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Chapter 2
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2024-10-29 19:42:56A door at the far end of the corridor creaked. I took that as my cue to resume my work. I hadn’t started on anything essential, and there was much to do.
Peering under my bonnet, I saw Maud coming out of what I assumed was one of the guest rooms. She took one look at me and quickly dashed around the corner.
I thought her reaction was strange, but I was also jumpy from being on this floor.
The sudden heat behind my back, and the hot whisper close to my right ear, surprised me.
“You’re a curious one, aren’t you?” The voice was husky but also made me shiver in all the right places.
I hurriedly turned around and was face to face with the half-naked man. I understood why Maud had left in a hurry.
I bowed my head and tried to touch my back to the wall but couldn’t find it.
The man stepped toward me, and I kept striding back while extending my arm behind me in the hope of finally touching the damn wall.
“Did you see anything interesting?” The man asked interestedly.
“No, my… lord?”
I had said it more as a question than an answer. I did not know who this person was. It could have been the young lord; however, it could have also been a nobleman staying in the lord’s quarters while visiting. Maybe a close friend? I thought exasperatedly that this situation would not have been an issue for me if he had clothes on.
He chuckled, and I almost felt his laughter vibrate within me because of his nearness.
“I am,” he said in a low voice.
Great, now I just needed to dig a hole and die in it. I was so ashamed. Why couldn’t the floor just swallow me whole?
After a pause, I bit my bottom lip. My previous answer didn’t explain why I was in front of this door.
Shit. I had to think of something quick.
“I was only straightening the painting besides this door, and I thought I could confirm if it was straight by looking at it sideways, milord.”
“And? Is it straight?” He responded before putting his fingers on my chin and lifting my head.
His fingers were warm but hard on my skin. I felt tiny electrical discharges where he was touching me. They buzzed me and made my insides feel like a soft pile of goo.
I instinctively took another step back and looked at his face, but lowered my eyes quickly when I met his dark gray stare. It made me think of the sky before a thunderstorm.
I regretted lowering my sight immediately as I noticed he was still shirtless, and my head was at the height of his bare chest.
My heart started bouncing between my rib cage when he took another step closer to me.
I also saw that I had entered the forbidden room. I would be in so much trouble if the head maid found out.
“You’re a pretty little thing,” he said as if to reply to my silence. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” he said earnestly while keeping his burning gaze on me. “You’re shaking. Do I frighten you that much?”.
I didn’t know if he really wanted an answer.
Mauling over his words, I didn’t think it wise to say anything. I hadn’t even noticed I was shaking and that my skin was covered in goosebumps until he mentioned it.
I took the last courage I could muster and met Lord Alexander’s gaze again. After all, he was extremely handsome.
He was very tall, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. This surprised me since I didn’t take him for someone who would have that kind of physique. Most noblemen were only paper pushers; I didn’t take him for the physical sort.
He also had a gorgeous square jaw with an unshaven look that I thought was hot.
Faiths, in my previous life, I would have probably tried to get his attention if ever I had met him.
He still held my face, and I instinctively took another step backward. I gasped as my arm touched something hard and quickly put my other hand around my back to figure out what sort of object it was.
The thing I was touching was cold and felt like something made from metal. I repositioned my feet and heard the clinking sound of chains.
What the hell was in this room?
I glanced back nervously at Lord Alexander and held my breath when I noticed him place his head near mine and take a deep breath through his nose.
“Hmm.” The sound came from his throat, almost sounding like a purr. His brows then knitted together as though in thought, and his gray eyes darkened to nearly pitch black.
He released my chin and moved further into the room, passing beside me.
“Milord,” I started, not knowing what to say. I needed to leave. “May I take my leave and finish the preparations before your guests arrive?” and maybe go take a bath since he blatantly sniffed me, and now, I was a little subconscious of myself.
I saw his shadow turn around and look at me. His eyes looked almost like those of a cat in the dark.
They looked like they were glowing.
“No need. You may return to your boss and let her know I will no longer be entertaining for the day. I found something far much better to do with my time.”
That was all he said.
I thought I detected a grin, but I wasn’t sure, and I didn’t stay long enough to hear if he required anything else.
