Dance of Fates

chapter 3

Chapter 3

Daphne’s PoV

The Greengrass Manor

The sun was peeking through the dark curtains into her room but she didn't want to get up. She hid her face under the sheets, trying to fall back asleep when a house elf appeared to call her down for breakfast. She looked up with her eyelids heavy and her hair messy from the troubled sleep she'd had, "Bring it to my bed, Rossy".

The house elf Rossy nodded and disappeared. Daphne was trying to fight the drowsiness but she couldn't get out of the bed—her body just wouldn't move—so she stared at her ceiling for what seemed like ages and she didn't even feel the heavy weight on her mattress until Rossy the elf announced her presence, giving her the breakfast. She sat quietly for a few moments, staring at her food. She wasn’t hungry but ate to please the little elf, and the latter’s lips curled into a big smile and she clapped her hands from happiness. That made Daphne smile a bit—the little elf loved to spoil her... 

-A few days later-

When she was reading in the library like she always did, another elf—his name was Roff and he was old, strict, and cold; he was like the head Butler of the manor—came calling, "Young mistress, lord and lady Greengrass and lady Astoria have just returned from their voyage. Lord Greengrass wishes to see you in his study room immediately."

Bowing with a pop, he left.

She stood from her usual seat in the corner of the library and sighed, feeling some pain in her neck; she rubbed at it and left. 

Lord Cyrus, a middle-aged man, was looking at the fire with his hands behind his back, tall and still, with his grey hair combed to the back. He heard her enter so he turned with a smile on his face and went to hug her. "My sweet daughter, oh! How I'm sorry I wasn't here with you," said he with fake sympathy in his voice. He shifted her jaw up with his fingers to look her in the eyes. "As soon as the news reached me, I came back running... I'm sorry about your loss, I know what it feels like when you lose someone you held dear, it feels like the world stops there, time, life, your soul, everything stops there, and you feel like you’re dead inside," he said, then turned back to the table behind him and poured himself a glass of liquor. He asked her to join him for one and sit with him. Taking a big sip from his glass, he looked at her, memorising her face.

"You must be strong now more than ever, child. Times have changed—whether for the worst or for the best, no one knows, so you need to keep being strong."

She looked to her glass. "Father, my house has always been Greengrass since the day I entered it years ago. I may have lost a brother but I haven't lost myself. It's true that the Vasilian blood runs in my veins but I have been raised as a proper Greengrass lady for the last eight years, true pureblood witch..." Cyrus nodded in amusement at her revelation while she was still speaking, "—but still, if you allow me, I would like to go my grandmother's cottage in Surrey this summer and stay there for a while. I need some fresh air to clear my mind and to grieve in silence, only if you agree?"

She looked at him with patience while he was studying her. Then he stood up, walking to the fireplace, and kept quiet; he was thinking...

She knew he had no other choice but to agree with her. Especially now, he must stay in her favour: she was now his winning card and she must always stay pleased with him. She jumped from her seat. “I know it's a bit risky but I need some time alone," she said quickly. 

He grinned, then turned to her and said, "Very well, daughter, but only if you take my house elf Roff with you: he is the only one I can entrust you to."

She felt relief and went to hug him and thank him, then repaired to her room to pack her things.

Cyrus looked at the door, then called Roff, and the elf appeared. "Yes, master."