The next morning dawned grey, shrouded in a soft mist that crept through the windows and filtered into my room.
I lay there for a few more minutes, feeling the warmth of the sheets enveloping my body, listening to the creaking of the wood, the whistling of the wind through the cracks, and my own thoughts, which still echoed the previous day.
A soft knock on the door brought out of my reverie.
I got up without rushing. Tiredness still weighed heavily on my shoulders.
—Young master —I heard Sebastián from the other side, more rushed than usual.
—Just a mont —I replied, my voice still hoarse, tied to sleep.
I dressed in the first thing I found: a simple, slightly wrinkled white linen shirt, dark trousers, and a plain leather belt. It wasn’t formal attire, but it didn’t look out of place in my bedroom.
Finally, I tied my hair back with a ribbon and left. My face was still marked by lack of sleep, but I didn’t care anymore.
Sebastián was waiting for in the hallway, as upright as ever, but there was sothing different about his expression.
Perhaps it was the dark circles under his eyes, or the slight hesitation in his posture.
Sothing had happened.
"Probably...
—The Marquis is expecting you —he said softly, pointing toward the study with a brief gesture.
...he wants to talk to about that engagent and his eting with the Duke."
He said nothing else.
He didn’t even accompany like Alice usually did.
I walked alone, my footsteps echoing against the cold marble.
The maids stopped to greet , and I noticed how so of them blushed faintly when our eyes t.
"Haah..." I sighed.
I’d seen that reaction more than once, especially when I was preparing for the duel.
Honestly, I was starting to grow tired of it.
When I arrived, I stood before the door...
It wasn’t nerves, not exactly.
I just feared I might not be able to control myself.
I took a few monts to calm the emotions that, at so point between yesterday and today... had started to co loose.
After a few seconds, I took a deep breath. And finally, I entered.
The Marquis was there, like an unmoving painting in front of the window.
The morning light, dulled by stained glass, painted his silhouette in bluish hues.
He didn’t turn right away. He simply spoke, as if he had sensed my presence.
—Daven.
Just one word. Dry. Deep.
But he wasn’t alone.
A female figure stood beside him, poised with elegance and a presence that filled the entire room.
When she turned toward , her green eyes—catlike—locked onto mine with disconcerting intensity.
And then, she smiled. A soft, calculated smile. Friendly on the surface, but with a shade I couldn’t decipher.
—Clarisse... —I murmured, almost without realizing it.
The na slipped from my lips gently.
Why...?
The Duke had left last night. I saw with my own eyes how he climbed into his carriage from the window.
So then...
Why was she still here?
The Marquis turned slightly, and before I could form a single question, his voice cut through the mont.
—Miss Clarisse will remain in Riesenhart for a few days —he announced in his usual tone, as if it were a routine visit.— I want you to show her around. Let her beco familiar with the territory.
I looked at him steadily.
Inside, a grimace threatened to twist my face.
Show her the territory? Her?
Clarisse said nothing.
She simply held that subtle smile on her lips.
—...Understood —I finally replied in a low, restrained voice, keeping my doubts to myself.
The Marquis nodded without further comnt and returned his attention to the docunts on the desk.
We no longer existed to him. No more than the furniture or the curtains.
I understood.
I had understood it from the very first ti I stepped into his study.
«Just because we share the sa blood, doesn’t make us family.»
I barely inclined my head and turned toward Clarisse, who was already walking toward with soft, steady steps.
Her erald dress seed to move with a life of its own as she advanced with grace.
—So... will you be my escort? —she asked, with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
I didn’t know what she wanted from , or why she seed so determined to get close.
Maybe she thought she could sway with her gentle voice and asured gestures.
Maybe others fell for that.
I wouldn’t.
I’ve already learned that behind a smile, fangs can be hidden.
And I won’t be bitten by vipers ever again.
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