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I bolted towards the servant’s stairs hidden behind the painting and almost hit Maud. She had a fear-stricken face, but her gaze softened a bit upon seeing me. Was she waiting for me to return? “A-are you okay?” She asked, skittish. Her eyes looked up and down to see if I was well. I also saw her glance at my back to see if someone was following me. I grabbed her black sleeve, dragged her with me within the confines of the secret stairs, and let out a deep breath I was keeping inside until I was sure to be safe behind the closed door. I held myself up with the unfinished wall and searched her face, hoping to decipher what she was thinking. Frankly, I only saw fear, so I sighed softly. She must have had a good reason to be acting this way. “Spill the beans, Maud. What’s gotten you so riled up suddenly?” “I-I saw you go in t-there. T-the room. Usually, w-when people go near that r-room, they don’t come back,” she explained with a shaken voice. “And you know this how? I mean, if n
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I could still feel Lord Alexander’s burning gaze on me while his mother made small talk before sitting in her chair.I stayed even though I felt a bit out of place when they didn't dismiss me right away. The conversation they were having made me feel uneasy.“Could you please reason with that man, Mother?” Said Alexander.The young lord was resting on the edge of his seat. He hunched over with both his elbows lying on his muscular thighs. His demeanour was severe but almost desperate, and I noticed Alexander still kept eyeing in my direction. Maybe he didn’t like that I was forced to stay and listen to their conversation.I made an “ahum” sound in my throat and hoped that his mother heard me, but she continued her conversation regardless that I was in the room.“You know I cannot change his mind, my love. He’s a stubborn man, your father, and he only wants you to find someone and settle down. You’re the heir to High Hill; you should have been married a long time ago,” she replied; her
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Alexander’s still dark gray eyes stared at me, analyzing my expression. Was he waiting for an answer? He inched closer. He smelled like the forest—a mix of pine, spruce, and earth that made me long for my missing freedom. I was convinced that smelling like this was not natural. However, his scent was intoxicating, and I knew I needed to tread carefully about the reaction my body was giving him. I kept eyeing his lips, imagining what they felt like. They looked so soft. I could see myself wrapping my hands behind his head, curling my fingers in his dark unruly hair while tasting his mouth, teasing him with my tongue, and nipping his full lower lip. My legs clenched at the sudden heat I felt down in my belly, and I became hyperaware that I was not acting like myself. I saw Alexander stiffen. I hoped he didn’t notice what he was doing to me. I was so ashamed by the wetness that overcame me I could hardly look at him when I replied, “I’m sorry, milord, but I’m afraid you will have to
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My eyes flew open, and my arms grabbed each side of the tub to sit upright. I brought my thighs toward my stomach, hoping to hide my nakedness. Water splashed everywhere, and nothing in my movements was graceful. I glared up at my uninvited guest. How dare he come in without announcing himself? Alexander had his left shoulder pressed on the bathroom door frame, a sly smirk on his godlike face that I momentarily hated. Both his hands were in his front pockets. He looked amused as my cheeks flushed with shame… and maybe want. Faiths, I really wanted him, but I also wanted to punch him! “Oh, don’t stop on my account; I was really enjoying this! Do make it a habit.” He winked. His eyes were still black. I thought I had imagined them ever being gray. Whenever I saw Alexander, I thought I saw their pale gray colour, but they seemed to darken unexplainably when he suddenly noticed me. I hugged my knees to my chest, looking at him, trying to pull the most infuriating, scolding, death st
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I closed my eyes and searched for what could unlock the memory orb. I let my energy wander through the glass sphere, pulling some of the power from it. I slowed my breathing and listened to the vibration passing through my fingers and flowing in me. I imagined it looking like a series of small strings tied taut inside the orb—protecting its content like a package needing to be unwrapped. I didn’t quite know what to do, so I whispered an unlocking incantation and felt my magic tug at the invisible strings that resided within. It didn’t want to open. I tried a different approach; I would force the strings and break them. I gathered as much energy as I could muster. My body heated up, and the memory orb became hot as well. I needed to control my power, or it could shatter the delicate magic that created the small spherical storage. Sweat dripped from my forehead, gliding down my side temples and lining the base of my neck. I needed to create a balance between high force and a gentle
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After Diana’s name left Denis’s lips, he rapidly collected himself and cleared his throat. “I’m so sorry. I mistook you for someone I knew long ago. Please forgive my misobservation. Allow me to help you. That was quite a tumble you almost had.” Denis gingerly got up and made his way to help Diana with the mess the fallen tray had left. “Please, let me take care of it, Sir,” I interjected, stepping before Diana. Whatever had happened, Diana still seemed a little shaken by the event. She straightened and mumbled, “It’s fine,” then gathered the broken porcelain. I didn’t think my friend almost fell; her path was clear, and Diana had an extremely sure footing from being a maid for such a long time. I thought she let the tray slip by sheer shock. If this man knew her, and she knew him, and they both acted like they didn’t know each other, I thought it best to separate them before the guards became suspicious. I glanced at Xander, who took the hint and asked the curator questions abou
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