defy time, while its narrow windows and turrets gave the impression of a castle from a dark tale. The air around the propert

sitant to move forward. A servant in a dark uniform approached to take his lug

re all day? » Adrian asked, hi

er nervousness. "It's... impressive," s

coldly, before heading towards the

t the cobblestones of the driveway. Once inside, she was struck by the opulence of the place. The ceilings were decorated with int

emed to inhabit the place, as if the wealth was not

his voice echoing through the great hall

not to react. She had learned long ago that respondin

Her black hair was pulled back into a strict bun, and her piercin

said, completely ignoring

ie , this is Lydia, my second.

ie , and the latter felt a shiver run dow

e but cold voice. "Rest assured that we will d

e double meaning of this sentence. Lydia clearly meant that

l go well," replied Elli

ort. "Lydia, make sure she gets comfortabl

he disappeared into a corridor, le

reach her eyes. "Follow me, I

emingly endless spiral staircase. Each step s

eries, the four-poster bed looked like it had come out of a dream, and a huge picture window offered a breatht

e," Lydia declared. "If you n

She doubted anyone in this mansion

out at the dense forest that surrounded the pro

halls, her footsteps echoing in the oppressive silence. But everywhere she went, she enco

ian sitting at the table, reading some documents. He lo

way," he said,

ble. A plate was brought to her by a servant, but she fel

o they? » she whispered, fi

at her, his expression unreadable. "They

ng to them," she

e appeared on his

chless, and she looked away

g room, where she was attempting to read a b

s," he said, sitting down

raising an ey

d calmly. "And you have to understand t

enging him with her gaze. "

"First, you do not leave the estate without my permission. Second

h. "Respect someone who ripped me out of my life a

sence was overwhelming, and she felt her bre

soft, "you will learn that in this world, respect i

could feel the heat in his body, the tension in his shoulders.

lied, her voice shaking slightly. "

lking away. But before he left the room, he called over his s

knew she had just declared war on a man much more powe