They whispered in town about him. They called him a beast. They called him cruel. They called him ugly.
People were repulsed by his face. They treated him like a deadly disease, avoiding him like the plague. They didn't dare talk to or in front of h...
Angelica had the most confusing night. As usual, she asked herself a ton of questions. Why did he act that way? It was unusual. And what did he mean by he wanted her willing? Also, the look in his eyes. Had she never seen him look at her like that before? Could she be mistaken? Could the benefits be that he wanted her to do her wifely duties?
Her heart stopped, and then it felt like it would burst, and all these thoughts made her stay awake the whole night. In the morning, when she looked in the mirror, she was frightened by her reflection.
Oh Lord, help her.
A knock on the door made her almost jump out of her skin. Was he here? What did he want now?
She kept staring at the door in horror instead of answering. Another knock, and she wanted to hide. Run!
"Come in." She said, grimacing.
To her surprise, the door opened, and a young girl stepped inside. She bowed and introduced herself. "Good morning, my Lady. My name is Sarah, and I am here to serve you."
Angelica lifted her eyebrows. So Lord Rayven brought another maid? He said he didn't like people around. Did he get it just for her? Her heart fluttered.
Sarah was young. Perhaps fifteen or sixteen. She kept shaking as she stood in the room.
"Is something wrong?" Angelica asked, concerned, studying the young girl.
Sarah shook her head and forced a smile. Angelica understood that she was scared and didn't want to work here.
"No, My Lady. Shall I prepare a bath for you?" She asked.
Oh, that would be great.
"Yes, thank you," Angelica replied.
Sarah seemed to know what she was doing. She quickly prepared a bath and even brought her new clothes.
"Where did you get these?" Angelica asked.
"There." She pointed at a large chest in the corner of the room. Angelica hadn't even noticed it. Did Lord Rayven bring it? Did he come into this room in the middle of the night while she was asleep?
She shook her head. She didn't want to think about it.
Sarah helped her bathe, and Angelica could see she wondered why she was so dirty. And then she could see more questions when she saw the mark on her hand.
Angelica said nothing and let her wonder. What was she supposed to say anyway?
After the bath, Sarah helped her comb her hair and get dressed. Then she brought her a jewellery box. "Lord Rayven told me to give you this." She said. .
Angelica opened the large jewellery box to find many beautiful bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, and hair accessories.
What had gotten into Lord Rayven? The maid, the chest with all the beautiful clothes, and now all this jewellery.
"Do you want me to put any of these in your hair?" asked Sarah.
"Yes. These." Angelica handed her two pins with green crystals to match her dress.
She felt like a lady again looking at herself in the mirror but dismissed the thought quickly. She was a woman, even if she wasn't a lady.
"You are so beautiful, My Lady. I can understand why Lord Rayven wants to marry you despite...." She stopped when she realized what she was going to say.
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"Despite being a traitor's daughter and a prostitute.
Sarah looked down at her hands. "I am sorry, my Lady. I didn't mean to.."
"It is alright." Angelica cut her off. "How did Lord Rayven bring you here?"
"He spoke to my uncle, who agreed to bring me here."
"What about your parents?"
"They are both dead, My Lady."
"I am sorry for your loss," Angelica said, and Sarah looked at her surprised.
"Thank you. I shall go and serve breakfast." She said, and Angelica nodded.
Once she was alone again, she began to feel nervous. What would she say if she saw Lord Rayven?
Shaking her head, don't be stupid, she told herself. Of course, she would have to thank him first for everything and then... then it would depend on if he let her say anything else.
Leaving the room with her heart pounding, she wandered the halls, heading for the dining hall. Sarah was serving breakfast when she arrived.
"I was just done." She smiled.
"Thank you," Angelica said and sat down. Then she looked around for Lord Rayven.
He had eaten dinner with her last night; perhaps he would also eat breakfast with her.
"Do you know if Lord Rayven is here?" She asked Sarah.
"He was here a moment ago." She said.
Angelica contemplated going to him but then became nervous. Perhaps he wouldn't appreciate it. But... they were getting married, and he brought her all these things. She should see him. They couldn't keep their distance forever.
"I'll go see him," Angelica said, standing up.
Sarah looked worried but nodded.
Angelica left the table to find Lord Rayven, and all the time, she thought of how she was breaking his rules. What if he got furious?
She almost came face to face with him when she walked around the corner. Her heart froze, but unlike her, he wasn't surprised. He already looked angry.
Angelica swallowed and then forced a smile on her face. "My Lord..." She began to speak but then realized she was standing too close.
She took a few steps back, and his eyes darkened when he saw her length. His gaze travelled down her body and to her face again before they gleamed with a familiar look—the same look as last night.
His lips pressed into a thin line, and he placed his hands in his pockets. "What are you doing here?" he asked harshly.
"I...I was looking for you." She said and then felt stupid. That wasn't what he was asking.
He stalked closer, and she was too shaken to step away. "You said you hoped to see me in the morning, so I thought perhaps you wanted to join me for breakfast." She hurried to say.
To her surprise, one corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk, and he nodded. "I guess it is my fault for saying so." He said.
Angelica became confused.
"We will have our wedding in three days." He then told her.
Three days? Her heart skipped a beat.
"I have many things to take care of, so enjoy your breakfast alone." He walked past her.
"Wait!" She followed him. "Have you seen my brother?"
"You will see him soon." He replied.
"Thank you," she said. "And thank you for the clothes and..." the rest of the words died in her throat, and her feet stopped when she saw someone she hoped never to see again.
