Chapter 99: "Just In Case"

Chapter 99

The morning light filtered softly through the heavy velvet drapes of the ducal bedchambers, casting a warm, golden hue across the spacious room. Sigrid shifted slowly, her eyelids fluttering open as she gradually surfaced from a deep, dreamless sleep. She found herself pressed firmly against Soren’s massive chest, his thick arm wrapped securely around her waist, anchoring her to his body.

Silently wondering at what hour he had finally returned to their bed—as she had surrendered to exhaustion long before his return—she raised a slender hand and gently ran her fingers through his dark, surprisingly silky hair. As the soft strands slipped through her grip, she felt the sudden, distinct tightening of his embrace. Soren’s eyes opened, dark and heavy with lingering sleep, his deep gaze anchoring upon her. "Duchess," he murmured, his voice a low, gravelly baritone that sent a sudden, electric shiver coursing down Sigrid’s spine.

"Yes, my lord?" Sigrid replied softly, her crimson eyes searching his face.

"Good morning," Soren spoke, the rumble of his chest reverberating against her cheek.

Sigrid offered a gentle, serene nod, resting her hand against his broad shoulder. "Good morning, my lord. How was your sleep? You arrived far later than I anticipated."

Soren let out a quiet, heavy breath, his arm drawing her slightly closer. "It was peaceful enough. We have crossed paths far too rarely of late, and I have spent most nights isolated within my study. I apologize if I have given you cause to feel neglected."

Sigrid leaned into his warm chest, her voice soothing and even. "You have no reason to apologize, Soren. You are the Duke of the North; your duties to the realm naturally demand your utmost devotion."

Soren looked down at her, his dark eyes softening with a rare, profound warmth maybe because of the warmth the morning sun provided to this cold region. "Even so, as your husband, I have been remiss in leaving you without proper attention or explanation."

Before Sigrid could offer another word of reassurance, Soren leaned down and captured her lips in a slow, deep kiss that swiftly melted into something demanding and possessive. His low, rough voice whispered against her skin, "I have missed you..." Sigrid felt his muscular frame grow rigid with desire, his grip tightening as he claimed her lips once more in a passionate embrace.

Sigrid’s eyes drifted half-shut, her mind haze-filled yet sharp enough to offer a playful challenge. "Well, my lord... if you truly feel remorseful, why do you not make proper amends? Your duchess awaits her rightful compensation."

Soren’s dark eyes flashed with an intense, ravenous fire. Without a word, he dragged her into an unyielding kiss, his calloused hands swiftly shedding their garments as the cool morning air yielded entirely to the rising heat between them.

******

Hours passed before the quiet rhythm of the chamber settled once more. Sigrid lay tucked beneath the heavy silk blankets, her cheeks flushed as she frowned up at the ceiling in sheer disbelief. Nearby, Soren stood completely dressed in his dark ducal attire, immaculate after personally tending to her bath and cleaning. "This is utterly embarrassing," Sigrid grumbled, pulling the duvet higher around her neck. "To indulge in such passionate foolishness in broad daylight is completely unseemly."

Soren paused, adjusting the silver cuffs of his coat as a faint, amused twitch touched his lips. "Why so, Duchess? Is this not considered the customary activity of wedded couples? I have been reliably informed that newlyweds often partake in at least ten rounds a day."

Sigrid’s crimson eyes widened in absolute shock as she stared at his stoic, unreadable face, muttering at what an utterly innocent fool her husband could be. "Do you refer to me as a fool, Duchess?" Soren inquired calmly, turning to face her.

Sigrid scoffed lightly, settling back against the pillows. "Perhaps. You speak with the supreme confidence of a child describing a newly discovered game, my lord."

Soren walked over and sat upon the edge of the mattress, his heavy gaze resting upon her flushed countenance. "You speak with remarkable authority, Sigrid. As though you possess extensive prior experience and are not as entirely new to this union as I am."

Internally, a sharp memory flickered through Sigrid’s mind—in her tragic previous life, she had indeed surrendered herself to Prince Ragnar, but in this second chance at life, her body remained untouched until Soren. Masking her internal turmoil behind a serene expression, she countered smoothly. "I am certainly new to this, my lord. However, for a Duke who claims to be utterly inexperienced, your meticulous care in cleaning me afterward was suspiciously practiced. You handled the matter with surprising proficiency."

Soren looked down at her, his voice dropping into a earnest, quiet register. "I made it my duty to gather proper knowledge beforehand, Duchess. I wished to ensure you suffered no unnecessary pain, nor any lingering discomfort."

Sigrid’s breath caught in her throat, her ears burning a brilliant shade of red as the weight of his words settled upon her. He had not sought out knowledge merely to satisfy his own curiosity, but to ensure her comfort and pleasure. Overwhelmed by his unexpected tenderness, she buried her face into the soft pillows to hide her burning cheeks.

Soren offered a faint, satisfied hum before rising to his feet. "Do you have any engagements scheduled for today?"

Sigrid cleared her throat, forcing her composure back into place as she peeked out from the blankets. "Yes. I am receiving Marquess Caspian for a private audience shortly."

Soren’s eyes narrowed slightly, his posture straightening. "It seems you and the Marquess have grown quite close of late."

Sigrid answered without thinking, her tone entirely professional. "It is merely business, my lord."

Soren remained silent for a beat, his expression unreadable. "Is that so?"

