His Contractual Mistress

Somewhere in Hungary… 

A woman who still looks young, like she was still in her late thirties, is leisurely lounging on her French Chaise, waiting for the servant to finish setting up her tea. 

The woman is wearing a red coat and a red skirt above her knee. In her hand, she is also wearing red gloves and a big, round red hat. She was holding an iPad, and she is currently the world news. 

Lady Isabella placed the gadget on the coffee table after the maid bid goodbye and got out of her study room. With elegance, she unhurried to pick up the teacup as she carefully drew closer to her red lips. 

She was enjoying the rich aroma of Da-Hong Pao tea when her butler knocked on the door. 

"Milady, Duke Alessandro Martini is requesting to see you." 

Lady Isabella contracted her pupils. One thing she hates is an unwelcome visitor arriving during her tea time. 

"Let him come in," she said afterward, placing her teacup on the saucer plate. Even though it annoys her, she permitted the duke to meet her. 

Not long after, the duke appeared at her door.

"Greetings, milady." Duke Alessandro partly bowed his head.

"My Lord, please have a seat." Lady Isabella gestures her right hand to the empty loveseat across her. 

Duke Martini bowed one more time, then took the seat the lady offered to him. She must have woken up on the right side of the bed. The last time he visited the lady, she didn't offer him a seat, but he remained standing behind her working desk. 

Sitting comfortably, the butler came back and offered him tea. It's unusual indeed. The lady rarely serves her expensive tea to her guests. 

With a thought that Lady Isabella was in a good mood as he was accommodated warmly, Duke Martini smiled and sipped on the tea leisurely. 

However, Lady Isabella has her intention of why she was showing hospitality to her unwelcome visitor. 

"It's a pleasant surprise for you to visit me this time around, Duke Martini. The Elder's Council is just a few days away. Please state your business with me." Lady Isabella didn't want to beat around the bush. She had other things to take care of than meeting an Elder when it is unnecessary. 

Duke Alessandro Martini is one of the Council of the Elders, sitting in the highest seats of the High Royal Family.

As his family is a member of the High Royal Family, he was introduced to the council when he was ten years old. Looking back, the woman across from him has changed nothing even slightly after fifty-five years.

When this woman introduced his grandfather to her, he told him she had the same looks a hundred years ago.

And in the next fifty years, this woman would still look the same. His grandchildren would see her the same appearance as today. Unfortunately, none of his grandchildren had arrived yet because he wasn't blessed with children. 

However, his matter to see the lady without informing his arrival is related to the future of the Martin family. 

"Ahem. Milady, my apologies if I haven't notified you ahead of time. I will state my affairs right away and will not stay longer. In these passing decades, the Martin family has done our duty to protect this council and the association. However, I was disappointed that you agreed to such ...." 

Duke Alessandro Martini could not finish his world when Lady Isabella looked him in the eyes. He gulped and shut his mouth. He wanted to go on. However, the woman in front of him is highly intimidating. 

Lady Isabella is rare to look anyone in the eyes. She always avoids eye contact, as everyone is not worthy for her to spare a look at them. However, occasionally, she will cast a glance at you to send a warning. 

"Are you questioning my decisions, Duke Martini?" she asked with sternness in her voice. 

"Milady… there is a suitable prince for the princess…." Duke Martini stuttered his words. 

"Such as your nephew?" The duke is not the first one to visit her and discuss this matter. 

"My nephew Alexander is the future King of Fen Country. Is it suitable that he will be the first choice to marry Princess Hailee?" Alessandro is determined to fight for the rights of his family to take the opportunity of an arranged marriage. "I have been requesting your guidance to arrange my nephew and Jacob's daughter's betrothal. I don't understand why the lady overlooked such an opportunity." 

Lady Isabella frowned. However, Duke Martini didn't see it as Lady Isabella's side angle of her face was covered with her hat. All the emotion displayed on her face, hidden by her red hat, and Duke Martini missed seeing the displeasure keep flashing on her eyes. 

Without casting a glance at the man, Lady Isabella explained her point of view. 

"Duke Martini, Alexander, and Hailee are from the fourth generation of the Fen Country's royal family. Jacob had already given his words; his daughter would not marry her relatives." 

Duke Martini laughed nervously. He wanted to put an arrogant expression on his face. However, the woman in front of him is someone he should not provoke. 

"As you mention, Alexander and Hailee are distant relatives. Alexander and Hailee are the sole heir and heiress of the Martin and Davies family. Is it more right to protect both of the families? There will be no one helping each other but us as family." 

Lady Isabella purses her lips. She thinks she just heard a joke. "I didn't know you were a fan of rumors, Duke Martini." 

Lady Isabella's tone is full of sarcasm. Duke martin was not dumb not to understand what the lady has meant. 

But Duke Martini could not bring himself to explain further. Her indifference toward him clearly tells him she is not interested in listening to his words furthermore. 

Duke Martini could only vent his annoyance to the golden royal cane in his right hand. The tension inside the room is growing, and it suffocates him. However, he could not decide if he must leave in an instance. 

Lady Isabella has nothing to say to the Lord. Great that she could hide her face behind the red hat; her eyes were burning in displeasure. Not only that, disgust at how ambitious this man is.

Good thing that her phone rang, and the screen was flashing Cassandra's name. 

"Please, excuse me, Duke Martini. I have to answer this call. The Empress should not wait." 

Lady Isabella called her butler to accompany the duke outside. The duke was furious, but his irritation could only vent in silence. 

Now that she was alone, she drew her phone closer to her ear. "Hello, Cassandra?" 

"Isabella, it's me." 

Isabella paused for a moment. Softening her gaze, she pursed her lips into a thin smile as worries envelop her chest. 

Every time this woman visits the future, she always brings bad news. 

"Hwa-Young… Have you envisioned something again?"