The Devil's Vow

CHAPTER TWO:First Lessons

I woke up to the faint hum of the estate. The sun hadn't risen yet, but the house was already alive with movement, footsteps echoing in the hallways I didn't yet know, doors opening and closing.

I wasn't allowed to leave my room until breakfast. Or rather, until someone decided I could leave without causing trouble.

I wrapped a silk robe around myself and crept to the door, careful not to make noise. A small tray of food had been left outside. I picked at it trying to understand the rules I had been given. Don't wander. Don't ask questions. Obey. Simple. Except it wasn't.

“Breakfast is ready", a soft voice said behind me. I jumped, realizing I hadn't noticed the maid enter. I force a polite smile.

Lucien appeared in the doorway, his black suit as sharp as his stare. “You're up?" he said flatly. No warmth. No explanation. Just... authority.

I nodded. “Yes".

He didn't move to sit, just stood there, watching as if he could see my every thought.

“I'll walk you through the house later ", he said. “For now, follow the staff, eat, and do not ask questions".

I tried to meet his gaze, but his eyes bored into me. I could feel the weight of them, the judgement, the warning. He made no effort to be pleasant. Why would he? I reminded myself. He was dangerous. He was the man who ran the world I didn't know existed.

Lucien's POV

She thinks she's clever. Too clever for her own good. Every glance, every cautious step, every polite nod- she's trying to understand, trying to assert control where she has none.

I should be furious at her naivety. She has no idea what her family has built. No clue how delicate this arrangement is.

And yet... there's something about her. A spark. Sharp, defiant, but not reckless. That makes it worse.

I don't like it. I don't like her.

And yet, every time she frowns in confusion, or tilts her head as if trying to read me, I catch myself studying her. She doesn't know. She doesn't know the stakes. She doesn't know how much danger she's in.

I'll keep it that way. I'll test her. Push her boundaries. Make her learn obedience. And if she survives... then maybe she'll be worth my attention.

But not yet. Not now.

Isabella's POV

The house was a maze, every hallway lined with silent, portraits of men and women I didn't follow. I followed the staff to the dinning room, heart hammering. Each footstep echoed too loudly. Each shadow felt like a threat.

Lucien didn't speak to me during breakfast. Not a single word. I tried not to feel intimidated, tried to eat like a normal person, but my appetite vanished under his gaze. He was always watching, always judging, always reminding me who held power.

After breakfast, he appeared again.

“Rules", he said, holding up a hand . “You will follow them. No exceptions".

He walked through each one slowly, deliberately. My stomach twisted with a mixture of fear and... something I couldn't name. Anger? Resentment? Maybe all of it.

And I realized something terrifying

He could make me obey.

And I had no choice but to try.