For a moment I thought he would notice the tears in my eyes, he would ask me what had happened. Oh, what a fool I was!

When I looked at him he was looking at me with indifferent cold eyes. I wished there would be a way to leave him too, to go back in the arms of my mother.

'Oh, Marianne, how could you be this weak' I chide myself.

"I hope my conditions are easy to fulfil, your highness," I said, trying my best to control my voice.

Thank goodness it sounded better than I thought. Even after the pain, I was feeling in my heart, I sounded cold just like him.

"Ha, so you think by controlling all your father's properties you will have the power to subdue me?

Or do you think you will control the dukedom in future by taking control of Killian?

You are not only greedy but clever too. I underestimated you in the past Marianne." he spat each word through gritted teeth.

"You are free to think as you wish my lord. But those properties belong to my father, and as his daughter, I have complete right over them.`` I replied, raising my chin and taking a sip of wine.

"You know very well, that all the rights are transferred to your husband after marriage," he added ready to not accept her wishes.

I laughed coldly at his choice of words, so he wanted to have the rights of a husband even when he did not fulfil a single duty.

"His highness, are you not ashamed to ask for the right of a husband. Have I been given the rights of being a wife?" I said every word very slowly and clearly so that it sank into his mind.

"No woman had ever asked the properties back, it is not something I can decide over," he said, playing his trump card at the end.

I nodded, it had never happened before. But that didn't mean it could never happen.

"I understand your highness, then let me try to request his majesty in this matter," I replied, keeping my face calm.

"But for now I wish to take over my right over the management of duchess duties." I said, "I hope it is something we can do." I added before he could deny.

He looked at me with red eyes, then without even giving a reply, he took off from the seat he had occupied.

I rose from my seat slowly as my legs had turned weak. There was no emotion on my face. But my heart was weeping. All those memories still hit me as a dagger pierced deep into my soul.

He walked as quickly and left the room just like he had come, unannounced.

I only wiped my tears then and walked out of the room. I dragged my tired body and legs, the room around the corner felt like it was miles away.

The moment I reached the bed, I collapsed on it. The tears I had stopped with so much difficulty started flowing again as the dam had broken.

How much time had passed, when sleep finally took me in her arms. I woke up alone in bed the next day. As the sun rays announced the arrival of the next day, I felt better.

Last night was a bad dream, I had lived many times in the past. I looked around, new maids were standing in the corner. What was their name! Right, Daisy.

But before I could call her, Lina entered and whispered something in their ears.

It looked like they didn't realise I was awake.

"Lina"

She flinched when I called her name and turned back. She bowed and greeted me, "your highness"

"Did something happen?" I asked the wide-eyed girl.

Sure they were talking about something serious. To be honest I was not ready for any bad news right now. Last night had already done damage to my strong will.

"Your highness, lord Killian had sent his maid. He had requested to have dinner with you."

That's when I remembered that Killian was sitting there the whole time. I had stopped him to know about his decision. But at the end of the conversation when Cassius had called me greedy, I had forgotten about his presence.

Past had embraced me in his arms so tightly, that my present was turned into a complete blur. I just left the dining hall without even remembering he was looking at my every action.

Now he would also think I was a selfish woman. Or I was a heartless lady who had not cared an ounce about him.

I laid down on the bed again, trying to collect my broken pieces.

"What time is it?"

"It is way past noon, your highness" she replied hesitating

I nodded, still looking at the ceiling, lying in my bed.

"Inform Lord Killian, we will be there on time," I informed her.

My eyes kept staring at the beautiful designs drawn, small intricate silver threads were joined and used to make beautiful flowers but all I could see was their web-like structure.

How my life had turned into the same web. I had thought I would live happily once I had realised God had given me another chance to live.

"Your highness" she called me, her voice was unsure, looks she could feel the gloom emanating from my body.

Finally, I gave her a glance, she was waiting for me.

"Your highness, your lunch," asked Lina in a hesitant voice.

"I am not hungry, prepare for my bath. I want to take one with medication oils to soothe my nerves." I ordered.

"Yes, your highness" she bowed and left.

How much time had passed, I was still there in the same position when the maids returned.

"Your bath is ready, your highness." informed the new maid Daisy.