Vow Of Silence

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

1st PERSON: Pelomina Lorenzo-Capiz

I could hear metal screeching from outside, sounding more like a low roaring than a shriek. I already have an idea of how big and grand the whole place will be, but after straightening out my dress that got slightly crumpled, I shifted over to sit beside Lykus on the bench, my jaw dropped as I glanced out the window.

“Wow…” I gasped at the sight.

The castle gleamed uncannily with stars. It was as if they bedazzled it so it would twinkle in the distance. I only realized that I have been looking far too long when my neck started to ache, normal after stretching it to its limits just to hold my gaze.

A large calloused hand nestled against my cheek, Lykus turned me to face him, “Wife, remember not to be apart from me, every nobleman will try to have a dance with you, refuse,” I nodded at his words and turn my focus back to the castle that towered over our carriage and we’re soon put to a stop.

A guard opened the carriage, bowing as he moved to the side, waiting patiently as Lykus got out first and guided me down after him. Holding my hand in his, he led me down the steps of the carriage. My breath hitched, my feet planted on the stone tiles leading to the main entrance after the stairway that stretched a few meters high before we even entered the actual castle grounds.

Lykus kept my hands in his, leading me up the staircase, checking on me every now and then to make sure I was holding up well. First of all, what mad king would want a lot of stairs leading up to his castle? What sort of dark unforgiving soul was he to have even thought of this, let alone watch as it was being made?

I breathed out with a huff, making Lykus pull on my hand for a stop, “Are you alright, wife?” his brows furrowed as he asked,

I nodded, “Yes, yes… it’s just tiring but I’m not in any pain,” I assured, his jaw clenched, exhaling through his nostrils as he gave me a curt nod and we walked up the stairs again. It was long yes, but we eventually reached the top with some effort and a lot of ragged breathing.

The doors were already open, and once I caught my breath, I froze at the sight. It was magnificent. The glimmering from the outside was nothing compared to how it glowed from the inside. It was as if gold and diamonds were so available and accessible that they could get them from a simple retail store.

“This… It’s beautiful, my lord,” the view stunned my jaw perpetually dropped. Lykus had to lift my chin up with a chuckle,

“I suppose it is, at face value, that is,” he replied. I don’t know why he’s being so bitter, probably over some serious thing that I wouldn’t understand even if I tried.

He led me in where the parade of glimmering and swaying dresses thrice as big as the wearer occupied the large ground space, the high ceiling filled with paintings, and the ambient light from the huge chandeliers that seem to web out from its spot and drape under the domed ceiling.

The floors clacked with every step, yet the place was so wide that despite the number of people, it still resounded with deep echoes. There was a wide strip of red carpet that led up to another set of stairs, a grand staircase if you will, and even if it is beautiful, moreover since it’s adorned with golden floral decoration, I couldn't help but internally groan.

Still, I had no choice. Lykus led us up the grand staircase. He walked slowly. Enough for me to catch my breath and easily reach the top. And a few meters away from the last step was another set of large double doors bordered with intricate intertwining vines made of gold.

The second floor was gallant with carpet and our footsteps thudded softly, unlike on the hard, cold marble from the lounge. Now that I think of it, would that area be considered as the foyer? The space between the main entrance and another door leading to the actual castle…

This is mind-blowing.

Soon enough, we face the grand double doors. My hands instinctively reached out to Lykus. I only noticed I was gripping on so tightly when I felt my hands cramp. He placed one large hand over both of mine, nodding reassuringly as he pushed the doors open. It took me a few seconds to readjust my eyes to the piercing light from the inside that pushed me a step back along with the powerful reverberations of the music coming from the inside, almost drowning in the sea of cheers.

Once my eyes focused, all I saw was blinding light, cascading crimson curtains that hung from ceiling to floor pooling at the bottom, the texture was that of silk and it shone under the countless well-lit chandeliers that dangle about as if they were mere fluorescents.

An array of more dresses came into sight and a loud horn from our side startled me more than I already am before the words of announcement: “Lord Lykus and Lady Pelomina, Vaustero castle!” the man yelled and there were a few of the guests that turned to give us curst bows as we descended another flight of unnecessarily overdecorated stairs.

In the far distance of this one room, as we descend, I could make out another elevated space where three throne-like chairs were stationed, yet all of them empty.

We walked around, greeting and subtle nods paving our way until walked off to the side. Lykus seems to be looking for someone as we stopped. His eyes roamed the place, his brows creasing as he did so.

“Are you looking for someone, my lord?”

