Adrian's best time spent was teasing me. He marveled at the thought of whether this spark and connection were exclusive to our bond, or if he could replicate such intimacy with anyone else.
As he was playfully teasing me, his eyes fell upon my forehead, where the big bandage was placed. A shift occurred in his mood. His playful expression melted away, replaced by a more serious one. It was as if the vibrant colors of the surroundings faded into black and white, all because of the subtle change in his expression.
He guided me to sit on the couch. After retrieving the first aid kit from the cupboard, he placed it on the table to tend to me, though I had no wound. He was not ready to tell me yet the truth about my wound.
It took time for me to understand, why was everyone trying to hide things from me?
Adrian liked my innocence and my carefree nature, though sometimes it brought him a lot of trouble. He still felt astonished by my belief that I could teach him about love. He found it endearing and refreshing, though he still believed love was for useless people.
But my presence and my unique perspective gave him a sense of joy and excitement. Thus, he was determined to shield me from the harsh realities that might change me into someone different.
With careful hands, he unwrapped the bandage from my forehead. He applied the ointment and put a new bandage on. He contemplated about the miraculous healing that had occurred in just a few hours. That was not the only thing that happened. When Adrian awoke in the morning, he found that the pain in his injured hand had vanished. As he removed the bandage, he discovered that the wound on his palm had also healed overnight.
Adrian grappled with a question: where could he find answers when I seemed clueless? Whenever he broached the topic of my family, I maintained a stoic silence, yet my conversations often hinted at a longing to return home. Which home did I refer to? He pondered.
After tending to my wound, he stood and instructed me to finish the tasks by 4 o'clock. Despite his absence, he emphasized that I should continue my work. With that, Adrian headed to his dressing room to change his attire before visiting the Witlock family.
I had become accustomed to Adrian's behavior, which often shifted from playful to serious. There were moments when I sensed that he wanted to open up but then held himself back, almost as if he was afraid of letting his true feelings show.
I began immersing myself in the work Adrian had assigned me while Adrian made his way towards the waiting car.
Adrian spotted his mother waiting for him in the car, accompanied by Bernhard. As he approached the vehicle, he exchanged a glance with Bernhard before the driver opened the door for him.
Bernhard nodded in acknowledgment, glancing at the Duke. He could tell from Adrian's silent gaze that he wanted him to stay behind. Like a loyal employee, Bernhard did as he was told.
Adrian took a seat beside his mother. Bernhard watched as the Duke's car gradually drove away. Bernhard had witnessed Adrian's growth since he was just four years old. He understood him better than others.
Bernhard became deeply concerned about the complex situation involving me. The Duke, who was indifferent and stoic towards most people, even in the face of personal tragedies, seemed to evoke a different side of him, one filled with care.
This stark contrast troubled Bernhard greatly. With Adrian's impending marriage to Ms. Rose Witlock, Bernhard feared for what might become of me. Would I be relegated to the role of a mistress, hidden away due to societal expectations? These worries weighed heavily on Bernhard's mind as he hurried to the Duke's chamber to address these concerns.
Bernhard couldn't shake off his concern for me ever since the incident happened yesterday. He couldn't help but feel worried for an orphan trying to navigate life's challenges on her own.
Upon entering the office, Bernhard observed me diligently working with documents. He sat beside me and pretended to verify my work. After a while, he asked me a question.
"Ms. Syrvoski, considering your age and circumstances, have you ever considered marriage?" Bernhard sought to safeguard both me and the Duke's reputations.
"I have a nephew who works at bank, unfortunately, his parents passed away in an accident. If you are interested, I could arrange a meeting between the two of you?"
The Duke was highly regarded in society, and Bernhard was keen to ensure that his character remained untarnished. Offering a marriage proposal to me seemed like the most effective strategy to uphold their reputations and avoid any potential scandals.
"Thank you for your concern, Sir Bernhard. However, I am already committed to a friend whom I plan to marry soon." Although Dion and I haven't had a formal proposal or meeting yet, I am hopeful that he will fulfill his word and marry me.
A sigh of relief escaped him, accompanied by a soft chuckle that echoed through the room like the first rays of sunlight breaking through dark clouds. "That's good to hear, Ms. Syrvoski. Congratulations! I'll be eagerly awaiting the invitation." The problem was solved for Bernhard.
***************** Maria's thoughts remained fixated on me, I was puzzle for her which she wanted unravel it. She was curious to ask her son about me, but she decided to wait until they returned from the Witlock mansion. The journey passed in silence until they finally arrived at the Witlock mansion.
The car arrived at the palace entrance, and the sight that greeted them was astonishing. Overnight, the mansion had turned to ashes, once standing proudly opposite the summer mansion. Now, there was nothing left but a space, devoid of any trace of the grand structure that once stood there. Workers were diligently clearing away the ashes from the premises.
Mrs. Witlock came out to greet the Louis family, followed by Rose. They expressed their gratitude for visiting them but also appeared embarrassed due to the state of the premises.
As the others made their way inside, Adrian lingered outside, scanning the remnants of the mansion with a keen expression. The ash-laden scene spoke of calculated destruction, clearly designed to bring hardship upon the Witlock family in the harsh winter months ahead. The question of who orchestrated such a deliberate act gnawed at his mind like a persistent whisper in the wind.
With a subtle smile playing on his lips, Adrian silently posed a question to me in his thoughts, like a cryptic puzzle waiting to be solved. 'What did you bring with you to Wismar? This once-quiet city has transformed into an eventful hub of entertainment.' He chuckled softly to himself.
That chuckle soon vanished, replaced by a cold expression. 'Could this be the work of the Armageddonians, or is it the clandestine actions of another, unseen but making their presence felt?' With that thought, Adrian entered the mansion, guided by a servant who led him to where the others were waiting.
While the others settled in the smaller stateroom, Mrs. Witlock apologized for not being able to take them to the larger one, explaining that it had been destroyed.
The servants had worked tirelessly throughout the evening until the early morning to clean the stateroom. No matter how much they cleaned, something would break down again, making a mess of the room once more. The luxurious couch splintered into three pieces. As if the room had been cursed.
The servants brought snacks, beverages, and tea for the esteemed guests, ensuring their comfort. Adrian and Maria listened to Mrs. Witlock's explanation very attentively.
Adrian did not touch the beverages or the snacks. He sat upright, seeming distant.
Maria tried to make things more comfortable with a smile and friendly conversation with the Louis family. Her eyes flickered to the Duke, who sat there without showing any sign of concern.
Alexandra poured tea into a cup for the Duke and extended her hand to offer it to him, but he remained seated and didn't reach out to take it.
Maria smiled and took the tea from Alexandra, handing it to Adrian herself. Maria started to fell embarrassed by her son sudden coldness towards her in laws. She glanced at Adrian from the corner of her eye. Even if he was upset with someone for some reason, he never showed it openly. Then why is he different today. She thought.
Rose, sitting opposite the Duke, remained focused on him. Considering his mother's insult toward Juli yesterday, was this the reason for his indifferent demeanor today? 'Would he truly risk insulting her family over a woman of seemingly little worth?'
"Mrs. Witlock, would you mind elaborating on what exactly occurred in that stateroom?" Adrian finally inquired.
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