They come in to a room that is as spectacular as the rest of the palace. The table is in an oblong shape with fourteen chairs around it. The duke sits himself at the head of the table. His brother, Lord Izuna, sits himself at his right side and Lord Obito on his left.
The table is divided in two sides. On Izuna's side sits Lady Mito, Lord Itachi, Lord Naruto, Miss Ino and Mr. Might. On Obito's side sits Lord Shisui, Sasuke, Miss. Shizune, Mr. Hatake and Lee. While Sakura sits across the duke.
The reason why they sit as they do, is because their ranking. The duke the highest and Sakura the lowest, so the closer to the duke the higher ranking they have, and the opposite if they sit close to Sakura.
The servants serve the minute the nobles sit down and a light conversation starts as well. The duke's brother makes some comments which are directed to the duke, but the duke has his eyes on Sakura and Lee who converse.
"How was the nature out in the forest?" asks Lee, he is quite curious of Sakura.
"I didn't see much of it, but it was pleasant to the eye." The young lady politely replies back.
"I understand, the nature here is similar to back home."
"Yes it is."
"That's maybe why you like it so much?" he teases.
"Maybe?" both young adults laugh. She takes a quick look around the table. Mr. Might and Mr Hatake converse with Ino and Miss. Shizune. Naruto makes a idiotic comment and Sasuke calls him an idiot. Itachi tries to make some logic out of Naruto's comment but Lord Shisui just laughs about it. The Marchioness talks with Lord Obito and Lord Izuna, but the duke seems to ignore her because his eyes are locked on Sakura's.
She swallows hard and turns back to Lee. "We should go out and ride sometime." She quickly stammers and tries to keep calm under the duke's intense gaze.
"That would be lovely! I think we can borrow the horses to the carriage." Lee becomes quite enthusiastic about everything with speed.
"How about the day after tomorrow?"
"That would be great." Their conversation stops when the main course arrives.
The servants clean the table and serve the main course. And yet again, the conversation starts but this time Mr Might joins in the conversation.
"What were you talking about?" asks Mr. Might.
"We thought about to take a ride trip the day after tomorrow." answers Lee.
"That's a great idea, but don't forget we leave on Tuesday." Mr. Might reminds.
"Don't worry we have more than enough time to pack." the pinkette waves off the reminder. Again the conversation stops but not because another dish, but of the duke.
"When are you leaving Miss. Haruno?"
"This week Tuesday, Your Grace."
"Is the journey long to your village?" asks Lord Shisui.
"Yes my Lord, it is. It takes almost the whole day."
"It must be quite boring to sit in a carriage all day." asks Lord Shisui again, and the duke doesn't look to happy how the conversation changed.
"Well I have books to entertain me with." answers Sakura. She is taken by surprise by Lord Shisui's curiousness about her.
"What books do you read?" asks he.
"Well… I like poetry and I read a lot of novels."
"Have you read the Wale?"
"Shusui, I don't think Miss. Haruno appreciates you ask so many questions." says Madara. Sakura knows that his true intent is to have her attention back on him instead of Lord Shisui. Lord Shisui isn't able to say anything since dessert is being served.
"I don't find Lord Shisui's curiosity annoying, Your Grace. I quite appreciate them actually." says Sakura. The duke's body language is kind and understanding, but his eyes are filled with disappointment and disapproval.
"Let's not have a fight over such a petty thing, instead we shall enjoy the meal." the Marchioness says to calm down the situation. The three of them went silent and the others at the table start a conversation. Sakura tries to listen to what the other say but she can feel the duke's eyes on her.
The group gathered in a large room. This isn't the room Sakura was previously in. The walls are painted in a light cream color, the floor made from the most luxurious type of wood and has big gorgeous windows.
The room would have been beautiful if it was in the middle of the day, but now it's not. It's quite plain compared to the other rooms. It has some lovely oil portraits and a big majestic sofa, but that is all. The rest is not worth mentioning.
Sakura walks around the room and look. Ino, Sasuke, Naruto and Lee plays cards. Miss. Shizune, Mr. Hatake and Mr. Might sit on the sofa and the armchairs are occupied by Lord Itachi and Lord Shisui. The duke, his brother and Lord Obito are in another room that's adjoined.
