The Duke's Substitute Wife
The love that was lost

#Happy reading, hopefully today will be a smooth day. His entire family is given health and sustenance smoothly 😊

"What's he here for? what's he pulling out his horn for?" Cerocos Viola is upset. He clasped both hands on his chest, leaned his body against the tree and threw his face away.

"Go," Duke Cristin's words made the nobles bow respectfully and leave. They will not harass the lion king in front of him. The nobles looked towards Viola, hoping that there would be another time to meet again.

Hem

Cold to the nobles. They left with frightened faces.

"Go home," Duke Cristin looked around. He would not scold Viola in public.

"Why? getting angry," Viola sighed, he went past Duke Cristin, but Duke Cristin clasped his hand.

"Follow me,"

Again Viola only snorted in annoyance. He was like a wife caught cheating. Viola did not respond to her monologueous thoughts and heart if she cheated on him. And someday he will also leave the Duke's residence.

On the way, Viola propped up her chin looking out the window. Shady trees lined up neatly, birds chirping on the tree trunk. The breeze that makes the leaves move.

"What did you come here for? just bother," Viola said without looking at her.

"Did I pick up my wife wrong?"

"Wife? since when did I become the wife of His Highness the Duke? I don't think it ever was,"

"Be, like Duke used to be. I prefer the old one, not noticed or pretentious to care." continued Viola, staring hatefully at him.

"You like it or you don't like it. I care because I'm a Duke. It's appropriate that I remind a Duchess, meaning the honor of a Duchess." Duke Cristin's heart thrashed, he didn't want to say that, but his mind said it didn't want to look caring or considerate. He doesn't want to say he loves Viola.

"Ck, I was wrong. Sooner or later I will leave too. How nice I am to prepare my husband first."

"Viola." Snapped Duke Cristin, his chest felt tight. Viola will find a replacement husband for her.

Viola pressed the corner of her lips. "Something's wrong, I don't think so."

"Duchess." Duchess Eliana headed towards him. He hugged Viola so tightly, rubbing the black mane affectionately.

"Don't do it again, you're making Mom worry about the Duchess."

"Sorry Mother" Viola fell silent, feeling the sincere affection of her mother.

Viola looked towards Duke Cristin then turned towards Duke Arland. Both men were ready to talk to him. Lazy to argue, Viola let go of his embrace. As he was about to step his foot, Duke Cristin's voice stopped him.

"I hope you don't do it again Duchess. I don't want any bad rumors coming at me."

"Why is Duke Cristin?" ask Duke Arland.

"He seduces the nobles."

"Viola," snapped Duke Arland. No noble should drop his pride. If there are unpleasant rumors, his family will also bear shame, but that is not the thing that stuck in his heart. He only thought about Viola. Didn't want to see her ostracized by a noblewoman. For the sake of the current Viola, he would wholeheartedly defend her.

"I'm tired." Viola turned his body around, he clenched both his hands in front of his forehead with his head lowered. "Please, be like before. Don't mind what I'm doing. And to tease the men, I don't tease him. They are the ones who come to me by themselves. And I am a divorced wife. I just wanted to find a replacement." Viola said then about to leave.

"Viola !"

"Don't yell at me." Viola turned to them.

"I'm tired of arguing with you guys. I begged too I was bored. I'm not your daughter, Your Highness Duke Arland, and I'm not your wife, Your Highness, Duke Cristin. Those words are ingrained in my body. So don't show your concern to me. I'd rather you hate me, y'all yell at me every day, ignore me, ignore me."

"You're my daughter Viola, my blood runs through your body."

"When?" Viola nodded, "Then will it be?" viola said with a raised voice.

"Never forget your words, which you once uttered to me." Viola stopped his footsteps.

"The love that was lost, no Viola expects love from you. No more Viola of your family. The Viola who used to be dead and dead." said Viola again continued his footsteps upstairs.