Zilayefa stood in the grand ballroom, her governess, Mrs. Tamara, instructing her on the finer points of etiquette. "A duchess must always maintain proper posture, my lady," Mrs Tamata said, her voice firm but gentle. "Shoulders back, head held high, and a gentle smile."
Zilayefa nodded, trying to absorb the countless rules and regulations that came with being a duchess. She had been undergoing training for weeks now, and it was taking a toll on her. Every day was filled with lessons on etiquette, protocol, and management of the household.
Mrs. Tamara continued, "When greeting guests, a duchess must curtsy deeply, but elegantly. Remember, my lady, a duchess is a symbol of refinement and poise." Zilayefa practiced the curtsy, her governess correcting her posture and movement.
The training was exhaustive, covering everything from table manners to diplomatic protocol. Zilayefa felt like she was drowning in a sea of rules and expectations. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't shake off the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, the Duke watched her from afar, his eyes filled with a mix of admiration and concern. He saw the toll the training was taking on Zilayefa and made sure she was well taken care of. He would often instruct the staff to provide her with extra comforts and privileges, hoping to ease her burden.
As the days passed, the Duke found himself growing closer to Zilayefa, despite her distant demeanor. He would try to initiate conversations, but she would respond politely, her eyes avoiding his. He couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment, but he refused to give up.
One day, while observing her from afar, the Duke realized that his feelings for Zilayefa went beyond mere admiration. He was in love with her. The realization caught him off guard, but he knew he had to act on it. He wanted Zilayefa to like him, if not love him, and so he began to make efforts to win her affection.
He started by showering her brothers with gifts and opportunities. Her three brothers, who had once worked as servants in the castle, were now treated like noble men. Duke Larry promised to enroll her brothers in prestigious school. Zilayefa appreciated the Duke's efforts, but her heart wasn't in it. She was still waiting for the one thing that mattered most to her – her mother and younger brother.
The Duke, unaware of her true desires, continued to try and win her affection. He bought her expensive gifts and treated her with kindness, but Zilayefa remained distant. She would smile politely and thank him, but her eyes would betray her true feelings.
As the days turned into weeks, the Duke's efforts became more pronounced. He would often surprise her with small gestures, hoping to catch her off guard and see a glimmer of genuine affection. But Zilayefa remained guarded, her heart locked away.
Despite the Duke's best efforts, Zilayefa's thoughts were consumed by her mother and younger brother. She longed to see them, to hold them in her arms and never let them go. The Duke's gifts and kindness meant little to her compared to the promise he had made to bring her family to her.
As she stood in the grand ballroom, practicing her curtsies and etiquette, Zilayefa's mind wandered to her family. She wondered when she would finally see them again, when she would be reunited with the people she loved most. The thought gave her the strength to endure the training, to play the part of the dutiful duchess.
But deep down, Zilayefa knew she couldn't keep up the facade forever. She needed the Duke to keep his promise, to bring her family to her. Only then could she truly be happy, truly be herself.
As the days passed, Zilayefa settled into her new routine as the Duchess. The Duke told her to start playing her part though she was still learning her role as a duchess.She played her part to perfection, attending social events and managing the household staff with ease. But beneath the surface, she was counting down the days until her family arrived.
One morning, as she was walking in the gardens, Zilayefa saw the Duke approaching her. "Good morning, my dear," he said, his voice formal. "I have some news that might interest you. Your family will be arriving soon, perhaps within the next fortnight."
Zilayefa's heart skipped a beat. She had been waiting for this moment for so long. "Thank you, my lord," she said, trying to contain her excitement. "I am eager to see them."
The Duke nodded, his expression unreadable. "I will make sure they are well taken care of. Your mother and brother will be provided for, and your brothers will be enrolled in the best schools in the land."
Zilayefa's eyes welled up with tears. She was grateful for the Duke's kindness, even if it was motivated by his own interests. "Thank you, my lord," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The Duke nodded, his expression softening slightly. "I will make sure everything is in place for their arrival. You may want to prepare yourself for the reunion."
Zilayefa nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. She couldn't wait to see her family, to hold them in her arms and never let them go. The thought of being reunited with them gave her the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As the days passed, Zilayefa's excitement grew. She busied herself preparing for her family's arrival, making sure their rooms were ready and that they would be well taken care of. She couldn't help but wonder what her mother and brother would think of the castle, of the Duke, and of her new life as the Duchess.