56 Aveline

The night was relatively calm in the palace of Viscarrian, the maids did their duties as usual, clearing the areas and everyone seemed to mind their business for a day. Everyone except Gretta and Aunt Letitia who took a stroll along the quiet garden.

“I knew it! I told you Aunt, once Roshan comes back we’re all doomed!” Gretta loudly grimaced while throwing her hands up in the air, but the red-haired woman who walked beside her nonchalantly rolled her eyes at Gretta’s dramatic gestures.

“He won’t do anything, he hasn’t recovered completely as I’ve heard, he’s still weak but of course we don’t expect him to show us that.”

“Weak?” Gretta couldn’t hold back a scoff, “.....don’t be fooled by Roshan’s antics aunt! Uncle Evan keeps spouting rubbish to you and you meekly believe him.” She huffed out her frustration while crossing her arms under her chest, turning her attention to the flower bed at her side.

The night breeze swifty blew the blossomed flowers, letting its alluring scent linger in the cold night air.

“I’m not even worried about that...” Aunt Letitia’s calm demeanor changed into one of eager curiosity.

“The human he brought over is basically what I’m worried about.”

“Why worry about a human?”

She looked at Gretta, “Have you seen the human girl?”

.....

Gretta shook her head with a puzzled stare, Letitia’s expression slowly frowned as she averted her gaze, staring ahead and into particularly nothing at all.

“She has a striking resemblance to Aveline.” Her firm tone drifted with the cold air, carrying a sense of alarm and uncertainty that could give one the shivers.

The world seemed to go still for a few seconds after Letitia uttered those simple, yet logical words. Gretta’s feet stopped moving after the word rang in her head for several minutes before sinking into her brain. Her pupils unknowingly dilated like she just heard the most shocking news of her life.

“Aveline??”

Looking around to make sure no one heard her shocking outburst, Gretta cautiously whispered.

“How did you see her? No wait, how do you know? How can you say something like that?”

“Early this morning, I knew what I saw, she was heading for Roshan’s chamber.”

“Aunt, you have to give me the full details.” She instantly dragged her Aunt Letitia so they could sit on the bench at a corner.

~

In Roshan’s chamber, the glacier unhurriedly picked up a black mask from the dressing table and wore it on his face with ease. Once he was done, he lifted his lowered gaze back to the mirror.

The black mask did a great job in concealing half of his features partially, but it wasn’t enough to hide his enthralling sight, the color in his eyes stood out. His hair was tied in a man bun and his facial look attractively came out even more, enhancing the edges of his sharp jaw that was deemed high by many women. He was dressed in a black noble attire that made him feel among, probably even more than that.

But one look at his face, it would be easy to spot his disturbed emotions, his grip on the dressing table tightened as his thoughts didn’t seem to be in reality at the moment, he looked lost, like a wind wandering the world as though he was a rejected soul.

Anna’s presence was really playing with his mind more than it did when they first met. Ever since she said the word, ‘I choose Roshan.’ he couldn’t get her out of his head and it only angered him further.

Those words were frighteningly familiar, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he’s indeed heard those words before and as he had her in his arms today, several thoughts spiraled in his head and he was afraid of doing something that might hurt him. Not him but his scarred heart.

She made his heart bleed without doing anything at all of the sort, she caused him pain, be it when she cried, or gave him those hateful stares. she was turning him into a weakling which was something he didn’t wish to become. She was basically the first human he’s ever consoled despite having the urge to yell at her, but couldn’t find the energy to do it.

He had stopped her from attending the mask celebration tonight, maybe because he was unwilling to lose focus?? He couldn’t tell but he had a feeling her presence at the celebration was going to be threatening for him. He needed to keep his mind and thoughts on his goal.

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes for a few minutes to recover and strengthen himself. No, he can’t be weak now, there’s still a lot more he has to do. There’s still a lot of things to correct, his revenge has to be completed no matter what. Like they say;

‘There is no market for emotions, never advertise your feelings and just show your attitude.’ he reminded himself of this, basically the only sensible thing his father had taught him.

An evil smile instantly adorned his lips and his eyes were back to being dead cold, the type that described blood lust with a hint of mischief. They looked nothing like the emotional look he once carried, more like it wasn’t even there at all.

“It’s time.”

He snapped his fingers and vanished out of thin air.

Anna on the other hand, ended up sleeping through the whole day. It had been a very long time since she slept without having nightmares and all she wanted to do was just sleep some more. By the time she awoke, Gemma was still beside her, childishly counting her fingers but she had stopped after seeing Anna’s eyes flutter open.

She’s awake!

historical

Anna saw the bright look in her eyes and the sweet smile she dashed at her, but she was more than surprised to find Gemma in her chambers.

When did she come?

“It’s you.” Anna gently forced herself into a sitting position, rubbing the back of her head as though she sensed a headache coming. Gosh she wondered how long she slept for her head to start aching already.

Did the little one watch her sleep? She hoped she didn’t drool. As if feeling uncertain, she touched the side of lips but there was nothing dry or sticky.

I thank the heavens!

Gemma just confusedly stared at Anna who made multiple expressions on her face as they went from shock, to delight, to worry and then relief. She seemed to be thinking about something the moment her eyes narrowed and a frown formed on her forehead.

And just like that, her eyes widened.

“Wait!!!”

She looked through the window and it was already night time.

“Oh no! The mask celebration!” She instantly got out of bed, hurrying towards the window and she drew the cottons open. It’s midnight, how could she have possibly forgotten??

“Roshan.... He must be waiting!!”

She headed for the door, but to her surprise, it was locked.

“What?”

She struggled with the door knob but it wouldn’t budge, no no! She can’t miss this event, sir Steve was going to tell her something about her mother, she has to know.

“Why is it jammed??”

Seeing her struggle was leading to nothing at all, she stopped and turned around to look at Gemma who remained on the bed.

“Did someone lock the door?” She asked and Gemma nodded.

“Who?” Knowing she couldn’t speak, Anna decided to call out a few names. “Was it a maid?”

She shook her head.

“A guard?”

She shook her head.

“Was it that green-eyed maid?” Anna continued with several guesses but got no positive response from Gemma, that’s when the thought of Roshan invaded her mind and as much as she didn’t believe he was the one who’d lock her up, she asked.

“Was it Roshan?”

This time around, Gemma didn’t respond and only thinned her lips together, that alone gave Anna the answer she needed.

“Roshan? But why??”

She turned to bang on the door Incase anyone would hear from the outside but she was ignored as always.

“How can he.... How can he lock me in like this?”

A mixture of anger and worry filled her heart as she continuously banged on the door.

She had to be there, knowing the truth about her mother’s corpse mattered to her, she didn’t know why but she was craving to be there and know the truth that she wasn’t getting. Why would Roshan lock her in??

“That demon! He’s so selfish!” She cursed, “he does whatever he pleases without thinking if it mattered or affects the other person in return.” She let out a sigh of frustration and tried to think clearly about her situation. He claimed she was his pawn, so he would definitely need her to play a role in this, so why did he lock her in??

“Gemma, can you help me find a way out of here?” She asked and to her quick relief, Gemma nodded with a smile.

“How?”