RE-WRITING DESTINY

CHAPTER 4; DANGER LOOMING

Isabell's pov

Tonight, the Duke and Duchess of Elarindel had spared no expense. This was no ordinary gathering, it was the engagement ball of their son, Hiram. And me.

In my chamber, laughter spilled as Debony and Matilda fussed over my gown.

“Hold still, Isabella, or the lace will twist,” Matilda scolded gently as she tightened the final ribbons on my bodice.I trembled, betraying my own nerves, though I tried to hide it with a smile.

Debony clapped her hands together in delight, her eyes sparkling. “You look like a princess out of a fairy tale! Hiram will be struck dumb the moment he sees you.”

I laughed, though my hands trembled as I adjusted my gloves. “Do you think so? Or will he see a girl stumbling over her steps?”

Debony brushed a curl from my face. “You underestimate yourself, Isabella. You are radiant. And Hiram… Hiram sees far more than you think.”

Her words warmed me, though a shadow lingered in the back of my mind. Dante’s voice, his threats, the way his hands had bruised my arms only nights before at the opera. The memory tried to consume me, but I pushed it down.

Not tonight. Tonight would be different.

A knock sounded. A maid’s voice drifted through the door. “The carriages are ready, my ladies.”

Matilda squeezed my hand. “Shall we step into destiny?”

And so we did.

“I’m going to steal Matilda away from you someday’’ debony said, ‘’what do you think Matilda’’ she asked,

‘’I’m not leaving Isabell unless she tells me to’ ’she said as I smiled ‘’debony you lose’’ I said as we all laughed.

‘’I’m always bored at home with my old aunt, Amelia, '’ Debony said as she frowned.

In my past life when Dante sent Matilda home

I was in pain because she had no home but I couldn’t do anything but help her with money.

When Debony heard about it she was mad at me, she took Matilda in and I lost both friends all because of that i***t.

‘‘Hiram made a wise choice and so do you for leaving Dante’’ Matilda said

Music had begun; we could hear the chatter of horses’, laughter of flirting women.

I could smell cigars and pipes which I hate so much.

I have to keep up with this pungent smell I said to myself.

“We should get in,” Debony said as she led the way.

By the walls of the ballroom they were terrifying old women who looked like coven witches.

They are chaperones to each beautiful young girl and bitterness radiated through them (the powerless witches).

To me if any young maiden didn’t get married early or never, they were the cause. They sure are witches I thought.

Women with; angry eyes, sagging cheeks and gray hair and eyes all locked onto those girls never giving them breathing space.

The old hag who chaperoned Debony has her eyes sealed on debony.

I despise her the most. She is the oldest I thought since her cheek sagged the most.

I’m grateful Florinda isn’t that old.

Sometimes I pity aunt Florinda, both aunt Florinda and her husband were friends with my parents.

But her husband died alongside my parents leaving poor Florinda alone who had mis-carriage with all his wealth but no children.

Sometimes I also wonder why she decided not to remarry because she is still young, wealthy and most importantly beautiful may be is true love, I guess,

she misses her husband so much she has his picture everywhere in her room ,,,,, oh poor Florinda

“Where is aunt Florinda’ debony asked ‘’on a vacation’ I replied

‘‘Don't tell she will miss your engagement ball’, she asked ‘‘maybe’’ I replied.

The genders were separated and formalized as usual,

Despite how formal the room was, it was filled with emotions whirling beneath feet and through hearts of all except those chaperones.

We came down from the stairs

All eyes turned when I entered. My pulse raced, and for a moment, I wanted to shrink back into the shadows. But then I saw him.

Hiram.

He stood tall at the center of the room, dressed in a black and silver coat that caught the light with every movement.

His gaze found mine instantly, and the crowded hall seemed to vanish.

Only he and I existed, two stars drawn together.

He crossed the floor in his usual measured steps, his hand extended, his smile soft yet unshakable.

