Even after some time had passed, she still couldn't get what Raymond said out of her head. Should she trust Declan or not? She already knew the answer and shouldn't doubt herself just because of some rich old fart.
However, the bracelet he gave her was beautiful, and she even considered going to Raymond house to receive the 'gift' he had prepared. Whatever it was she was very curious about it. He even threatened that if she didn't go she would regret it. It was definitely was a trap but what leverage could he possibly have over her?
She needed to find out...
Twirling the bracelet between her fingers Silla wondered if it had anything to do what this supposed 'gift' was when a sudden glint from one of the gems caught her eye. She let out a gasp as one of the many jewels on the bracelet suddenly turned blue.
She previously had Portio check the bracelet to see if it had anything on or in it. As she was paranoid that it might have poison or a tracker in it. Looking at the jewel with a magnifying glass, she looked closer to see it was a sodalite stone. When Silla was a young girl loved to study minerals and sodalite in particular changes color if the sun shines on it.
But sodalite stones are originally white in color, a blue sodalite stone is pretty rare...
Silla was starting to think that Raymond didn't give her this just for a simple gift...
He said that if she didn't go, she would regret it for sure. What could it be?
An idea suddenly hit her.
This entire time she had assumed the 'gift' would be an item but what if it was meant in a broader sense. Each gem on the bracelet was different and placed strategically in a certain order of Moonstone, Opal, Topaz, Hackmanite, Emerald, and Ruby. The placement might use different characters for its language but the alphabetical structure used is similar. If she took the first letter out of every gemstone. She got...
Mother.
At first she had assumed the gemstones on the bracelet were aligned according to their price and color but now she knew she was wrong. Was her... Mother in his hands? Does he want them to reunite? How could you call that a gift?
...Or did he intend to use her mother's life to threaten her ?
What does she do?
Does she ignore them?
But if she doesn't go and see her, what will be the consequences?
How is he planning to use her?
Ah, just thinking about it terrified her.
Noticing her pale expression, her fiancé came over to her. "Silla? V'hat's v"rong?" Declan questioned worried as she continued stare at the bracket in realization all sort of ideas spinning through her mind, a million miles an hour.
"T-There... -There was a hidden message in the bracelet... I think my mother is in his hands," she trailed off.
"If he does z'an v'e can rescue her. No one v'ill lay hands on my mother in-law." Declan reassured her pulling her into his arms. He still didn't know much about her or the fact that she abandoned Silla.
"Actually I might be able to completely ignore Raymond, but I'm worried that he will use that to stir more trouble," She spoke to which he looked shocked at her coldness towards her own mother.
"V'hy v'ould you do z'at? V'hat about your mother?" He asked her.
"Del I never considered her my mother after the day she abandoned me and quite frankly I don't care what happens to her," She told him as he only held her tighter than before.
"Hmm... If z'at's z'e case, z'en... I could just kill z'em all if you v'ant," He spoke seriously shocking the woman in his arms.
Damn. He was ice cold like those eyes of his.
Such a beautiful sociopath.
"Uh... T-That's not a good idea, Del... There would be serious backlash," she explained as he huffed under his breath.
Silla didn't want to see her mother but...
"It would be best if I could solve this without meeting her, but it doesn't seem like I have a choice. I'm going," Silla declared as he gazed down at her in shock and fury.
"ABSOLUTELY NOT! I V'ILL NOT ALLOW IT!" He shouted flipping out; he looked like an angry bird who just got his feathers ruffled. Ever since Raymond showed up in his territory, uninvited Declan was constantly breathing down her neck, and security had been doubled once again.
"It's funny... Cause I wasn't asking for permission," she mumbled under her breath as he seemed to catch it.
"V'hat v'as z'at, love?" He dangerously questioned his lips in a firm smile.
"N-Nothing... Besides, we need to take the initiative." She spoke to him.
"Z'e initiative?" He tilted his head.
"We can announce to the public that my mother has passed away and hold a funeral right after." She explained surprising him.
"... You're doing z'is to deny z'e person in Raymond's hands is your mother right?" Declan mumbled deep in thought.
"Exactly. But first please help me find out if the person at Raymond's house is really my mother," She asked him.
"If z'at's z'e case z'en v'e can spread z'e rumor," Declan proudly kissed her on the cheek.
"However... Are you sure about z'is? Don't you miss your mother at all? I just don't v'ant you to have any regrets." He spoke peppering kisses on her collar bone.
If Silla was asked if she hated her mother, she'd say she does hold some resentment against her. But if she was asked if it was hatred akin to a raging flame, and if she hated her to the point she would kill her, that would be no. If she had continued to live with her father, her answer might have been yes.
But the her now had Cain and her friends, plus Declan; not that he really counted... And they love me, so a part of the hatred she felt died down.
"No, I don't miss her but I don't wish to see her either... I just hope we can pretend we don't know each other, like complete strangers. It would be ideal for me if she stays someplace I can't see her." She spoke looking down at the bracelet in thought.
