Morning ca and Gris started it as she normally did. She went about her routine in silence, until Bellin spoke to her while combing her hair.
From what the servants said earlier today, I think theyll be here soon your childhood friends. Belins voice while grooming Griss hair sounded excited.
However, Gris had a long face, as if she wasnt well Last night, she dread of the duke feasting on her. It seed that Vianut, who had tasted every inch of her body, had sucked out all strength from her body that she had no energy today.
Even up until noon, Gris thoughts kept replaying last nights events. She was confused if what happened between her and the duke was due to impulse or intention. Gris also wondered what the dukes face had looked like after she left him alone.
Then, she suddenly got terrified with the idea that it was the beginning ofsothing. That from now on, Vianut might call on her every night and might want a little more from her than a bite every ti.
She thought it might be possible. There was no woman in the world who was easier to bed than a brothel wh*re with no learning, and no security.
Maybe she was the best thing he found as his toy; one he could play with for fun.
As such, it was a day Gris spent with her head full of thoughts.
She had lunch alone and she ate at the banquet hall because of her grandmothers absence, therefore she had no one to dine with.
Afternoon ca and it was once again ti for her to learn the waltz. Dance class was the hardest for Gris who had no talent at all for the art.
However, Gris consoled herself with the thought of moving against the waxed floor. It was the only mont she liked. She felt like she was given freedom from the boring prison life by being so childish as to slide on the polished floors.
Gris began to walk towards her dancing room and noticed that the hallway was well lit, due to the rays of sunlight that was leaking from outside. As she found herself getting nearer to the white doors of the banquet hall, she heard heavy footsteps coming her way, and n suddenly appeared from out of the corner. They were the Great Duke Vianut, a butler and Quentin.
Gris felt a sudden flush to her cheeks. Thankfully, the Great Duke only caught her eyes and didnt seem to dwell his sights on her flaming face. But still, she felt an uncanny emotion stir from within her, as the mories of his warm lips and the strong scent of rosemary from him surrounding her body resurfaced into her mind, incessant and inextinguishable, once again.
She closed her eyes and his hungry, devil-like stare ca through her mind. Her heart grew anxious what if he ca up and talked to her and called her into his study late at night again? These thoughts filled her with worry.
In a hurry, Gris walked straight past Vianut and his companions, she sensed that he looked at her then.
She thought it was probably a growing desire he had for her. Since he had already tasted her, he seed to act like she was his own woman.
But his eyes were calm and indifferent. To her, it seed more like seeing a filthy prostitute. If not, then an insignificant human being he could control.
Soon the distance between them grew as they took steps opposite each other. Gris by now could barely hear his footsteps and so she turned to look from behind her and watched his back until his figure disappeared from her sight.
He seed to tell her through their small exchange that he was going to pretend nothing happened between them. Gris thought she would accept this because it was definitely a good thing for her if the matter was never brought up, but she felt strangely stung by his callous gestures.
But who was she kidding? Gris reasoned with herself that it was foolish to expect sothing aningful from Vianut. Afterall, why would he want a wh*re when he was about to marry a princess?
Gris opened the banquet hall doors and sighed in great relief.
She began her dancing lessons quite successfully and her teacher complinted her posture, which was now better compared to four days ago. Sadly, sliding against the waxed floors did not bring her joy today, nor did she feel free as a butterfly.
Bellins pale face greeted Gris when the latter returned to her room from her class. Gris moved to sit on the bed, and before she could ask why Bellin looked so grim, the maid opened her mouth to speak.
I am really sorry, my Lady. Teer had escaped the room earlier today. Bellin kept her head low as she spoke to Gris.
Gris recalled that Teers curiosity has indeed grown a lot these days. So, it wasnt unexpected for it to want to wander around, but if they still could not find it, it would lead to a big problem.
Havent you caught it yet? Gris asked with her pale lips.
Bellin felt ashad towards her mistress and her hands were shaking.
I rushed to get it, and, uh it went all over the place and ran into the Great Dukes room while the head maid was out.
What?! Gris exclaid and stood up from her bed.
I tried to bring it back, but it didnt co out of the bed, so I just ca back here to wait for you. I think it went in looking for a puppy that was under the bed.
Gris suddenly felt dizzy.
She couldnt believe it ran into Dukes room where no one could easily enter. She was worried because if she left it unattended, it might move to another place, and beco difficult to find it again.
The mansion was too spacious. Teer was so playful that it could jump into the lake or may even get kicked by a horse.
Is the Great Duke in his room?
If the room was empty, she could easily go in to call out Teer even from the door. She knew that it would co running to her as it was familiar with its owners voice.
Gris decided to leave the room in a hurry. Bellin, who followed her out, equally looked troubled.
The Great Duke was resting in his room a little while ago. Thats why I and the head maid tried to get it, but we ca back without getting Teer out. Bellin told Gris.
Does he know? Gris asked Bellin and the latter knew at once she ant Vianut.
No, I couldnt tell him and ca out of the room to wait for you. He was in a particularly bad mood today, so I did not want to disturb him.
Griss steps up the stairs slowed significantly as she heard Bellins answer. Gris decided that she was just going to go check the room out, but if he was there, she was going to co back right away.
I can go my own. Gris whispered in Bellins ear as they stood in front of the door to the library.
She could see that the doors of the Byrenhag family were beautifully embossed. Bright lights were leaking out through a slight gap. If she called Teer recklessly, she might make it feel uncomfortable. Gris took a deep breath and decided to take a look inside.
Closing one eye, she peeped in through a chink in the door with another eye. At first Gris saw a window fra and a side table in the room. She then saw a pair of mans legs that were touching the floor in front of the window fra. She belatedly realized that they were Vianuts legs sitting on the window fra.
Co to think of it, he was by that window last night too. She got curious if he liked to sunbathe as he always preferred to be closer to the sunlight.
However, there seed to be sothing interesting in the garden that caught Vianuts eyes.
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