Threads Of Fate (Being Revamped)

Cruelty with no Bounds

Later that afternoon, Duke Alistair guided Anya through the grand, polished doors of the modiste's boutique, where the air was rich with the delicate fragrance of silks interwoven with subtle hints of lavender. The interior sparkled under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers, casting a warm light on a collection of exquisite fabrics that lined the walls—each one more luxurious than the last.

A slender man, the tailor, stepped forward to greet them, his kind eyes reflecting both warmth and professionalism. With a gentle demeanour, he began the process of taking Anya's measurements, approaching with a careful touch that belied the tension in the air. However, Alistair, standing close beside her, leaned in with an intensity that rippled through his voice. "Make it tighter—accentuate her youth, and ensure she looks the part," he commanded, his tone brooking no dissent.

The tailor's hands faltered momentarily over the soft, smooth tape measure, a flicker of discomfort shadowing his features. "Your Grace," he hesitated, "such a fit might indeed cause her unease. She would find it difficult to move freely in something so restrictive." 

Alistair's glare cut through the tailor's concerns like a sharp knife, silencing any possibility of rebuttal. Anya felt a tightening in her jaw, the frustration coiling within her like a spring. Yet, despite the turbulent feelings swirling beneath her composed exterior, she remained silent—trapped by the formidable weight of his will.

As the tailor bent to mark the tighter seam allowances against Anya's delicate frame, their eyes met briefly, and in that fleeting moment, she discerned a silent apology from him for the discomfort soon to be imposed. He worked deftly, measuring with precision as he fashioned a silhouette that felt more appropriate for a porcelain doll than a young woman on the cusp of her own identity—an image moulded to fit Alistair's vision rather than her own.

Satisfied, Alistair turned toward the rows of mannequins and, with a commanding voice ordered, "Show me your honeymoon dresses. Ready-made, tailor, something fitting of our new bride's... future."

Anya stood stiffly, swallowed by the overwhelming pressure and the cold assertion of control, her heart tightening as the modiste began to unveil the gowns meant to define her days ahead.

Alistair's gaze was sharp, unmoving as he handed Anya the delicate, almost diaphanous honeymoon dress. "Try it on," he said, voice low and unyielding. The gown looked fragile in her hands, a whisper of silk and lace that seemed ill-suited to the heavy weight pressing on her chest.

Anya's breath caught; her fingers tightened around the fabric. "Please, I don't want to," she murmured, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and defiance. But Alistair's impatience flickered darkly in his eyes. "You will wear it. Now."

With reluctant steps, Anya entered the tiny dressing room, the cool wood door closing behind her like a trap. The dress slipped over her skin, each thread whispering vulnerability as it clung tightly, exposing rather than covering. The mirror reflected her pale face, eyes wide and uncertain in the faint light.

Minutes stretched, heavy and suffocating.

Outside, Alistair's footfalls echoed his growing restlessness. The silence fractured when he slammed the door open without warning, his breath shallow as he took in the sight before him. The flimsy gown draped loosely yet daringly over Anya's fragile frame. His eyes darkened, a rush of possessive hunger sweeping over him. "I can't wait any longer," he growled, his voice thick with raw desire as he closed the distance in a brutal sweep, pulling her close. The door slammed shut behind them with a jarring finality.

Behind the door, Anya's resistance broke into quiet, broken sobs — a trembling, shattered sound that filled the cramped space. The tailor outside, pale and desperate, pounded on the wood, voice cracking as he pleaded for her release. His hands shook as he tried every latch and lock, but the door held firm, an impenetrable barrier.