The next morning, as the sun rose and birds chirped outside, I slowly stirred awake.
Sitting up, I winced as a dull ache throbbed in my head. "Ugh..." I blinked down at myself. I was still in last night's dress, though my heels had been removed and a blanket was draped gently over me.
"What...?" I muttered, holding my head as fragments of last night's events returned in a rush.
The wine. My antics. The things I said to the Duke.
My face paled—and then flushed red with embarrassment. I grabbed my hair in both hands, groaning in shame.
"Why did you do that, you stupid Adeline!?" I hissed at myself.
Nausea hit me suddenly. I rushed out of bed and made it to the basin just in time to vomit. When I finally looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself—my hair was a mess, and my face looked pale and haggard.
Dragging myself into the bathroom, I took a long, cool bath in an attempt to pull myself together. Afterward, still feeling the effects of the hangover, I wrapped myself in a towel and leaned against the wall, collecting what little energy I had left.
Fifteen minutes later, I was finally dressed and decently composed.
Then came a knock at the door.
"My Lady, breakfast is ready. The Duke and Young Master Dane are waiting for you in the dining hall," James called politely from the other side.
"I-I'll be there in a minute!"
Doing my best to walk without stumbling, I made my way to the dining hall. The father-and-son duo were already eating.
Dane's face lit up when he saw me. "Good morning..." He paused, then frowned in concern. "Are you okay, Mom?"
I gave him a weak smile and sat beside him. "I'm alright, sweetie. Just a bit of a headache."
Duke Darwin set down his fork and knife. "James."
James approached promptly. "Yes, my lord?"
"Bring Lady Adeline some hangover medicine."
Dane looked from his father to me, narrowing his eyes. "Wait... were you drunk last night?"
I hesitated for a moment, but lying felt wrong—especially to him. I nodded slowly. "Yes... a little."
Dane crossed his arms and pouted. "I told you, Mom, alcohol is not your best friend. You have no tolerance for it! Remember last time? You jumped into a pig—"
"Dane!" I quickly covered his mouth, my eyes wide in alarm. "There are some things better left unsaid," I said with a tight, warning smile.
Dane blinked innocently and gave a muffled, "Mm-hmm," under my hand.
After breakfast, Duke Darwin motioned for me to follow him. We soon arrived at his office.
"Take this. It'll help with the hangover," he said, handing me a small vial of medicine.
"Thank you..." I looked at it, then at him hesitantly. "Um... About last night... I'm really sorry."
Darwin sat in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Next time, tell me if there's something you can't handle. Don't just nod and accept everything I give or ask of you."
"I just thought—"
"Am I clear?" he interrupted, his tone firm.
I sighed in defeat and nodded. "Yes, Your Grace. I swear."
Darwin gave a small nod of approval.
I stood there for a moment, expecting him to say more, but the room fell quiet.
"Well then, I'll excuse my—"
"Next month," he interrupted, signing a few papers, "the land, title, and house will be transferred to you. As promised to Dane."
I blinked, Dane's list of conditions suddenly coming back to me.
"Oh... Alright. May I ask what title I'll be receiving?"
He looked up, a smirk playing on his lips.
"A Marchioness."
I froze.
What!?
A Marchioness!? That's just one rank below him! Practically nobility royalty! I was speechless.
"I... I... Uh... That's..." I stammered.
He chuckled at my stunned expression. "What? Not satisfied? Should I just give you the title of Duchess instead?"
"No!" I blurted out, flustered. I tried to compose myself, but it was impossible with him grinning like that.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. I noticed him covering his mouth slightly, trying to hide his laughter.
He was enjoying this.
"Why you..." I growled, grabbing a pillow from the nearby couch and throwing it at him in frustration.
He caught it easily, still smiling that insufferable smile. "Is this how you say thank you? Well then—you're welcome."
"You're so annoying! You... You stupid black bear!" I shouted, spinning on my heel and storming out of the office. I slammed the door behind me with a huff.
As I marched down the hallway, my face flushed in embarrassment and rage.
Ugh! That smug, arrogant man! I really do want to punch his stupid face!
Third Person P. O. V.
As soon as the door closed, Darwin let out a soft laugh. Fortunately, no one was around to witness such a rare display of emotion from the usually stoic duke.
He sighed in contentment, recalling Adeline's flustered reaction. The image of her embarrassed, fuming face made the corner of his lips tug upward again. It had been far too long since something—or someone—had made him feel this entertained.
He stood up and returned the pillow she had thrown back to the couch, still smiling to himself.
There was a certain thrill in the way she challenged him—bold, rebellious, completely unafraid of his title or reputation. She was the only person who dared to stand her ground with him, and strangely, it didn't bother him. In fact, he welcomed it.
Returning to his desk, Darwin opened a drawer and pulled out a small photograph.
It was a picture of Adeline from the night before—drunk, pouting, and passed out in the most unladylike fashion. He hadn't meant to take it at first, but her expression had been so ridiculous that he couldn't help himself.
Yes, it was rude. And yes, it was absolutely without her permission.
But something about that unguarded moment made him want to keep it—as a memory of the woman who had stormed into his life and turned it upside down without even trying.
He slipped the photo into his chest pocket and sat back down at his desk, returning to his paperwork with a lighter heart than usual.
From that moment on, his mood for the rest of the day was remarkably good.