Flora was on the edge of breaking. Claude knew it well and he didn't want to gamble. He went to the door and locked it, called Jimmy: "I am in the western lounge with Flora, cover our absence.". Then he stripped her from everything she was wearing except her inner gown. He took off his armour as well. And he hugged her on the sofa. "If you want to cry, do it. If you want to scratch me do it. If you want to curse me do it. Do whatever would make you let go of that tiring emotion inside your chest." Flora was astonished and touched by his actions. She hugged him dearly and cried like a baby. She cried her heart out and kept crying till she was exhausted. Only then, she did calm down.Flora sniffed and wiped her tears. She looked at Claude and cupped his face with her hand. The poor man looked so tired as well. That tantrum was as exhausting to him as painful to her. When her skin touched his face, he smiled at her softly and kissed her head. He hugged her even more and whispered: "W
Days ago, Flora was drugged by Vlad. That night, before passing out she saw count Ludovic Castello by her door. She knew who the Count was. He used to visit her and her mother in South Italy. She thought he was just a friend. But some she sneaked into the hallway at night and heard him persuading her mother to divorce: "I will welcome you in my mention. And I will take care of you. Do not be afraid of him. He won't reach you or reach your child" "You don't understand Ludovic, I don't want to let him go." "He left you." "Still!" "If you do not pity yourself, at least pity that child!" Her mother was stupid enough to refuse the offer. La Candida was a famous noble family. In the past, it has Knights and noble lords. Today, the Round Table kept respecting them for the sake of their ancestors. At that time Ludovic was merely twenty. But he was blindly in love with Mrs Ilnero, the mother of Flora. He was young, handsome and witty. Flora adored him when she was a child. When Fl
When Vlad got in, Flora asked to be left alone with him. And once Ludovic got out, Flora slapped Vlad."You betrayed me"He didn't answer. Flora knew he could stop her hand but he didn't. He knew she was going to slap him and he didn't mind it. He did something awful. He knew it.Flora looked to the other side and whispered, almost whining:"And I trusted you. More than I trusted anyone else."Vlad sighed and spoke for the first time:"When he came to the mansion for the first time, Claude had a personal maid. And soon he made her his mistress, or she made herself.""Was she a playgirl?""She was a filthy sl*t, to be more precise ""Oh""Lauren, that was her name. She treated Claude well. She was a friend and a caregiver. And she was his first woman. At that time, I came to the Knightly's household as a coach to Claude. I was training him and preparing him for the world he will dive into. I trained him for months and I discovered that he was still feeling deep guilt towards the man he
"The Count is the type who can make you lose your sanity in less than a week, I guarantee you.""Vlad, you stupid man !!!!!!" Flora almost lost her head. All she wanted was some peace to think clearly and know she is stuck AGAIN with another psycho lover. "This is for your good.""I can't believe my ears! Are you aware of what you're saying?! What if that maniac rapes me?! What if he kills me?!""He won't. Else whenever you need me, call my name. I will come immediately.""What the hell?! Hey! Wait..."Vlad didn't add a word. He didn't even wait for her to finish her sentence. He left her and closed the door.Flora fell to the floor unable to believe what was happening. Then she took a deep breath and stood up. She is a weak girl and that's why they play with her as they please. "Do not blame anyone but yourself?" she said. "Blaming others is an act of weakness and stupidity. We should believe we are the masters of our fate. And we should allow no one to take our fate from us."Flor
Flora did not feel comfortable in the palace. Everyone called her "my lady" and referred to her as "her ladyship". It was awkward and made Flora feel suspicious. In Claude's house, she was also a "mistress" or "a madam". But there it made sense. For Flora lived there permanently. But here she was merely a guest. An unknown guest.Dining with the Count, he asked to make herself comfortable in his palace:"Your big brother wants to take good care of you. Please, feel comfortable visiting the palace whenever you want."It was hilarious given he didn't allow her to leave it, yet."You must rest well. Stay a bit more, my baby girl." How cute. How creepy.Ludovic didn't approach Flora physically. He kept being the gentleman that he is. And Flora knew well he was not the type that may abuse a woman. He is far more noble, even though he is fantastically mad.The next night, he ordered the laid to get Flora a red dress. The colour was so deep, it resembled blood. Flora felt a bit uncomfortab
Flora didn't respond. She looked as pale as a dying flower. Ludovic kissed her forehead, carried her to her room and stayed by her side. Soon her fever rose. Ludovic noticed she looked unwell. So he asked the maids for the medical kit and measured her fever. "Gosh, girl you are on fire."Ludovic studied in medical school. So he knew what was going on. When Flora started hallucinating, he took her hand and kissed it:"That's alright my child, I am taking care of you."He helped her to drink some water and gave her calming herbal tea. He patted her head and spoke to her softly so she can feel not alone. He stayed by her side holding her hand for the whole night. Flora kept hallucinating for the whole night as well:"Why are you leaving mama... Mother, please... Don't go... Wait for me... Don't leave me... Mama..." It was so pitiful and dark. Ludovic almost cried from pity. That little poor child was innocent and did nothing wrong. Still, everyone neglected her and betrayed her."I w
Flora was gasping for air. But after some minutes, her breathing went calmer. She looked better. Ludovic felt a huge relief. Her fever went down. And she finally slept.Ludovic stayed with her alone, he kept holding her hand till she slept. The sleeping Flora is a rare beauty. She was something else. And she looked too closely at her mother. And for an unknown reason, he bent on her and kissed her lips softly. He got back surprised by his action. That was far away from what a gentleman may do. But for some reason, he felt no regret. Instead, he kissed her again more ardently. Then he did it again. It was a rough and wet kiss, and the sleeping girl moaned after it breathlessly.Instead of making him lose his head, that moan got him back to reality."Gosh! Damn me! What am I doing kissing an asleep girl?!"Ludovic got up and went out, leaving Flora with her sweet dreams.When she woke up Flora kept thinking about the new things she was learning.It seemed that she was growing up for re
Back to the present,----------Flora woke up after some minutes. Claude was still holding her tight and caressing her back. When she opened her eyes she saw him looking at her and she felt like heaven."We must go back to the ballroom, don't we?""I think we should. I'll never get enough of the shocked face of your stepmother."Flora giggled:"Neither I !""Let me help you dress then I will go and ask a maid to help you with your hair and makeup.""Gosh! I have a problem. I didn't bring anything to correct my appearance!""That's alright. In the resting room, they are keeping some brushes and makeup simple.""What a relief to be in a masquerade held by a billionaire."Claude laughed and said:"Are you aware you came to a masquerade without a mask? All of that to disturb those b*tches?""Well, in fact, I was planning on wearing a mask and meeting you privately. Then I thought: Why am I scared? Let them know I am alive. Let them burn for my happiness. I think it was worth it. I am not