Accidental Interstellar Bride

Stories

### Chapter 1: Chapter 2 Our Elaborate Lie

💟 Valentine's Day Story: Accidental Interstellar Bride - 2/7 💟

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“You can’t appear in the capital dressed like that.”

“But I am a peasant who was abducted by traffickers. It goes with our elaborate lie.”

“We have been traveling for over a week and will arrive at the capital in another month. In that period of time, are you saying that a duke would not be able to buy new clothes for his consort?”

Liyanne pursed her lips. In her brief time knowing this man, she found him to be rational and practical, but sometimes annoyingly playful. It was not exactly what she thought of when she imagined a battle-hardened duke returning home from war, but at least he was easier to talk to than initially expected.

Duke Zhang wasn’t a stickler for formalities, at least when it was just the two of them in the carriage. It would be more difficult when they were in the capital and around his peers. Otherwise, he told her she could act as she wanted in the privacy of her courtyard.

He and Steward Peng warned her that she would need to take etiquette lessons when they arrived, but most people would not expect much from her considering her background. If she didn’t wander off whenever they stopped, she was sure Steward Peng would try to get an early start on those lessons.

“Oh? No protests this time?” The corner of the Duke’s lip curled up as he looked at her. The farmland around them surrounded a rural town. It was small, but there were shops and Steward Peng told them that it would be a good place to find ‘suitable clothing’ for her.

Liyanne knew what he meant, but contrary to what the Duke likely believed, she didn’t like getting dirty. If she wore better quality, new clothes, she’d be more hesitant to go off road to collect plants. It was the reason her everyday clothes were worn ragged while her silk robe appeared untouched.

“I have protests, but I’m still trying to put them into words,” she said, as smoothly as she could. She caught the slight smirk on his face and looked away. She was right when she first assessed that he would be considered attractive. When they stopped at small inns or stalls to eat, plenty of people would do a double take upon the sight of him.

She’d even seen a few openly gawk at the man. Liyanne was from a different time and place completely, and still found him attractive. When he smirked, he had a slight dimple on his left cheek, and it was frustratingly endearing.

“Then tell me when you’re ready,” he told her benevolently. “I’ll wait.”

She shot him a glare, but was only met by that insufferable dimple. “Would it be possible to buy two pairs of clothes?”

He looked taken aback before a look of pity crossed his face. “Of course. You are my consort. Steward Peng had suggested several sets. If you wish, you can buy an entire store.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Liyanne said with a heavy sigh. “I just want something simple to wear when I’m collecting medicinal plants while we’re traveling. Something I can get dirty without regretting it.”

“Is that all?”

“I’m not a very demanding person, Duke Zhang. Simple clothes. A couple of worms.”

He chuckled and nodded. “We’ll get you a few outfits for travel.” He paused and gave her a stern look. “But when we reach the capital-”

“I will dress appropriately for when we arrive,” Liyanne told him with an understanding nod. “I will play my part well, Your Grace.”

The carriage came to a stop and Liyanne scooted to the window. She peered through the slots of the wood slat curtains and squinted. She could see a few wood-faced and stone piled buildings with open storefronts displaying local goods for sale.

“Your Grace, Miss Li Yan, we have stopped in front of the town’s only silk store,” Steward Peng said from outside the carriage.

Duke Zhang stood up and kept his head lowered as he walked towards the front of the carriage and swept aside the heavy curtain. “Send someone to go to another fabric shop and buy two sets of cotton clothes for Miss Li Yan.”

“Cotton clothes?” As Liyanne came out after Duke Zhang, she caught the horrified look from the older man.

“Steward Peng, they are only for travel and so I can continue to gather medicinal plants. I will wear the clothing purchased here when we reach the capital,” she told him. She knew it couldn’t have been easy for him to have his Duke bring a strange peasant woman home. Regardless, he had been very accommodating to her and she appreciated that.

Steward Peng looked relieved at her words. “Then, I will send someone immediately. We sent an order ahead to this shop and most of Miss Li Yan’s clothes are ready.”

The Duke gave him a nod and stepped towards the open doors of what appeared to be the largest shop on the street. Liyanne lifted her head and looked at the two-story building with the thick, red columns. It had a curved tile roof; one of the few on the street.

“They must be doing well....” she said quietly as she followed the Duke into the building.

A man with a graying beard came to meet them and Steward Peng swept in to explain. The man’s face lit up and he nodded enthusiastically.

“We have one more dress that will be ready by tomorrow morning. Will that be all right, Your Grace?” The man turned to the Duke with eager eyes.

Liyanne stepped to the side to examine the thread samples and some samples of dye colors. She didn’t need to dye her robe. Whatever color the silk came out as she would take. What mattered was that it had enough lunar energy to get her home. She raised a hand to touch the silk threads and the empty cocoon to which it was connected.

