The Dark Rose 🌹 {18+}

༺18༻

This chapter is still a working progress and needs some editing but I hope you enjoy.

ೋღ🌹ღೋ

I fall in sync with Lara's footsteps as she leads us away from the office and down the hall which leads to an intersection. Before she can turn down one of the corners I place a hand on her shoulder, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

"I know your sister Lydia," I quickly whisper before she can pull away. I see her expression tighten with pain.

She lets out a heavy sigh as she turns left. "I haven't seen Lydia in over three years." She tells me as she clasps her fingers together, the pain of losing her sister surfacing through her change in posture.

My voice softens as I decide to tell her Lydia's message, "She told me to tell you she's safe and loves you... and that you shouldn't blame yourself." I say the last part carefully not sure how she'll react. "It seems your not the only one hurting."

My stomach rumbles when the smell of food encases the air around us. My mouth watering as I lick my dry lips. "Why did Prince Aldéric take you as his mistress? He's never shown interest in offering that title to any human girl, rather he prefers to indulge in fucking and nothing more."

I was taken aback by her question and crude language that I never heard from Lydia. Lara was like her opposite. "I honestly have no idea. I've only just learned he's promised to marry some female vampire named Adeline, why don't you tell me about that."

Her eyes widen, "She's not just a female vampire, she's King Matthias' niece. Since Matthias' daughter died, Aldéric's beloved that is, Adeline was granted the position to marry Aldéric." She explains as we enter a dining room, many slaves with plain black collars sitting at the many tables whilst Lara leads me to an empty one, slightly nicer than the rest.

I sit in the seat, my eyes glancing around the room as many of the slaves eye me with fascination before going back to their conversation when I shoot them a glare. I didn't like being watched.

Lara sits opposite me, "Ignore them, your the first bit of gossip we've had in days." I nod, of course these people would jump at the first piece of entertainment. I just hated that it was me who caught their interest. Their lives are truly sad but so is mine. "Our Prince is truly dumb for bringing you here, if you don't mind my saying."

She was direct, I liked it.

A little honesty was what I needed now more than ever.

"Please speak freely, I don't mind." I reply as breakfast is placed at our table by one of the kitchen slaves. I murmur a thank you and begin eating.

"I don't mean to be horrible but it's just that if Adeline does find out, I fear for you." She admits her eyes genuine and she too begins eating. I can't lie and say I'm not scared but the truth is I am. I don't know what this Adeline woman is capable of and now I can't help but blame Aldéric for throwing me into lions den.

I don't want to speak of this no more and change the subject, "Tell me about you. How did you and Lydia get separated?"

Lara's expression becomes pained, her eyes glossy with unshed tears as she recalls the memory of her and Lydia being separated. She takes in a shaky breath as she places her fork down beside her plate, no longer hungry, "It was so long ago, I fear the details are beyond my will to remember them."