《Eloise》


 Prologue

    ¡°The Ducal couple has arrived.¡±


    Upon the announcement of their arrival, every neck turned towards their direction, and the lively chatter in the hall gradually died down as everyone focused on them.


    ¡°They look good together.¡±


    ¡°Count Credieu¡¯s daughter is really beautiful. So, it¡¯s no surprise that the Duke of Fleiss fell for her.¡±


    ¡°Five years of marriage and no child is a pity. I wonder if there¡¯s a problem in their marriage. They look affectionate with each other though.¡±


    The chatter continues as they walked down the hall. Along the trail of gossips, she could feel the menacing eyes of noble women whispering with contempt.


    ¡°All she has is a pretty face. She has nothing else to offer.¡±


    ¡°Such a wallflower.¡±


    She is Eloise Credieu-Fleiss. The Wallflower. She is the most beautiful woman in the Kingdom, but that is all she has. And she is married to the Duke of Fleiss for two years now. A marriage for convenience.


    The hand clutching her husband¡¯s arm tightened as he silently escorted her. Her body trembled in fear as she feels the measuring gazes from the nobles around them. Unconsciously, her eyes sought for her husband¡¯s reaction, but he remained stoic.


    In spite of the insulting remarks, his face was cold and unfazed by them.


    A bitter smile spread on Eloise¡¯s lips.


    What do I even expect from him. She thought to herself as she concealed the pain and disappointment gradually growing to her heart.


    And it is how their first marriage transcended. In the end, a cold and unloving marriage came to a tragic conclusion.


    ***


    As soon as the door closed, he let go of her like he was electrocuted.


    Eloise, who was finally released from his husband¡¯s arms, took a huge sigh of relief. She thought she would suffocate if it took a minute longer close to him.


    ¡°Take a rest. I still have work to do so you should retire to bed first. No need to wait for me.¡±


    ¡°¡­yes, your grace.¡±


    His brows slightly furrowed at her answer but he never bothered to talk again.


    She silently headed to the bed like an obedient child and waited for him to head out before laying down. It was always like that anyway. They never slept together nor shared the same bed even through the 10 years of being together in their first marriage.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    She waited for him to finish changing his clothes. She watched as the black cloth slowly draped and hid his bare skin that held many traces of war.


    Will we end up like how we used to in the past? Can I really change the future?


    No, I should change it. No matter what happens, I should get out of this marriage. It would be different this time.


    Without a word, he coldly walked through the door and held the knob. It was like she was never at that same room with him. As the door closed, she was engulfed with coldness and loneliness again.


    To eventually live freely, far away from everyone, I need to get a divorce first.


    I should be the one to end our unhappy marriage.


    She quietly lied down the bed feeling the exhaustion engulf her. The corners of her lips slightly lifted and formed a smile but a lone tear fell from her eyes as she slowly closed them.


    I will end our twisted fate and save our lives this time.


    ***


    Eloise weakly blinked a few times as she groggily looked around. The cold wind touching her pale skin smelled of blood as the knights guarding her carriage now lie cold and lifeless on the ground.


    Her carriage that previously turned upside down was horribly wrecked beside her.


    Right, it was an ambush.


    She drew a sharp gasp as the pain slowly overtook her body now heavily leaning on the tree. A piece of metal from the broken carriage pierced her abdomen and the blood now drenching her dress continuously gushed out from her body.


    Is this how I¡¯m going to die?...


    Out of nowhere a pair of blood-stained boots approached her and the man swiftly crouched down in front of her to match her level of eyesight.


    ¡°Eloise, the wallflower huh. It¡¯s a shame to kill such a beauty.¡±


    She couldn¡¯t see his face clearly from her blurry vision. Only his glistening silver hair and a golden brooch with a chalice engraved at the center attached on his cloak registered on her mind.


    It was at that moment that she remembered her husband¡¯s last words before her departure.