“Miss-Madam.” Steward Peng corrected himself as he called to her, and she looked over her shoulder and saw him smiling at her. “Mr. Chin will bring you to the back to try on the robes we ordered. His wife and daughter will assist you.”

Liyanne gave him a small nod and turned to Mr. Chin with a pleasant smile as he stepped back and motioned for her to step forward.

“Yanyan, I will wait for you out here,” the Duke’s melodious voice filled the storefront as she snapped her head back to look at him.

She mouthed ‘Yanyan’ as she held back a glare. She didn’t mind nicknames, but when he gave her one, he sounded as if he were mocking her. She hoped he could read the irritation in her eyes as she was ushered to the back of the store. The Duke returned a cheeky smile and took a seat on a cushioned, wooden chair to the side, appearing ready to wait.

Wait until I come up with a nickname for you. See if you like it...Weiwei? No...Zhangzhang? Shenshen...that was the name of Madam Wu’s neighbor’s dog....

“Madam Zhang, please step inside here,” Mr. Chin said before calling for his wife and daughter. He brushed aside a curtain and Liyanne found herself in a small room with a changing screen and a cushioned, lacquered bench. Several piles of silk clothes were folded neatly and placed on the cushion.

Liyanne had spent most of her five years in this field location wearing cotton peasant clothing that was suitable for farming. It was the most practical thing she could wear for collecting plant samples. Thanks to her naturally high tolerance to cold and heat, it didn’t matter if her clothes were thin or not.

She walked further into the room and the curtain behind her was pushed aside. She turned around and a thin girl, no older than thirteen, entered with a rosy cheeked woman.

“Madam Zhang! Please come this way,” the woman said as she maneuvered Liyanne around the screen. “Meng, get the first robe! Madam Zhang, please undress.”

Liyanne nodded and began to undo her clothing. “May I ask how many there are?”

“Master Peng has requested a half dozen day-to-day pieces, a cloak, and undergarments.”

Oh, undergarments. That was thoughtful. She’d been washing the same two pairs. Liyanne thought she’d only need to try on one piece and the rest would have the same measurements and could be packed up. Instead, they made her try on every single one.

“Do you want to show this one to the Duke?” Madam Chin asked with the same hopeful eyes as when she asked the first time.

Liyanne looked down at the white and pale blue robes with the red detailing. It was very lovely, but she would have it packed up with the others as she didn’t need to wear it now.

“Mama, this is the last one,” Meng said. “Madam Zhang, will be wearing it out, yes?”

The girl looked very eager and Liyanne drew her lips in and bit them. “I was thinking of having it all-”

“Madam Zhang, His Grace requests to see your robes!” Mr. Chin called from outside the changing room.

“On her.” A firm, masculine voice added. Liyanne rolled her eyes. She gave Meng and Madam Chin a smile.

“It seems that I will be wearing this one out.”

Meng looked excited. “I will pack the rest for you, Madam Zhang!”

Liyanne gave her a tight-lipped smile as she stepped from around the changing screen. She reached for her discarded, worn clothing, but Meng quickly snatched them up.

“I will pack these, too!” the girl insisted as she smiled brightly. Liyanne couldn’t stop her and merely nodded.

Madam Chin swept aside the curtain for her as she walked out, adjusting the pale sleeves of the jacket. The opening of the sleeves were very wide and Liyanne knew if she tried to pick anything up, they’d brush against the ground.

“Well, it looks like everything fits...perfectly.” She lifted her head and saw the Duke stand from his chair and his eyes dilate as they swept over her. He swallowed and she watched his Adam's apple rise and fall.

“What do you think, Your Grace?” Mr. Chin asked as he put his hands together and looked at them hopefully.

Duke Zhang looked at him and gave him a kind smile. “Your work is excellent, Mr. Chin. I am relieved we found your establishment from which to buy these robes.”

Mr. Chin seemed to let out the breath he was holding as he gave the Duke a grateful bow. Liyanne gave the merchant a smile of her own.

“It’s beautiful and the fit is excellent. The colors you selected go well with me. Thank you, Mr. Chin.” She slipped into her role and kept her movements smooth and small. Her gentle nod in Mr. Chin’s direction made the merchant’s face redden as he stuttered that he was happy she liked it.

“Steward Peng, please pay and collect her things,” Duke Zhang said. He turned to Liyanne and offered his hand to her. “Yanyan.”

The corner of her eye twitched. She forced a smile on her face as she placed her hand in his and moved closer, until their arms were against each other. “Your Grace.” He seemed to smirk as he led her out of the shop. As soon as they were a few steps away, she leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Yanyan?”

“Yanyan,” he repeated as he lifted his hand and patted hers. “Shenwei.” He brought his hand back to his chest. “Unless you’d like me to call you darling?”

