Silla stirred in her sleep as she heard birds chirping outside. Her eyes were still closed, but she knew that she wasn't alone as she could feel the arms of another person wrapped around her body and their hands entangled in her long raven locks of hair.
Warm breath hit her rosy cheeks so she assumed that their face was rested beside her own. Sleepily, Silla opened her eyes thick, long lashes fluttering to see the sleeping face of Declan his forehead rested against hers his eyes closed.
He seemed almost normal while he slept but that was far from the truth. On the outside he was one of the most beautiful men Silla had ever seen. With his soft sandy blonde hair that fell just over his eyes and his muscular body riddled with tattoos from head to toe. Not to mention his uniquely green eyes that felt like they could pierce right through you. Inside however he was massively socially inept with an odd sense of humor.
Ever since he kidnapped, her Declan was very protective and cautious. He didn't let her go anywhere or do anything; she was guarded twenty-four seven and couldn't even carry her own things. Not even if it was just a pillow. It had gotten so bad that Silla couldn't even eat without him breathing down her neck. Not that she found it too annoying or minded it. Though sometimes she will admit that she felt like smothering him with a pillow.
Not to mention how he acted when he thought she wasn't looking. Behind her back he seemed to be much more sinister and borderline psychotic. She only managed to catch him acting strangely a few times even if he was a psycho he wasn't threatening to her; strangely enough he seemed like a big softie if anything. It was like he had two sides to him. Only showing the one he wanted her to see.
Getting out of bed she straightened her back, wincing in pleasure as her back cracked the sheets and blankets moving off the bed a bit. The blanket that covered Declan soon falling off revealing his bare chest. Further down she could see a little of his hips that wasn't hidden by the blanket revealing his prominent V-line. Curiously without thinking Silla lifted the blanket off the rest of his body to see that he in fact wasn't wearing boxers. A deep red blush rose up her face and she weakly whimpered out in embarrassment and shock.
Oh God...
He was naked.
She screamed.
Startled by her blood curdling screams Declan sat up confused and scratched the side of his head soon looking over at her in worry and confusion. Not understanding why she was in such distress.
When she went to sleep last night, he was still fully clothed. So then...
WHY WAS HE NAKED?!
Worried Declan stood up bare in all his glory and came to the corner of the room which she had crawled to. Only causing her to yell even louder and more frantically.
Eventually getting over the initial shock she ran into the end suite bathroom to resume her normal schedule and take a quick shower.
After she finished that hot shower, relaxing all her sore muscles, she then wrapped a soft towel around her curved body and walked outside, in her haziness only now realizing that she didn't have anything else to wear, besides Declan's raggedy sweats from earlier.
Shit.
She can't go outside wearing only this tiny towel.
And she can't wear the same dirty clothes either.
Fuck... What to do?
Silla aimlessly paced around a few times, trying to come up with a solution until her eyes landed on a maid passing by to dust up the room a bit.
Without wasting another moment, she hurried over to her and getting the woman to find something comfortable for her until Silla was able to obtain her own items.
Much to her dismay, the elderly maid couldn't find anything else more fitting and covering as a long sleeved shirt, falling on mid-thigh and a pair of black boxer briefs loosely clinging onto her large hips, threatening to fall off any moment, every other clothing article in that closet being far too big for her tiny frame.
Relatively satisfied with the maids choice she walked outside then entered the bathroom, checking on her appearance, not bothering to blow dry her hair as she was much too lazy.
So, after combing her raven hair a little she got out and exited the room, deciding to find the kitchen first as she couldn't properly function without her daily dose of tea.
Silla's bare feet hurriedly paddling on the cold marble stairs were the only sounds disrupting the silence as she lightly jogged downstairs, her ocean eyes attentively scanning the area for any human presence once she reached the bottom.
Passing a few elderly maids besides herself, she passed the dining room and walked at the very end of the grand hallway, stopping at the very last door. Though what she was wearing didn't go unnoticed by them as they whispered and pointed at her surprised. Since then they have been giving her annoyingly warm smiles and waves.
Inside the kitchen she set her soft pale eyes on a porcelain tea kettle and hurried to roam inside the cabinets, searching for a cup.
"Morning," a cheerful masculine voice greeted from behind her, startling Silla, suddenly feeling the briefs she was wearing almost slip down her thighs if it wasn't for her quick reflexs, her hands quickly clutching against the waist band, keeping them in place.
She slowly turned around, only to face a very chirpy, slightly amused Portio. His wrinkly eyes sparkling in amusement for some unknown reason, watching her every move, making her questioningly raise one sharp eyebrow.
However, she chose to act well- mannered and respond to his greeting. "Good morning to you too, sunshine," she groggily replied then turned around to her tea once again.
