When Eloise woke up, the sun was already at its zenith. She sat up leaning against the headboard, the memories from yesterday kept lingering in her mind. Meeting the Duke once again was a frightening experience, it was a nightmare she badly wants to escape. Thinking how she would experience that life again made her pity herself. Eloise was reminded of her death as she gently touched her neck, a lone tear escaping her eye.

I must escape from this misery.

She shook her head to dismiss her thoughts and decided to pull the rope that will call the maids outside the room. As if on cue, the maids arrived one by one.

"Help me bathe."

"Yes, Your Grace."

The maids attended her in bathing, they dressed her with fancy clothes paired with expensive jewelries. The beige colored dress has a short sleeve adorned with laces and gem studs that shines by reflected light. After fitting on the dress, the servants lined up and made her choose from the jewelries that she can't even count until now. It is the life of the Duchess of Fleiss. The luxury of someone with a commoner blood like her can get by marrying the Duke.

If only she was like the other nobles who gets satisfied by such luxurious life, she won't mind living with a husband who doesn't love her. But for Eloise, who was longing for love ever since she was a child, she was yearning for someone to accept her. She was a victim of abuse. She was broken. She was incomplete and never had a place she belong to.

When she married him, Eloise thought she's finally released from his father's shackles that bound her for years. Nathaniel gave her home, a place where she could be at peace. The servants treat her with respect that even her family cannot give. He made her feel safe in his arms. Even though he was cold towards her, he never hurt her nor took advantage of her weakness. But everything took a huge turn when he met the woman he fell in love with.

She saw her reflection at the mirror and was reminded of the events last night. The warmth of his words trickles her heart and she felt afraid how this wave of emotions could shaken her resolve if it continues further. Human emotions are really fickle.

He may not be someone to hurt her for now but everything will change once he meet her. He will do everything to get rid of her even if it means killing her. She must get out of their marriage before that happens.

Eloise felt the threatening emotions that began to rise again on her heart. She tried to suppress it and strengthen her resolve. In this matter, her life was on the line and she shouldn't waver further. With that on mind, she nodded inwardly as she think of her escape.

I must set up my escape plan.

As if on cue, Knox knocked to the door and inform her of breakfast.

"Okay, I'll go down in a minute. Thank you, Knox."

The dutiful butler lowered his head and turned around.

"What about His Grace?" she suddenly thought of the possibility of them dining together and felt uncomfortable.

"His Grace ordered to have his meal at his office. Because of his long absence, he had matters that needs immediate attention."

She felt relieved at his answer. He really must be busy. He was gone for half a year because of the war and he must have a pile of work that he needs to tend promptly. She remembered him mentioning it to her last night.

"If you wish, I will inform His Grace that you want to dine together."

"A-ah, No! That won't be necessary."

Knox and the other servants at the room was quite taken at her reaction. They seemed puzzled at their mistress who strongly refused to have breakfast with his husband.

"He must be busy. We can dine together some other time."

"Yes, Your Grace."

As they enter the dining hall, she was welcomed by the aromatic scent of food. The table was filled with different dishes that the head chef prepared for her.

Knox pulled out a chair for her to sit which she accepted with a warm smile. As soon as she settled, she started digging on the food. In her previous life, she would only share a meal with the Duke occasionally. He would always have food brought on his office. And eating alone that morning in the long table is not something new for her.

Eloise enjoyed her breakfast with much ease as she doesn't have to worry of encountering him that morning.

"The meal today was great, I really enjoyed it."

She patted her lips with grace using the square cloth before standing up.

"Your Grace, a new tea has arrived this morning. You must be exhausted from the banquet last night and the chamomile tea will help you relax. If you want, I will send it to your room in a while," Knox offered when she got up from her seat.

Hmm. A cup of tea while creating an escape plan is not a bad idea.

"I appreciate the thought. Thank you, Knox."

Eloise settled at the balcony of her room and waited for Knox while playing with the quill pen in her hands and a few pieces of paper on the table. Soon enough, the capable butler knocked and brought her tea and refreshments.

Her eyes were glued at the back of the leaving butler. Once the door closed, a deep sigh escaped her plump lips. Eloise shifted her attention to the scenery in front of her before taking a sip of the tea.

The wide garden with the perfectly trimmed grass and the scattered colorful flowers gave life to the huge space before her. A small pond was visible not too far from the balcony, there were gooses and other birds that makes the scenery more breath-taking. Eloise heaved another sigh as she placed her tea down.

Let's get down to business.

She held her chin with her left hand while her right hand was tapping on the table. Eloise started thinking of ways on how to change her fate of dying in the Duke's hand. In order to achieve that, she would need to divorce the Duke first. Of course, divorcing the Duke won't be easy and Eloise is aware of that. However, she has no other option. If she wants to leave a peaceful life, then she must find a way to break the chains that bind her with the Duke.

Well, Eloise can't escape either, the risk is too high and the chances of her father finding out is very likely that she might pay with her life if she was caught. Ever since their marriage, her father kept a very strict surveillance on her. He even took the effort to hire different people to keep watch on her every move.

I'm sure someone is watching me right now.

The shameless Count who took advantage of the marriage, would be enraged if he finds out that she tried to escape.

In conclusion, the only way she can survive is to divorce the Duke without her father's knowledge before running far away from the Kingdom. However, to make that happen she must find a place where no one would recognize her. A place that is not part of the Kingdom nor near the kingdom.

"Where can I find such a place? Although I know the places in the Kingdom from books and through social events. Still, that won't be enough and I know nothing about the neighboring Kingdoms as well."

Eloise frowned as she thinks of a place where she could escape, it's making her head ache. For a moment, her eyes wandered at the view in front of her. Eloise' eyes settled at the huge mansion gates. The mansion was heavily secured by knights guarding and patrolling the area. There is no way she could go out without getting caught and there was no doubt they would report her to the Duke. In that case, it would be more difficult for her to move.

'There must be something I can do without alarming Nathaniel,' she thought. Her eyes grew wide as an idea popped out of her head.

"Books! I can look for travelogues or a map in the library," She mumbled with excitement.

Six days from now, they would return to the North where the Fleiss' territory is located. 'I'm sure there would be records in the library.' It might not be as huge as the Capital's library but the Duchy's library also has a wide range of books and literature that was kept in good condition for years.

Apart from having a place to live, Eloise also needs to secure her financial needs. If she will start a new life, money is a must. She started thinking again on how to acquire money covertly. Being the Duchess, she receives allowances that she was spending thriftily for the past year. But that money won't still be enough to support her for the rest of her life.

While she was consumed by her thoughts, a sudden memory flashed in her mind. If things will happen the same as before, a certain land in the South-west would soar in value because of the economic growth brought by a capable man who extensively expanded his business. The plot of land is currently in a cheap price and no one could even hint that it would suddenly rise high in value two years from now. If she could buy the land before that happens, she can sell it after some time and earn an enormous amount that can support her for the following years.

"I can secretly buy a land there then sell it before leaving the Kingdom. Now my only problem is the divorce," Eloise mumbled while scribbling in her notes.

The movement of her quill pen came to a halt as she falls back in thoughts. The face of a man with piercing cold eyes and a stiff expression came to her mind and her brows creased.

How could I even convince that heartless man who can't even sit in the same table with me? He might try to kill me for ruining his perfect reputation.

Eloise heaved a long sigh as she thinks of a way to approach his husband without him slitting her neck to death.