She cringed and drew her head back. “Yanyan does sound very cute.”

“Hmm...fitting.” Duke Zhang chuckled to himself and looked ahead of them. The guards were standing by the carriage, awaiting orders and he gave them a firm nod. “My consort and I will walk up the street to the inn. When Steward Peng returns, have him bring our things to the inn. We’ll come to the inn after we are done with our walk.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

“Shall we accompany you, Your Grace?”

“Several paces behind,” Duke Zhang said before leading Liyanne to the right.

“Is the inn far from here?” she asked as they began to walk.

“It’s at the end of the street. You can see it up ahead. I simply thought you’d like to walk and look at the shops,” he said.

Liyanne let out a little hum. “A walk would be nice after sitting in a carriage the entire day.”

“Yes, you didn’t get a chance to really wander and uproot plants today.”

“We were going through farmland the entire time. What do you want me to uproot? Rice?” she asked as she walked on his right side, her arm still against his. She looked at the open storefronts as they passed.

There were several that sold housewares and metal pieces for farm and kitchen tools. Twice, she stopped to examine some bamboo baskets.

As she bent over to get a closer look, a voice spoke behind her. “You want a basket?”

She stiffened and nearly stood up straight. She looked over her shoulder at the Duke and frowned. “Baskets are useful.”

“So are shoes,” he said. He turned his head to the store across the street where leather shoes with padded bottoms were being sold.

Liyanne looked down at her feet and quietly tugged the smooth silk of her skirt up to peek at her feet. Her dust covered feet were in woven straw sandals and she took a deep breath.

“I need shoes, don’t I?”

“Yes, for our elaborate lie.”

“Understood.” He patted her hand, as if to approve of her acknowledgement and then crossed the street with her.

Liyanne could see the shoe merchant rising from his stool when he saw them crossing the street to get to him. He tugged on his vest to try to straighten it before adjusting his cloth hat.

“Good afternoon,” the Duke said with a small nod before glancing around the small shop front.

“Good afternoon, my lord! How can I help you? Does his lordship require boots? Or some embroidered silk shoes for the Madam?” the merchant asked, hopeful.

The Duke seemed to have finished his sweep of the shelves and various pieces hanging from the rack. “My consort requires two pairs; one embroidered and one plain, cotton pair.”

Liyanne looked up at him and raised a brow. His eyes met hers and he raised his brows in return. Her lips pulled into a smile, and she raised her other hand and stroked his forearm holding hers with satisfaction. He thought to buy shoes she could wear to collect plants. “Very good, Your Grace.”

“I will bring them at once. Madam, if you will have a seat,” the merchant brushed off the stool he was sitting on and motioned for her to sit. Liyanne walked over and sat down. Across from her, the Duke picked up and examined a pair of leather boots. “Madam, please have a look at these. I brought the ones that seem to be your approximate size.”

The merchant presented her with a few sets of slip-on shoes and Liyanne picked them up one by one, looking at the size and shape, as well as the embroidery on the fancier shoes.

“May I try them on?” she asked as she looked at the merchant. He nodded enthusiastically until she lifted up the hem of her skirt to reveal her dirt and dust caked feet in straw sandals. His face fell at once.

“Bring a wet cloth,” the Duke said above them.

Oh, to wash my feet. Liyanne nodded. “Good idea.” He gave her a nod and put the boot in his hands down before walking towards her.

“Madam.” The merchant didn’t take long at all and had returned with a wet bundle of coarse rags. He presented it to Liyanne, but before she could take it, the Duke plucked it from the merchant’s hands. The shoe merchant’s eyes widened, and his face seemed to lose color as the Duke unraveled the faded, but stained rag.

His dark eyes flickered to the merchant as he shook it out and then folded it. When it was folded over thrice, he looked at Liyanne. “Lift your skirt a bit.”

She raised a brow, but did as she was told. He knelt down in front of her and she realized what he was planning to do. “Your Grace-”

“Yanyan.” He cut her off and looked up as he lowered his hands. He grasped the heel of one of her feet and pulled off the sandal. Her face heated up, but his grip was tight, and she couldn’t pull away without kicking him and causing a scene. “This may be cold.”

“You don’t need-” Liyanne let out a hiss as the cold rag touched the bottom of her feet. Did the shoe salesman dunk it in ice water? Why is it so cold?

The Duke silently wiped one foot and the merchant peered down. He looked surprised. “Oh, the Madam’s feet are so pale!” He let out a laugh and both Liyanne and the Duke looked towards him and frowned. He let out a cough and stepped back. “Let me get a dry rag, as well.” He scampered farther back.

“Your Grace, what are you doing?” Liyanne leaned forward and whispered. “You’re a Duke. Why are you wiping my feet? Isn’t there some rule against this?”