"Do you accept this divorce?Grace Babthorp"

"I do"

"Then l, the high priest by the will of the most high God declare you two no longer as husband and wife.The string that has bonded you is cut off and to this the people here are the withness, may he blesses you both in your separate paths"

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Year 1545,

The hurried foot steps of the servents could be heard all thought the halls of the Marquess's estate. The former Marchioness's departure was the occasion.

In the kitchen,Madam Roseanne, the head maid could be seen brewing the tea.She stopped short to let out a sigh and continued her work.

" Something seems to be bothering madam Roseanne" The former Marchioness asked as she entered. "Milady" Roseanne reculently began, "It's true that l'm more than happy that you could finally be free from this loveless marriage, but the future of the household without you also vexes me.The Babthorp household truely lost a great head".Grace mirrored the small smile that Roseanne offered her with those words.She let her fingers linger on the cutlery at the table as she observed them, "But l believe lady juli will be a capable Marchioness" "Milady, pardon me but she doesn't have qualities to be one" Roseanne said with an undertone displaying the visible displeasure as she recalled her. The former Marchioness, Grace Orlowe, previously a Babthorp do understands the reason of her negetive reaction to Lady juli. Juli Eston, second daughter of Viscount Eston was......a woman with rather arrogant behavior, not to mention the rumors that circulates about her ill temper. She also seems to have crazily fallen for the Marquess, mistaking his kindness as him trying to woo her. (please don't ask how that happened, the author has no idea) because of this, she would try to embarrass and provoke Grace, ah yes that pretty common plot for the villainess in every romance comics.The back and forth continued even if Grace didn't wanted anything to do with that.For her everything was a burden, this marriage, the status of a Marchioness, she's more than happy to let Juli have it all.

"Lady juli is still young and inexperience, she'll learn with time and will become mature after all she'll have you all with her to help her build this estate stronger" Grace said with a smiling face as she held Roseanne's hands. Roseanne huffed but laughed shortly "always a silver tongue aren't you milady?" "Of course, a trait necessary for a successful noble" Grace answers with soft chuckles.

"SOME ONE CATCH THEM!!"

Their hearty talks was interrupted by the shouts of the servents. "THEY'RE GOING TOWARDS THE KITCHEN CHAMBER", another voice shouted and this time it felt like a woman's. Madam Roseanne exited the kitchen with Grace following behind. "What's all the noise about?" demanded Roseanne. The young maid flinched as she hesitantly opened her mouth to speak, "The kids wanted to bide the Marchioness farewells and didn't agree when l said they couldn't before they wash up". "Sigh, you two... What should l do with you?" Roseanne exclaimed loudly. The kids kept there heads downcast, clearly ready to be scolded but were surprise to be rather greeted by the smoothing voice of the Former Marchioness.

Two little kids who barely looked older than 9 came in Grace's view. She kneels down to their height. "Are those for me?" Grace asked as she eyed the carnations at their hands.

"YES" the kids exclaimed cheerfully as they're eyes shined with excitement.This made her chuckle as she proceed to accept their gift of token as they said. She took off the rings on her index and little finger and gave them to the two kids.

"My Lady that- " The butler who stood there silently all this time voiced. "It's alright, they gave me something beautiful so it's my duty to reward them".The butler looked uneasy but didn't say anything.

"Milady, will you visit us again in future?"the little boy of the two asked.

"That..."Grace begans "is not something l can promise". Maybe she shouldn't have told them the truth because now they look really heartbroken.

"But, you two are more than welcome to visit me anytime you like".The dejected expression soon left their faces as they asked rather loudly drawing attention of others.

"Really??!"

"Yes" She nodded.

"Then we..... we will bring Lady more flowers when we do", this time the little girl spoke up.

"Alright"Grace agrees.

The kids said their last goodbyes as a maid took them away to wash them up.

"The carriage is ready,My lady" The butler said.

"Alright"

He walked her out and as Grace was about to get in the carriage the butler spoke up.

