The further she walked, the more difficult it was to hear the rest of their conversation as the wind picked up a little. But she had heard enough,My eyes?, she thought.What aboutmy eyes? Are they different from Yulianas?
She strained to hear what they were saying and pretended to stumble. She heard Quentin reply diplomatically.
Yes, even red, they were very charming, he said.
Quentins comnt was followed by a burst of what sounded like laughter. Or was it the shriek of the wind?
***
Gris was shivering violently by the ti she got back to the room. She needed a hot bath to warm herself up. As usual, it took so ti to convince Bellin she didnt need her help to take a bath, but their daily charade had beca part of the grooming ritual and both won accepted that as routine.
However, she was still agitated after the warming bath. She couldnt help revisit over and over why he had ntioned her eye color. Maybe there was a reason, or perhaps she was overthinking it.
She returned to her room with a heavy heart. She had planned on resting before dinner, but soone was already waiting. It was Stephan, who had just returned from his trip.
Gris expected to see him sooner or later. She suspected he had rushed back when he heard that Vianut had returned victorious, to protect the fiction he had created about Yuliana.
You have returned, Marquis Talsbarg.
Standing behind Gris was the housekeeper who greeted Stephan tenderly. Both Bellin and the housekeeper curtsied and then stood waiting for further instructions. Stephan looked out the window and said,
I would like to speak privately with Miss Yuliana.
Gris heart jumped. Her face ashen, Gris closed the door behind her after the servants had exited the room. She felt her heart pounding and the anxiety growing. Stephan, however, was calm and looking at her reflection in the window said softly, You look much better than the last ti I saw you.
Ihave beensleepinglong hours since my arrival,she rehearsed in her head.
Well I have been looked after by Bellin and the staff, and the surroundings are restorative, Gris answered cautiously.
Stephan turned squarely to face Gris.
You wont have to go back there again. Ive paid the price of your servitude to the Owner.
Did this an that she now belonged to him? He wanted to keep her in Byrenhag Mansion to achieve his ambitions. But Gris didnt want to be part of his plan; she wanted her freedom.
Thank you for your concern, but I am prepared to go back to the brothel, Sir. I dont belong here.
When Stephan heard this, he scanned her face to try to understand her aning.
Your grandmother skipped her als and retreated to her room when Yuliana went missing. Her health declined drastically. Now that shes ten years older, it will only be a matter of ti before she passes away.
.
But now that you reappeared, she has started to eat, little by little. She now has a reason to live. She is pugnacious and wants to find out if you really are Yuliana. And if you are, she will feel its her duty to marry you off well.
Stephan was implying that it was better for Paola to die happy than to know the truth. So, playing this ga was not a bad thing. But if Paola discovered the truth, she would be devastated.
Im just not confident that I.
I am only trying to find a way to restore my mothers health and her will to live. That is the most important thing to .
.
If you help , I will take you to the church of Byrenhag, Stephan finally said.
Then take there first, Gris said. She couldnt help but wonder if he would keep his word to her.
Stephan found it ridiculous that this prostitute, no matter how beautiful, was trying to negotiate with him. He paid for her life, who was she now to be demanding from him?
Arent you a funny little girl? he smirked.
I saw Sir Byrenhag today, said Gris, trying to change the subject.
Stephan leaned against the window fra. So, I have heard, he said.
He was curious about her conversation with Vianut. But Gris only rembered that severed head hanging off his saddle.
He showed up with a human head tied to a horse. His tal armor was covered in blood. More importantly, he didnt seem pleased that his long-lost sister had returned, she stated impassively, gauging Stephans reactions.
This comnt didnt seem to surprise Stephan.
The head would be for the King, his Majestys pleasure. Vianut is the Kings favorite pet, he replied.
.
A favorite pet.Why was Stephan describing his superior, Sir Byrenhag, like an animal?
Gris nervously tucked her hair behind her ears and carefully studied Stephans face.
Compared to the other n at the Byrenhags, Stephan was thin and elegant. He didnt look as if he would know how to handle a sword. With his reading glasses clipped to his waistcoat, he seed to be more scholarly.
But maybe he was the bookish type because he couldnt and didnt want to beco a soldier. Was he frightened of going into battle and, therefore, made excuses that he had a loftier mission? Gris beca more and more convinced that this was the case.
Looking at Stephan, Gris suddenly thought of what Vianut had said earlier.
Sir Byrenhag pointed out the color of my eyes. Yulianas eyes, what color were they?
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