Mated to the Demon Lycan

Chapter 5

The birds were chirping and a cool breeze was in the air. The air smells sweet as spring has come and flowers bloomed to their peak. Chattering was audible from a distance because my thoughts had been drawn away by my chores.

My hand reddened from lifting up a heavy pail of water back to back from the mansion and well. My steps were sluggish but I strengthened them nevertheless. Ignoring constant mumbling by my coworkers, I filled up the tub with water and repeated it again.

By the time the tub was full, the sun had risen and I hurriedly heated it up. Dipping my hands inside, checking the suitable temperature for a bath. These days have been hectic and I have been ordered to do menial tasks.

My eyes wandered around, again taking in the bathroom design and decoration which were said to suit the guest's taste.

I have been doing this since a few days ago. Assuring the water bath in the guest room was always warm but whenever I came in, it was unused.

I wiped my hands on the apron once satisfied and stepped out of the bathroom. I glanced one second on the bed and headed out. My instinct was telling me to glance another look at the guest but I never lingered around to figure out who it was.

It was rude for me to do so, especially to the master's guest. We had been educated in the manners of high society in regards to tending to their guests.

'Servants must put blind eyes and deaf ears to whatever they encounter while on duty. Tight lips are a must.'

The maids were bustling through the corridors, wiping off the dust, setting aside the curtains, and tending to the masters. I hastened my steps to the kitchen to silence my growling stomach. There were a few more blocks ahead but the smell was mouthwatering.

“Arianna!” A maiden’s voice called out and I snapped my head at the caller. “Good morning Jenny.” I greeted her as soon as she halted at my side. A big grin was on her face. “Good morning to you too.”

“Are you doing that task for the mysterious guest?” She stressed the word mysterious and I nodded. “Yet you still haven't met him?” I nodded again.

We both stopped at the kitchen door and I turned over the doorknob. “Pardon us.”

We stepped into the kitchen to be greeted with the smells of freshly baked bread, roasted meat, and sweet smells that seemed to come from the jam being mixed above the fire. “Good morning Elena, Good morning Jenny.” The kitchen head, Mr. Hamsher greeted us and gestured to the counter.

“Here are some warm milk, mushroom soup, gingerbread, and an apple.” A tray was shoved towards me and I stared in awe along with a rumbling stomach. “Come back here for your portion.” Mr. Hamsher smiled and I swallowed back my drools.

I nodded and bowed slightly then exited the kitchen, carefully making my way towards the guest room. My eyes glazed over the food and shook my head. ‘You will get yours after this, Arianna. Be patient.’ I hastened my steps.

The distance from the kitchen felt so far as if there were two different buildings. I climbed back the stairs, strode onto the long hallway, and stopped at the slightly opened door. My heart thumped against my chest.

I had made sure to close it before, so how come it's open now? It was never open since the mysterious guest arrived. Could it be… Could he be awake? Or did I make a blunder so early in the morning so as not to shut the door?

My feet were rooted to the floor, eyes locked on the door. “Ms. Elena?” I jumped and snapped my head at the voice. “Elder Mitch.” My heart calmed down and his lips formed a calming smile.

“What are you doing?” His eyes wandered to my hands and stopped at the tray. “Why aren’t you coming in?” Hesitantly, I looked over the door and he seemed to read my thoughts. “Doctor Arnold was visiting her.”

Her? Is he a lady? Master never brought any lady into the mansion let alone having them over.

Elder Mitch pushed the door gently and walked past me. He gestured for me to follow and I walked behind him. An old figure was sitting on the side of the bed and instantly I knew that it was the house doctor.

Gently, I placed down the tray and backed away. Elder Mitch blinked in acknowledgment and I slowly exited the room. The door closed silently behind me and my feet were fast to getaway.

Something was pricking in my chest every time I went near the guest and seeing the doctor there worsened it. I let out a sigh as I reached outside and stopped by the garden. The air was refreshing and my intention to loiter around came to a halt when my stomach growled hungrily.

By the time I reached the kitchen, it was bustling with maids and servants all around. It's not a strange sight but the sudden crowd is rare. “Arianna! Here.” A cheerful voice called me and I saw a small hand, waving at me from a distance.

Carefully, I walked past the maids and servants piling up and sat down at the corner along with Jenny. She had already saved up my portions and I couldn’t thank her more. “Goddess knows how thankful I am for you.”

