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.

to clean the house. Only

this?" I asked her. Now that I got a look at her now, her hair

usual expression turned a

before I could question her, we arrived at the duchess' room. She opened

dressed in a simple burgundy gown that high lighted her golden hair, the dark red-purple color brought out the color in her rosebud lips and soft teal eyes as she closed the

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

duchess possesses no extravagant jewels on her except for a simple checker

saw her walking towards my

the first she stumbled upon my lord to ask for his help while he was staying at an inn near the 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 that she was scared of the Duke but even then, she blubbered a courageous plea to

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,

me and she stood up and looked at

them. I could detect none of the nervous energy

small two bags of coins to Linda who was behind me. " Please forgive the small amount but the duke has not authorized an official amount for your allowance yet so for now please

one small sack and loosened the drawstring to pick one silver

I promised

or even throw something at my

and

monthly but because of the master's sudden emergency departure to the