At this a small chuckle escapes him which made Silla question his sanity, but what he said next made her gasp in utter shock. "Hmm... Impressive. First you bring her to the manor and now she's wearing your clothes. Well done your excellency. Well done."
The small woman screeched, spinning around to face him in one quick movement only to realize he wasn't there anymore but in his stead stood Declan with serious bed head indicating he had just gotten up standing just a few feet away from the doorway with a deep frown plastered over his features, his bare arms crossed over his chest, looking all angry and menacing as per usual.
But as soon as he looked at her, for an unknown reason his eyes widened, staring at her utterly shocked.
What the hell?
She knows she's too indecent with the loose shirt and shorts but that wasn't something to get angry over. She watched how his Adam apple bobbed up and down a few times, blinking repeatedly, looking somewhere down her legs awkwardly clearing his throat so she followed his eyesight, gasping in pure shock and embarrassment once she realized what he was looking at.
Much to her horror, the boxers she was previously wearing were now on the floor, pooling at her ankles.
Silla felt her cheeks burning in shame. She started to desperately drag the flimsy shirt, stupidly trying to somehow cover some more skin even though her private areas were already safely covered by apparently only making it worse as the see through fabric was now tightly pressed against her voluptuous breasts, giving him quite a show judging by Declan's shocked state, staring at her like she was a piece of tasty candy, his deep green orbs darkening by the second, making her heart race like a marathon out of pure embarrassment her face turning pink.
"O-Okay shows o-over."
Sudden sounds of yelling and clattering objects outside seemed to draw his attention Silla thankfully sighing in relief as Declan's face scrunched up in annoyance and confusion. The kitchen door without warning swung open revealing a young woman around her age though strangely quite different from herself. Unlike Silla she was skinny and knew how to flaunt her looks having brunette almost black hair and grey eyes. Freakishly having almost the same hair and eye color...
Did he have a fetish for blue eyed and dark haired women?
Eww...
How weird could this man get?
The woman in the doorway wore a flattering skirt and matching top. Her sexy black heels clacking on the floor. She had a beyond furious look on her face and her makeup looked like it was about to run. Judgmentally looking between Declan and her she started shouting at him. "WHY ARE YOU CHEATING ON ME WITH SOME COMMON WHORE!" Her loud voice yelled at him.
Cheating?
Is she his girlfriend?
Oh my gosh what a shameless man he is...
At her rude outburst Declan himself looked even more angry than her if that was even possible. Behind her a disheveled and panting Portio came in and apologized. "I'm sorry your excellency I wasn't able to stop her," he panted out.
"Guards!"
Shortly after two giant men came in and it wasn't long after that until the woman was rather roughly dragged out kicking, screaming, and all. Deep down Silla wished she was the one to be dragged out so at least she would be free...
Soon afterwards, an awkward silence instilled. Although out of this strange situation finally all her grievances were finally relieved. She was so very thankful that this nut job wasn't trying to seduce her like she had originally suspected her romantically naive nature looking past it. He was just a simple cheat and a perv seeing that he already had a woman on the side.
Visiting the gardens alone to get some fresh air Silla brought snacks and a blanket with her to make a sort of breakfast picnic.
The clear sky was beautiful and green lush plants and flowers made it seem like she was in a fairytale novel. The garden was always a shade brighter after it rained. It was as if the gift of the skies wasn't water, but liquid magic, washing their world to show what was there all along, nature in her in humble brilliance. The buttercups became gold, the grass the shade of every dreamers meadow, roots quenched, soil renewed. And after the patter of the rain came bursts of birdsong, their hearts rejoicing the occasion of the rain.
It was rather peaceful without Declan...
She gently pulled out a bowl and started picking the raspberries from the bushes nearby. Into the bowl the fruits of the garden went as she weaved her way through the plants and various foliage.
The splash of red berries was so vibrant upon the green ceramic and her hands spread over the clay ripples as perfect starfish upon summer rocks. She sat alone watching the animal and birds eating her delicious snacks. Amid each green leaf and delicate petal, there are the dancing birds and the squirrels that dart. It is as if the song and the subtle movements of flora are their voice, the song of the garden for those who listen with more than their ears.
On the soft green grass next to her she felt a weight on the ground as someone sat next to her. She turned her head to the side looking through her dark locks to see who it was.
His soft shoulder length blonde hair blew lightly in the wind his pale green eyes looking out further into the gardens view.
Now alone with said man he softly spoke to her igniting an earlier conversation. "You are a strange v'oman you know?"