Word about her mother's funeral spread fast among socialites. The rumor was so fast that she was already getting letters of condolences before she could even say anything. Not only that but to make things even more dramatic they said her mother volunteered and prayed for others at an old abbey. Her death was exaggerated to have been caused by an infectious disease. Apparently being Declan's future spouse brought in a lot of publicity; with him being an important figure here in this territory and all.
"Would you like to wear this pearl necklace with your outfit, Madam?" The maid asked Silla as she got ready for her mother's supposed funeral.
"No, the outfit is enough." Her long black dress held a gloomy look and was perfect for what was to come.
"Silla... Raymond immediately responded to your mother's funeral. He wishes to move z'e invitation to an earlier date." Declan informed her.
"Earlier? Why would he want that?" She asked shocked.
"I v'onder. Perhaps he v'ants to show us z'at your mother is actually alive." He said in deep thought.
"We can tell him that I can't leave due to the funeral," she came up with an excuse. She knew doing this would especially piss Raymond off. It was fine anyways seeing as she was going to sneak outside the mansion and go to his manor by herself. However first she would have to ditch all the trackers Declan put on her.
Silla would go to Raymond and deny him in person. It would also be a good idea to have a rumor about how despicable he is to use someone acting as her mother. And most of all she was curious to know what he wants her to do by using her mother. Although sneaking away from Declan would be the hardest part of her plan but it had to be done.
...
"Cain go give z'is bracelet to Silla." The man lazily slung the expensive gems from where he was perched on his leather chair. The bracelet he flung slapping the young boy in the face on impact causing the boy to angrily turn over to the obviously bored green eyed man.
He wasn't one of Declan's under paid servants. "Why don't you go give it to her yourself? Given your crazy personality you'd have no trouble finding her."
"Hmm... Nah." He spun himself in his swivel chair.
Sighing the young boy went up the spiral staircase. Ever since he appointed Cain as his apprentice, he had been the mans slave.
Opening the door to the room, he was surprised to see Silla not there and soon after checking more of her usual hangouts panic set in. Rushing down the stares he slammed open the doors to Declan's study causing the man to fall out of his spinning chair. Just as he was about to yell at the boy for the sudden commotion, he stopped when he saw his panic stricken face and knew something had happened.
....
Once at Raymond's manor she was quickly greeted by Mrs. White Raymond's wife. Her brown hair and green eyes glinting with hatred.
"Hmm... Nice to see you again-sort of.." Silla trailed off.
"The pleasure is mine, Silla." She said with a smile which creeped her out a bit. There was something off about it more so than usual. As soon as she was completely through the entrance the door suddenly slammed, shut and locked. Silla being not as shocked as she thought she would be despite being trapped.
"Now then, let's sit down and have some tea," She said trailing off as the girl followed her farther in. Moving on from the sudden pause and awkwardness in their conversation, she opened her mouth.
"I heard you have a gift that will surprise me."
"Oh, you rush things. You're looking for your present as soon as you got here." She mocked the girl.
"We'll get to that in time. Though you might be more comfortable talking with someone your age, rather than an old lady like me, right?" Raymond's wife quipped.
"Lethe come in," She called and soon after a young man around Declan's age came in through a door. He had brown hair and pitch black eyes much like Raymond's and she recognized him from the party.
"This is my son Lethe. He's around the same age as you. I know you'll enjoy his company." She smirked.
She did realize she was engaged?
Right?
"Hi... I'm Silla," she said reaching her hand out towards his in a firm hand shake; not knowing what else to do. It was hilarious that his mother said 'around the same age' he seemed to be in his late twenty's.
"You two enjoy yourselves together. I'll excuse myself and leave you, youngsters." His mother spoke swiftly making her exit.
Did they really just want to introduce me to their son?
Seriously? Are they out of their minds?
Although Lethe did kind of resemble Del...
Maybe it is fine to at least talk to him a little?
"Why don't we take a stroll in the gardens," Lethe suggested before dragging her away.
Once there she was amazed at the sight. It was beautiful! The fountains and flowers were kept in perfect shape. The grass was so green she thought it had been dyed. As they sat outdoors and talked, she was starting to notice even more similarities between him and Declan. Turns out Lethe was a good conversation partner and she didn't have to worry about getting bored as he always brought up interesting topics.
"Silla won't you seriously consider it again?" He asked.
"About what?" She was curious to what he meant.
"About getting to know me better," He said grasping her hand a blush forming on his face.
"Uh..."
"I'd like to make something clear. Lethe I don't intend to get to know you or see you after today." She honestly told him as he paled starting to grit his teeth.
"Y-You bitch! I knew you were just a whore just like all the rest of Declan's flings!" He screeched like a small child throwing a tantrum.
"I was wrong to think you were something special. Well, you did hold a funeral for your mother who is alive and well," he sneered.
"I'm not sure what you mean, my mother passed away," She sighed as a single fake tear slipped out her eye.
"It hasn't been long since I took off my mourning dress, yet you say such a thing..." Silla whimpered feigning innocence while he stormed away in anger. Lethe was just a baby in mans clothes and a sore loser.
To Be Continued...