chapter 15

Chapter 15

Alisha's POV:

It's been hours since the maid left; she promised to pick up the plate but hasn't.

I slipped into the nightwear I saw in the wardrobe. It fit me so perfectly that I almost thought it was made for me.

I climbed into bed, forcefully closing my eyes, but no matter how hard I tried, sleep refused to come, so I jumped out of bed and decided to walk around the castle since I'd barely gone anywhere since I arrived. To be sincere, I wasn't doing it because I wanted to. I was scared the devil would come back looking for me; I knew he would surely pay me back for planking his head.

As I walked along the corridor that leads out of the castle, I heard his voice; he was talking to a guard. Without a second thought, I pushed the door beside me, barging in regardless of not knowing what was inside.

Immediately I turned, what I saw next forced me to shout in horror. An aged woman was seated dejectedly on the floor, saying some strange words. What caught my eye was the human skull in her hands.

She looked at me, her eyes burning with anger. I knew so well that I had just invaded her privacy.

"Please, help me. He's coming," I pleaded, and her expression changed. She was no longer angry.

As if she understood what I meant, she stood up and walked up to me.

"Come on, hide somewhere. I know he will come here in search of you," she said, taking me and hiding me in her bathroom.

She had barely left the bathroom when I heard a knock on the door. I knew it; she was right when she said he would come looking for me.

"What are you doing here, and why are you knocking on my door at this time of the night?" I heard her ask him. "Don't shout at me, old lady! Where's the lady that just entered here?" My mind skipped. So, he saw me?

"What do you mean by that? Apart from me, did you see any other people here?" she snapped back at him.

"Don't play smart with me, old lady! Just bring her out wherever you are hiding her; I have no issues with you," he insisted.

"Don't tell me you plan on accusing me of something I know nothing of? Or is banishing my sister's son not enough for you?" What? Did he banish her sister's son? But why?

"Don't even think of blackmailing me. It won't work! If she's not here, then allow me to check myself!" I could tell he was getting pissed already by the old lady's persistence.

"I'm sorry, Darien, but you aren't stepping an inch into my room. If you are looking for someone, then go ask the maid or go check where you left her." I didn't hear him say anything further, so I suspected he left.

I wanted to open the door, but then I remembered what the old lady told me: "Don't come out; I will personally come to open the door for you once he leaves." I sighed tiredly, folding my arms across my chest.

"Don't interfere in something you have no business with. Your sister and her son no longer live here, so it's high time you pack your things and leave. Don't push me to throw you out like I did to your sister's son! I will be watching your every move, and if you dare try anything funny, I will make sure you regret it," he threatened. "Until then, young man! For now, leave my door!" The old lady slammed the door shut.

Soon, she opened the door, and I came out. She made me sit next to her on the bed.

"You are his breeder, aren't you?" I nodded, only for her to scoff.

"Why are you running away from him?" "Hmm?" I shuttered, and she repeated her question.

I opened my mouth to say something but couldn't. Only air escaped my lungs.

"It's okay, dear; I know how you feel. Trust me, it's going to be fine," she assured, patting my back. I sniffed, wiping my eyes with the back of my palm.

"Tell me, how did you find yourself here? Didn't you choose to do this?" I shook my head, indicating no. "My stepfather gave me to him as repayment for his doubt," I sniffed again.

"I'm so sorry about that, dear. He's always been like this since day one—brutal, cruel, heartless. Those are the right words to describe him. He banished my nephew and even went as far as shooting my sister with an arrow. She died three days later. You just made me remember those sad days. It's fine. I just pray my sister finds peace wherever she is," she smiled. I could see through her deceit. I could tell her smiles were fake. She's only faking everything, but why?

"You've gone through a lot. I think mine is only half of yours; things have been very bad since my mother died," I further said.

"Why are you still here? I thought you'd have left since your sister is no more?" I noticed her expression change, but she quickly covered it with a wide smile.

"I don't live here. Today marks a year since my sister died. I come to pay homage to her since there's still a part of her here," she explained. I was curious to know what she meant by "there's still a part of her here," but I decided against asking.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am." Taking a proper look at her, I realized she wasn't as old as she appears. My eyes met the skull lying on the floor; I quickly looked away in fear. I could see her smirk out of the corner of my eye.

"It's no big deal, dear. It's a part of the ritual." I nodded, standing up to leave.

"I need you to do something for me, please," she muttered, standing up as well.

"What is that?" I asked. "It's about Darien Help me put…”