"Pardon me my lady but the lord wanted you to take along with you his gifts".He continues as Grace stood silent, "it seems like the lord wants to apologise to you, my lady". "Should l ask sir Paris to put them in the carriage along with your things?" He adds.

With a smiling face Grace turns to him and says

"That won't be necessary".

"But lady, The Marquess-"

"Elias" The butler, caught off guard by her using name for the first time in years, became silent.

Grace Let's a sigh as she speaks.

"A woman taking along gifts from her former husband won't be spoke kindly of in the society".

"Tell the Marquess l accept his apology without his gifts".

"I will do it as you say my lady" Elias bows.

Grace smiles and as she entered the carriage,she bide them all her farewells.

Unknown to them, The marquess watched the events unfold as he stood near his window.

"You want to go without taking along a knight with you?",Martha questioned judging her request.Grace wasn't a fool, she knew the dangers of travelling in a forest route with no gaurds.Robbery on such sites were common espcially if it was a carriage of a noble of high status.

"yes", but Grace was stubborn and she didn't want anything to owe her former husband.

"Lady, do you even realised what you're asking for!?".

Martha's voice grew louder and it was justified.

"You might be a capable swordswomen, stronger than the knights but you yourself know the dangers that a group of bandits can bring".Grace looked at her but her furry was greater than ever to coax her.

"Fine", Letting out a heavy sigh, Grace agreed.

"Very well, I'll let sir Marcus know it", She said with a pleased voice.As she moved her heels to exit, she turns back and said a look of sorrow in her eyes,

"I hope My Lady understands it, we are doing it for you". I didn't say anything and she expected that as she didn't glance at me after saying that, she went on her way to the knight's training ground.

"Would you listen to your father and not the mother who bore and nursed you since infant?",my mother questions as she steps on the shattered vasts that she destroyed in her furry some time back.Mother who had only loathed my father since they met. Avoiding each other as much as they could and letting their opinions on their children. In my past years all l could remember was listening to the words of one and offending the another only to get punished.It was a constant pull from both sides. I agreed to this unknowingly as a child and even as an adult but the exhaustion is overwhelming me.This drama is not somethingl want to associate with.

l could only sigh in exhaustion as l tried to pacify her.

"Mother, you know this marriage is necessary for our family". "Why him!? I proposed you a better candidate but you did not agree to mine then why your father's!?! Further more, rumours have that he has and unrequited feelings for the Duchess.Won't that make you a laughing stock in the high society?And is that your way of declaring that you are choosing to side with that father of yours and not me?!?". Her high pitch screams echoed through the room.I could only sigh more as the exhaustion of the day worsen but my head throbbing in pain from all this drama.

"I'm not choosing to side with my father, mother, you know l'm not a fool and regarding the Marquess, it's only a rumour and nothing has been proved yet.And even if it's true, you know more than any one else that l'm not someone who can be bothered with without consequences." My words seems to have work as she stood silently and looked away.

"Mother, l only agreed to it because of what the Marquess family had to offer. It's a good deal to me so please do not worry about me trying to humiliate you with siding with father. You should trust me". Her furry seems to have subsided as she buries her face on the palm of her hands and says in a voice that sounded desperate.

"It's not that l do not want to trust you my child, you resemblance to your father makes it hard for me". She continues in between tears is what l assumed as she still had her face buried. "Your father broke my trust numerous times. A terrible Human he is and even the thought of you leaving me and siding with him haunts me and leaves me sleepless at nights".

"Ah, she's crying" l thought. I moved forward and embraced her.

"It's ok mother, I understand and l here for you".

"so annoying" my inner thought voiced.

I put her to sleep and close her bedroom chamber door.On doing l saw my brother standing near the hall room beside my chamber.

"Did she had a seizure?" he asked.

"Yes, apparently my acceptance of the Marquess's proposal seem to have triggered her".He doesn't says anything and simply nods.

"Brother, if you do not mind l would like to return to my chamber. My day was exhausting and l would like to have some rest."

"Alright, I'll ask the maids to bring your dinner to your chamber".

"That would be great". said l while offering him a polite smile.