A Love From A Different World

Chapter 107

This Chapter is dedicated to @blippitybloppitybloo, happy birthday! 

Hello everyone, I want to say a quick happy birthday and a big thank you to @blippitybloppitybloo. I read every single comment you leave (I read all my readers' comments), and I sincerely appreciate how supportive you have been throughout my writing journey from AO3 to Wattpad. I know that despite my difficult week, I can look forward to seeing your comments. They always warm my heart and motivate me to continue writing. I want to say thank you for being such a loyal reader and unwavering support. A big thank you to all my other lovely readers as well- you all truly do make me push forward and write. 

I hope you all enjoy this week's chapter. Share, vote, and comment. Enjoy and happy reading. 

Haloham

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She had been tracing the embroidering on her new dress when a pen and paper arrived out of nowhere.

Still alive?

The assassin frowned. Really? This was his first message to her? Utterly disgraceful. Nonetheless, Aelin picked up the pen and wrote back a response.

Your concern for me is unimaginable.

As she was appreciating her beautiful penmanship, the pen and paper disappeared.

Huh, that was definitely something she should take with her when she returned to Erilea. Before Aelin could truly appreciate the magical note exchange system, Rhys sent back his reply.

You have Azriel for that.

The note felt heavy, weighted.

Why should she feel burdened by this conversation? Even if there was something between her and Azriel, what business was it to Rhysand?

Irritated, the assassin decided to simply change the subject.

Why are we exchanging notes? Can't you just speak to me in my head?

She waited. One minute, two. Maybe he wouldn't answer, maybe he-

I thought you didn't like when I did that.

Well, that had been true, but...

...Only when you did it without permission.

The knock at the door alarmed her. She hastily added,

I'll speak to you later.

The note disappeared just as her door opened, revealing a maid waiting for her.

"My lady, I'm to escort you to dinner." The maid hardly looked a year older than Aelin, but the hardness of her eyes and the tight line of her lips gave her the appeal of a middle-aged female.

Acting as if she had been arranging her hair, Aelin turned away from the vanity, "Oh, is it time already?"

"Yes, my lady." She gave no reaction to Aelin's sweet, innocent act.

Her, much like Eris, would most likely be harder to crack.

Smiling faintly, Aelin raised her skirts and followed the maid, expertly and rapidly analyzing the castle while pretending to look at it in awe.

"What is your name?" Aelin asked.

"Mira."

Though she was but a servant, Mira was no doubt a spy, possibly for Eris himself. And if she had to convince him that she was indeed his sister, that would have to apply to his staff.

"Mira...that's a pretty name."

There was no response.

The assassin almost wanted to congratulate the girl for the icy gaze she elicited.

"Mira, it's all been so strange. Where am I? How long have I been asleep for?"

They had passed the staircase and the maid hadn't yet answered. Aelin was about to ask her another question when Mira said, "Only one day."

"How-"

"We are here, my lady." Mira briefly looked her over as they pushed in front of two massive oak doors. "You may enter."

As if frightened, Aelin looked back at the female nervously, before pushing the door open and entering.

The room was as grand as the doors, with floor to ceiling windows, a warm wood fireplace, and the massive dining table and chairs taking up most of the room. And around that table sat a family. At the head of the table sat a striking male. But it was not for his beauty. No, the man was striking due to the utter dullness of his skin, the hollow of his cheeks, the sharpness of his cheekbones, and the harshness of his eyes.

She noted the resemblance to his son, Eris, who was seated to his father's right. Next to Eris sat a male who was no doubt his brother, if only a little younger. On Beron's right sat who Aelin presumed to be his wife. The female's stunning russet eyes bore into Aelin's, and the assassin wondered if she imagined the disapproval in her gaze. Seated next to the lady were her two other sons, one of whom Aelin recognized; the bastard who had called her a bastard.

So, these were the people she had to manipulate.

Very well, she though, just as the doors closed behind her, she would play this game. After all, Aelin was very good at chess.