Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 68: A Loose Thread

Chapter 68: A Loose Thread

"Come in."

Tillian’s calm voice instructed the person waiting outside the room to enter. As the door swung open, Bella was the first to step inside.

Smiling awkwardly, and with a hint of cunningness, she offered her lord a polite bow, struggling to contain her unusual excitement.

"I apologize, Your Grace, but I’ve just finished something, and I thought you should see it too. It’s quite amusing!"

Upon finishing her words, the maid gracefully stepped aside, making way for the Duke’s Dobermans. The dogs happily bounded towards the Duke, jumping around him and licking his outstretched hands in a friendly greeting.

Contrary to the dogs’ excitement, Tillian didn’t share their joy; rather, he was taken aback by their unexpected appearance. And the reason for his surprise lay in the peculiar attire the dogs were wearing.

"What in the world is this, Bella?!"

Finally, unable to restrain her emotions any longer, Bella’s chest and shoulders began to shake. She allowed herself a hearty laugh while simultaneously attempting to clarify the dogs’ peculiar appearances.

"I knitted matching sweaters for them using the yarn Her Highness gifted me! Lord Wiggles got a blue sweater while his brother – a green one. Aren’t they cute?"

"Sweaters?"

Upon hearing Aideen’s astonished voice, as if to assist her in grasping the situation, the twins delicately approached the princess. They sat on both sides of her, placing their heavy heads on top of her knees, eagerly anticipating her gentle petting.

As she slid her hands over their strong backs, the woman arched her eyebrows. She could indeed feel the softness of the threads skillfully arranged in the unusual garments adorning the Dobermans. The dogs seemed to revel in the attention, their glowing red eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and contentment as they fixed them on the princess’s smiling face.

The dogs took a few steps away from the couple and gracefully turned around three times, almost as if inviting their owner to fully appreciate their new attire. This only fueled Bella’s laughter, which grew even louder now, filling the entire study with its melody.

"See? They love them! Look at them, so proud of their new sweaters!"

While the princess couldn’t entirely grasp the extent of the maid’s hard work, she found the mere idea of making clothes for animals hilarious, especially since she knew that Duke Valentine was likely grappling with a wave of embarrassment due to this unexpected turn of events.

Suppressing her own giggles, the lady covered her mouth with both hands in a futile attempt to hide her amusement. However, Bella’s keen observational skills caught every subtle expression. Undeterred, she clasped her hands together and laughed again.

"Even Her Highness loves it! I knew it was a good idea to make these sweaters. Look at how much joy they’ve managed to bring here!"

Certainly, the concealed motive behind Bella’s knitting venture was to create a catalyst for the troubled couple, providing them with something lighthearted to discuss and enjoy.

’That secret ’love mentor’ of yours might excel with the ladies, but I’m no fool myself, Your Grace! I believe that sharing sudden moments of joy can still bring people closer, and from what I’m witnessing right now, I was not wrong.’

With a playful wink directed at the Duke, the cunning maid widened her grin and continued,

"Your Grace, the weather seems exceptionally nice and calm this evening. How about taking the twins for a little walk? They’ve spent the entire day cooped up inside the castle; I bet they would be thrilled to finally go out!"

"Bella..."

Tillian contemplated a retort but abandoned the idea upon noticing the bright and excited expression on Aideen’s lovely face. With a somewhat defeated sigh, he nodded at Bella and gestured for her to leave the room and prepare warm clothes for the two of them.

’When she looks at me with those doe eyes of hers, I can’t help but surrender.’

***

"Have you decided on the wedding day, Your Grace?"

Once the two of them exited the palace and embraced the invigorating cold of the evening, the princess recognized the familiar threat of spending yet another walk in complete silence. Determined to break the pattern, she resolved to take matters into her own hands once more.

With a sigh of relief, indicative of his appreciation for Aideen’s initiative, Tillian shook his head and replied,

"Well, I have several dates in mind, but I don’t want to rush anything. Even if it’s just a formality, I want everything to be done right."

"I see..."

The woman’s response carried a hint of strain and disappointment, yet she swiftly redirected the conversation to conceal it.

"If there’s anything I can assist you with, Your Grace, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Despite my limitations in what I can offer, now that I am here with you in this castle, I want you to remember that you can always count on me, just as you do with others."

A warm smile graced the Duke’s face again.

"I appreciate it, My Lady, truly. Honestly, I hesitated to trouble you with anything, knowing how occupied you are with your studies. However, if you genuinely desire to contribute, I welcome your involvement. I will inform Bella of your eagerness to assist, and if she still rejects your help, remind her that my request is not merely an ask but an order."

Somehow, Duke Valentine’s response elicited another laugh from Aideen. With his warm and generous nature, it was easy for her to forget that he was not just a charming companion but the lord of the castle, the sole and feared ruler of The North. Despite the respect and admiration he garnered from those around him, they were still his subordinates, and he was their employer.

’Strong, respectful, kind, wise, and so much more... He is truly the man who deserves to be the King.’

As they continued their leisurely stroll around the castle, the Doberman siblings happily frolicked around, engaging in their playful antics. Amidst the joyous scene, Tillian’s discerning eyes caught sight of a long, loose thread on Lord Wiggles’s sweater. It had ensnared his brother’s collar, forming a potentially dangerous trap the more he moved.

Concerned for his dogs, the man whistled, commanding them to approach at once. However, the dogs, still engrossed in their playful mood, circled around both the princess and their owner, their legs becoming entangled with the thick blue thread of the ruined sweater.

Worried that Aideen might trip and fall, the Duke attempted to warn her to stay still. However, before a single word could escape his lips, the woman took a bold step forward, attempting to join the dogs in their game. And just as Tillian feared, she got caught in the web of blue yarn, lost her balance, and tumbled down.

Fortunately, the man’s reflexes were honed to perfection and instead of falling onto the rough and cold ground, Aideen’s descent was softened by his strong body.