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 weakly, falling
In the western part of the globe existed two great kingdoms - Walreece and Gavaria. One known for their wealth, and the other for their power. Despite their differences, both kingdoms had maintained a fragile peace through diplomatic efforts: Treaties. However, the Lord of Gavaria unwarrantedly threatened war on Walreece. ~Nevaeh ran her fingers through her hair, tucking a stray strand behind her ear only to have it slip right out again and take its rightful place in front of her left eye, swaying whenever she moved. She stared at her reflection in the mirror before locking her gaze on the mirrored image of the woman behind her. She forced a tight smile.“You can always visit” Mabel said to cheer her up and Nevaeh released a defeated sigh,“How?” she asked, her back still turned on Mabel.“Then I will always visit,” came the reassuring tone.Mabel stepped closer to place a hand on Nevaeh's shoulder to have the girl turn and hug her.“Why does father always do this?” She whispered.
Nevaeh made her way down the hall to her father's study room. Twisting the door knob, she stepped in, softly shutting the door behind her Lord Ramon turned to meet her eyes the moment he sensed her enter."Lord Ramon" she curtsied.The Lord of Walreece let out a breath. He understood her. She only addressed him formally whenever she was upset with him and now, she very much was."Lady Neveah" he greeted her back with the same energy wanting to play along.Her eyes narrowed "I refuse to have another governess" She went straight to the point, her voice firm."Who said anything about a governess?" he quirked a brow up at her."B-But why did Mabel have to go then" she stuttered and mentally cursed herself. Her father never liked it when she stuttered, he would always say a lady has to be clear with her words at all times and hence should talk less. Mabel taught her otherwise; ladies shouldn't have to speak less but appropriately."I believe Vivian has handed you a package. It's from Gava
The weather felt slightly chilly as the wind blew through her hair as if making it a mission to scatter the loose-braids she did. Stepping out of the carriage, her legs felt numb and the soil felt squishy beneath her shoes maybe it had rained, though the sky was clear. The long journey made her body feel like it was asleep for a hundred years. She set out at the time of the morning and now she could tell the sun would soon set. She took in her surroundings as she noticed an elderly man along with some guards approach her. So, this is Gavaria. A small smile settled on her lips, not because she was here on her father's wishes but because she was here feasting her eyes on a different scenery other than her mansion or a few places in Walreece. "Miss Ramon" the elderly man greeted when he stepped in front of her "Nice to make your acquaintance" he gave her a slight nod. Nini curtsied "I'm Neveah" "Darius" he introduced himself as well and started leading her through the gates of
Nevaeh quickly picked out a simple dress amongst the lot and put it on as best she could before stepping out of the closet.“Come in” she replied to the person at the other side of the door and Carol walked in.“Let me help you fix that, milady” she said, coming to Nevaeh's aid and helping her fit the dress. “Thank you” Nevaeh spoke when they were done and Carol graced a smile.“I came to call you for dinner and to drain the bath water” the maid said “Let me show you to the dining room first” she added gesturing for Neveah to lead the way. “Is the Lord at the table?” Nevaeh asked the maid who pursed her lip as if contemplating a reply before saying,“No, milady, he is currently absent from the mansion”Nevaeh let out a sigh, “Any hint on when he might return?”“We're usually not informed on Lord Torres' activities, milady. But worry not, you're here now so he shall return soon” Carol replied.On getting to the dining hall, Carol departed to her duties and Nevaeh walked in, finding D
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
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
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
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 weakly, falling
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, pretending to
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
Nevaeh quickly picked out a simple dress amongst the lot and put it on as best she could before stepping out of the closet.“Come in” she replied to the person at the other side of the door and Carol walked in.“Let me help you fix that, milady” she said, coming to Nevaeh's aid and helping her fit the dress. “Thank you” Nevaeh spoke when they were done and Carol graced a smile.“I came to call you for dinner and to drain the bath water” the maid said “Let me show you to the dining room first” she added gesturing for Neveah to lead the way. “Is the Lord at the table?” Nevaeh asked the maid who pursed her lip as if contemplating a reply before saying,“No, milady, he is currently absent from the mansion”Nevaeh let out a sigh, “Any hint on when he might return?”“We're usually not informed on Lord Torres' activities, milady. But worry not, you're here now so he shall return soon” Carol replied.On getting to the dining hall, Carol departed to her duties and Nevaeh walked in, finding D
The weather felt slightly chilly as the wind blew through her hair as if making it a mission to scatter the loose-braids she did. Stepping out of the carriage, her legs felt numb and the soil felt squishy beneath her shoes maybe it had rained, though the sky was clear. The long journey made her body feel like it was asleep for a hundred years. She set out at the time of the morning and now she could tell the sun would soon set. She took in her surroundings as she noticed an elderly man along with some guards approach her. So, this is Gavaria. A small smile settled on her lips, not because she was here on her father's wishes but because she was here feasting her eyes on a different scenery other than her mansion or a few places in Walreece. "Miss Ramon" the elderly man greeted when he stepped in front of her "Nice to make your acquaintance" he gave her a slight nod. Nini curtsied "I'm Neveah" "Darius" he introduced himself as well and started leading her through the gates of
Nevaeh made her way down the hall to her father's study room. Twisting the door knob, she stepped in, softly shutting the door behind her Lord Ramon turned to meet her eyes the moment he sensed her enter."Lord Ramon" she curtsied.The Lord of Walreece let out a breath. He understood her. She only addressed him formally whenever she was upset with him and now, she very much was."Lady Neveah" he greeted her back with the same energy wanting to play along.Her eyes narrowed "I refuse to have another governess" She went straight to the point, her voice firm."Who said anything about a governess?" he quirked a brow up at her."B-But why did Mabel have to go then" she stuttered and mentally cursed herself. Her father never liked it when she stuttered, he would always say a lady has to be clear with her words at all times and hence should talk less. Mabel taught her otherwise; ladies shouldn't have to speak less but appropriately."I believe Vivian has handed you a package. It's from Gava