The Wolf's Bride

Chapter 2

Half an hour later, after long introductions and a tour of our mansion, that only included the more extravagant looking rooms in the house, the guest was in the salon, seated on a large cream-colored couch, talking to my sister. His answers were short and to the point, not harsh or bored or bothered. It seemed like he just wasn't a man of many words. My mother and father were seated on the opposite couch, they, too, joining the conversation, asking questions of their own, and answering questions from the guest.

The two guards, who were shorter than him by some centimeters were stationed at the main entrance of the salon. They weren't carrying any weapons, or not any visible ones. I wasn't exactly sure which of those possibilities made me so uneasy. Or perhaps it was just the way they looked at me, not at the one they escorted, or at my more attractive two, or any other servants. Just at me. It might've been just because I was the only one standing, at another entrance, watching the interaction, like I was a guard myself.

Nor my father or mother seemed to notice my presence, or lack thereof, and I didn't expect my sister to notice it with how immersed in the conversation she was. How she looked so comfortable when I could barely walk was beyond me. I knew, however, that sitting wasn't an option, not if I still wanted all my internal organs to remain internal. With how the corset was digging into my skin, I wasn't about to take any unnecessary risks.

And just because I could, just because I was bored, when the two guards looked at me again I raised my hands to show them that I carried no weapons. And just because I was in the mood for some bickering, I flashed them a smile. If it weren't such an effort to even keep my breathing even, I might've walked up to them and started a conversation.

The first guard was blond with blue eyes, like my sister, his masculine features were accentuated, and his brows were creased. His muscles were still visible under the large clothing covering his entire body. Even his hands were gloved. I didn't question it. The other guard wore the same boring all black attire, gloves included. Surprisingly so, the other guard managed to look even more tense than the first. The darker hair probably helped that fact. I surpassed a grin, if only because I knew they were assessing me the same way I did them.

Moving my eyes to our guest, I inspected him too. Short dark hair, forest green eyes, accentuated features. Nothing out of the ordinary. He was more muscular than his guards, taller too. Even when sitting he was one head taller than my sister. When standing the distance doubled.

So why would such a strong guy need guards? Or maybe they were just for show? But what sort of show would that be, since none of the two presented any wealthy or jewels like me and my sister. So many questions swirled in my head that I almost missed my family finally acknowledging me.

"Our guests requested that he see the library. Show him your books, dear." my father waved me away as if I was nothing more than a servant. He didn't even turn his head in my direction, only looked at the guest and my sister.

"Of course, father." I nodded, even knowing he couldn't see it and slowly turned around to walk towards the library.

For my own mental stability, I pushed away the part of my mind that reminded me of the three flights of stairs I would have to climb to get to said library.

"Won't your guards accompany us?"

The foreigner looked at me weirdly, then shook his head. Standing, he was even more intimidating. He was two heads taller than me and my sister and if he wanted to, with such broad shoulders and strong arms he would probably be able to hug both of us at the same time and unite his fingers on the other side. Still, my sister wasn't there. My sister was still in the salon with my parents and I was alone with the guest.