    ¡°So, this will be our final meeting. I¡¯m sorry for everything Ellie.¡±


    A bitter smile spread on her lips. The wind brushing on her skin was cold but it could never match the coldness of her heart.


    She loved him.


    Until the end, she yearned for him.


    But this was his answer.


    ¡°My client wants you to meet a miserable death but, I¡¯ll consider giving you a peaceful one since you¡¯re pretty.¡± The corner of his mouth rose into a smirk as she felt the sharp blade of his knife touch her neck.


    She opened her mouth and forced some words through her parched throat, ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    Eloise reached for the knife and pressed it firmly against her neck.


    Blood began to trickle down but she remained unfazed. Her face was void of any emotion as she stares at him.


    ¡°Please do so. I will take this as your generosity and die at ease.¡±


    ¡°Still acting noble until the end. Are you trying to protect your honor, Duchess?¡±


    The moment I signed those divorce papers, I no longer hold that title. I am now just an abandoned woman who blindly loved her husband for 10 years.


    But she buried those words in her thoughts and said no more. Her heart felt numb. She just wanted to end it all. She was too tired of everything.


    ¡°Goodbye, Duchess.¡± Those were the last words she heard before the blade brushed through her neck. She painfully gasped as the blood gushed out and her body felt numb. Her eyelids felt heavy as she succumbed to death. Blood flowed out of her mouth as her heartbeat slowly faded.


    Eloise looked at the retiring sun and the face of someone she loved flashed through her mind. It was indeed a peaceful end. Even at her last breath, she was thinking of him. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her eyes slowly closed.


    She only loved him for 10 years but she abandoned her in the end.


    If she was given a next life, she would change everything.


    She would never give her heart again and she wouldn¡¯t marry the same man.


    It was the last wish she buried in her heart.


    She thought it was the end of their twisted fate.


    Until she woke up a year after their marriage.

 Chapter 1: Back in Time

    ¡°Ugh.¡±


    Her head was throbbing as she tried to adjust her vision and look around. Lifting her body to the bed, her throat felt parched as she tried to process the situation. Holding her throbbing head, she examined the familiar room she was in.


    This is!..


    It¡¯s definitely the same room she used when she was still the duchess. But she couldn¡¯t comprehend how she got back.


    What happened? I certainly died back there. I could still vaguely feel the cold metal that pierced my abdomen. And that man¡­ she undoubtfully slit my throat to death!


    Eloise hastily got out of bed and looked herself at the full-length mirror. Her eyes widened in shocked as it dawned on her that she was still alive.


    This is absurd!


    She examined her neck and abdomen closely but there are no traces of wounds nor any drop of blood. Her night gown neatly draped over her slender body with only a few wrinkles from her sleep.


    ¡°Did I go back in time?¡±


    She stood stunned in front of the mirror as she tried to process everything. She could not believe it. She was still trapped in a trail of thoughts when she heard a knock.


    ¡°Your Grace, are you awake?¡± a maid called out from the other side of the closed door.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    A familiar face appeared from the door that only confirmed her suspicion. It was a face that she thought she wouldn¡¯t see again. Lydia, a maid who served her during her stay at the duchy.


    Her eyes began to blur, tears threatening to spill from her eyes as she sniffled quietly. Lydia was one of the people in the duchy who remained by her side. She tended to her without contempt even while knowing that she won¡¯t gain anything. She may wield the title of Duchess but she held no power.


    She immediately avoided her gaze before a lone tear trickled down her cheek. She cannot let her see or she might think that she was acting weird.


    ¡°Your Grace, I have come to inform you that his grace has safely returned.¡±


    The Duke?!


    Eloise felt her body gone cold at the mention of her husband. She felt the pain of betrayal rushing back as she hardly clutched her dress. The thought of meeting him again made her feel a whirlwind of emotions.


    The suffocating feeling of anger, deceit and fear filled her heart as strength left her body and she staggered back in bed. She was really back. And it means that she will experience the same tragedy again.


    ¡°Your Grace, are you alright? Your face looks pale.¡± Lydia rushed to her side to tend on her.


