Valerie stood in front of the mirror, her fingers tracing the intricate embroidery of the dress she wore. The fabric was soft, luxurious, far too fine for someone like her. She couldn't help but wonder why this lord had bothered to give her something so valuable.
Exactly thirty minutes later, a knock sounded at the door. Valerie turned and opened it to find a man standing before her. Recognition flickered in her eyes.
"You," she whispered.
"The Lord awaits you in the dining hall," the man said, his tone flat and emotionless, much like the woman who had visited earlier.
Valerie nodded, stepping out of the room and closing the door behind her. She walked beside the man, unable to resist glancing at him from time to time. He stood several inches taller than her, his broad shoulders and light brown hair falling neatly to his shoulders. His blue eyes were cold, detached yet striking.
She hadn't expected him to be handsome.
When his gaze suddenly shifted to meet hers, Valerie quickly looked away, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"You were among the soldiers who fought in the training ground," she said, trying to break the silence.
"Yes."
Valerie hesitated, then moved a little closer. "Is that madman keeping you here too? Against your will? We can work together and escape from here. I can.."
The man let out a quiet chuckle, amused. He turned his head slightly toward her. "It appears you are the mad one."
Stunned, Valerie's mouth opened to respond, but before she could, the doors ahead of them swung open, revealing a magnificent dining hall. A long rectangular table dominated the room, surrounded by twelve chairs. A gleaming chandelier hung from the ceiling, scattering golden light across polished surfaces.
Her breath caught when her eyes met his, the Lord.
He sat at the far end of the table, leaning back in his chair, a golden goblet in hand. His black coat framed his broad shoulders, his expression unreadable.
"Leave us," his deep voice commanded, breaking the silence.
The blue-eyed man bowed slightly and exited the room, closing the doors behind him.
Valerie could feel her heart pounding, her palms slick with sweat, fear crawling through her veins beneath the weight of his gaze. All the courage she had gathered before now crumbled into nothingness.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and took hesitant steps forward as the Lord gestured for her to come closer with a slight movement of his fingers.
"Sit."
Valerie obeyed quietly, lowering herself into the chair. A servant she hadn't noticed earlier rushed to her side, filling her plate with food that looked and smelled divine. Yet, despite how enticing it appeared, Valerie couldn't bring herself to touch a single piece. Her hands stayed still in her lap.
Her eyes shifted toward the Viscount, who had begun eating. "Why are you doing all this if you're going to kill me?" she finally asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Vincent dabbed the corner of his mouth with a napkin before turning to look at her. "I have no plans to kill you anymore."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "What!? You're going to let me go?"
"I never said that," he replied coolly. "I'm sending you to the Council."
His words sliced through her chest like a blade. Valerie's heart raced, her breath quickening. "No… you can't do that," she whispered, her voice breaking.
Vincent leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "I can, and I will." He gestured toward the untouched plate in front of her. "You should enjoy your last meal."
He rose to his feet, ready to leave, but Valerie shot up from her chair and blocked his path, her eyes glistening with desperation.
"No, you can't do this! If you must, just kill me. Don't hand me over to the Council," she pleaded, her voice shaking.
The thought of facing the Council filled her with pure terror. Trying to assassinate a noble was punishable by death, she could already imagine the humiliation, the starvation, the cruelty that awaited her before death. No, she would rather die here by the Viscount's own hands than be delivered to those monsters.
"Tsk." He shook his head slowly, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "So eager to die now. Anyways, I've had my fun with you, and I'm bored. You're of no use to me anymore," Vincent said casually, his tone dripping with disdain.
Valerie's mind raced as the Viscount walked around her, panic clawed at her chest, and before she could stop herself, she dropped to her knees, clutching the edge of his coat. "I'll do anything you want, just don't send me to the Council," she pleaded, her voice cracking. "...Please."
Shame burned through her, tightening her stomach as she knelt before him.
Vincent looked down at her, a glint of amusement flashing in his eyes. "What a beautiful sight," he murmured.
Valerie bit back the retort that rose in her throat. It was a heavy blow to her pride, kneeling before this cruel man and begging for her life but she had no other choice. If she wanted to survive long enough to complete what she came here for, she would endure this humiliation. She would bear it all… until the time came to strike.
"Please, my lord," she whispered, lowering her head, her voice trembling. "I'll do anything to avoid being sent to the Council. I would rather you kill me and end it all."
The room fell into a suffocating silence. Valerie could hear her own heartbeat pounding in her ears. After what felt like an eternity, Vincent turned fully to her. He crouched down in front of her.
Her breath caught when his cold fingers tilted her chin upward, forcing her to meet his gaze. His eyes held a chilling calm that sent a wave of dread through her.
With a small smile stretched across his lips, Vincent leaned closer until their faces were only inches apart. "Tell me," he murmured, his voice deep and rough, "what could you possibly offer me to make me spare your pathetic little life, hmm?"
The sound of his voice and the dark amusement in his tone made shivers crawl down her spine. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides as fear warred within her.