Carol returned soon after to finish with the bath while Nevaeh scoured the closet on what to wear. Gavarian fabrics were often heavier and Nevaeh believed the reason to be their weather.
As Carol stepped out from the bathroom, Nevaeh asked, “Where did they put my luggage?” She hadn't seen any of her belongings since she entered this mansion last evening. “It is being kept in the repository” Carol replied and Nevaeh’s brows furrowed “The what?” “It is a place we keep items that are currently not in use” Carol clarified. “I need my things back please” “Milady has everything she needs here, unless there are some things you would like me to fetch” Nevaeh stared at Carol, baffled “Carol, get me my bags” she stated with utmost seriousness. “Okay, milady, but first you must bathe, lest the water runs cold” ~ Nevaeh sat across Zealan in the carriage as the coachman rode through the streets of Gavaria. She peered out of the window, watching the scenery and the Gavarians go about their daily life in fascination with Zealan not once uttering a word since they left the mansion. She wondered why he had to be her tour guide. What sort of tour guide didn't speak? “This tour is seemingly boring Master Zealan” she addressed him pulling her gaze from the window. “The tour hasn't begun yet, Lady Nevaeh” he replied and Neveah could swear there was a ghost of a smile across his features. She leaned into her seat, wrapping her shawl tighter around her body. Moments later, Zealan tapped twice at the carriage door to have the carriage come to a stop. The coachman opened the door as Zealan stepped out first, offering a hand of support that Nevaeh clutched to as she alighted the carriage. “You can go park the carriage, Harrison” Zealan instructed the coachman who bowed before departing. “This is the center of Gavaria” Zealan stated and Nevaeh spun around to look at its people who went about their day, chattering and conducting businesses. “It's a market” she whispered, her gaze traveling from one stall to the next. “Not necessarily, it's a Fair. You arrived in Gavaria at the right time. Come on, I'll show you around and you can get whatever pleases you” he said, leading the way while she walked beside him. Zealan showed her to various shops, explaining the roads they came across and where they led to while Nevaeh followed with earnest interest, trying some native Gavarian dishes and picking out souvenirs she couldn't wait to show to Vivian and Arlene. “I think I like you better when you're talking” she said to Zealan who had fallen mute once again as he watched her bite into her kebab. They had taken a break from walking and sat on a bench watching the passersby while Nevaeh enjoyed the delicacies. “Why did you agree to wed Lord Torres?” He suddenly asked and Nevaeh fought the urge to scold herself. She should have let him be quiet. But she replied anyway, “I didn't. It is my father's wish, not mine” “But you are here, are you not?” “Yes, to call off the marriage” she said truthfully. “What makes you so certain that he would?” Zealan asked, the corner of his lips tugging up. “I'll give him reasons” she put it simply, as she took another bite of her food. “Hmmm. Well, come on, let's head back to the carriage. There's more to Gavaria” Zealan replied after a brief pause and Nevaeh nodded as she rose to her feet with him. Just then, a commotion erupted from the crowd sending everyone into panic as they fled from the fair. Screams of terror spread into the air, creating a human stampede with the people running from one direction as if being chased by something. “What's happening?” Nevaeh asked, alarmed, turning to Zealan to find him missing from the spot. Where did he go?! “This way, miss Ramon” Harrison said from behind her leading her through the chaos “You'll be safe in the carriage” “Where's Master Zealan?” She asked worried, her heartbeat erratic as she followed the coachman who pushed through the crowd, leading her to safety. “He will join you shortly” Harrison replied, opening the carriage door as they got to the carriage. Nevaeh was about to step into the carriage before the coachman's head was slammed into the carriage door with great force, sending the man to the ground, unconscious. A scream erupted from her throat before she could stop it as she rushed to Harrison's aid only to be tugged away, a hand clasping down on her mouth. “Come with me,” the voice said. Zealan?? She whipped around to find Zealan behind her “Where were you? And Harrison-” “That's not Harrison” Zealan cut in, a grave look blending into his features as he pulled her through the crowd. “Wait in here, until I come get you” he instructed, leaving her in one of the stalls and hurriedly taking off before Nevaeh could process what was happening. As she waited out the chaos in the safety of the abandoned stall, she contemplated her next move. She had no idea what was going on. One moment, she was having a good time touring the Kingdom and the next, she was trapped in this stall watching the people run over each other to get to safety. Soon after, the place went quiet as the door opened to reveal Zealan. “Come, Harrison would take you home” he said. “I will answer your questions once I return, but for now, you need to leave” he added when she didn't move from the spot. “You're not coming” she stated. “There are things to take care of here. Leave with Harrison, now” he said with a silent authority that had her legs moving as he got her to the carriage where the coachman was already set to leave. Nevaeh boarded the carriage in trepidation. Minutes ago, she had watched Harrison crumble to the ground unconscious, but here he was perfectly fine. If that wasn't the coachman earlier, who was he?Zealan approached her with a calmness that rivaled the annoyance simmering in his gaze. He offered