Vow Of Silence

CHAPTER THREE

1st PERSON: Pelomina Lorenzo-Capiz

“Uh, w-we were just…chatting,” I replied, I felt responsible if these ladies were to get punished because they were happy I spoke.

‘Unlike someone!’

He gave everyone a sharp glare, “Well it would be wrong of me to disapprove of my wife cultivating a good relationship with the castle’s worker….” He trailed off as he eyed the ladies.

I flinched back at his words, frowning. It gave me whiplash to see a shred of humanity from this man out of the hecking blue, “Th—“

“Which is why perhaps starting tomorrow you all could teach her about the tasks around the castle,” he followed after, cutting me off.

I didn’t quite understand what he was going on about but from the ladies’ expression, I think I should be worried. Their eyes were glued to the floor once Lykus started walking closer to me. Looking down at me as if he hates me with every fiber of his long and stylish bright silver hair, what kind of hair routine does this man do? His hair is healthier than I am!

“You must be thrilled to have this opportunity to be well-versed around the castle,” he hissed, his voice deep with a slight growl in his tone, pausing at the doorway as he started to leave,

“Then again…you must’ve been long an expert of the castle grounds if you regularly sneak about,” he spat just before leaving completely, leaving me in confusion and, for some reason, irritation. He’s scary that’s for sure but he’s also unbearably frustrating.

It made me want to explain everything to him just so I can clear my name and not suffer any more of this harsh treatment. How could the real Pelomina stand this man, let alone marry him?

“Oh my goodness, don’t you worry my lady we won’t do anything to tire you out,” one of the cooks cooed after a while, making sure that Lykus is out of earshot.

“What happened between you and the lord? He seems…more hostile than usual,” the other cook chided in,

‘I’ll tell ya,’

“I don’t know…well, I do know, we had a misunderstanding and I’m not sure what’s the proper approach to clear it out with him,” I explained and they had their hands clutched to their chest as they gave me concerned and apologetic looks. What I said is half-true anyway.

One of them clicked their tongues, “Well, if it’s with the lord, it’s better to wait it out, as I recall those who test him while he’s in a sour mood get…” she paused, looking at everyone and gulping as she gathered everyone closer and leaned in,

“Whipped” she finished in a whisper making everyone gasp, including me.

“Ah yes! I’ve heard! I’ve heard!” one of them affirmed and another shook head with a frown,

“O’ course ye do! E’ry one’s he’r the stories ov ‘im doin’ gruesome thin’s!” she announced and the other nodded along with a solemn expression,

I squinted at her, “Uh, I...I didn’t quite get that part?” I butted in and another lady was kind enough to translate,

“She’s just saying that everyone here knows just how …brutal the lord is, everyone on the castle knows he has chambers under the castle grounds where he does unspeakable things to those who fail to earn his favor,” she narrated and I felt a chill down my spine.

Just what kind of man is Lykus and why are the rumors about him either really wholesome or really dark, but even my handmaids earlier are afraid of him to some extent, who is he exactly and how did Pelomina, the real Pelomina, end up with him?

But I can’t really go around wondering who other people are, especially when I don’t even know who I am! Well, I’m Pelomina but that’s all I know! I don’t even know my last name here, and I can’t just ask anyone to tell me that, it’d be suspicious if the wife forgets her husband’s last name.

Moreover now when Lykus is suspecting me of a******y. Well, not me the rea—Augh! The more time I spent in this place the more problems arose.

I need to know who I am first in this place so I can act normally while I investigate why and how I got in this world, and eventually how I could get out.

“Well…I suppose I’ll be with you tomorrow as well?” I said and they nodded with a sad smile,

“Don’t worry my lady, we will help you throughout,” one of the ladies swore as she clasped her hands onto mine.

I nodded to her and returned a smile, “I’ll count on all of you then…also,” I said, trailing off as I looked outside the kitchen, “Could you by any chance help me get back to my room? I’m very tired today you see and I don’t want to lose my way out of dizziness,” I followed,

That was a lie. The day was tiring sure but I won’t collapse while walking around I could still run if I want to but I don’t know where my room is and I’m more than certain I will get lost somewhere in this place and just perish.