"V'hen I first took you, you v'ere freakishly much calmer than I expected but know z'at I don't expect you to be happy v'ith z'is. It's alright to be upset or afraid..." He smiled sadly at her and reached out softly stroking her cheek in attempt to comfort her as a single tear slipping out of her blue eye. It was at this point she didn't know to be sad or even mad at him and it was the most conflicting thing of her life; he was so sweet, yet he did an awful thing by kidnapping her. Taking her from her home.
She was already stressed out by the new changes and everything; maids, Portio, Declan's giant palace, and now being in a completely different part of the city, a completely different world altogether if she was being honest and he knew this. The only thing keeping her stable was the thought of going home eventually and that thought was shattered days ago.
But that wasn't what really bugged her. The thing that unsettled her the most was why? Why would he do this to her? Why would he take her and then be sweet to her? It made no sense and it was driving her crazy.
Yes, she was too prideful to start screaming and crying when he first kidnapped her but she wasn't exactly content with the situation. She was too stubborn to accept her fate even if it sparked with diamonds.
"W-Why did you take me in the first place? Y-You still haven't told me?" Her big watery doe eyes looking up at his soft yet wise pale forest ones that held a regretful hue.
Eventually, when he stayed silent with pity for the woman next to him and couldn't answer her she ran off wanting to be alone for awhile Declan letting her leave his hand still stretched out towards her departing form.
She explored even deeper into the estates gardens getting a bit lost in the process. Her bare feet running across the soft grass. Accidentally bumping into a maid on the way. "O-Oh I- am so sorry!" Sills apologized helping the other elderly woman up.
"It's quite alright Mada-" She was suddenly cut off as a loud yet sudden gust sounding. A silver glare flying through the air out of the corner of her eye the maid letting out a shocked gasp shortly after. A red wet substance splashing in the air glimmering in the green grass and on her pale skin. The deep red shinning her own in the light. Looking down the maids chest was covered in red slowly spreading as she bled out. Her eyes becoming duller and duller by the second dying shortly after the impact.
Her body falling over top her pinning her to the ground and keeping her from moving instantly causing shock and fear to flow through her body. Whoever tried to kill her barely missed by an inch as a stroke of luck and hit the poor maid Agnes who was in front of her.
A large black blurred figure stood over her in her hazy vision. A flashing gleam from a blade seen before a sharp pain in her stomach before the figure quickly left fleeing the scene. Blood coming from the new wound inflicted on her by the shadow man slowly closing her weak eyes.
...
After not seeing and hearing from Silla or any of the other workers in the garden Declan felt a sudden gut wrenching feeling a sudden pain in his abdomen. Something was seriously wrong. He ran through the trees and flora looking eventually stumbling onto a sight that made his head drop to his stomach.
"Silla."
His voice was desperate. She had lost consciousness. Her pale face was like a knife to his heart.
He yelled, "GET ME LAWSON!"
He couldn't move his love. He didn't know where she was hurt. He took off his overcoat and laid Silla down on it gently. The staff came running but when they saw his deadly expression they paled in fear.
"M-Master Declan..."
Portio the butler tried to say something, but he couldn't finish his sentence.
Declan took out his knife and walked towards the assassin who now laid tied up after trying to flee the scene the guards catching him around the fencing trying to escape. In one swift motion bright red blood sprayed onto the grass. It even covered his face smeared on only one part of his cheek, but he didn't seem to notice. The body spasmed a few times before quieting down.
His head snapped back and a crazed look in his pale eyes surrounded by unnatural dark circles that made him almost look like a corpse as his blood covered by made it impossible to see his other eye covered by a thin scar. Blood that was not his own running down his neck and onto his clothes. His blood stained sandy blonde hair hanging in his fallen face.
Declan looked at the corpse coldly. Everyone around barely breathed.
Then finally. Lawson arrived.
"Your excellency!"
Declan soon ordered in a low voice. "Treat her. If you don't save her, I v'ill kill you."
"I will do my best!"Lawson ran towards her and opened his bag.
Declan continued, "Yes. You better save her or else, everyone here v'ill die v'ith her."
The servants of the manor became pale. They knew very well how cruel their master could be. He had softened considerably after Silla had came to the castle and thus were very indebted to her, but they all knew his true nature. They didn't doubt his threat.
While they trembled in fear, Lawson announced, "Your excellency! I have done the emergency treatment. Madam can now be moved to your bedroom."
The green eyed man moved quickly throwing the bloody knife on the ground and running to Silla. He carefully picked her up, making sure not to touch her wound.
She looked pale as if she had died. His heart stopped as he looked down at her.Declan tried to overcome the fear that overwhelmed him and walked towards their bedroom. He had just brought her here and already there was an attempt on her life. He knew things like these would happen eventually as word got out that he had a lover but he never thought it would happen so soon much less get the better of them.
To Be Continued...