Under His Shadow

Chapter Two

His House, His Rules

Keiroa could not sleep.

It was too quiet. In Madam Gray’s house, there were always people shouting, doors slamming, people yelling. It was bad enough, but at least she knew what was coming. This was worse. This was pressing down on her chest. Even the slightest sound made her heart leap.

She was sitting on the edge of the bed. Her hands were folded in her lap.

She was staring at the walls. She could hear her heart beating. Every sound from the clock was loud.

She wondered about Madam Gray, about never having loved her, about hitting her, punishing her, not caring about her at all. She was in Roland Black’s house, and this was worse because it was quiet too. She was small, weak, helpless again.

A knock on the door made her jump.

“Come in,” she whispered.

The door opened. A young woman entered. She was moving cautiously, as if she was frightened to shatter something.

“My name is Elara,” she said quietly. “I will take care of you here.”

Keiroa nodded. She did not trust easily. She had learned a long time ago that kindness could be a trap.

But the voice of Elara was gentle. It sounded soft.

‘I brought food,’ Elara said, carrying a tray.

Keiroa shook her head. "I'm not hungry."

Elara drew closer. “In this house, the refusal of meals is observed,” she whispered.

Keiroa's stomach churned, but she ate deliberately.

She knew it was better to be safe than sorry.

“You should rest after,” Elara said. “You will need your strength.”

Keiroa almost laughed. Sleeping seemed like a dreamscape. She could not sleep, would not relax.

For that night, however, Roland didn't show up. This alarmed her more than if he had come, because at least she would know her position then. The worst thing was that there was complete silence. This allowed her imagination to run wild.

Morning came. Sudden opening of the door.

It was Captain Kai. Tall. Muscular. His face was blank. Like a man who feels nothing. His eyes are sharp. His eyes see everything.

“Follow me,” he said.

Keiroa obeyed. She had no choice.

The corridors were long and cold. The servants froze as he walked through. They bowed and turned their faces away. Keiroa felt both small and observed.

Roland Black waited at the end of the hall.

No, he turned. His hands were clasped behind his back. There was an absence of sound. Keiroa was being appraised.

“You will listen carefully,” he said at last. “This house runs on rules.”

Keiroa nodded

“You will not leave the estate without permission.”

“Yes”

“You will not speak to outsiders.”

“Yes”

“You will not interfere in matters that do not concern you.”

“Yes”

“You will not embarrass me.”

Her chest hurt. “I won’t.”

Roland moved closer. His eyes were cold. Not angry.

Not loud. Just sharp, like a knife.

“You belong to this house now,” he said. “Your past doesn't matter. Your feelings don't matter.”

"The words struck her like a stone. She had heard such words from Madam Gray, but it was different here. It was harder. It was stronger."

“If you try to run, you will regret it,” he said matter-of-factly.

He then turned away, and the discussion came to an end.

Captain Kai brought her back to her room. She was shaking her hands. She held them together to calm down the shaking.

This was not a marriage. This was ownership.

Elara appeared. "You survived your first morning," she whispered.

Keiroa stared at her. “Is he always like that?” Keiroa asked.

Elara stopped. Her eyes grew dark. "He is worse when he cares," she said.

Keiroa felt a chill run down her body. She never knew that she was afraid of kindness before. She now realized that kindness could also be very dangerous.

Time went by. The servants mumbled among themselves. The guards hurried by, observing her.

There was no end to the reminder that she was not alone.

Then there was shouting. Loud. Angry. Footsteps pounded on the floor. Orders rang out through the house.

“Secure the east gate!”

“Lock the inner doors!”

Keiroa froze. Her heart was pounding.

Elara took her arm. “Stay here,” she whispered.

"What's happening?" Keiroa asked shakingly.

Elara's face turned white. “Someone attempted to get inside the estate,” she said.

Keiroa's breath caught. “

Elara's lips tightened. "They were asking for you."

Her words made the room seem smaller.

Then came heavy footsteps outside her door. The handle shook. And Roland Black's voice.

“Don’t let her out of your sight.”

Keiroa’s stomach dropped

For the first time, she understood this house, this man, and this life would put all she had learned about fear to the test.

And whoever wanted her… was still out there.