I kept composed and tried not to vomit before reaching home. When I arrived at the estate, I ran to the toilet and threw up.

Why would the smell of roses bother me so much?

Maybe I was sick. I went to the physician of my duchy and knocked on the door.

*Knock*
*Knock*

"Come in"

I heard a boyish voice and I opened the door. I entered the study room of the physician. An untidy place full of books, research papers and medicine bottles.

The teenage boy, turned around and as he saw me he froze.

"Your grace?! .... Why are you here? ... Are you hurt? Poisoned?"

"I think I am sick."

"What are your symptoms?"

"Dizziness, vomiting and loss of appetite."

The teenage boy who was until then purely worried, now was enraged.

"Your grace... Who did this to you?"

"Did what?"

"Let me check you to be sure."

The teen took my hand and felt my pulse. Then with a tiny knife he pricked my finger and took some of my blood. After further examining, with a stern face, he threw his gaze at me.

"Did you sleep with someone?"

"Well..."

"I get it"

*Sigh*

The physician sighed.

"You are not sick your grace..."

"Am I poisoned?"

"No..."

"Injured?"

"Neither your grace..."

"Then?"

"You are pregnant"

I was surprised to hear this last sentence. Killion Hills and I were going to have a child.

I left the study and went out. I had to find Killion. By the time I went out, Killion was waiting for me. It was the perfect time.

"Silvia"

"Killion! We have to talk..."

" I too, have something to tell you."

"Come in"

I led him to the lake of the estate and we went on the bridge. Killion seemed sad.

"Silvia... May I speak first?"

"Sure..."

"I am sorry..."

"Why are you sorry?"

"We can't get engaged..."

"What?"

"We can't..."

"I see..."

"Silvia-"

"You can leave now..."

"Did you have something to tell me?"

"Leave!!!"

"Silvia-"

"Get lost!!!"

I felt something break. He used me and then ran away. He was never different from the Grey family. I don't want to see him.

I have his child which is his fault and he abandons me. How cruel! He doesn't deserve to know... I have to leave.

I went to my study and wrote a letter to the emperor.

In the letter I asked the permission to have a private audience with him.

The next day a reply to my request was sent by the emperor. I would meet him at tonight's banquet.

I wore one of the dresses prepared for me and combed my hair. Sienna chose a pair of matching shoes and sprayed rose perfume.

The smell of the perfume made me disgusted. Sienna flinched and then knelt down.

"My lady... Punish me as you see fit."

"No... Sienna it's my fault. You didn't know. I wanted to keep it a secret. I guess you found out"

"Yes..."

"It's okay I trust that you can keep it a secret"

"Certainly"

I arrived at the banquet hall and saw everyone dressed up in luxury. A man came close to me and behaved shamelessly. He tried to touch me with his dirty hands and offer me a drink.

I refused the drink and he got more aggressive. Suddenly, someone I wanted to avoid at all costs appeared. Killion Hills. That scumbag. He drove away the shameless man as if he wasn't one himself.

"Silvia... I"

"Get lost"

I walked away from him and he gave me a helpless and regretful expression. Like an abandoned puppy. But I wasn't moved by it.

The emperor walked down the banquet hall and approached me.

"Duchess Silvia Fury. You requested a private audience..."

"Yes your majesty"

"Let's go to the drawing room. Follow me."

I followed the emperor ignoring Killion. I don't want to see him. He is unworthy.
We entered the drawing room and the emperor sat on a comfortable couch

"Have a seat miss Fury"

"Thank you your Majesty"

" You are an important figure Duchess. This war would not have ended this quick without your aid. How can I help you? You must need something to request a private audience with me"

"I am honoured to hear such praised about me from you your majesty. I need a favour that is very simple yet I want your approval."

"Do tell me..."

" I wish to go live for at least the next five years at the estate in the Fury city and take care of any affair from there. I also cant fight in the war for five years due to my health."

"It is a quite simple request but is that all? Do you not want anything else?"

" Then can you please keep it a secret? I don't want people to know about it so I could only confide to you your Majesty"

"I will grant your favour. When will you leave?"

" Tomorrow."

"Have a nice trip."

I left the banquet hall and boarded the carriage. After an hour I was home.

I wore my nightgown and prepared my suitcase.

I asked Sienna to prepare her belongings too so that we leave immediately tomorrow. I went to the window and saw the moon that was shining bright.

Ah~ moon...

Probably the only one who didn't abandon me yet. I sat on the comfortable chair and finally cried.

I had kept my tears the whole day. Killion Hills hurt me. He hurt me more than the Grey family. He doesn't deserve to know about the child.

I can't let him find out about it. Maybe if he found out,he would take my child away and raise it with the woman he eventually marries instead of me.

Or he could make me kill it... No!!! A child is innocent! I have to protect it! I have to stay away from Killion for at least five years.

I let my tears run down my face. A Knock disrupted me. I opened the door.

"Jonathan?"

"Your grace are you crying?"

"Ah! Nevermind. What's going on?"

" Look at your window..."

Killion was standing outside and waiting in the dark night.

" Why is he here?"

" He says that he wants to talk to you"

" Tell him that he made himself clear and heard yesterday. Now he can get lost."

"Yes your grace"

Jonathan went out and spoke to Killion who then knelt down on his knees and desperately looked up to my window.

I sudden wave of disgust made me close the curtains. It's too late Killion... Now I have to protect my child.

The night passed gradually and I gathered my luggage. Jonathan called for a carriage and then escorted me to the gates.

"Your grace... I wish you a good trip. Take care."

"Jonathan please take care of the mansion I will come back "

Sienna and I boarded the carriage and left for the estate I will be be staying at.

The trip was long and tiring. I fell asleep in the carriage. My mind wandered to my child. I will raise it with love and make it a nice person. I will make sure to provide for everything.

We reached to the Fury city and after a few minutes we were at the entrance of my estate. A glorious mansion. Just like the one in the capital.

I arrived at the entrance and the head butler, a man with long red hair tied in a low ponytail and a pair of brown eyes that hid behind a pair of round glasses , greeted us.

The butler gave us a tour on the mansion and then I went to my bedroom to rest. I layed on the soft bed and touched my belly. I was still slim but I could feel that at that place something was different.

My baby was growing in me just like the pain in my heart. If only Killion would accept to marry... We would make a good family.

*Sigh*

Ah~ Killion... You broke me...

Sober up Kira! You are not alone! You have a child to protect!

I eventually fell asleep.

...

Two weeks later.

Things are now peaceful. Sienna takes good care of me and the physician from the capital keeps visiting me to check my condition.

I heard that Killion kept looking for me in the capital. Anyway...

Sienna brought me my tea and left the room. Roy, the head butler, entered the room and brought me an envelope.

It was a letter by Killion.

I wanted to throw it away just like he did to me. Then I opened it. I turned my gaze at my still flat belly and said.

"My child let's see what he has to say"

I turned my eyes on the letter.

"Dear Silvia Fury.

I miss you... I hope this letter finds you well.

I heard that you are sick. I wish you get well soon so that we can meet.

I'm sorry I can't give you what you want. I still love you though. I can't seem to forget you. I think of you every time I close my eyes. Please don't leave me!

K.H."

I closed the letter and locked in in my desk. How did he send this letter? Does he know where I am?

I hurriedly called Roy.

"Roy don't let anyone except you and Sienna meet me"

"Is something wrong your grace?"

"Just do it! I can't be seen by someone!"