‘The number of halls and rooms in this place is a hundred times more than the number of windows I have in my old house.’

One of the ladies nodded, “Well yes, of course, I’ll help you on your way back, my lady,” she agreed as she offered her arm for me to hold on, I’m pretty pampered in this place. She led me out and we walked around the palace in silence for a while,

Taking notes of distinctive parts and areas so I’ll remember the route to my room next time, I can’t have someone guide me to my room all the time that would be just pathetic of me.

“My lady, how is your health?” she asked out of the blue and I gulped a lump in my throat,

‘What do I reply? Does the real Pelomina have some sort of terminal or chronic illness? Is she sickly?’

“I’m…doing better…I suppose,” I replied and she sighed a breath of relief, giving me a gentle smile,

“That’s great my lady, forgive this servant if I’m overstepping but, I was very worried when you stopped leaving your room the past week,” she said,

Wait. Pause. This past week?

I clenched my jaw, “Is that so, I’m sorry for worrying you, what did they tell you about my health at that time?” I asked, forget being subtle I want to know exactly what happened this past week.

She blinked at me, visibly confused by my question but she just shrugged, “Well, they told me the usual my lady, that your health is declining but would otherwise be alright with constant nursing,” she replied, chuckling before she went on,

“Which is why I am just thrilled to see you, perhaps were you suffering from a fever? Or Lovesickness? B-But of course it would hardly be the latter!” she backtracked, clearing her throat after an awkward chuckle as she averted her eyes from me.

I squinted at her, “What do you mean?” I pressed, she must’ve been the one from earlier who defended my and Lykus' relationship if she thinks that it’s possible for me–no, the real Pelomina, to suffer an ailment caused by lovesickness.

“Well…my lady this might sound concerning, but I’ve always watched you and the lord,” she began,

‘Girl, you’re borderline stalking, not one, but two people at once!?’

I cleared my throat with a nod, “O-Oh, well…may I ask why?” I pried because what acceptable reason does this girl have to follow a couple around, I mean this is working to my benefit but that’s still pretty uncomfortable,

She vigorously shook her head firstly, “I-I mean I wouldn’t dare purposely follow you around, but whenever we were in the vicinity of you two I couldn’t help but watch at how gentle the lord treats you,” she explained and I hummed,

‘Whew, girl…got me worried there for a second,’

“The other servant’s say the lord doesn’t know how to smile but it’s simply because no one else probably watches him when he’s with you, I know the lord has a very wicked and tyrannical reputation,” she trailed off before facing me again, I bit my tongue to stop myself from agreeing too loudly at that,

“But with you… he looks as if he’s at peace, it must be because I’m a hopeless romantic but I believe that my lady managed to bring warmth into the castle and to the lord,” she narrated like she was telling a love story, which is true because this is nothing short of a fairytale.

Fake and Impossible.

‘Then again: quick recap, I’ve been transported in a different world in a different body—my world is augmented and I don’t know absolutely anything’

I was thinking too much about how to gently crush her hopes and dreams about her fake fantasies about Pelomina and Lykus because, in all honesty, I don’t know what couple she was watching to get all of that. It couldn’t be further from the truth if I take my previous interactions with Lykus as a reference.

I didn’t even notice that we arrived, “Well, we’re here my lady,” she noted,

I flinched as I nodded to her and let go of her arm, “Yes, thank you—uh, sorry my memory’s been hazy but can I have your name again?” I replied it’ll probably hurt her to realize that I don’t know her name or that I forgot it but I need to know her name, she’s nice.

“Ha, hahaha, my lady~ you haven’t asked for my name before! The older ladies always pull me away from you since I’m just new here, but I’m Polly, Polly Heinmich,” she said with a bow,

“Thank you for the help then, Polly, I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said and she nodded with a bright smile before taking her leave with another bow.

I close the door shut and crashed onto the fluffy bed, the highlight of my day would probably be this. This bed is amazing how do they make this so fluffy and bouncy—huh what’s that?

I stopped bouncing on the bed when I noticed a basin-like thing under it, it was empty but it was just right under my bed. What was this for? Either way, I need to get some rest, it seems that the angered and wronged husband is really intent with his vindictive urge to make his falsely accused wife suffer.

‘It wasn’t even me!’