Vow Of Silence

CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO

1st PERSON: Pelomina Lorenzo-Capiz

“I will make sure the next time I leave, I’ll die peacefully knowing I escape you twice,” I hissed before turning on my heels and walking out the door,

“Don't you dare!” He roared, I could hear the chair creak from how abrupt he stood, and as if he’s not already intimidating enough, he stormed up to me, his boots thudding on the floor much like his thundering voice, and in a matter of seconds, he was right in front of me. One arm outstretched, pinning me against the doors, I didn’t have the chance to open.

He towered over me, casting his enormous shadow over me, made by the light from his desk and the flickering candles on his chandeliers, all on their last few minutes of survival.

“Don’t you dare… threaten me with that,” he growled, the veins on his neck strained as his scowl cut through his face. He was looking at me as if he could see my every fault and flaw, the polar opposite of how his face would soften whenever he looked at me before, it just showed the thick line that rose up into a wall between us.

He is not the man I fell in love with. This couldn’t be that Lykus form before—even when he was mad, he was someone gentle, if not for the snappy and petty remarks that he eventually outgrew. This doesn't look like it’ll go away over time. This is not just a warning, he’s holding a grudge.

And both of us can play that game. I gulped and clenched my teeth, “Then let them go,” I argued, pausing at every word for emphasis.

The door thudded with a loud bang after he punched it with his protruding knuckles, white as they were clenched tightly, I flinched the second I felt his hands move, shutting my eyes tight and both of my hands clamped over my ears, and when I opened them again, I saw him walking back to his desk,

"They will be released tomorrow..." he trailed off, pulling the chair as he sat down, "they can leave, but you will stay, if you wish for them to survive on their way out," he added, glaring at me as he held his quill again and continued writing, with that, I sucked in a sharp breath and bolted out of there.

'have more mercy my butt... he's worse than before,' I thought, matching every breath with every step I took, I was hyperventilating by the time made it back to my room, I didn't even care if some of the servants gasped as we passed each other. Once I got to my room, I locked the doors. I just fell into my bed. Springy and soft, just like how I remembered it.

I wonder how the group is doing now? Are they still traveling? Are they alright? Have they settled down somewhere for the night? Are Chauven and the other horses been well fed?

Also, I wonder if Seth is feeling better now. I should go meet him soon, but I just feel weary... I'll get to meet them. No, I will meet them, just not tonight, maybe tomorrow? And with one last yawn, I fell into a deep slumber.

The next morning, I felt a distinct pain in my shoulder after deciding to sleep in the most uncomfortable sleeping position. I have no excuse why I did that, I'm also pissed that I let emotions get the better of me because I was already provided with the best possible bed I could sleep for the night, and yet I still failed on getting a night's sleep.

I even slept without changing, which is a good excuse to choose new clothes. Now I wonder where I could get pants around here—Polly! I grunted as I pushed myself against the bed to prop myself up, sighing as I rolled my shoulders. Just when I was sitting on the edge of the bed, barely awake, I heard a knock on the door.

"My lady, it's time for your breakfast," called a voice from the other side, oh, they were men this time. I did notice an increase in male servants, probably because Lykus is determined to have this city and this castle in an iron grip.

"I'll be right there," I called back, standing up and looking outside through the windows, it's rather early, the sun looked great but unlike before it didn't make my mood any less sour, now more than ever that I could vividly remember the events that transpired last night.

I rubbed my eyes as I walked to the door, and upon opening it was the startling wide grin of Klaus and Seth, "Ta-Dah!" Klaus sang, Seth was not as enthusiastic as he was and in my utter shock, I grabbed them both by the collar and pulled them inside my room, makings sure no one saw what just happened before whipping my head to them.

"What are you doing here!?" I hissed sharply, pushing them back,

Klaus frowned at me, "First of all, take a breather and look closely," he interrupted, raising his hands up and gesturing to himself, putting emphasis on his last word and I scoffed at his face as I trailed my eyes off to the rest of him, and now I understand what he means.

He's dressed... differently. He's not dressed like a thief at all. Looking like a royal merchant, with his navy blue button-down with black embroidery, same with Seth, along with new pants and a new pair of boots as well, I could tell because it's not the usual worn-down boots they have. Needless to say, my jaw was on the floor.

I gasped for air, "Wha-wh—who... why are you dressed like this?" I asked,

Seth groaned and pushed the overly enthusiastic Klaus away by the face, "Who else, your domineering husband, of course, going on about how we're free to leave in exchange for you," he replied and I furrowed my brows,

"Lykus did?" I repeated, just making sure I heard that right because last night's conversation didn't actually go well enough to premeditate this outcome in particular. In fact, the conversation last night didn't go well at all. Am I to believe Lykus, this Lykus, would do this to make up for last night's outburst?

Or did he do this to shake me up? There has to be a catch.

I turned to Seth who was being criticized by Klaus because his shirt was too stretched over his wide torso, something stupid probably, "Seth what else did he say, also why are you here, anyway, did he threaten you to not leave?" I asked,

He gave me a scowl, "did you not hear what I just said, he told us we're free to go as long as we're leaving you behind," he answered and I nodded urging for him to go on, because what he said doesn't answer my question.

"Do we look like we're eager to leave you behind?" He asked, shaking his head as he looked at Klaus and pointed at me with his thumb, "honestly, what's not making—"

I smiled as I lunged at him with a hug, "That was really sweet of you Seth," I said,

I could feel his arms on my back as he sighed, Klaus smiled at us and pretended to wipe a tear from his eyes, "It is indeed so sweet," he agreed as he also joined in on the hug, making Seth groan, and while a few seconds of us just being in the group hug passed in comfortable silence, Klaus cleared his throat,

"Although we do need to think of a good tactic to get out of here, I'm getting worried about the other members," he remained and we all nodded along,

"That's right," I added on, taking in a deep breath, "but before that, where did you get those pants from?" I asked and just then did they take a look at my whole outfit before stifling laughs between each other. Klaus more than Seth, who was already clutching his stomach. I frowned. "It's not that funny!" I hissed, kicking this lightly at their shins.

Klaus was wheezing and Seth was the first to come to his senses, "Why? You look—pf!—y-you look fine!" he said, which would've been convincing if he wasn't laughing in between words. I just gave them both a deadpan look,

"It's not just funny—for goodness' sake! Focus, we need a plan and the first plan is to get me pants," I announced, and this time Klaus started gathering himself, now wiping real tears from his eyes, "Can we do that?" I pressed, asking if these two thieves could help me get a pair of pants because right now I'm not so sure they could do it.

"Fine," Klaus sighed, clearing his throat,

"Yeah, we could ask help from that beauty—Poly, right, here," Seth announced with a noticeable quick-passing smile and I pressed my lips into a thin line to suppress a smile,

"Well, then, let's find Polly first," I suggested, and with that, we are on our first mission of the day.