Heart Of Darkness

Chapter 56

Angelica watched Lord Rayven ride away on his horse through the window, leaving her alone in the castle. She guessed that he went to make some arrangements for the marriage after giving her some money to buy new clothes for herself. Not some, a lot of money. Only after he left her alone did she remember she couldn't go to the castle without being harassed and wouldn't be allowed to buy anything.

As he disappeared down the hill, Angelica wondered what people would think once they discovered they were getting married. Would anyone even attend their marriage?

Not that she cared. A little ceremony would be the best for her. And she was going to see William soon. That excited her the most.

Would the King be there? It seemed like he and Rayven were close. It would be the strangest wedding if he came, but at the same time, it couldn't get strange. The King's man was marrying a traitor's daughter.

Angelica could already foresee what people would say if she married a powerful lord to take her revenge on the King. Hopefully, Lord Rayven had already prepared for the possible outcomes of their marriage.

The rest of the day went by slowly, and when the evening came, she heard Lord Rayven arrive home. She hurried to the front door as he entered.

"Good evening, My Lord." Angelica realized he smelled a little like alcohol but didn't look drunk. "Do you want me to serve dinner?" She asked, remembering the rules too late.

"Yes." He replied to her surprise.

He had to be intoxicated.

Angelica hurried to the kitchen before he changed his mind. When she returned with the food, he was already seated at the table with sunken shoulders. Angelica served him in silence, wondering what had made him look so defeated.

"Everything is ready now, My Lord." She said once she was done serving.

Lord Rayven lifted his head and ran his fingers through his hair to push it out of his face.

He looked at her through hooded eyes. "Sit." He told her.

Angelica looked at the chairs. Where should she sit? He probably didn't want her close to him, so she sat a chair away.

"Here!" He said, pointing at the chair next to him.

Angelica's heart raced. She didn't like it when men were intoxicated. Lord, help her.

She went to sit next to him and felt his dark gaze on her the whole time. Nervously she lifted her gaze to his but couldn't stand his scrutiny, so she looked away again.

"Where is Jada, My Lord?" Angelica asked, trying to break the awkward silence.

"I sent her away." He said.

"Why?"

He tilted his head to one side. "Have you not noticed that I don't like people around me?".

She looked back at him. "Why is that?"

He picked up his spoon with a sigh. "Because people are meant to use me."

Angelica frowned. "Why would you think so?"

She could see his hand clench around the spoon. "Because that is what I used to do, and now that is my punishment. No one will want to be with me except to use me for something," He said.

He put the spoon in the soup. "Even you." He added with a low voice.

Angelica felt her heart tighten at his words, and a large lump built her throat. She watched him pick up the soup with his spoon and taste it. He nodded as if giving his approval. Tears burned her eyes, and she fought them back.