The following weeks blurred together as Cassia was stripped down from a commoner and built back up to be the ideal woman for the Duke.
Mandatory classes throughout the day on top of a large list of chores she was convinced only existed because of the head maids jealousy.
"Ma'am, how much longer before I'm… you know, ready?" Cassia asked as she walked down the main corridor with the head maid Madam Flurret. "It's been two months and I've seen him three times. How am I supposed to love a man I never see?"
"First, this isn't about love, this is about fulfilling a duty you signed up for." Madam Flurret said, turning the corner that led to the academic chambers. "Second, do you truly think you are ready to aid in the uprising of our country?" "Really? Two months is enough to give you the smarts the duke requires?"
Groveling at the realization. "Well… when you put it like that… No, I don't think I'm ready at all." Looking up with more determination than she had before. "I can't keep doing these stupid lessons everyday. "I'm losing my mind with boredom."
Watching the girl almost beg for a change, something inside changed and her resolve steeled. "I will take you to see the duke again, if I get approval." Handing Cassia a book on proper dance etiquette. "For now… Study as much as you can." "The duke tasked me with your training… I will not fail the Lord."
"Fine! Don't make me wait until I'm old like you." Cassia said, laughing with one eye open waiting for the slap that was coming.
SMACK!
A hand landed squarely on her cheek, in its place after was a bright red handprint. "Call me old again bitch and I'll make sure the duke never sees you again."
"God… Madam, I was only joking. You didn't have to hit me," Cassia said as she rubbed her left cheek, it was warm and raised in spots. "You don't want to ruin the face he chose do you?"
Thinking about it Madam Flurret let out a loud huff followed by a list of things Cassia needed to improve on. She also explained that the duke had been away, having meetings with his Father, The King of Draevenhall.
"He won't be back for at least another two weeks," Finishing up her explanation and giving Cassia a few more goals to achieve she left. Handing her over to the next teacher in the long daily cycle she'd grow familiar with.
Over the course of the following two weeks, Cassia gave it her all. If she passed whatever imaginary line the Madam had set, maybe she would be given more interesting tasks. Maybe she would even be able to see Jeric again.
Ever since their last encounter, every night before bed it replayed in her mind. Sometimes forcing a reaction out of Cassia, most times she was too tired for such sultry ideas. She could not count on one hand how many times she'd had to change her panties because the mere idea of his embrace sent her mind into a blur.
This was the last day before he made his way back. Cassia had set it to where they would cross paths regardless of what happened. She set up a trap in her head, one where he would be forced to look at her again. Maybe it would be cunning enough for him to even praise her.
The evening arrived, she had completed all of her daily duties and lessons. The Madam was pleased and had given her the rest of the night off, free of any extra duties that would waste her time. She sat fifteen feet from the palace doors waiting for Jeric.
Click… creak, BAM
The doors flew open as several very important people walked in, Jeric sat at the middle of the group; He was watching the floor as they walked in, lost in thought.
"Jeric!" Cassia called, walking briskly toward the huddle of men. "Jeric can we… talk?"
The fleet of men in shiny armor all stilled their conversations and stopped together, Jeric fighting his way through to the front. Panic was on his face mixed with confusion. "You're waiting on me?"
"Gentlemen… Leave me with the women, Now!," He said, releasing the party members from their duty.
"Do you want to take this somewhere else?" He said as his attention turned toward me. His eyes could make a woman faint if they weren't ready for it..
"I thought you'd never ask… I've been thinking about you ever since our last meeting…" She said as he dragged her away to some secluded part of the western wing. "You were gone so long I was afraid you would forget who I was."
"Cassia, your name is branded on my skin, how could I forget you?" He said as he grabbed her by the waist, pulling her tight against his body. "I couldn't stop thinking about you either," "Even when I was with my Father I could only see your face."
As they tore each others clothes off, the signatures began to illuminate.
The room flashed bright once and the light faded, leaving both of them dazed.
"What the hell was that… Cassia are you alright?" He asked, offering a hand to her. "Why does this keep happening?" "I must speak with Theron as soon as possible. Please forgive me, I don't think I can do this right now." He said as he left the room, Cassia lay there stripped down to her undergarments, ready to receive the duke's gift.
She quickly gathered her things and got redressed with haste, her face burned from embarrassment and lust. Her mind was racing, creating scenarios where he had dominated her that night. Ones she wouldn't be able to shake away no matter how hard she tried.
That night she let herself break free without a second thought. Bringing herself to a climax until her mind went fuzzy enough she fell asleep.
All she could think of before she drifted away was that the duke was going to accept her.
And that she would do anything to stay in this palace.
.