Chapter 6 - Unwanted Attention (1/2)
”Your Grace, please forgive my discourtesy,” I said quickly, dropping the book in my hasty to curtsy.
I then realized I wasn't wearing shoes because I'd kicked them off to get comfy in my chair. Even better.
”At ease. I will not tell your mother,” he said with the ghost of a smile on his face. ”As long as you tell me what you were reading.”
I gaped up at him in shock. This guy was surprisingly persistent in talking to a girl for someone who was nothing but a military counselor in the novel.
I tried to remember if it said whether or not he was married. He probably was. Duchess was a highly sought after title, after all.
But like most political marriages, there was most likely no real affection between them. That was one of the central themes of this novel because Alpheus and Marcy overcame that cultural hurdle.
I couldn't meet his eyes in my mortification. Talking to guys in this world was even worse than talking to them at home because I had to maintain my manners. I was awkward enough without this extra barrier!
”Manheim's Treatise on International Politics. Your Grace,” I tacked on at the end in case I was being rude again.
The duke didn't look nearly as shocked as I had when he arrived, but definite surprise flitted across his face.
”Students in the academy don't study that until their final year and you are reading it on your own?”
”I have never formally studied politics,” I lied. And what a lie it was. The countless hours I'd spent writing papers! ”But I am interested in them. I've studied many of the policy books in this library.”
”And what do you think about Manheim's foreign policy?” the duke asked with a hint of interest.
I gained a bit of confidence. I'd written my senior thesis on a similar subject.
”I think he's wrong. Each nation offers something of value to the greater world and going to war to change someone's mind on policies they don't personally agree with is a waste of resources and human life. There is much to be learned from other countries' cultures and they should be respected for their differences.”
It was the most words I'd ever uttered in the Duke Orla's presence.
”Very interesting. I'm inclined to agree with you, to a point. Sometimes the nation's best interest involves going against another but not for the reasons you mentioned,” he mused. ”Have you read anything by Scotford?”
”Oh yes, I've read all five of his books,” I said with a small smile, trying hard not to fidget out of nerves. He was definitely noticing me now. Could he just leave already?