When they reached the castle. She was awestruck, never in her entire living years she imagined to set foot on a place like this. Just who is this man that suddenly appeared in that abandoned place. And why is he helping her. Alot of questions had been popping into her mind. Is he a king? a prince? or someone just likes castles, if so his probably rich and doesn't know where to put his money.
The entrance of the gate has 2 statues of a woman that has thorns all over their body with an expression of delight. It was as if they enjoyed such pain inflicted by the thorns. And as there carriage past she was sure that those statues eyes move in her direction.
It was almost 2 hours journey when they reach his place. Everywhere seemed lifeless. The branches doesnt even have leaves. And it gets even darker when she try to look further. Nothin but darkness. As there carriage stop,some servants had been lines up to welcome them, bowing heads and never looked in the eyes of their master. She felt suddenly uncomfortable, this man is no mistakenly a royal.
" You want to step out?or you prefer to sleep here?" he said sarcastically. When she got off the carriage a swoosh of cold wind send shivers to her body. That felt chilling but she ignored it as she heard him speak to a man whose wearing a black suit. His face looks so stern but pale. She's guessing he's on his 70s already. Then suddenly he tilted his head a bit and look at her. He motioned his hand as if leading her the way.
" Follow Conrad and he will show you your room. Let Diane help you with your needs. She is assigned to look after you and serve whatever you want . If anything bothers into that curious mind just look for me and ill answer your queries." as he speak his head gestured the two person his talking about. She said nothing but nodded her head indicating that she understood everything.
" Go to your room now. We will discuss everything early morning at breakfast. Have a good night Miss Tevan." he walked pass her and with a blink of an eye he disappeared.
The receiving area is so spacious. She thought that their house is exactly the same area as to where she is standing now. Black and red big candles are illuminating the place. "Aren't their any electricities here? its so medieval. "
As she look around she saw portraits after portraits of what seemed to be a high class people. The marbled floors are so shiny. The luxurious seats covered with fur like covers. Everything is made of pure luxury. She didn't stop yet from examining the place when she heard someone fake a cough.
" uuhhmm...- madam if you please follow me i will bring you to your room so that you can get a good rest. Breakfast will be at 7. Diane will be outside your door by that time and assist you. " he said while walking there way to her room. They passed several rooms with a huge knobs that has has serpent engrave on it.
They stopped at a very elegant looking door with alot of detailed carvings. The knobs are made of fallen angels face with a woman hugging it.

She was stunned of what she saw. But kept the questions to her head. Then Conrad opened the door and showed her the room she will be sleeping. The triple size bed covered with red silk is placed near the large window. Her eyes widened and even clasps her hands on her mouth to supress a gasps. The butler bowed his head and left her with Diane.

" Madam, let me help you take your clothes. The tub is ready and the water is warm. I will ready your clothes for tonight." Diane said. As she keep her belongings on the side. And instead taking clothes from there she opened a big wardrobe full of expensive dresses. She went inside the bathroom and soak her self in a warm water.
Her tired and tensed muscless were relaxed. She stayed there for 15 minutes and decided to get off. She saw the sleeping dress prepared at the foot of her bed. She touched it and smiled. Its so silky and soft. Her hands easily glide to it. She took and wear it then she climbed to her bed and tuck herself in and started sleeping.
" I guessed i couldn't run away now. Everything happens for a reason. I wish mother and father's soul will rest in peace. I will try to find justice to there death. And make the criminal pay for what he did".
As her thoughts with her parents she drifted into a deep sleep.
She heared a small knocked on her door and someone spoke outside.
" Madam this is Diane. I'm here to wake you up as breakfast will start very soon. Count Vaizen is expecting you to join him." she heard her say outside the door.
She opened her eyes and look around. The room is dark but she knows its already morning when Diane came to wake her up. She stood up and walk to the door and open the servant whose bowing her head.
" Come on in" she said.
" Thank you madam, i will be preparing your shower now. Please wait a little." the servant said after opening the heavy curtains that cover the windows which brighten up the whole room.
" It's alright Diane don't over work yourself. Take one at a time. " she were saying while headed to a dresser and sit their to comb her long wavy hair.
