MasukKeeping The Lady's Code.The corridor felt longer than it had ever been before.Bella kept her pace steady beside Lady Eleanor, though her fingers had grown cold where they were still clasped together.Around them, movement did not slow down as the Servants still passed with lowered heads, guards carried out orders without hesitation.That was what made it worse..Eleanor said nothing for a while, her expression carefully composed, but Bella could feel the tension.It was subtle, something in the way her shoulders were tensed and the slight tightening at the corners of her mouth.“We cannot return to your chambers yet,” Eleanor said at last.Her voice was low enough to be swallowed by the noise around them. Bella nodded immediately. “They might search there next.” she muttered.“They will,so we need to live fast.” There was no hesitation in her tone.That certainty settled heavily in Bella’s chest as they turned down a narrower corridor, one less occupied, though not entirely empty.A
Uncovered Secrets The study doors opened with great force with the hinges shaking tremendously as they swung inward with force, the sound cutting through the room.Theo stepped into the room looking angry. “What were you thinking!” He scoffed.A guard stationed by the door moved instinctively, hand lifting as if to block him.“My lord—”“That will be enough.”Andre did not raise his voice, yet it carried across the room with authority. He sat behind the large desk, posture composed, eyes already on his brother.The guard hesitated, then stepped back.Theo didn’t slow as he crossed the room. Every step was heavy and appeared to carry whatever turmoil that was in his soul as he trodded in clenching his fist.“What was that?” he demanded.Andre leaned back slightly, studying him. “You will have to be more specific.”He gave one look as his brother who appeared to be enjoying all of this. He sighed in deeply then let out a short, disbelieving breath. “Don’t play games with me. You or
Beneath It All.“I don't know what to say.” Bella stuttered.Andre looked at her with something darkening in his eyes.The tension between them had barely settled when the echo of approaching footsteps broke through the corridor.A guard appeared at the far end. His pace was brisk as he stopped just short of Andre, bowing his head slightly.“It is done, my lord.”The words were simple, but whatever it was she could tell he was in on it too.Enough that Andre’s expression shifted almost instantly. “Good,” Andre replied.Bella watched him closely, her pulse quickening again, though for a different reason now. Something in his tone had changed and she had known him too long for her to know this wasn't something good.“Andre?" She called out.Without another word to her, Andre turned.For a fraction of a second, it felt like he might say something else. Might look back. But he didn’t…He walked away.Bella remained where she stood, her fingers slowly loosening from the tight grip they ha
Silence Or Truth. Bella’s fingers tightened instinctively around the folds of her cloak, the fabric bunching slightly beneath her grip as she tried to steady herself at that moment. Her heart was racing and she hoped for her sake he wouldn't notice even if it was inevitable… Andre stood at the far end of the corridor, his presence imposing this feeling on her like she couldn't tell or explain. He wasn’t approaching yet, but he wasn’t leaving either. Just standing there, watching and looking at her completely stunned. Her heart, which had only just begun to settle moments ago, lurched violently back to life. “I didn’t expect anyone to be here,” he said, his voice calm, but there was something beneath it. Bella forced herself to breathe. Not too fast so she wouldn't speak out of turn and not too slow. It was just enough to keep from drawing attention to the way her chest rose and fell unevenly beneath the cloak. “I could say the same,” she replied, though her voice came out so
A Pile of Secrets. “I hope you know what you are doing, Lady Bella." Aria muttered just again. Bella remained where she was listening to the sound of her own heart beat. Aria nods and shuts the door behind her, leaving her still in thought. The sound of Aria’s footsteps faded gradually, echoing faintly before disappearing completely into the distance. Only then did Bella exhale, this time her breath was slow but steady. Her gaze shifted back into the room, toward the place where the envelope now laid. Bella stepped back inside fully, opening the door to see if anyone was lurking outside and closing the door once more. Immediately it felt like no one was lurking around the room Bella moved immediately, whatever restraint she had been holding was unravelled as she walked out cautiously. The envelope was in her hands now and Bella stared at it. Up close, it looked no different from many others that she had written herself. And yet—It had the answers to everything? Her gr
Pandora's Box.Bella did not rush out this time. The urgency was still there, coiled tightly beneath her ribs, pressing insistently with every step she took down the corridor, but her pace remained careful.It was as though moving too fast might draw attention that she didn't want.The envelope rested beneath the folds of her sleeve, pressed against her wrist where her pulse beat steadily against it.She was aware of it in a way she couldn’t ignore. Every turn of the corridor felt watched, though no one stood there. It was as though the castle itself had grown aware of what she carried or maybe it was just her.Bella exhaled slowly through her nose and turned the final corner that led toward her chambersNothing looked different so far, it was the same hallway. The same tall windows let in the faint wash of fading light. The same quiet that had always existed here…But it didn’t feel the same. Not anymore.She reached her door and paused out of instinct listening. There was no sound f
Silk and Secrets“That was close." She muttered to herself while touching her temple.Bella did not move for a long time after Andre left the room after his assault. For her it was partly shock and a left over of anxiety from almost being caught.In a way,the room still felt disturbed, as though it
What Lingers in SilenceThe morning came quietly, almost too precise for a place that had known so much unrest the night before. It almost didn't feel like it even as the sunlight slipped through the tall windows in rays. Settling across the room in soft glitters.It brushed over the bed, over the
Brothers By Blood.It was Theo when she turned. Even if she knew by his voice when he had spoken standing right there made it seem different.He stood in the doorway with his chest rising hard and falling. He was heaving heavily with his eyes darker than Bella had ever seen them. The force with
Lurking In Darkness.The corridor led back to Bella's room who was completely unaware of the conversation just underneath her window if she looked outside.She wasn't in her room anyways. Bella had remained where she was until her father disappeared beyond the curve of the staircase. Only then did







