Chapter Text
Noah Wynknight was sure to be enraged with Raelina when he returned. He had specifically entrusted his estate under her care, and she let a maid carelessly break a valuable artificial piece.
The maid was sure to get a light scolding, but Raelina would end up with a night of hell. The minute he returned it would be the last day her soul rested on earth.
The butler announced his return not a moment before sunset. Raelina hid near the entrance where (she had hoped) she wouldn't be found while she waited for the butler to inform Noah of the broken piece of art.
"I see," The duke said, a smile on his face. "It's not much of a deal, I presume." He glanced around the room. "Has that clumsy maid gone to bed?" Noah asked. "She has, sir." the butler vigorously replied.
Noah nodded. "And what of Raelina?" The butler glanced in her direction nervously. "The miss went up to bed a little while ago, sir."
"Alright. I suppose I'll discipline the maid in the morning." The duke grinned, so gleeful it was just creepy, and made his way up the stairs.
As soon as he disappeared from her line of sight, Raelina let of a sigh of relief. The butler passed by the tea room briefly.
"Thanks," Raelina whispered. "But now I'm too scared to even try to sleep. Ever since I agreed to stay with him for a little while, this insomnia has been driving me crazy. I just can't trust the duke. He's such a sneak. "
The butler leaned closer, dropping his voice. "I could arrange for you to stay with the servants, just for tonight, if that's what you'd like, miss." Raelina's eyes lit up.
"Could you? It'd be so much better than a night with..Noah.." She shuddered.
The butler nodded. "I'll see it be done." Raelina waited for him to leave before stepping out of the room.
"One night away from the duke..." She murmured, closing her eyes and leaning against the door. "What are you whispering about?" A voice tickled her ear. She snapped her head over her shoulder.
"N-Noah! I was just..." She trailed off, inching away. The duke smirked. "Going somewhere, Raelina?"
The butler came back around, freezing in his tracks.
Noah turned his head, locking eyes with the butler. "Oh, and Jacobs? Next time I'd appreciate if you'd tell me you were going to sneak Raelina in with the servants. I almost thought you were serious."
Helpless, the butler bowed apologetically. "Goodnight, Jacobs." Duke Wynight smiled. "Goodnight, sire." the butler recanted. "Wait, no, Jacobs! Don't leave....!"
Raelina pleaded, the duke dragging her behind him. "Apologies, miss. Unfortunately, your request cannot overrule the master's demands." He bowed his head regretfully, turning away into the servants quarters.
"Now, Raelina, what was all that about a night away from me?" The duke turned to her as he led her through the hall. Raelina crossed her arms and refused to look at him.
"Raelina ~" Noah leaned up to her.
"Nope. Nope, Nope, Nope." Raelina ran and opened her door, closing it in his face. "Open the door." Duke Wynknight said in a nonchalant voice. "No! If you even set foot in this room, I'll..." Noah pushed on the door. "I'll..." The door was almost open. "I'll call off the engagement!"
Noah froze. For a moment, he stopped pushing on the door. Then he stuck his head into the room. "Will you?" He teased. "Yes!" Raelina insisted. "I swear I will, so don't even think about coming in."
Noah smiled slyly. "And what if I were to come in?"
Raelina grumbled under her breath. The duke and his stubbornness. "I'll return to my parents house, after I break off the engagement." the duke let out a small laugh.
"Did you not confess your love to me only a few months ago?"
"That was a few months ago. If you think I'm fooling around right now, I assure you you're wrong." Raelina stomped over to the cabinet and opened her bags.
Noah walked into the room. "Alright, Alright. I'm sorry." He said in an unapologetic-at-all tone, placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Didn't I say I'd leave if you came in here?" Raelina snapped, stashing her clothes away in her bags. Noah grabbed her wrists and pulled her into a hug, moving away from the cabinet.
"Then I suppose I can't let you leave this room." He smiled at her.
"You really think you'll be able to hold me in here? I'll jump out the window, or have one of the servants help me sneak out. Clearly they aren't as loyal to you as you thought they were." Raelina retorted.
Noah kept his smile steady. "That might be true, but I'd catch you first."
"Then I'd just try to run away again." Raelina shot back.
"I'd have you tied to a chair." Noah added.
"You'd really tie me to a chair? I could just find a way to cut the rope." Raelina said triumphantly.
"Who ever said I'd tie you to the chair with a rope?" Noah raised an eyebrow, his smile becoming irritability smug.
Raelina scowled. "That sounds like holding me prisoner. You're obsessive." Noah brushed a hair off her face. "I disagree. I'd call it yearning."
Raelina looked away. "If locking me to a chair to prevent me from leaving is what you'd call yearning, you must be insane."
Duke Wynknight held her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Perhaps. My love for you has messed with my sanity."
Raelina held back a laugh. He sounds like one of those corny guys from a corny tv show.
"Something amusing?" Noah asked. Raelina shook her head. "It's nothing."
Noah's eyes sparkled. "It's true, though." He leaned his head closer. "I've never felt this way before. Ever."
Raelina felt her heart flutter.
"I love you, Raelina." Noah narrowed his eyes as he spoke. "I swear I will love you as long as I shall live."
Raelina lowered her eyes. "Save it for the wedding."
The corner of Noah's lips twisted into a smile. His eyes began to close, and between the two, a kiss lingered in the air.