Riona POV

It's been two weeks since I arrived at the duke's estate but sometimes I feel like our conversation was a dream. 

He showed me to my chamber and then left without another word. My chamber here was quite different from my one back home. Since elves are linked to nature we tend to be outdoors frequently. Humans tend to be the opposite, shutting themselves indoors while they destroy nature. 

Though after a week I noticed that the duke had gone on a hunt. 

As I walked around I realised how empty it was. My chamber was far to the west of the estate which seemed to be untouched. It was quiet, not even the cold breeze made a sound as it flew past. The walls were old and dusty as if no one had come into this chamber for years. The spider webs dangled around the room like decorations. It was clear this place needed a lot of fixing up.

I sat down by the window as it rained heavily. Watching the raindrops race each other down the window I had a strange thought, "I wonder what Vincent is up to?"

I want to know if he is enjoying life right now. Was he sleeping peacefully or was he thinking about what he did? 

I want to kill him so badly with my own hands.

I want to hear his screams and see his crimson blood on my hands. 

I missed Audrey a lot…

All I could think about was Audrey. I could remember the feeling of her cold body in my arms no matter what that day kept replaying despite all the years that had passed.

Then after a week passed, the duke came back from slaying all the monsters. I wondered when our revenge would start…

I hurried down the grand stairs to greet him, I wanted to get started on the revenge as soon as possible.

When I got downstairs I could see his servants were already greeting him. Our eyes met though I didn't know what colour his were, I continued to stare. 

He looked me up and down along with the servants. Did I do something wrong?

"Your grace, is there a problem?" I asked him as I exchanged greetings with him. I could feel all eyes on me but why?

"You should get used to how humans dress, though I don't remember elves' clothing styles being so different," he stated as he continued to look me up and down.

That's when I realised I was probably wearing mismatched clothes! I felt my heart on the verge of exploding as I just stood there in embarrassment. 

Ever since that day, I have lost my ability to see colours… The clothes I'm wearing are probably what a lunatic would wear. I seriously just wanted to dig up a hole and never come out. 

What if he thinks I'm crazy?

I just placed on an awkward smile and stood there.

"Are you okay you look a bit red?" He asked me as he continued to come closer to me. 

Am I okay? Of course not, I just made a complete fool out of myself!

”I am okay but thank you for worrying about me your grace," I replied, trying to slowly sneak away and back to my chamber.

"That's great, I wanted to discuss something with you," he said as he glared at me.

Perhaps he wanted to talk about his plan? Would we finally be getting started? I just wanted to change the topic.

"Alright," I said as I followed him to his study.

His chamber was decorated with dark colours and barely any furniture but what caught my eye was the portrait hung next to the door. 

The woman in the portrait had short wavy hair like the ocean at night while her skin looked fragile. 

"I didn't bring you here to admire my study but to discuss our plans," he stated as he sat down. He was a strange person one minute he was warm and respectful the next he was cold and sly.

As I sat down near him the awkwardness filled the room and he bought out some documents.

"I'll help you with your revenge," he said as he started to arrange the documents.

"Why are you helping me though?" I questioned as I leaned closer to him.

"Your family helped my family," he answered, however, I felt like there was something more to it. 

"What do you gain from helping me?" I asked, trying to uncover any ulterior motives he may have, especially when I couldn’t recall my family ever helping a human family .

"That's a good question, what do I gain?"  He said with a sly smile as he moved closer to me. I could feel his warm breath on me, he was very close.

"Well, what do you want?" I replied looking into his eyes while he remained close.

He laughed a bit then "I will stage a coup and seize the throne." For some reason, while he said that the air felt colder and heavier, he wasn't joking. He was very much serious. He gave me a sinister smile as he waited for my reply.

"As long as I can kill the royal family I don't mind," I told him as I moved a bit back waiting for his answer.

"Sure, do whatever you want," he said as he also moved back.

I wanted to ask why but felt like he wouldn't answer and sometimes some things are better off remaining uncovered.

"I want to slowly let Vincent sink in despair," I said.

"And how do you propose we do that?" He questioned me, probably trying to see what I was capable of.

"First we shall gather information and strength, then we shall make the citizens doubt the royal family leading to a civil war,"  I explained, while thinking of the revenge I’ve been thinking of all these years of being a slave and observing. Observing just like Vincent did to exploit my weakness. But now it my turn.

I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I thought about it.

"Marry me," he said while he leaned close to me.

This guy has totally lost it. 

"A contract marriage, of course, for revenge. Why would I marry you? You're far from my type." he said on the verge of laughing.

I hate this guy.