Chapter 3. Welcome

From afar, Adelaide seems like a little lamb walking toward sacrifice in Egil's eyes. He's aware of the beauty of her late mother, Mrs. Amaranta, whom he had seen a couple of times in his childhood. However, he never thought that the young woman would look like an exact copy of the woman who used to steal everyone's sighs in the past.

Her wavy, long, reddish hair shines under the sun's rays, and her skin appears extremely pale in that green dress, although the color doesn't suit her at all.

Adelaide is a beautiful young woman; he can see that from his position, but all of that is overshadowed by her repulsive origin.

Egil keeps his head high amid the murmurs around him and pretends not to be affected. This is exactly what he aimed for with this reception, to make her vulnerable in the eyes of everyone at the hacienda.

The young woman walks with her nanny down the walkway, where he awaits her at the end, without a hint of emotion on his face. His upright and disdainful demeanor is intimidating to anyone, and it's not lost on Adelaide either.

Adelaide manages to see him, but she doesn't fully appreciate his features. The sunlight directly on his face prevents her from seeing him clearly, but the play of light and shadow adds an even more imposing and solemn air to Egil. His light brown hair, neatly cut, his broad, sturdy torso, and his height, too tall.

Her brother Calixto is the first to arrive, followed by her and her servant, who greet Egil with a nod.

"Welcome to the Arrabal hacienda," Egil nods to Calixto, deliberately ignoring Adelaide's presence as he gestures for them to follow him inside the house.

"Gage, instruct the servants to escort the young lady to her room and attend to her needs," Egil orders as he strides down a long, tall hallway. Adelaide can only catch a glimpse of his broad back as he walks away.

The chief's right-hand man personally guides Adelaide, as instructed by his boss, and her servant to their designated area. Gage didn't find it too unusual that Egil had requested the room farthest from the entire hacienda and in the least illuminated wing, because it's clear that there's some hidden intention behind that arrangement.

He casts a sidelong glance at the young woman as they walk, and something inside him pities her. She's also a victim of all this mess caused by her sister Nadia.

Once they arrive at the room prepared for her, Adelaide feels content. Although she never had everything she needed at the Valencia mansion, her tastes are not very demanding, especially after the long journey she's just completed.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, miss," Gage nods before leaving, leaving her alone in that place.

Adelaide takes a turn around the room and likes what she sees. The walls are well-maintained and painted in a pale green shade, the bed linens match the curtains, and there's a balcony overlooking a small garden with colorful roses.

She leans on the railing and scrutinizes the horizon, which is completely unfamiliar to her. Everything here seems darker and more somber.

This is all too much for Adelaide. In less than two days, her life has taken a 180-degree turn. She's just hours away from marrying a man who until yesterday was her sister's fiancé of fifteen years. She may be many things, but she's not foolish; she knows that her future will not be good in the hands of this spurned man. No one in their right mind forgets such a grave offense, especially someone like Egil Arrabal, with a ruthless reputation that everyone talks about all the time.

She has never felt as alone as she does now, despite growing up rejected by her family. Today, there's something more going on in her head and heart, and she can't help but shed a few tears. She feels unprotected like never before, like a lamb offered for sacrifice.

After crying for several hours, Adelaide quickly dries her cheeks when she hears a knock on the door, and before she can consent to entry, an unfamiliar servant enters the room as if she owns it.

"It's time for your bath, miss," the older woman announces with genuine arrogance. Adelaide thought she heard a chuckle afterward, but since she's not sure, she prefers not to mention it.

"Mercedes, my servant, is responsible for preparing my bath," Adelaide replies. Her voice comes out weak and husky, probably due to the humidity she's clearly not accustomed to.

"I am your servant assigned by Mr. Egil," the woman says, placing a very eye-catching red dress on the bed. "Your servant is attending to something else for the boss. I need to get you ready in an hour."

"What am I getting ready for?" Adelaide wonders internally with deep fear, but the dress doesn't look like something for a formal event, or so she thinks given all the shine it has as an ornament.

She's about to ask about the reason when the door opens, and Mercedes enters, flustered. Immediately, Adelaide feels relieved, but as soon as she starts preparing the bath, she realizes that something is amiss.

"Mercedes, what's going on?" she innocently asks, but before the old woman can answer, the other servant approaches and guides her into the bathroom, where a large bathtub filled with warm, scented water awaits her.

Adelaide steps into the water, and the servant starts scrubbing her body vigorously. She wants to protest the stinging sensation on her skin, but the servant remains unfazed by her discomfort.

Once she's thoroughly clean, both servants help her dry off, apply fragrant ointments all over her skin, comb her hair, and dress her. Mercedes opens a chest of jewelry and places a very beautiful matching necklace, earrings, and rings around her neck.

"I'm going to put on some perfume before you leave, my dear," Mercedes says. Adelaide notices her strange behavior, so she asks again.

"Why are you getting me ready?" she inquires with so much intensity that the old woman can't help but answer.

"Mr. Egil requested your presence in his room tonight, my dear," Adelaide is left gaping, not fully grasping her words. It's not that she doesn't know what that means, but why did he order her to go to his room? The wedding hasn't even taken place yet.

Adelaide's body begins to tremble uncontrollably. She resists believing that this man wants to possess her body today, right after she's arrived from a long journey. They haven't even exchanged a word, and he already wants to claim her? This is inconceivable to her.

"It's time, Adelaide. We must go," Mercedes says, confronting Adelaide with harsh reality. She follows the servant down a long hallway, trying to mentally prepare herself for what awaits her. That man has her in his hands, and there's nothing that can be done to prevent him from doing whatever he pleases with her.