chapter 2
1239 Words
Adele POV
I expected a city of soot and violence in Sylvara, one that would match the man I married.
But the opposite met me.
Colour filled the streets. Children ran between silk-draped stalls. Girls and boys laughed and spun with their friends.
After the blood and terror of the attack. This was the first time since arriving here, I found myself breathing a little easier.
Arkwell was the opposite of Sylvara. Its streets were quiet and everyone acted so polished.
My chest eased for a moment. A place this bright could not house a monster.
We arrived at Lord Draven’s manor. The gates stood open. A fountain rose in the centre of the courtyard, and the water poured out in a steady rhythm. Rose scent filled the air.
Jasper led me to the front door and pushed it open.
Inside the house, it felt like the home of an owner who had been gone for years. The curtains blocked the sunlight and the furniture looked ancient.
The maids paused mid-tasks, their eyes fixed on me.
“A bride?” one whispered, her face wearing a knowing, eager grin. “Is she for Sir Jasper?”
“Oh no…. She's Lord Draven's new wife.” Jasper corrected
The room went cold, and they huddled close, whispering to each other.
“This is Liora Vale. She is to be treated with the respect her title demands.” Jasper’s gaze swept the room.
“Elara. Show her to the West Wing guest suite. See that she has water and a fire. She has had a long journey.” he snapped his fingers towards the pale-skinned maid, who kept staring at the ring in my hands with strange restrained anger.
“The West Wing?” Elara’s voice shot up. “He does not like anyone…”
“Now, Elara,” Jasper cut in.
Elara stepped forward stiffly and then turned and walked away without another word.
“Follow me,” she said, not looking back.
Another maid stepped in beside me and took some of my bags as we followed.
“You must be Lady Liora,” the other maid said softly, offering a small smile. “I am Bella, I started working for Lord Draven a month ago.”
I nodded.
Her voice softened. “It feels good to have a lady in the house again.”
Elara stopped and turned.
Her smile stayed in place, but nothing in it felt warm.
“Actually…the house never needed one anyway,” She said and moved again, faster this time.
Bella and I exchanged looks. For a while, we all silently followed Elara, till my attention drifted to a half-open door. A loud cry spilt from inside.
“What room is that?” I asked Bella, and her eyes drifted toward Elara; and hesitation showed in the slight pause of her breath.
I leaned closer and whispered out my curiosity.
“Is that the room meant for the first bride?”
Bella did not answer. Her fingers curled around her apron.
Elara laughed once.
“Of course,” she said, coming closer.
“People like to call it that,” she continued. “A tragic story about a bride who could not survive Draven’s house.”
Bella’s shoulders tightened.
Elara tilted her head toward me. “She walked in, just like you. She never walked out.”
“I hope that fate doesn't belong to you too,” she said, stopping in front of a narrow door tucked into a dark corner and pushed it open.
The room held a narrow bed with a thin grey cover. A single wardrobe stood in the corner. The rug lay worn underfoot.
Elara leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed. Her dark eyes raked over me while I scanned the room.
She flicked her fingers toward the other maid. The girl hesitated, then slipped out without a word.
“I hope you can take it from here,” she said in a flat voice.
“Of…” The door slammed shut before I finished.
“Liora dodged a bullet,” I exhaled. If this was the way things were going to be, I wasn't going to give in.
I pulled the sheet tight. Dust burst up and filled my throat, making me cough.
A soft scratch came from the wardrobe. I stood still, listening to the sound again.
I stepped closer. My fingers shook as I reached for the handle.
I held my breath and pulled the wardrobe handle.
A grey rat shot past my feet. It raced across the floor and slipped out the door.
I took my time to clear the wardrobe till my knees weakened. I dropped onto the bed and dragged in a breath. My body stayed tense. Sleep did not come.
The door and sound replayed in my head and the thought of his first bride kept returning.
I got up, deciding to ease my curiosity. The hallway felt silent and tighter in the dark.
But I didn't turn back cause I needed answers.
I stood at the entrance of the door, hesitating for a while. I turned around to be certain that I wasn't being watched and then took a huge sigh and opened the door.
I saw him. A tall man was standing there, watching me with unnerving calmness.
I felt like I couldn't breathe. I grabbed the edge of the door and whispered, "Lord Draven?”
Selene POV
I stood by the window of my private parlour, imagining the rain washing away the wheels left by the carriage that had finally taken that girl away.
The silence of the house was delicious, though it was interrupted by some heavy, rhythmic footsteps.
“Any good news Mr Vane,” I said; I knew who it was without turning around.
“I'm… afraid to say that she arrived in Sylvara successfully,”
I turned and glared at him. He bit his lip and stared at the ground. My grip tightened on the chair.
“How?” My voice came out low. “You said your men were reliable.”
“Jasper Venn proved more capable than expected,” he said, each word careful. “He stopped the ambush before it could be finished.”
I slammed my palm against the mahogany table, startling the man. My fingers curled, itching to close around Adele’s throat.
“How about we send someone to the Draven manor,” he said slowly, “and poison her?”
I stared at him. “Do you think Draven is a fool?”
Silence fell.
He let out a quiet breath. His shoulders stiffened. Then he spoke again, softer.
“What if… we end the mother instead?”
“That won’t work,” I said at once. “If the mother dies too soon, Adele will confess she isn’t Liora. I will not have Draven turn on my family.”
He rubbed the back of his neck before speaking “So…what do you suggest we do?”
"Let her believe she’s saved her mother and let her get comfortable in the Draven’s manor. Then I'll find a way to eliminate them both without leaving a trail back to this house..."
I looked at the vial that was meant to be given to Miranda and smiled.
“Until then, make sure her mother stays just healthy enough to suffer.”
- Writer