    ¡°A-ah.. I feel unwell today. I¡¯m sorry but I cannot go down to greet his grace. I¡¯ll see him later when I feel better.¡±The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll inform his grace and quickly go back. Please rest while I¡¯m gone.¡± Worry was written all over her face as she reluctantly left the room.


    Eloise waited for Lydia to shut the door before she took steps towards the window. Outside, she could see the servants lined up as they wait for their master¡¯s arrival. Before long, a trail of horses entered the residence, mounted by knights in black armor with the Falcon crest inscribed in gold, the insignia of the house of Fleiss.


    The man leading the group removed his helmet, revealing his dark hair and unusual golden eyes, a feature that made him stand out among the rest. Even from afar, she could recognize his husband who hired a mercenary to kill her after signing their divorce papers. She painfully clutched her chest as she stares at him from the second floor of the mansion.


    Duke Nathaniel Fleiss, the empire¡¯s war hero. He was a great knight and a wise leader that led countless war victories that made him a formidable ally of the emperor. Even though he was not of royal birth, he still received the respect of the emperor and had the right to inherit the throne.


    The only reason why a mere Count¡¯s daughter like her was wed to a great man like him was through an arranged marriage.


    I thought I had finally escaped from you.


    Memories of the past came flooding in and she was filled with hatred, yet she couldn¡¯t deny the stupid emotion of longing that she tried hard to bury deep in her heart.


    It was true that she came back in the past, and it was the time the Duke returned victorious from a war that spiraled for six months.


    Nathaniel got off the horse and approached the servants as they hurriedly tend to him. She saw Lydia talking to him, probably reporting why she has not come down to greet him.


    But then, she was startled when he suddenly looked up to her direction and she hurriedly hid herself in the corner. She clenched her fist to her chest in an attempt to suppress the loud thumping of her heart the moment their eyes met.


    Don¡¯t be ridiculous! Even after being killed and coming back to life, you still love him? I must be a martyr.


    She had blindly carried a torch for him in a decade, she stupidly believed that their marriage for convenience will eventually bring affection towards each other. Yet, she ended up being killed by the man she loved the most.


    She wouldn¡¯t deny her lingering feelings for him, but she was also filled with hatred and fear for him.


    I must escape from here!


    She was still consumed with her thoughts when she suddenly heard a knock. She was about to approach the door, thinking it was Lydia when a deep familiar voice filled her ears and her body ran cold.


    ¡°It¡¯s me.¡±


    Her throat suddenly felt dry and she staggered to utter a word. When she didn¡¯t answer, he came inside the room and walk towards her.


    If they are like other married couples, they might already cling to each other the moment their eyes met, filling the longing for six months of being apart. Yet, for them, it was always the indifferent atmosphere that filled the room.


    The moment her gaze settled at him, her heart started thumping loudly.


    His cold expression didn¡¯t conceal his unparalleled good looks. His dark raven hair perfectly complimented his well-sculpted face. Even in a huge crowd, he would look outstanding among the rest. And what makes him stood out the most, is his pair of deep golden eyes that is a rare feature of the Fleiss¡¯ family.


    ¡°Are you alright? The maid told me you¡¯re not feeling well.¡± His voice sound cold like how she remembered.


    ¡°A-ah, I¡¯m fine. A l-little rest will do.¡± She stuttered through her words as she balled her fist trying to stop her body from trembling before him.


    There was a moment of silence between them. Eloise felt uneasy under his intense gaze, which seemed to examine her intently.


    What¡¯s wrong with him? Is he mad?


    ¡°Can you accompany me to the banquet later?¡±


    Ah, right. How could I forget. There¡¯s a celebratory banquet in honor of him.


    She hope she could refuse but she also know that she cannot do that. Even though, being with him felt like walking on thin ice, she cannot escape her duty as the Duchess.


    Not attending the banquet with him will only cause another rumor to circulate. Even after making sure that they always appear in the public together, they cannot hide the fact that there is no affection between them.


