that type of property, Natalia?” Sebastian whispered to Natalia. She smiled and lowered her teacup on the saucer.    

    

“We should check it out first, shouldn’t we, Bastian?”