Chapter 2 - "Forbidden"

...Reading Room, Velmora Residence...

"Where did I put those things?" muttered Seraphina scrambled her things that she brought from Virelion

"This scroll, a potential deployment plan that could happen in the kingdom." said Seraphina opening the roll

All this time Seraphina has been secretly undergoing a program created by the Thalorwyn kingdom, where she disguises herself as a civilian to prevent a rebellion.

She took one step earlier to pretend to participate in the rebellion plan, so she can know when they will rebel and can prevent it before it happens.

She is one of the people who really loyal to the kingdom of Thalorwyn's, that's why she feels guilty if she marries an enemy.

She plans to continue her mission and try to trap Theodore in a scandal so that she can divorce him. Suddenly, at the front door, there was a knock on the door.

"May I come in?" ask Theodore voice outside the room

Seraphina didn't answer, she quickly put away her things and went out.

"You can't come in, Is there something?" ask Seraphina closing the door while replying to him

"I know we are both our last choices, but I hope you can survive your new living situation in this castle." said Theodore looking around

"So this is all you wanted to say?" ask Seraphina to him standing in front of him looking very serious

"No, I've been living here alone for a few years, it's a bit empty, you can decorate it however you like, as long as there are no elements of the Thalorwyn kingdom, I do accept it." said Theodore to her handing her a small Velmora badge

"This is for you, every Duchess who has ever lived in this castle has one, I made this especially for you with your initials on it." said Theodore handing it to her

Seraphina held the badge while looking at her initials arranged there, it was strange, but she put it away after that Theodore walked away.

"It seems like the rumors are true, it seems like he had some motives?" said Seraphina stored the badge in her table desk

All afternoon Seraphina was only in her reading room, she decorated the room neatly, and sitting there all day planning her new moves about her disguise.

"I'm so tired that I have to start all this tomorrow." muttered Seraphina stretching her back after sitting all-day

She walked downstairs for a quick dinner and found that Theodore was already downstairs.

"Francesca, where are you?" ask Seraphina walking towards the dining hall

"All the servants have returned to their resting places two hours ago that is the rule in this castle." said Theodore to her

"And, tomorrow we have to take a portrait together, the royal painter will be present." said Theodore getting up from his chair and walked away leaving Seraphina eating alone in a big castle dining hall

Seraphina didn't know what to answer, she didn't know and wasn't close to Theodore Lucien.

"I know, you feel that I am expressing my motives as rumored, but remember, darling, I am not like that." whispers Theodore suddenly to Seraphina then walked away

Seraphina was shocked because he could read her mind, this was quite scary for her, the whisper earlier made her tremble a little.

"Let's live this marriage well, no matter how long we last, that's how long we will be together." said Theodore in the middle of his walk with a small laughter

The next morning Seraphina was dressed by several maids, she was styled and dressed in the typical Velmora noble clothes, with lots of diamonds as accessories, and a pearl as her necklace.

"Duchess, this is the crown belonging to the Duchess of Velmora, and you will be the first to wore it again." said Francesca helping Seraphina to wore it

After finishing dressing herself, she went to the main hall with Francesca, Francesca helped her to tidy up her dress, there she saw Theodore who was already ready.

...Velmora's Main Hall...

Seraphina was shocked because it was the first time in the last month after their marriage that she had seen Theodore dressed up like that.

"That crown, suits you perfectly." whispers Theodore to Seraphina while staring at the painter

Hearing this, Seraphina was a little surprised and wondered how she knew this must be part of one of Theodore's plans.

"Alright, keep the position, I will start drawing." said the royal painter

Seraphina and Theodore sat quite close and this was awkward for both of them who didn't want this at all.

After a few hours of sitting there, the portrait was finally finished, Seraphina could finally leave to continue her mission quietly.

"Alright, this is the finished portrait." said the royal painter handing it to them

"Thank you very much." said Theodore to the royal painter

"It is an honor for me to be able to draw a portrait for you." replied the royal painter to Theodore

After that, the portrait was immediately displayed in the main hall, where everyone who passed by the castle could see it.

“Duchess would you like to take off this coat first?" ask Francesca to Seraphina walking towards her

"It's fine, I'll take it off myself." said Seraphina to Francesca sitting a while on a chair

"Duke, this tax report is due this week, it seems you have to come to this house, The Penrose family in person, because the several times I've gone they've made long excuses." said a guy to Theodore

"I understand, just put it on my desk, I'll go later." replied Theodore to the guy

Hearing this conversation, it seems Seraphina will have to cancel her mission today, as she will clash with Theodore, who will reveal that she is an undercover in disguise to protect the Thalorwyn Kingdom later.

"Francesca, are there any fun activities this afternoon, I think I'd like to join in and get to know the castle." whispers Seraphina to Francesca awkwardly smiling

Countinued...

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