The Marchioness accompanies Sakura on her walk.
"Are you admiring the view?" asks Lady Mito.
"Yes, My lady." answers Sakura back. Lady Mito steps a little closer to her and speaks in a hushed tone.
"Did I scare you before?"
"No, you did not. But I have thought a lot on it, and…"
"'and' what?"
"It still doesn't solve the mystery of why he likes me."
"Does it have to be so complicated? Love isn't about money. I think he's simply just attracted to you, if that event with your grandfather plays any role, it's a very small one."
"But you warned me of him? You told me I should be careful when I was close to him."
"Not exact in words, but yes I did. He has broken women's hearts before."
"Has he? I thought he didn't like us?"
"He views us as entertainment. Like a toy, he likes it in the beginning and then throws us away."
"And you are scared that will happen to me?"
"Yes, I am." The two walk to one of the many halls and when they have reached out of sound area she continues. "I don't want a young woman like you to have a broken heart. My own heart has been broken by him many years ago."
"Has he? When did he do that?"
"We were both at the age of twenty when he broke it. I hadn't married yet, but many other women in my social circle had already gotten pregnant or their first child. I was in a time of depression, which made me easy to manipulate. He was one of my closest friends at the time, and when he gave me comfort I fell for it easily. He has charm, something I have still hard to resist. But you can."
"Wait, I don't follow. Did he use you when you was as weakest and used you for his own benefit?"
"Yes he did, and he still does when he needs it."
Sakura is bluffed by the marchioness confession. She wasn't very clear and looked quite hurt under her mask of calmness and sense. 'Why haven't I thought about it before?' Saakura questions herself on this matter. Of course that is the reason behind it all. The look the marchioness gave her at the ball, why she wanted her to wear her clothes and the reason behind her will to tell her what she feels for the duke. It was jealousy; the Marchioness wants Sakura to stay away from the duke because she aches for his attention.
This is shocking and overwhelming for Sakura. She thought the marchioness was a woman of trust, but she didn't look deep enough. Is it any aristocrat you can trust? thinks she. This is turning awkward, Sakura was so lost in her thoughts that she forgot to say anything. And for the first and last time she is happy when the duke opens the door next to them.
"What a surprise, i thought I heard voices but I couldn't tell which ones it belonged to." he smirks at Sakura and she feels very discomfortable. She is standing with a man that is at least very attracted to her and a woman that loves that very same man.
"I'm glad to find you, your grace. I think I and my party is quite tired now and wish to head back home." says Sakura, she really wants to get out of here.
"Don't you think the time is a little bit much?" Sakura doesn't like where this is heading, and she has noticed that he hasn't even once glances at Lady Mito. "I think it's very dangerous to travel this time at night. It has happened many accidents in the past." He smirks triumphantly. Sakura knows it's pointless to argue with him. So she tries another tactic.
"I can't give you the answer you are seeking, Your grace. You have to talk to Mr. Might about that." she really hopes that Mr. Might will decline.
"Then we see." is the only answer he gives her before he walks to the room where the others are. Sakura hurries to see what will happen. The duke stands himself by the fireplace and look directly at Mr. Might.
"Miss Haruno said, you are on your way home. But I will not approve of that, you see the road are quite dangerous and many accidents have happened." he glances at Sakura, and she can see the victory in his eyes.
"I'm very thankful for your concern, Your Grace. But we would only be a burden for you."
"In fact you won't I have plenty of place and food to have thirty guests, so fourteen won't be a problem." the duke insists.
"Then I accept, Your Grace." Mr Might stands up and bows before he walks over to Sakura." I can't say no to the duke." he whispers to Sakura, and again she can feel the duke's eyes on her.
"I know it can be hard. But I go to bed now so I don't need to be in the same room as him." whispers Sakura back. "Is it alright to go to bed already now?" asks she the duke that still stands and smirks.
"I will only order a servant before I show you to your room." The Duke answers and walks off to the hall to find a servant. It went fast because only a couple of minutes later he returns. "This way, Miss. Haruno." He gestures to the hall behind her. She turns around but before she does she catch everyone's eyes on them, and Lady Mito's isn't friendly.
Author note: Sorry for the delay! I hope you will enjoy it.
yours sincerely