My Lady Chef

Milford's POV:

I stared at the small dilapidated house with its overgrown hedges and peeling wall paint as I sighed as I knocked on the door.

The new girl Linda opened the door and bowed to me as I let myself in.

News of the duke's treatment of his wife has spread across the estate and manor. He abandoned her on the day of their nuptials and was as a result exiled to the bridal house.

As the duchess of the most awed yet feared nobility in Illios, I had expected her to protest and start throwing things around but she docilely left the main manor and settled here.

"How is Her Grace doing Linda?" I asked the young maiden who volunteered to serve the duchess. She had a somewhat pleasant face with chestnut hair and brown eyes but she was somewhat of an oddity around the maids.

"She is fine sir." was her reply.

Always prompt and I detect a hint of coldness as well. Before she came to serve the duchess; she was quiet and timid but now.....she is quite bold to show such displeasure.

I stopped and confronted her, as the head butler; I have the authority to report her rebellious behavior to the head maid and she can be punished accordingly.

But then I noticed something else.

The outside was deplorable but the inside of the house was clean. the floors were shiny and the walls were properly dusted and flowers decorated every vase. The drapes have been changed and the windows were washed and the carpet was clean although it was a bit worse for the wear.

the head maid did not send any help to clean the house. Only the room where the duchess will

look at her now, her hair was a bit brittle and her skin is dry

usual expression turned a bit fidgety before she hid it behind her

arrived at the duchess' room. She

out the color in her rosebud lips and soft teal eyes as she

neck and hands dripping with jewels; their hair powdered with glitter and done

duchess possesses no extravagant jewels on her except for a simple

that I was entranced the first time I saw her walking towards my lord's chambers. Her blonde hair unbound

Baron's estate. She was heavily cloaked and her hands gloved. Even her veiled face hide everything but her pretty eyes but it was evident

of the court had coveted the lofty title of Duchess Aisenburg. To be wed to my master meant power and influence that most court ladies dream of. She can be the belle of the ball or the driving force amongst the beau monde if she wishes to. My master is also generous to the ladies he chooses so money, gowns, and jewels are nothing but small

before me and she stood up and looked

the strength in them. I could detect none of the nervous energy she displayed the first time I saw

who was behind me. " Please forgive the

loosened the drawstring

I promised for

me or even throw something at my

and 200 gold drachmas," I

the past duchesses receive 500 gold drachmas and 300 silver drachmas monthly but because of the master's sudden emergency