her a hand, “Come” he said evenly. Nevaeh shook her head, getting to her feet and taking several steps away from him. Her pulse thundered. That man.. no. That thing had collapsed and transformed into a nightmare without being touched. The unsettling glow in Zealan’s eyes, the unparalleled strength he used to kill it. Nothing here was normal, nothing was.. human! Her chest rose and fell with increasing precision. It was unreal. Yes, this was a sick dream. “Stay away from me” she managed to blurt, her voice trembling. “I'm already vexed as is. Don't make it worse” Zealan spoke, his voice even “Let's get that wound checked before it festers” Nevaeh's hands instinctively clutched her neck where the blade had cut. Her head suddenly felt heavy, the world tilting. “What are-” she mumbled before her legs gave out. Zealan caught her before she hit the ground. “-you” she finished we
The wall that brought her into the dungeon couldn't get her out. Nevaeh found another way out with the man's help. True to his words, the chains binding him had fallen to pieces the moment her fingers brushed against it. She retreated to her room quickly before anyone noticed she was gone. Tomorrow, she will leave this place. By morning, Nevaeh woke up in a good mood. She didn't even snap at Carol and she made sure to finish her meals, she was sure she would need the strength. She was informed Zealan had left earlier in the day, and she prayed he wouldn't return today. But unlike the past two days that went by in a flash, today was particularly slow, as if taunting her. That man had asked her to meet him behind the stable tonight. Guards patrolled every inch of the mansion at night, but this was her one chance. Nevaeh occupied the rest of her afternoon in a book and by nightfall, Carol had come to draw her bath and serve dinner. When she was done, she dismissed the maid, pretendi
The next day was completely the same routine. Nevaeh didn't leave her room. It wasn't until midnight when the halls had quietened, save for the patrol guards, that her door clicked open and her head peeked out before she took her first step. Her feet padded softly against the floor as she stuck close to the walls of the mansion, occasionally slipping into the shadows whenever a guard passed by. The action felt nostalgic. She had always snuck out of her home back at Walreece, but then she had Vivian and Arlene. Now, she was by herself and she was determined to find an escape route. In a bid to avoid being sighted by a guard as he turned the corner, Nevaeh dashed behind a pillar without caution, sending a vase stumbling to the ground and crashing loudly on impact. “Who's there?” The guard's voice sounded. Nevaeh’s heart raced in her chest. She couldn't be seen! These people would report her every action to their Lord and Zealan might catch on to her plan. She backed further in
Zealan sat cross-legged at the balcony, a cigar hanging lazily between his fingers as he stared at a lone star in the sky. It had been three days since that dinner with the Walreece heiress. Three days since he last saw her. She had stubbornly refused to leave her room or breathe the same air as him and the seamstress had been forced to take her measurements from one of her dresses. Zealan wondered what she hoped to achieve by self-imprisonment. Not that it mattered, she was going to come out one day or another, and with nine days left until the engagement, he would make sure of it. “Night seems peaceful” a voice came up behind him. Zealan sat up in his seat before exhaling a puff of smoke into the night air. “Save your lecture” he said to the person who took the seat beside him. “The girl has only been here five days and there's already trouble in paradise” Darius chuckled and Zealan ignored him “Y'know threatening to imprison your future wife is not the way to woo” “I'm not t
Nevaeh sat in her room by the window, her thoughts still wandering on the earlier events of the day as she awaited Zealan's return. The sun had begun to set and he was still out there. She couldn't help the twinge of worry- A knock came on her door.“Who is it?” She asked even though she had a fair idea who it was“Carol, milady. Dinner would be served in thirty minutes” the maid responded from behind the door.“That's fine Carol. I'm not hungry” Nevaeh said, returning her focus to the window where she had a clear view of the mansion's gates from a distance.The door to the room slowly pushed open as the maid peeked her head into the room, drawing her Lady's attention to her once more.“Is something the matter, milady?” Carol asked.“No, Carol. I just had a lot to eat earlier already. I do not think I can stomach any more”“Okay then. I'll inform the young Master that-”“Master Zealan is home?” Nevaeh got on her feet in puzzlement.“Yes, he asked me to call you for dinner” Carol repl
Carol returned soon after to finish with the bath while Nevaeh scoured the closet on what to wear. Gavarian fabrics were often heavier and Nevaeh believed the reason to be their weather.As Carol stepped out from the bathroom, Nevaeh asked, “Where did they put my luggage?”She hadn't seen any of her belongings since she entered this mansion last evening.“It is being kept in the repository” Carol replied and Nevaeh’s brows furrowed“The what?”“It is a place we keep items that are currently not in use” Carol clarified.“I need my things back please”“Milady has everything she needs here, unless there are some things you would like me to fetch”Nevaeh stared at Carol, baffled “Carol, get me my bags” she stated with utmost seriousness.“Okay, milady, but first you must bathe, lest the water runs cold” ~Nevaeh sat across Zealan in the carriage as the coachman rode through the streets of Gavaria. She peered out of the window, watching the scenery and the Gavarians go about their daily l