Chapter 48 COUNCIL SHADOWS

Chapter 48 COUNCIL SHADOWS
Ace

The ride back to the estate took longer than expected, though neither Selene nor I complained about it. The road curved through rolling fields and quiet woods, the sort of peaceful countryside that made a man forget about politics and responsibilities.
But the closer we drew to the estate, the more I could feel the weight of my title settling back onto my shoulders.
Selene noticed it too.
She sat beside me in the carriage, her gaze drifting from the window to my face every now and then.
“You’re thinking about the council again,” she said softly.
I exhaled slowly.
“Am I that obvious?”
She smiled faintly.
“You always become quieter when something is troubling you.”
I leaned back against the cushioned seat and rubbed the bridge of my nose.
“It’s not exactly troubling,” I said. “Just… inevitable.”
“Their questions.”
“Yes.”
Selene folded her hands in her lap, thoughtful.
“They already know you married me.”
“They do,” I agreed. “But knowing something and accepting it fully are two different things.”
She nodded slowly.
“I understand.”
For a moment we sat in silence as the carriage rolled along the gravel road.
Then Selene turned toward me.
“Do you regret it?”
The question made me sit upright immediately.
“Regret it?”
“Marrying me,” she said quietly.
I stared at her in disbelief.
“Selene.”
She kept her gaze steady, though I could see the uncertainty hiding behind her calm expression.
“I just need to hear it,” she said.
I reached across the seat and took her hand firmly.
“I would marry you again a thousand times if I had to.”
Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
“Even with the council watching every step we take?”
“Especially then,” I said with a small smile.
The carriage rolled through the main gates of the estate at that moment.
The tall iron bars opened slowly, and the familiar grounds stretched before us.
Servants were already gathering near the front steps as our carriage approached. News traveled quickly here. They knew their Duke had returned—and with his new Duchess.
Selene straightened slightly beside me.
“Ready?” I asked.
She inhaled once, steadying herself.
“Yes.”
The carriage came to a halt, and a footman opened the door.
I stepped out first, then turned to offer Selene my hand.
She took it gracefully as she stepped onto the stone path.
The servants bowed respectfully as we passed them.
“Welcome home, Your Grace,” one of them said.
Selene smiled politely.
“Thank you.”
We had barely taken a few steps toward the entrance when Emma came rushing down the staircase.
“Finally!” she exclaimed.
Selene laughed as Emma wrapped her in a quick embrace.
“You act like we’ve been gone for months,” Selene said.
“Well, the estate has been terribly boring without you,” Emma replied dramatically.
She then turned to me with a mischievous grin.
“And you, dear brother, look suspiciously happy.”
“I suppose I am.”
Emma smirked.
“Good. Because you won’t be happy in about an hour.”
Selene raised an eyebrow.
“Why?”
Emma crossed her arms.
“The council is already here.”
I sighed.
“Of course they are.”
“They arrived early this morning,” Emma continued. “Apparently they were very eager to speak with you.”
Selene glanced at me.
“Already?”
“Already,” Emma confirmed.
I looked toward the tall doors leading into the estate.
“Well,” I said quietly, “let’s not keep them waiting.”
The council chamber was exactly as I remembered it—long oak table, tall windows, and the familiar faces of the men who helped govern the duchy.
But today felt different.
Today Selene walked beside me.
As we entered the room, the conversations around the table stopped instantly.
Every pair of eyes turned toward us.
Some expressions were warm.
Others were cautious.
And one in particular was cold.
John Thomas.
He sat near the far end of the table, his fingers steepled together as he studied us.
I led Selene to the seat beside mine before taking my place at the head of the table.
“Gentlemen,” I began calmly, “thank you for gathering today.”
Councilman Barrett spoke first.
“We should be the ones thanking you, Your Grace.”
His gaze shifted toward Selene politely.
“And congratulations on your marriage.”
A few of the others murmured similar sentiments.
Selene nodded respectfully.
“Thank you.”
But John Thomas remained silent.
I noticed.
Everyone did.
Finally he leaned back slightly in his chair.
“So,” he said slowly, “the rumors were true.”
I met his gaze evenly.
“They were.”
“You have married.”
“Yes.”
His eyes moved to Selene again, studying her carefully.
“And this is the woman who now stands beside the Duke of this duchy.”
Selene held his gaze without flinching.
“Yes,” she said calmly.
John Thomas tapped his fingers lightly against the table.
“I see.”
Silence settled over the room.
Then he spoke again.
“Tell me, Your Grace,” he said, turning back to me, “have you considered the consequences of this decision?”
My voice remained steady.
“I have.”
“And you believe this marriage strengthens the duchy?”
“I believe it strengthens my life.”
A few council members shifted slightly at that answer.
John Thomas smiled faintly—but it wasn’t a friendly smile.
“Personal happiness is admirable,” he said. “But the duchy requires more than that.”
Selene spoke before I could respond.
“With respect,” she said gently, “a leader who is secure in his personal life often governs more wisely.”
The room went quiet again.
Several council members looked impressed.
John Thomas’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“You speak boldly for someone newly arrived in this world.”
Selene did not look away.
“I speak honestly.”
I felt a flicker of pride.
John Thomas studied her for a long moment before leaning back again.
“Well,” he said at last, “this should be… interesting.”
I clasped my hands together on the table.
“If there are concerns,” I said, “we will address them together. Selene is now the Duchess. She deserves the same respect given to any member of this household.”
Councilman Barrett nodded.
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Others followed.
But John Thomas remained silent once more.
The meeting continued for another hour—discussing trade, land disputes, and taxes—but the tension beneath the conversation never fully disappeared.
When it finally ended, the council members slowly left the chamber.
All except one.
John Thomas.
He stood by the window as the others departed.
When the door closed behind the last councilman, he turned toward us.
“Your Grace,” he said quietly, “may I speak with you alone?”
Selene looked at me.
I squeezed her hand reassuringly.
“It’s alright.”
She nodded and stood.
“I’ll wait outside.”
Once she left the room, John Thomas approached the table slowly.
“You trust her,” he said.
“I do.”
“And you believe she will not influence your decisions.”
“She will advise me,” I said calmly. “Just as anyone close to me might.”
John Thomas sighed.
“You are walking a dangerous path, Ace.”
It was the first time he had used my name in months.
“I disagree.”
He studied me carefully.
“Time will tell.”
Then he turned and walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he paused.
“One piece of advice, Your Grace.”
I waited.
“Love,” he said quietly, “can be the strongest force in a man’s life.”
He opened the door.
“But it can also be the easiest way to destroy him.”
And with that, he left.
I sat there for several seconds, staring at the closed door.
Something told me that this conversation was only the beginning.