Sigrid tilted her head, shifting the focus back to him. "And what of your duties today?"

Soren let out a quiet sigh, his dark gaze drifting toward the window. "I must meet with the northern generals. The King has demanded a council of all territorial Dukes."

Sigrid’s eyes darkened slightly as a heavy stillness fell over the room. "Hmm. War is looming after all."

The quiet between them grew thick and suffocating at the explicit mention of the impending conflict. Breaking the tense silence, Soren turned toward the door. "I shall summon Lilith to assist you." Moments later, Lilith entered the bedchamber, carefully preparing a grand gown and helping her mistress dress. Throughout the entire process, Sigrid remained unusually silent, her mind continually replaying the sudden, awkward chill that had blanketed the room the moment war was brought to the forefront.

Sensing her mistress’s distraction, Lilith tied the final ribbon of her corset and bowed respectfully. "Milady, Marquess Caspian has arrived and is currently awaiting your presence in the formal reception parlour."

Sigrid smoothed the heavy velvet of her skirts, exhaling softly. "Thank you, Lilith. I shall head down immediately."

Descending the grand staircase, Sigrid entered the sunlit parlour where Marquess Caspian stood waiting. Upon her entry, the nobleman instantly placed a hand over his heart and offered a deep, flawless bow. "Good morning, Your Grace. Thank you for granting me an audience."

Sigrid offered a polite nod, gesturing toward the plush armchairs. "Please, take a seat, Marquess. I appreciate your prompt arrival."

Once both were seated, Sigrid’s countenance shifted entirely, her calm demeanor instantly replaced by a cold, calculating intensity. "I have a task of utmost importance that requires the full breath of your shadowy assets." Internally, Sigrid noted that while she had not yet received word from Maude regarding young Leo, she could not afford to delay her grand strategy against the capital.

"What is it you require, Duchess?" Caspian asked, leaning forward with genuine intrigue.

Sigrid stood up from her chair, walking slowly toward the window with her hands folded behind her back. "I require exhaustive intelligence on every single noble lady being considered for the position of Lady-in-waiting to Lady Maria."

Caspian raised an eyebrow in surprise. "May I inquire as to the purpose of such a massive investigation?"

Sigrid turned her head slightly, her crimson eyes gleaming with cold malice. "Just in case."

"In case of what, Your Grace?" Caspian pressed cautiously. Sigrid turned her full body to face him, her posture imposing and regal. "Simply in case, Marquess. I want complete dossiers on every candidate—their exact birth dates, family bloodlines, financial debts, hidden scandals, and every criminal transgression they or their kin have ever committed. Pay special, meticulous attention to Countess Celestine Everhart."

Caspian bowed his head solemnly. "It shall be done as you command, Duchess."

"That is not all," Sigrid continued, stepping toward her mahogany desk and picking up a sealed parchment. "I require you to orchestrate a very specific, delicate leak within the capital."

Caspian frowned slightly. "A leak?"

Sigrid began pacing the perimeter of the room, her voice dropping into a smooth, dangerous rhythm. "I do not wish for your network to state it openly. Rather, one of your completely unaffiliated, un-traceable informants must slip a leaked document directly into the hands of one of the major gazettes in the capital."

She handed the parchment to Caspian, whose eyes widened in sheer astonishment as his gaze scanned the tightly written, intriguing contents within.

Sigrid smiled coldly at his reaction. "I want this information to reach their printing presses in such a manner that they truly believe they stumbled upon a monumental scoop entirely on their own. However, timing is absolute. You are not to release this information today, nor next week. It must be published on the thirtieth of this month."

The Marquess’ eyes widened as he muttered. "Isn’t that?"

Sigrid nodded. "Yes—precisely two weeks and one day following the grand royal wedding of Imperial Prince Ragnar and Crown Princess Maria. The leak must spread across the empire in exact correspondence with that date."

Caspian swallowed hard, looking up from the letter with profound respect and a touch of fear. "This is an extraordinarily delicate operation, Your Grace. If the timing strays by even a fraction, everything falls apart. And the backlash."

Sigrid sneered playfully. "Which is precisely why I have entrusted the task to you, Marquess. Your vast, immaculate intelligence network is the only one capable of executing such a maneuver without a single thread tracing back to you... or to me."

Caspian folded the letter carefully and slipped it into his inner coat pocket. "This will cause an absolute catastrophe within the royal court, Duchess. The Crown will be thrown into utter chaos."

"That is precisely the outcome I intend to achieve," Sigrid replied smoothly, her crimson eyes dancing with lethal ambition. Caspian hesitated for a brief moment, genuine concern etching his features. "When this storm erupts, the Duke will likely be dispatched to the frontlines. You will be left entirely unprotected here in the North."

Sigrid turned back toward the window, her expression serene, dangerous, and unyielding. "Do not squander your concern on my well-being, Marquess. I am more than capable of protecting myself." Satisfied with her absolute resolve, Caspian offered a deep bow and took his leave, slipping out into the crisp morning air.

As the heavy parlour doors clicked shut, Lilith stepped smoothly into the room, carrying a silver tray laden with fresh pastries and steaming tea. "Your Grace, breakfast has been prepared and set in the dining hall whenever you are ready."

A genuine, satisfied smile touched Sigrid’s lips as she looked toward her loyal maid. "Thank you, Lilith. It seems intricate planning does wonders for one’s appetite."