He hummed, a small smile on his face not turning to meet my eyes, “Yes, lady Marrianne said that she’ll be here, she’ll introduce you to the other ladies in the kingdom,” he answered but I hardly understood a thing after he said Lady Marianne’s name. It sent a weird feeling burning down my throat. Like an acidic drink.

Still, he was looking for her for something that regards me, which kind of made me feel better.

“... Mina?” A deep and calm voice of a man called from behind. I turned around slowly. He might be talking to someone else, who knows.

It was indeed a man, with long flowing golden hair with perfect waves, framing a very kind and gentle expression on his face, a slim figure, round glasses perched on a straight nose, right over his bright green eyes that somehow droop making him look sleepy. His brows furrowed upwards, more worried than annoyed, but as soon as our eyes met, a smile cracked over his face.

‘Oh… he’s so pretty, beautiful even, like an angel…’ He has some prominent feminine features, but you could tell that he’s a man, a very charming one at that.

His arms launched forward, and he practically lept in my arms. I stepped back, but he still managed to glomp my whole body in his. Because of that, I was forcibly torn away from Lykus’s side. What the—WHO THROWS THEMSELVES AT PEOPLE LIKE THIS?!

“Oh, Pelomina! I’ve missed you so much!” he gushed. His face was ecstatic, and he chuckled before straightening his askew glasses after hugging me so tightly. He pulled away yet still held my shoulders at arm's length. I could feel Lykus’s gaze on us, I could also see his frightening glares from the corner of my eyes, but he did nothing,

“Yulsey, I suppose you forgot that my dear wife has a fragile body,” Lykus commented.

‘AH! THIS IS YULSEY?!’ I’m doomed. We seem to be really, really close that he could just jump me whenever.

Yulsey cleared his throat and gave me a subtle smile and chuckle before looking up at Lykus again, “I apologize, I didn’t forget but it was indeed too brazen of me to assume that she’s gotten better under your care,” he replied in such a calm, soothing voice that I didn’t realize he was passively angering Lykus.

'Gosh darn, Yulsey...'

Lykus clenched his jaw, not saying anything in retaliation, which was better I suppose, and just glared him down with a gaze that could cut.

Yulsey chuckled, a hand faintly over his lips despite not intending to hide it, “Of course, I know that you are taking utmost care of Lady Vaustero,” he followed, bowing low that his hair fell over his shoulders, his right hands at his chest and his left hand by his side, bending one knee ever so slightly.

Once he looked up again, the same warm, kind, and cheerful expression looked at me. It felt like he was glowing with that aura. I also did a curtsy and Lykus looked more than unwilling to do the bare minimum of bowing his head at him with a huff.

“It’s so nice to see you again after such a long time, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” he said and I nodded,

“I-I could say the same,” I replied, not sure if that’s the proper response, but the real Pelomina and Yulsey seem to be such good friends. Isn’t this casual enough for good friends?

His face froze with a smile that he ended up grabbing my hands, “Good heavens… your voice! You speak!” he gushed in a whisper so as to not gather much attention. He even looked around, yet contained the excitement that I could see in his eyes. He must be considering her state so he didn’t want to make a fuss.

“I must introduce you—I’m sorry, both of you to the crown prince, or should I say king,” he began, looking over my shoulder to Lykus, “I could put in a good word for you, my lord,” he began and I turned to look at the expression on his face.

It was not the look of someone who has a genuine interest in the conversation or someone who is relatively amused. He just looked grim and brooding, clearly in an awful mood. I’ve had my suspicions, but he’s really not a fan of Yulsey, isn’t he? I wonder why.

But that didn’t bother Yulsey, or that was how it seemed like because he just kept going, “You could have power over the imperial knights, the current king sees and knows your potential,” he finished,

“That will not be necessary,” Lykus grunted,

Yulsey smiled brightly at this, not sure if he was unaware he’s sullied Lykus’s mood or he chooses to ignore it since that was his real intention, “Don’t be so reserved, you and I are… friends, my lord,” Yulsey intoned, but before either I or Lykus could react, there was a loud cue of horns that began the bursting sound of the band, by 'band' I mean orchestra.

A waltz. Something like Strauss. Reminds me of Schatz Walzer with the preface that began with a growing tension… one that I didn't notice, but once I did, I felt my heart leap out of my chest in pure joy.

‘It’s beautiful!’

“The waltz has begun,” Yulsey announced as we all turned our heads to see the gathering crowd at the center. My jaw dropped…

“This is beautiful!”