Bloodbound: The Prince's Eternal Bride

A New Morning and an Unexpected Encounter

Evelyn was startled awake by a light knocking on the door. The vivid memories of her dream—the rose garden and Valerian—still lingered in her mind. The dream had felt so real, she could almost still smell the roses, feel the pull of that mysterious connection. But the knocking brought her back to reality, back to this ancient castle.

She got out of bed and walked to the door, gently pulling it open. Standing outside was a small, delicate-looking maid. She appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen, with a slender frame and a soft, innocent face. Her chestnut brown hair was neatly tied into a ponytail, and her wide, hazel eyes reflected a hint of shyness. Her cheeks had a touch of baby fat, making her look both adorable and harmless. She wore a neat gray maid’s uniform with a white lace collar that added a bit of elegance to her otherwise simple attire.

The maid spoke in a timid voice, “Hello, my name is Lilia. I’m a maid here at the castle. I heard you’re new, so I thought you might not know—every morning at six sharp, all the maids and servants have to gather in the main hall for the work assignments. The head maid will not be kind if you’re late.” She shivered slightly, as though recalling some unpleasant memory, her face paling as she spoke.

Evelyn felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. Aside from the mysterious man in her dream, this was the first person who had shown her any kindness since she arrived at the castle. She smiled warmly, hoping to ease Lilia’s obvious nerves. “Thank you for letting me know, Lilia. Give me a moment to wash up, and I’ll be ready to go.”

Lilia nodded quickly, a small, relieved smile tugging at her lips. “Okay, but you’ll have to hurry. It’s almost six,” she urged, her voice soft but with a hint of urgency.

Evelyn washed up as quickly as she could, then dressed herself and joined Lilia. Together, they hurried down the dim, narrow hallways. The flickering candlelight along the walls cast long, eerie shadows, reminding Evelyn of the dream she’d had of the rose garden and its mysterious inhabitant.

When they reached the main hall, Evelyn was struck by its sheer size. It was far larger than she had imagined, seemingly endless. High stone pillars lined the room, supporting a vaulted ceiling that arched overhead like a cathedral. Stained glass windows scattered what little sunlight there was, casting dappled colors across the marble floor. The hall was already filled with people—maids, servants, guards—crowding every corner of the space. Yet despite the large crowd, not a single voice could be heard. Everyone stood in silence, heads bowed, waiting for orders.

At the center of the hall, on a raised platform, stood the head maid Evelyn had seen the night before. Her posture was as rigid and commanding as ever, her cold eyes scanning the sea of servants with a look of disdain. Lilia whispered hurriedly to Evelyn, “That’s Emma, the head maid. She’s strict... very strict.” She quickly lowered her head again, as if speaking any louder might invite trouble.

Evelyn nodded, her eyes darting to Emma. She could see it now—the iron-fisted authority that radiated from the woman. No wonder the entire hall was silent and still under her watchful gaze. Even though there were so many people crammed into the room, not a single soul dared to make a sound. Emma’s mere presence was enough to keep them all in line.

Suddenly, Emma’s voice rang out, sharp and unyielding. “The masters of the castle are still away on their business. All tasks remain the same as yesterday. The new maid”—her eyes flicked briefly to Evelyn—“will be assigned to clean the basement. I trust I’ve made myself clear. Now go, and do your work.”

The moment Emma finished speaking, the tension in the room broke. The crowd began to disperse, each person heading off to their respective duties. Evelyn hesitated for a moment, unsure where she was supposed to go or what exactly she should be doing. But before she could start panicking, she felt a gentle tug on her sleeve. It was Lilia, signaling for her to follow.

They left the main hall, winding through another narrow corridor until they reached a much smaller, rougher hall. The walls here were plain stone, lacking the grandeur of the main hall. It felt almost homely in its simplicity, though Evelyn could still sense the age of the building in every c***k and crevice.

Lilia finally relaxed, letting out a long sigh of relief as she patted her chest. “Whew, mornings are always so nerve-wracking,” she said with a small smile. “But this is the dining hall, where we eat before starting our work. We’ve got a little time for breakfast before the workday officially starts at 6:45.”

Evelyn glanced around, noting the stark contrast between this place and the tense atmosphere of the main hall. The dining hall was lively, filled with the sounds of chatter and laughter. Maids and servants sat at the long wooden tables, talking freely and enjoying the brief respite before their duties began. It was as if this room was the only place in the castle where they could truly relax.

“Breakfast is the happiest part of the day!” Lilia declared with a grin. “Let’s find a spot to sit.”

Evelyn looked around and finally spotted an empty table in the corner. She motioned for Lilia to join her, but as they approached the table, Lilia froze. Her gaze had locked onto someone already seated nearby, and her cheeks instantly flushed a bright red.

Curious, Evelyn followed her gaze and saw a young man sitting alone. He was striking—tall and muscular, with features that were a perfect balance between boyishness and manliness. His tousled dark brown hair fell messily over his forehead, giving him a wild, untamed look. His sharp, gray-blue eyes gleamed with an intensity that suggested he was always on alert, like a predator ready to pounce. His chiseled jawline and high cheekbones only added to his rugged handsomeness, though there was a coldness to him that made him seem unapproachable.

Even sitting down, his presence was commanding. His broad shoulders and well-defined muscles hinted at a strength that was more than just physical. There was an air of danger about him, something raw and primal, like a caged beast.

Lilia leaned in and whispered to Evelyn, her voice barely above a breath, “That’s Arthur. He’s the most handsome servant in the castle...”

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this new piece of information. She studied Arthur again, noticing the subtle way his movements seemed more fluid, almost animalistic. There was a wild energy in him, something that set him apart from the other servants.

Evelyn smirked and whispered back, “I can see why you’re so smitten with him.”

Lilia’s face turned an even deeper shade of red, and she quickly covered her face with her hands, embarrassed. “I’m not!” she protested weakly, though her blushing cheeks said otherwise. She gave Evelyn a playful slap on the shoulder, trying to hide her flustered state.

Despite their quiet conversation, Arthur didn’t react. He sat there, completely still, as though he hadn’t noticed them at all. It was as if the lively, noisy dining hall didn’t exist for him—his focus was elsewhere, perhaps on something far beyond the stone walls of the castle.

Evelyn couldn’t help but think to herself, What a cold and mysterious man.

Sensing the unspoken tension, Lilia finally muttered, “He doesn’t talk to anyone much... always keeps to himself. But he really is handsome, isn’t he?”

Evelyn smiled, nodding slightly in agreement. She decided not to tease Lilia any further, though the young girl’s infatuation was clear as day.

As they sat down to eat, Evelyn’s mind wandered. There was something about Arthur that piqued her curiosity—his silence, his aloofness. There was no doubt in her mind that the castle held many secrets, and perhaps this mysterious man was one of them.