“You’ve arrived,” he said, his voice low

“I was beginning to think you’d leave me to dance alone.” he said with a smile

I placed my hand in his, he kissed it, my heart fluttering.I wouldn’t dream of it in my past life from dante

The dance had already begun. Hiram led me across the floor with such ease that I barely realized we had moved from one waltz to another, and then another still.

I simply followed, carried by the certainty in his steps and the warmth in his gaze.

He was so in love so unashamed in showing it after all it's our engagement ball but my heart trembled each time his hand pressed gently against my back.

We danced out of the grand ballroom, laughter echoing as the music faded behind us.

Through the castle gates, into the village streets lit with lanterns, farther and farther until the crowd and their whispers and light were gone.

At last we stopped before a quiet hut, hidden away where no one could see us. “May I?” he said stretching out his hands as I placed mine on his. And with my hand in his, I knew there was no place in the world I would rather be.

We were alone, “I love you’, he said as he smiled putting his hands around my waist, I felt the world belongs to us, I put my hands round his shoulders,

“I love you” he whispered in my ears. Hearing those words coming from him my head began to swirl, as he drew me closer,

I closed my eyes

True Love I thought as I felt his lips on my eyes wasn’t he going kiss me I thought as our lips touched, I felt his soft lips on mine, savoring and going deeper our tongue rolled and twisted together,

His hands moved slowly up to my boobs; he pressed me against the wall, losing part of my gown; he carried me to the bed.

He glanced at me as he sat on the bed and touched my lips.

“Are you afraid?” he asked as I gave no reply, I don’t want to do anything against your will, not only that, I’m a gentleman so I won’t defile you he said with a smile.

His smile was so captivating showing his dimples that’s so appealing and even his dark green eyes that’s so hard to read.

As he stood up, I noticed we had the same color of hair with his amusing height and broad shoulders and his deep voice,

He is my knight on shinning amour I thought as I smiled,

I love you too I said and I’m honored to be your fiancée I said as I stood and adjusted my gown.

“Be fast adjusting yourself we have taken so much time here, who knows they might be looking for us at the ball’he said

“I'm done don't worry we can go now” I said as I smiled

‘’May I’’, he asked again as I offered my hand and we walked down the street back to the hall

Isabell!! Isabell! It was Dante he was causing a scene in front of the ball ‘’I love you please don’t leave me’’ he kept on shouting

‘’Isabell’’, Debony and Matilda called as they came

‘’where have you been”, Dante has been causing a scene’’, Debony said as Dante turned to my direction

‘’Isabell, there you are, please forgive me for any wrong I have done, I’m sorry, please don’t marry Hiram’’ Dante said crying,he turned to Hiram

“How dare you dance with her?” he snarled, pointing at Hiram. His voice carried across the ballroom, every word dripping venom. “Isabella is mine. She is my fiancée. We are to be wed!”

The crowd erupted in whispers, shock rippling through the hall.

Hiram’s hand tightened protectively around mine. His jaw clenched, but his voice was calm, deliberate.

“You are mistaken, Dante. Isabella is my betrothed, chosen with honor and with her consent. You have no claim.”

Dante’s laughter was bitter, wild. “No claim? She gave me her vows! She gave me everything!” His eyes snapped to me, desperate, furious. “Tell them, Isabella! Tell them I am your rightful husband!”

Every gaze turned to me. My heart hammered so loudly I feared it would betray me.

“You were nothing but a lie, Dante. A lie I will never repeat.” I said boldly

The hall fell silent, the finality of my words echoing louder than any music. Dante’s face twisted, rage consuming him, but before he could speak again, guards moved to restrain him.

Still, as they dragged him back, his voice tore through the night like a curse:

“You’ll regret this, Isabella! I swear it, you’ll regret it!”

‘’Isabell, waits for me in the carriage’’, Hiram said as he walks towards Dante, but the crowd followed outside to watch the scene

"And that’s why I came prepared", Dante said with a smirk.

Suddenly the assassin came…