" I'm not use to this kind of treatment. I grew up doin everything on my own with my mothers guardian. This is something new and i don't know how i will handle myself. Neither i dont have any idea of how to act what royal people do. Besides - " she stop thinking when she heard the servant called her that the shower is ready and that she should go inside so she can scrub her body.
" Oh no dear!" she exclaimed. " I will do it myself. You don't have to bother coming with me. " she explained. How on earth can she take a shower when there's someone who's joining her let alone scrub her body. The thoughts of it creeps her.
" I'm sorry madam i can't comply to that. I was told to care you and assist you in everything. Scrubbing you is one of it. Now if you please." she smiled as she leads the way. Mila can't argue anymore she knows that whatever she will say the servant wont listen. She let out a sigh. And just went along.
It took almost 30 minutes for them to finish. And now the servant is doing her hair. It was braided on the side and put small flowers on each side of the braid. The dress she wore is a navy blue long gown, with a V cut from back to front just above her cleavage. The gowns end was detailed with small crystals. She took one last look of herself in the mirror and breathe deep. She looks different almost not recognizing her own reflection. When Diane called her that they should go down for breakfast she went with her. Holding her hands tight together infront. She's nervous as hell.
The breakfast room was so big. With all the windows open. It looks like a ballroom hall. A long table with foods serve is steaming hot. The smell of it made her feel hungry. The other night she had nothing but a loaf of bread and a beans soup. She look around and saw Vaizen sitting at the other end. She gasps at the sight of him.. "Oh my he looks so astonishing." she couldn't help herself admire the man who's sitting with his back hand under his chin and the other one on the arm rest.
" Thank you for the compliment. I appreciate it." he teasingly said. " You can take a seat here on my left side." he motioned his hand to his side.
Her eyes widened, she remembered he can read what's on her mind and she blushed. She walked and sit beside him. As the servants prepare their foods he started talking.
" I heard about what happened to your parents. I'm sorry for your lost. That was really gruesome. " he said apologetically. She nodded her head and said thank you.
" Do you have any idea who could have a motive to do it?" he asked while taking a cup of tea.
She shook her head. Taking a sip of tea.
" I will find out who did it. What they did to my parents is unforgivable."
" I can help you with that. But we should be cautious with everything we do. And don't give as much information if anyone ask. You dont know who's your enemy. And we don't know yet who's chasing after you." he told her.
" I think i have an idea as to who had been chasing me. It must be Carson Hennigan." she blurted out.
Vaizens' brow raised. " And what would be that aristocrat wants from you? everybody knows that he has so many womens around him, and as i can see now, you weren't that appealing for him to be chasing you." he bluntly said as he continued to eat.
" A day before my parents were killed. His father Robert Hennigan came to our shop and talk to my father. He said that his son Carson is sick and only have few years to live. He wanted to build a family offering me to be treated as a princess and will inherit all his wealth in a condition that ill be loyal and my eyes on him only. My father informed me that Mr. Carson had been keeping tracks of me for awhile after i accidentally bump into him. And then he made that proposal. Which i rejected and sent him a letter. Telling what's on my mind about not agreeing to it even though he have the approval of my parents." she explained havin a bite of her toasted bread and looked at him. Only to see him with anger on his face.
" It's better that you stay here with me and never wander around in places you're not even familiar with. It seems that someone desperately wants you. " he said while looking at his tea. Then glances to her side. He saw her puzzled look.
" Why are you doing this? i mean you don't have to do all this for me. I'm just a lowly commoner who's life isnt even worth anything." she told him with puzzled look.
" You will follow everything i say. Either you like it or not you will be under my wing and i will protect you. You got that? Anything happens to you will be my demise. You are worth everything. And if you really want to leave this castle im sorry but i don't have any choice but to lock you down. Your safety is my priority. Until such time you are awoken. Are we clear?" he said with gritted teeth. Looking straighy into her eyes.
" ah..i...- yes!.. i understand." she nodded her head although half of what he said didn't sink in yet into her mind. But one thing is clear. His there to protect her under any circumstances. Which she can never turn her back on.
➿ ***to be continued ***➿