As Jane unzipped the ball gown, letting it fall to her feet, Akira couldn't stop thinking about the mysterious man she met in the stable.

He had a certain charm to him. A rugged, handsome charm. One that screamed confidence no matter what he was doing - even if he tended to horses. His clothes were well made and tailored to his lean body, Akira could tell that even from the very poor lighting in the barn so he must be lying about just being a stable hand and he must be a stable master which would explain his confidence and garments.

The more Akira thought about him, the more his handsome face etched itself into her brain.

"My Lady?" Jane's voice cut through her haze.

"Yes?" Akira replied, feeling her cheeks flush.

"What happened to your dress?" Jane exclaimed in upset as she held up the fabric to light. "Is this red wine?"

"Yes, Jane, unfortunately, it is", Akira said with a sigh. Jane looked at her with curious eyes so she continued. "Lady Isabella took it upon herself to spill wine on my gown because of my engagement".

"Your engagement?" Jane asked, bewildered.

"Yes, Jane. It appears you did not know", Akira said, examining her carefully. Either she truly did not know or she was a very good actress.

"Well, My Lady, who is it too?" Jane inquired.

"Duke Byron's grandson, I believe", Akira said dismissively.

Jane made a weird gasping noise and her hands flew to her face in surprise.

"You can't mean Lord William Byron?" Jane said in disbelief.

"Oh, Jane, why did you have to say his name?" Akira grumbled. "I would rather pretend as if I was being forced to marry him".

"Well, it couldn't be that bad, I mean it is Lord William", Jane stammered.

"Do you know of him?" Akira asked, wondering why Jane was acting so strange. This was also the most Jane had ever said to her so far.

"I've seen him", Jane said dreamily. She looked at Akira's confused face in envy. It must be lucky to be born in such a wealthy family and then to marry the man of many girl's dreams. "He attended a few balls Her Grace hosted over the past few years".

"Well, what is he like?"

"Tall, dashing. He has the most beautiful smile, really", Jane said.

"Huh". Akira slipped on a silk nightgown and let her hair come tumbling down her back, feeling the pain in her scalp disappear. "Well, Jane, I am turning in for the night. Good night".

"Oh", Jane said disappointed, as if she was hoping to hear more. "Good night, My Lady".

Akira lay on her back on top of the soft duvets, staring at the ceiling. Once she was sure Jane had left, she pulled out the burner phone and called Bilal. The tone rang out, almost mocking her as she waited impatiently. Just as she was about to give up, he picked up.

"Bilal", she breathed out in relief.

"Yes, Miss?" He asked, his voice deep and groggy. "How was your debutante ball?"

God, she felt bad for waking up but what else could she do? Who else could she talk to?

"Terrible, Bilal, absolutely terrible. A complete nightmare", she added. "I found out what my grandmother was up to and I need your help more than ever".

"What is it?" There was some rustling in his background as he presumably got out of bed and headed elsewhere.

"I have been engaged to the Duke of Byron's grandson", Akira sighed. "Grandmother gave me no warning and I was cornered into acting as if I knew. From what I could gauge, it was pre-determined and Lady Emmeline knows that I did not know. I think this is her form of revenge?"

There was a pause in the clacking of the keyboard. "Since she could not marry your father, she wants you to be forced to marry her son?"

"Exactly that, Bilal", Akira said. "Either she is a very petty woman or it was more than just a one-sided engagement. Maybe Father even courted her before he met Mother".

"Okay, I will dig deeper. For the time being, ask staff who've been around from before your father left if possible. She might be a scorned lover of sorts, rather than a petty woman".

"Bilal", Akira said quietly.

"Yes, Miss?" He asked, his deep voice kind and reassuring.

"The only way out of this engagement is if evidence is found to show that the will had been sabotaged with", she said, still in a low voice. "I'm depending solely on you and Sergio to find something before summer. That is when they plan to have the wedding".

"Miss?" Bilal asked.

"Yes?"

"I have never and will never let you down. I've looked after you since you were young and I will look after you for as long as my body holds. I work this job not because your father asked me to but because I want to", he said, his voice strong and unwavering. "I will make sure that we find evidence and this wedding will not happen".

Akira went silent, a small smile on her face. "Thank you, Bilal. I'll let you sleep now".

He chuckled and then the line went dead.

Akira thought about her father who was doing so much for her even after he was gone. He had ensured that even when he could not care for his child, enough people cared that they would. Everything he had done for her had shaped her into the independent woman she was now.

He was like the polar opposite of Grandmother who was selfish, vengeful and prideful.

Her face hardened. Akira would never forgive her grandmother. She would plan a way to make her grandmother regret blackmailing her.

One thing was for sure; Akira had to meet her grandfather. It didn't make sense how he did not want to see her at all and she hadn't even caught a glimpse of him.

She would also have to find the two other seals where her father hid them. She wouldn't just prove her grandmother's meddling, she would take everything away from them. If she had the three seals, it would prove her right to succession to the duchy. If she could meet her grandfather, he could pass on the duchy to her. Grandmother had no say as she married into the family and as the only living successor, Akira would inherit the Astley duchy by law.

Sighing, she hid the burner phone and took out her normal phone, texting her secretary. Just as she was about to toss her phone aside, a notification popped up.

"Smile, a little surprise coming your way" - Inayah.

Akira laughed.

"That makes me apprehensive and fills me with horror at the same time" - Akira.

"I'll ignore the second part. I bet you won't be able to sleep with how excited you are for my surprise" - Inayah.

"Actually, I am on the verge of knocking out right now" - Akira

"Don't be mean but good night" - Inayah

"Good night" - Akira.

Akira closed her eyes, letting the darkness lull her to sleep.

-

Jane had tried to wake her in the morning to have breakfast with Grandmother but Akira stubbornly refused on the guise that she wasn't feeling well. Now it was time for lunch and Akira was hungry but she would eat on the terrace because her grandmother wouldn't join her as the afternoon sun would be too hot for her.

She sat at the table and gazed around the beautiful greenery absentmindedly, waiting for her lunch to arrive.

"My Lady?" A female voice called out.

"Yes?"

"You have a guest waiting in the parlour".

"Escort them here, please".

"Yes, My Lady".

Akira wondered how guilty Arthur would feel. It felt a little sad knowing the only company she had was a friend of her father but she would take what she would get.

She heard footsteps drawing close and turned her head, and stopped in surprise.

Inayah walked towards the terrace, completely at ease, like she was at home already. She wore an elegant peach skirt and a white blouse finished with a soft peach scarf and delicate sunglasses perched on her nose.

"Inayah?" Akira found herself gasping.

"Yes, darling, it is me", Inayah replied with style. "Your saviour has arrived".

Well, well, well, what is to happen?

Question for today:

Which country has the most interesting royal family?

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