    ¡°Yes, your grace. I¡¯ll be fine after a little rest.¡± She answered distantly, not forgetting to address him formally. Even though they are married, they never used to call each other¡¯s first name. It was only once that she remembered him calling her name and it was dreadful memory.


    There was an unknown emotion that flashed through his eyes in a moment but he remained silent. Eloise wondered if she saw incorrectly and chose to brush it off.


    ¡°Take a rest. I¡¯ll see you later.¡± After saying those words, he turned around and left.


    Only after she was left alone in the room that she was able to breathe again. She exhaled a sigh of relief as she sat at the edge of her bed. Her knees felt like jelly, she thought she would collapse in front of him if it took a little longer. She held her chest, trying to calm her wildly pounding heart.


    I need to escape from him as soon as possible.

 Chapter 2: The Banquet

    Eloise was leisurely looking at her reflection through the vanity table as Charles dress and adore her for hours now while the other servants assisted him.


    Charles Bertin is a famous seamster in the empire and a sought-after designer especially for noble women. It is real luxury to have a dress made by him as you need to make a reservation for at least one year before you can wear clothes he designs from a queue of waiting customers.


    Even up to this point, she doesn¡¯t know how Nathaniel managed to hire him. Just how much money did he spent on him?


    ¡°I¡¯ll make you the prettiest woman in the banquet tonight. A beauty that will never fail to catch every single eye.¡±


    She chose to stay silent and awkwardly smiled at him. She doesn¡¯t even want to attend the banquet and stay close to the Duke. But of course, she cannot say it out loud.


    ¡°Every dress I make really suits you well. Because of your beauty, I am able to explore and expand my creations.¡±


    Once she finished putting on her dress, the maids enthusiastically assisted him on selecting the most fitting jewelry that will complement the rest of her outfit.


    The gown was made from the finest silk, its Turkish blue bodice has hand-embroidered patterns and lace trimmings with elbow-length sleeves that perfectly hugged her curves. A beige bouffant style petticoat was paired which extended just below her ankles.


    What shall I do? Will I be able to act normally in front of him? Just a sight of him makes me tremble in fear. Looking at his eyes fills me with pain and resentment.


    ¡°The lilac necklace suits you really well, Your Grace. It matches your hair color.¡±


    The maid¡¯s compliment caught her out of her reverie.


    Her clear blue eyes sparkled like the apparent ocean that glints under the sunlight. Her unusual wavy lilac-colored hair that flows softly down her waist flutters even with the lightest touch. She has an attractive face with a small body frame and a pale complexion that makes her look like a living doll.


    She doesn¡¯t mean to brag but she is known as the most beautiful woman in the empire. In fact, it was the reason why she was wedded to him.


    "Your Grace, the young Lady has arrived."


    "Let her in."


    The maids opened the door, inside was a busy man sitting in front of a desk filled with messy piles of paper. She slowly walked inside stopping two steps away from him.


    "Leave us alone."


    The man ordered as the maids exited the room one by one, leaving only the two of them inside. The ear deafening silence made Eloise nervous, cold sweat dripping in her palms.


    She cannot stop herself from fidgeting beneath his father''s measuring gaze. She never called her unless it is to reprimand her faults and punish her.


    "I heard you called for me father?"


    Her father, the Count of Credieu was a very strict man. He never shows mercy, even to his family. He was a cruel man who favors fortune over blood ties.


    The Count fixed his posture before turning his attention to Eloise, his cunning eyes settled in hers who is standing in front of him. Although he has the same blue eyes as hers, his gaze was never of a father looking at his daughter with affection.Stolen novel; please report.


    "I called to discuss about your marriage."


    Her eyes grew wide from shock as her heartbeat increased. She stood frozen from her spot, as if cold water was splashed on her.


    "M-marriage?"