Small laughter came from her plump lips. “Thank heaven you have me.” I dug into the bread and warm soup slowly so as not to stain my attire. It would be a hassle to clean up after yourself on a busy day.

“You took your time today.” Jenny gave me a look and the sight of the doctor made me choke on my soup.

"Lass, slow down I am just teasing you." Jenny patted my back and passed me a glass of water.

“The Doctor was there.” Jenny’s eyes went wide and her lips parted. Several eyes snapped my way as if hearing me. Of course, they heard me, we are all werewolves, I mean most of us.

“Did you see him? The mysterious guest?” I shook my head and she slumped in disappointment.

“Tch, I thought you would be able to see him.” Another thing popped up in my mind. “Apparently it's not a ‘him’, it's a ‘her’.” Again, Jenny’s eyes widened and her mouth was an O.

“Oh my god! Could the master have a mistress?”

Smacked, Jenny's head was slammed to the table and the head maid, Ms. Batrisya, was there. "Watch your tongue.” Her words were sharp and her eyes were burning with silent flame. I averted my gaze and internally prayed for my friend.

“Sorry, madam,” Jenny said between her breath and remained her eyes down. Ms. Batrisya eyed Jenny and then stayed with me. “Arianna, come to the library.” She ordered and walked away towards the back door.

I hurriedly ate my portions and gulped down my drinks. “Hey slow down or you will choke again.” Jenny eyed me, hand rubbing her head. “Thank you for the meal.”

Once at the door, I stood and waited for anyone so as not to trespass.

“Arianna, come.” Ms. Batrisya’s voice jolted me and I scurried behind her. Rows of books lining the shelves made my jaw drop.

As we stopped at the center, two figures stood there. It was Elder Mitch, he was pouring a steaming tea into the teacup.

Another figure that shocked me the most, was Knight Hayden. He is the Duke's knight with a big bulky figure and curly red hair that always dazzled me. He stood backing me but I knew who it was nevertheless.

I looked around and noticed another figure walking out of the shelves with papers in his hand. Shocked, I bit my tongue and held back my breath as he made his way toward the seating area.

“Mitch, what’s her condition?” Duke Valko broke the silence. “Her colors were returning and Dr. Arnold predicted that she would be awake soon.” Elder Mitch said his words and there was hesitancy at the end of his sentence.

“The high mage?” Butler Mitch approached the Count and crouched down. His eyes went to me and back to the Duke. “Let her hear it, she will be tending to her soon.” My heart leaped and I snapped my head to Ms. Batrisya.

Ms. Batrisya made her nonchalant face as she didn't bother explaining things and I gulped down the strange uneasiness piling up.

“The magician said that she’s probably experiencing a magic outburst that caused her to be unconscious this long and there ..."

Suddenly, my lungs went out of air and my core was drained drastically.

By the time I caught my breathing, I was already kneeling and panting, hands clenching my apron.

Shocked, I looked around and noticed that Sir Hayden had run following the Duke. Elder Mitch and Ms. Batrisya did the same and I snapped myself out. Lifted my skirts and hastened my steps following them.

The moment I reached the guest room, I was breathless. The door was wide open and some maids were there, standing, clenching their skirts and looking down.

Why are there so many people here? What are they even doing here?

Hesitantly, I stepped in and a gush of flaming pressure pushed me down. I gasped for air and stealth my core, stabilizing the magic inside of me. It took a few minutes till my breath stabilized and tilted my head up. A pair of brown eyes met mine for a moment.

He was checking me? I wondered why.

Sir Hayden stood on the bed’s edge and the Duke had sat on the bed, leaning closer to the mysterious guest. He held her hand and brought it to his face, lightly pecking it.

Gently holding the small hand and I held back all curiosity piling up within me. “Ange, are you awake now?” The duke's voice was more gentle than ever, it was my... our first time hearing it.

"Mitch..." "He had gone ahead to get the High Mage and Doctor Arnold, Your Grace." Ms. Batrisya cut him off.

Slowly, a too thin figure sat up. Her begrimed hair stood on all edges, but the darkness it had was enchanting. Slowly, the figure turned and our eyes met for a second. Her gaze was hollow as dark and purple was nestled around her eyes. Cheek bones were... bones.

Half of me dreaded her appearance but half of me screamed otherwise.

'A fallen angel.’