Sanguine Rose

Chapter 24

"Why on earth not?!" Isolde's voice echoed through the room, her frustration palpable as she continued to masquerade as Lystrana. Lucas forbade her from venturing outside, a strict order that only fueled her anger.

Lucas, maintaining his calm demeanor, responded to her outburst. "I apologize, Ms. de Aragon, but your safety has not been fully assured. It would be prudent for us to remain here and await Mr. Guevara's arrival."

Emmanuel, seated quietly on the side, observed Isolde's every move with a mixture of concern and suspicion. Isolde's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing through the room as she demanded answers. "Where has he gone? What could possibly keep him so occupied? I have important work to attend to, responsibilities that cannot be put on hold. You cannot simply dictate what I must and must not do!"

Emmanuel, his voice tinged with a hint of caution, responded, "This is the first time I have seen such hostility from you, Ms. de Aragon. It is unlike the gentle Lystrana that we have come to know."

The weight of Emmanuel's words hung in the air, causing Isolde to pause for a moment. She glanced around the room, meeting the incredulous gazes of those who had witnessed her uncharacteristic behavior. Sonya, in particular, seemed taken aback, struggling to reconcile the image of the kind-hearted Lystrana with this villainous version before her. Isolde quickly regained her composure, softening her aura, and adopting Lystrana's mannerisms to mask her true intentions.

"Forgive me if I have caused any distress. This situation is unfamiliar to me, and I find it difficult to adjust," Isolde spoke with feigned frustration, her voice laced with a hint of deception.

Deciding to retreat to her room, Isolde turned towards Sonya. "I will be just in my chamber. Please, Sonya, inform me the moment Damian arrives."

As Isolde ascended the stairs, leaving behind a room filled with uncertainty, Sonya's concerned voice broke the silence. "Why do I sense that she is not the Lystrana I know? Her hostility is a stark contrast to the gentle soul I have come to cherish. Is there something we are unaware of?"

Lucas and Emmanuel exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions heavy with unspoken truths. "We are not at liberty to divulge the details, Sonya. Only Ms. de Aragon and Mr. Guevara hold the key to unraveling this mystery."

The room fell into a profound silence, the weight of deception and hidden agendas lingering in the air. Each person present carried their own doubts and fears, unsure of what the future held and what secrets lay beneath the surface.

☬۝☬

Isolde paced back and forth in Lystrana's lavishly decorated room, her frustration boiling within her. The walls seemed to close in on her, suffocating her wicked desires. She had infiltrated Lystrana's life, taking on her identity, all to further her sinister agenda. But now, trapped within these luxurious confines, her plans were put on hold. She glared at the ornate mirror, the reflection of her own face twisted with a mixture of anger and determination. The room, designed to exude elegance and tranquility, only served to amplify her villainous intentions. The soft, pastel hues mocked her, as if whispering that she was bound by the persona she had assumed.

Isolde clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, a physical manifestation of her pent-up frustration. She longed to be out there, executing her schemes, manipulating the world to bend to her will. But the orders from Damian had effectively imprisoned her, preventing her from taking the reins of power. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in every detail, every precious trinket that adorned the shelves. They were mere distractions, reminders of the life she had to pretend to live. She scoffed at the thought of Lystrana's supposed kindness and compassion, traits that she had to mimic, even though they were far from her true nature.