    "Yes, you are set to marry the Duke of Fleiss a month from now. The emperor already gave his order to give your hand to his most favored man as a prize for leading the war triumphantly.¡±


    The Duke of Fleiss, a man renowned for his beauty as well as his victories. She met him several times through social gatherings but they never had any single conversation before. His features never fail to stand out in every social event but the most noticeable among them is his pair of golden eyes which makes him popular among noble woman.


    "B-but f-father.... I can''t. Why must I-----"


    **Bang


    The loud sound of table slamming echoed across the room, making her flinch. The papers on her father''s desk scattered on the floor creating a mess. She tried to stay composed to mask her fear.


    "You dare talk back, you wench! You think you have the right to reject?! I''m not asking for your opinion nor your approval."


    The Count yelled as he slowly rose from his seat, closing the distance between them. Without hesitation, he aggressively grabbed her by the neck with one hand as she struggled to breathe.


    Eloise trembled, as she held onto the count''s wrist that was choking her.


    "You impudent brat! Is this how you repay my kindness? I was generous enough to accept your low-birth and let you live as a noble¡¯s daughter.¡± His father spat through gritted teeth as she trembled in fear thinking how she would escape her father¡¯s clutches that begins to suffocate her. ¡°You owe me your life so act obediently like you used to before I lose my temper and lock you again at the basement where you will spend your days with the rats.¡±


    After saying those words, he finally let go of her as she stumbled on the floor, strength left her body as she struggled to catch her breathe. But his father only looked down at her with cold eyes.


    ¡°Stop acting foolishly and prepare for your wedding.¡±


    Like an idea struck his mind, a corner of his lips tugged into a smirk, ¡°You¡¯re even lucky a worthless woman like you could marry a man of his caliber. The Credieu household is just a peck of dust compared to his fortune. If you marry him, we will have our fair share of it.¡±


    As she expected, it was all for his own greed. His father is willing to give her daughter away to marry a stranger. He never thought about her own sake. She was just a mere tool for him.


    It was how his father sold her out in marriage.


    When the maids are finally satisfied with their work, they smiled sweetly at her through the mirror.


    ¡°Her Grace is really pretty. You should know how to use your charm and make acquaintances.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for all your help.¡± Eloise smiled sincerely in return and tried not to appear awkward. She was always an introverted person. A wallflower.


    Growing up spending most of her years locked on a basement hearing only the demeaning words of her father, she never knew how to socialize with the others. Despite being a beauty, her awkwardness cause people to drift away. In result, she always remains on the sidelines at social events.


    Just in time, Knox Besnik, the butler knocked on the door.


    ¡°Your Grace, the Duke is waiting for you downstairs.¡± The butler who opened the door bowed his head gracefully when he saw her. ¡°You look beautiful, madame. His Grace would be very pleased.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Knox.¡±


    Walking after him, they descended the stairs and her eyes settled at the handsome man waiting at the end of the staircase. He was fixing his cufflinks when his gaze shifted to her direction and their eyes met. His golden chromatic eyes fixated to her that took her breathe away. Their depths bare her soul, scanning every inch of her. She felt the loud thumping of her heart as the gap between them slowly decreases.


    He was just intently staring at her, not muttering a single word. It was until she reached the foot of the staircase that he cleared his throat and casually turned around.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go. We¡¯re already running late.¡±


    The way to the royal hall where the banquet will be held was rather peaceful. No one dared to talk inside the carriage and Eloise was rather thankful for it. She doesn¡¯t know how she would face him when everything that happened to their past life was clearly engraved to her memory.


    Nathaniel had his eyes fixed at the window from the moment they entered the carriage. He never met his eye even for a second. Eloise stealthily stared at him, thinking how this same composed man ended up killing his own wife.


    They never had a proper conversation before. They would casually greet each other and ask a few questions but it always ends after a little exchange of words. They may had lived under the same roof for years but they are so distant to one another. And when he met the woman in which he gave his heart, the distance only widened. The Duchess who was a hindrance to their affair had to vanish.


    Do you.. hate me that much?