The Duke's Passion

I didn't know the structure of the estate just yet, as I didn't get the chance for a house tour. But that was alright since I enjoyed taking walks. I walked around aimlessly until I reached the kitchen — I only knew it was the kitchen when I peeked inside the door. 

Everyone inside where busy peeling, cooking, and just about everything that could be done in the kitchen. I wanted to go inside and see what they were preparing, but I figured my presence would only bring discomfort to them.

"So, what is the Madam look like?"

Just when I was about to leave and continue this house tour alone, a maid suddenly inquired. She sounded excited, asking the other maids who were stationed in the kitchen.

"Is she as beautiful as the painting? Did she like the food in their first family dinner?" the same maid inquired. 

The rest of the maids looked at each other before they gathered around the table inside the kitchen. Seeing this urged me to listen more. I wanted to hear what they thought about me since I already knew they respected Sam.

"I only caught a glimpse of the Madam, but she is more gorgeous than the portrait hanging in the west wing! Also, the young master is smiling more than usual — the master too!"

"Awww… I'm so happy for Master. After all those years, he stayed beside Madam…"

"Is she kind?" one curious maid queried, catching everyone's attention. Well, I was also curious, so I focused on eavesdropping. 

Everyone in this estate considered Sam as a devoted husband who took care of his wife while she was in a coma. With his looks, he could easily take in any woman he desired, but he didn't. Sam stayed faithful and raised his son wonderfully. 

So, it was safe to say I wouldn't blame them if these people would expect more from me. Not that I planned to please anyone, but knowing what they thought of me would give me an idea of how to build my reputation peacefully. 

'That sounds contradicting,' I thought but shrugged off whatever was in my head and listened carefully.

"Well, I didn't know since the servants who served under madam were still busy preparing her boudoir. I only got a glimpse of her when she was with Master and the Young Master." One maid explained, but the curiosity of the other maids just increased.

"How about the first impression? What do you think of the Madam? Will she be kind to us, just like the master?" 

"Well, in some estate, even if the master doesn't concern himself in the matters of the household, the other madams are abusive. I wouldn't be surprised if the Madam is the opposite of the master and the young master."

"The Madam will be the one in charge of the estate from now on. I'm a little anxious about what she is like and I agree. It wouldn't be surprising if she is different."

'Huh?? Why did this conversation had taken such a turn? How could they assume immediately?' my nose scrunched up, but I couldn't blame them. 'Instead of expecting more, they were actually expecting less or nothing at all to avoid disappointments.'

"Well, honestly, the Madam looks like someone who is hard to approach."

"Really? Can you tell us?"

The maids all had their eyes on the other maid, as she was the only one who had a glimpse of me. I also focused my eyes on her back through this small gap. I felt like a pervert peeking, but well, they would stop gossiping if I enter now.

"The Madam looks very beautiful and elegant, but you know… she is like a born noble. Someone like her must like only pretty things and perfection."

I froze at this ridiculous conclusion! I winced and stopped myself from barging in to defend myself. 

"Right! I heard the Madam came from a prominent noble family in the capital!" One maid clapped as if she had remembered something. "It's said that the reason Master is working day and night to build his wealth, even more, is because he wanted to keep the Madam's lifestyle!"

"Really? I think I heard about this rumor before…"

"Yes. It is said that, although the master is without noble status, he fell in love with the Madam at first sight. It just so happened that Madam's family had some financial issue, so they offered marriage to the Master. But instead of adopting the master to the noble family, the opposite happened. The Madam lost her noble status by marrying a man without one."

My brows twitched as my face distorted the most I listened to this twisted love story. Love at first sight? Well, maybe that was correct, but everything else was wrong! I ground my teeth, calming myself from correcting this distorted love story.

"They said the Madam was very depressed about it, so the Master had to work harder to keep her happy. I think the madam started opening up to the master after two years of marriage, but then her health deteriorated. The pregnancy just worsened it and she nearly died of childbirth…"

They continued to gossip, and it made me wonder how they all believed this version. It was full of holes and some details just didn't make sense! 

"These people…" came out a helpless voice, shaking my head. "I think I heard enough…"

My brow raised when I sensed someone's hurried footsteps from a distance. I knew who it was.

"So he came looking for me? That was quick.'" I murmured before suddenly barging into the kitchen. As soon as I did, the heat from the kitchen embraced me, but that didn't stop me. The maids flinched and slowly turned their heads in my direction.

Their eyes slowly dilated as soon as they met my eyes, but I just smiled. I placed a finger in front of my lips and looked around.

"Pretend you didn't see me," I said as I walked towards the blind spot of the kitchen. As I hid, the maids were still staring at me blankly. 

SLAM!

Just a minute later, I heard the door open abruptly. I pressed my lips together as the surprised maids turned their heads to the door. 

"Have you seen the Madam?" I heard Sam's deep and menacing voice, but what came after him was silence. 

"Uh…" one maid glanced at me, but I shook my head and placed my finger in front of my lips. 

'Hide me,' I mouthed.

"Have you seen my wife?" he repeated, but this time, his tone could make everyone's hair raise.

"N — no, master." I smiled when the maid answered.

'Good job,'