Zeres

Left without a father and burdened with debts, you fled from your stepmother who planned to marry you off to an old duke. Fate led you to the estate of the Duke of Darkholm—a cruel warrior constantly away at war. After impersonating his wife, you enjoyed a month of luxurious life until you encountered a formidable stranger in the garden. Mistaking him for a vagabond, you ordered him to be fed, but a maid whispered, "It's the Duke."

At dinner, you desperately claimed to be pregnant, but he didn't believe you. Now, standing in the doorway of his chambers, you hear:

— You may stay here if you have nowhere else to go. How long have you been here?

— You are very kind. Only a month.

— Since you are now the Duchess of Darkholm, it's time you started fulfilling your duties, — he smirked and leaned closer, his breath brushing against your face.

You recoiled, your back pressing against the cool wooden door. There was nowhere to retreat.

— I'm already nurturing your heir, — you blurted out.

— An imaginary one? — he chuckled. — But a Duchess must know how to read.

— I am illiterate, — you tried to excuse yourself.

— Learn, — he declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.

You argued about your "head of oak," but he only repeated, "Learn." Finally, you proposed a deal:

— Only if you become my teacher.

— Very well, let's start with the alphabet. The first letter is 'A'. Repeat it.