Elara barely slept.Every creak of the house made her sit up, her heart racing. She kept hearing the sound of the handle turning. Whoever it had been, they hadn’t knocked. They had just tried to come in.When morning came, her body was tired but she got up anyway. She dressed, smoothed her apron, and went to the kitchen.Ella was already there, peeling potatoes. “You look worse today,” Ella said.“I’m fine,” Elara whispered.Ella frowned. “You’re not fine. Tell me.”Elara hesitated, then said softly, “Last night… someone came to my door. They didn’t knock. They just tried the handle.”Ella’s hand stopped moving. “Did you lock it?”“Yes. Damien told me to.”Ella’s brows drew together. “Then you listen to him. And tonight, push a chair against it.”Elara nodded, trying to shake the uneasy feeling in her chest.When breakfast was ready, Elara carried the tray to the dining hall. Damien was already there, sitting with his back straight, reading something on his phone. Ronan was with him t
Elara woke to the sound of knocking on her door. Her eyes flew open, her heart beating fast. The sun was already high, filling her small room with light.“Elara!” Ella’s voice came from outside.Elara sat up quickly, still feeling weak from the night before. Her eyes were dull. She pushed her blanket aside and opened the door.“You’re still sleeping?” Ella asked, frowning.“I… I didn’t hear the sound of the bell,” Elara said softly.Ella sighed. “Get dressed. Damien wants everything ready. There’s a guest coming tonight.”Elara froze. “A guest?”“Yes. Someone important. Damien wants everything perfect. He’s been giving orders since morning.”Elara’s chest grew tight. A guest meant more work, but also more chances to see him. She didn’t know if she could face him again after last night.She quickly dressed in her kitchen attire and headed straight to the kitchen.~~~By afternoon, the whole house was moving. Flowers were arranged in tall glass vases. The dining table was set with polis
Elara woke late, the morning sun already warm against her face. She had barely slept and felt like she hadn’t rested at all. Her chest still ached from crying, her head heavy. She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. She didn’t want to move, didn’t want to face him.But the day didn’t wait for her pain.She got dressed slowly, tied her apron, and left the room. Her steps felt small as she walked toward the kitchen. Ella was there, wiping down the counters.“You’re late,” Ella said softly, her eyes studying her.“I know,” Elara replied, reaching for the bread and eggs.Ella hesitated before asking, “Are you still thinking about that night?”Elara nodded once, not trusting her voice.“You have to be careful,” Ella said, stepping closer. “Damien isn’t a man who does things halfway. If he wants you, he won’t stop.”Elara’s hands stilled. Her breath caught. “He doesn’t want me,” she whispered.Ella’s brow rose. “Then why does it hurt you this much?”Elara didn’t answer.She ca
The morning light crept into Elara's room, illuminating the space she had occupied all night without rest. Her eyes were heavy with the tears of last night, her body was weak, but her mind wouldn't stop spinning. The same picture replayed over and over. Damien, Ariana, that kiss. Her pillow was damp from tears, and her throat felt raw. She sat up slowly, hugging her knees to steady her breath. The folded laundry on the chair remained untouched since the previous night.A knock at the door made Elara freeze. Her heart began to pound, sharp and heavy. She quickly wiped her face, though she knew her eyes were still swollen. The knock came again, firmer this time. "Elara," a voice called. It was Ella, the other maid. Elara let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding and stood to open the door.Ella's sharp eyes assessed her. "Why do you look like that? Didn't you sleep?" "I'm fine," Elara whispered weakly. "No, you're not," Ella replied, stepping into the room and closing the doo
Elara had only meant to deliver the laundry.The house was quiet at that hour. The kind of quiet that pressed into the walls and lingered in the air. It was close to midnight, and the long hallways were lit by soft golden lamps fixed high along the walls. The light was dim, leaving more shadow than glow, and her own footsteps seemed too loud as she walked barefoot across the marble floor.She carried the folded linen in her arms, the fabric smelling faintly of soap and lavender. Her nightdress hung loosely on her frame. It was simple cotton, soft from many washes, and it brushed gently against her ankles as she moved. She had not planned to be awake this late, but the task had been left unfinished, and she wanted to do it before morning came.Elara turned the corner, heading toward the guest rooms where Damien sometimes left his jackets or shirts for her to collect. Her heart always beat faster in that part of the house, though she never understood why. Perhaps it was because the air
Damien Kael walked into his bedroom, his shoulders was heavy with the weight of the day. He was ready to strip away the noise, the stress, and the endless calls from his empire. But the moment he stepped into the room, he stopped dead in the doorway.Naked.Ariana Stark lay across his bed like she had been poured there on purpose. The only thing covering her was the light blanket he had tossed there that morning, and even that had slid down low on her hips. One long leg stretched bare against his dark gray sheets, pale skin glowing under the soft light.Her red hair spilled over his pillows, bright as blood against the silver fabric.Damien’s jaw tightened.“Get off my bed,” he said in a calm voice.Ariana didn’t move. Instead, she stretched, slow and bold, the blanket falling even lower. Her chest rose as she breathed in, bare and careless, and her mouth curved in that sly smile she always used when she was daring him.“Nice welcome, Damien,” she purred.He shut the door behind him.