The Villianess story: A 100 ways to kill your husband
Chapter 83: Ashwood duchy

Chapter 83: Ashwood duchy

Ashwood was the closest dutchie to the capital and just a day’s journey away. The duke and duchess were waiting for the royal entourage at their doors. The carriage stopped, and the door opened; Abrielle was expecting Cedric to open the door to her, but to her dismay, he didn’t.

She was assisted off the carriage by Elias, and she sensed the fact he was mad at her, as Alfonso said but she didn’t do anything. Honestly, Abrielle was lost in ideals with the ridiculous quest that was given her.

At least she found the hermit witch, but the system hasn’t notified her completely of her task. This was frustrating. "The princess is as beautiful as they say." The Duchess of Ashwood praised with a soft smile as soon as she saw Abrielle step down from the carriage.

In all sincerity, Abrielle was good-looking with lovely ginger hair that looked like gold under the lights and those sparkling sapphire eyes that gave her an innocent appeal.

She might have been described as a vicious woman, but on the surface, she had a tender and fragile look that made it seem like anything could snap her.

The Ashwood couple were talking to Alfonso and Cedric, who arrived on horseback; Cedric glanced at Abrielle and how she dazzled under the soft moonlight.

She turned back to the Duke without making any compliments. "We had a long journey and were hoping for a well-rested night." He informed the Duke.

"Yes, Your Highness, a sumptuous feast has already been prepared in the dining room. " The Duke quickly said, leading Cedric inside. The Duke was in his forties and looked like how you would envision a noble.

A bit bald, round stomach and a bit below 6 feet. Standing next to Cedric, who had a towering height of 6’8", was a bit hilarious.

Alfonso snickered behind Cedric then flashed Abrielle a knowing grin before following after. It was official in her ranks of most hated characters Alfonso was definitely on the top now.

"You must be Princess Abrielle; I am Penelope, Duchess of Ashwood." A soft voice said from Abrielle’s side, drawing her attention from the other side. Her face was drawn to the voice to see the duchess.

Abrielle was a bit surprised the duchess was young compared to the duke; she looked to be in her late twenties and, at most, thirty. "Penelope, that’s a nice name." Abrielle chimed trying to forget about the princes.

"Thank you, but your name is unique," Penelope replied, starting a small talk as she led the princess inside. "The holy pope himself chose it," Abrielle lightly giggled.

The duchess started asking random stuff about their journey and gave her a vague description of Ashwood. Despite being young, she was quite capable, as she had been married to the duke for 16 years.

In this world, child marriages were common among nobles; Penny married the Duke of Ashwood at the age of 14 when he was already in his late twenties. An arranged marriage.

"Your skin is glowing, marriage with the prince must have been smooth." Penelope complimented Abrielle with the obvious intention to butter her up. They arrived at the large door leading to the dining room.

The Duke’s knights bowed at them and then pushed the door open, revealing a beautiful room with a bountiful feast. "I won’t say smooth; we barely survived the attack at the winter hunt unscaled," Abrielle mentioned with a soft voice and lovely fake smile that was almost impossible to tell apart.

Her marriage, which was just over a month, has been rather adventurous in all the wrong ways. That was how she would describe it. "Oh, I heard about the unfortunate incidents. My sister-in-law Countess Elisa lost her husband, and it had made the entire family devastated." Penelope said, sounding sincerely concerned.

Abrielle’s heart squeezed a bit, knowing the hunt was technically her fault; it was the opening act that led to the beginning of the novel. She never knew that she would be in this world to know of the effect something she explained in less than a page had on the victims.

"She has my condolences ." Her voice was steady and heartfelt because her words were sincere. "That’s truly kind of you." Penelope chimed.

Abrielle stopped at an empty seat reserved beside Cedric; the seat was pulled by the server, and then she sat down. Her every action expresses grace and refined etiquette.

"I am very glad I was allowed to host two of this great kingdom princes and the lovely daughter of the Vesper duchy." The duke laughed heartily, Abrielle tried her best to keep up her smile. She knew behind that smile could lie evil intentions.

"You mean princess," Cedric butt in, causing the table to go quiet. The duke has not acknowledged Abrielle’s status as Cedric’s wife. "Pardon my manners. For not welcoming the princess properly." He quickly apologized knowing about Cedric’s temperament.

The atmosphere was a bit stiff until Alfonso, for the first, decided to do something that would not get on Abrielle’s nerves. "My brother is quite protective of his wife and we all understand when she is such a beauty. Her eyes glow under the faintest light." Alfonso chimed.

"I understand the feeling," the Duke chirped in and the discussion continued. Although everyone was a bit merry again Abrielle could not help but notice that Cedric’s mood didn’t improve much.

The meal was served and placed onto their plates while the Duke kept on talking about his achievements. Abrielle’s attention trailed away from the conversation to look opposite the table.

Her attention was immediately hooked on a young girl who was almost 16 years old and was staring in their direction with a blush. She was the duchess’ eldest child who the duke could not stop praising for her beauty and how many suitors she had.

"Father don’t say things like that before the guest." The teenage girl nervously blurted while her eyes shyly stole glances at Cedric. This left Abrielle dumbfounded, she never imagined anyone would be interested in the heartless first prince.

At first, she thought the girl was shyly flirting with Alfonso, but it turned out to be Cedric.

"As a father, my duty is to praise my children, Seline." The duke replied with a proud smile. Seline was not bad on the eyes, and it was obvious the duke had groomed her properly to catch the fancy of high nobility, but it turned out his daughter had eyes on the royal family instead.

"It doesn’t matter; besides, none of my suitors has met my fancy." Seline shyly said gracefully, cutting the pork on her plate.

"Do you perhaps have someone that has caught your attention, Seline? With your beauty, it would not be difficult." Alfonso chirped in; he probably has an interest in Seline.

"Some people would never learn," Abrielle muttered, clicking her tongue at Alfonso.

Seline cheeks turned completely red, "there is someone I do like but I don’t think they will like me." She nervously blurted.

"And who might it be, I hope it isn’t some low noble." The duke chirped in. Seline shyly nodded her head and then muttered. "First, Prince Cedric, I will be more than happy to be a second wife."

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