Melva nearly choked on her drink at the unexpected question, her cheeks heating up in embarrassment. That was such an improper favour to ask of her. He had been strongly against marriage and yet, he wanted to do something that only married people did. She had to make sure she heard it correctly. "I beg your pardon?"
A frown appeared on Vance's face and he sighed, rather dramatically if Melva were to describe. She couldn't help but suspect he was up to something. She was still unable to trust this man. It was better not to blindly believe everything he said.
"Believe me when I say I don't like this anymore than you do," reassured Vance, as though he knew she didn't believe him. "But we have no idea how long the effect will last. You saw how I collapsed earlier, not long after you touched me."
"Yes. And?" prompted Melva, encouraging him to elaborate as it was an incredulous idea.
"Having you near me all the time will give me peace of mind. It is only until we figure out how this works. If I can survive a night without your touch, then you can return to sleeping in your chamber. How does that sound?"
Melva could understand his concern for his own well-being, however, the question was obviously a trap. It was a demand, not asking for her opinion. Because she didn't have a say in anything as she was a part of the bargain. She was under his command, or Ichorhold would be in danger. Denying to obey him amounted to treason.
"Do I even have a choice?" asked Melva flatly, unamused.
"Yes, you do. Bed or couch?" teased Vance with a wicked grin.
"Couch," answered Melva at once, refusing to humour his teasing. She would never sleep on a bed with a man who was not her husband. "Is there a point in asking for my opinion if you already decide everything for me?"
He gave her a casual shrug. "No. But I thought you wanted me to be polite."
Melva's brows were furrowed in disapproval. This was clearly not what she would see as being polite. "Your demand is far from polite, Your Grace. You are asking an unmarried woman to spend a night in your chamber. It is considered immoral."
Vance deliberately widened his eyes, faking surprise. "Is this a marriage proposal?"
"Certainly not!" declined Melva, horrified at the thought.
The man was really testing her patience. She couldn't figure out what he was thinking. His character was unpredictable. He had gone from looking at her in disgust to playfully teasing her. It was impossible to know what he thought of her as of now.
Vance laughed in amusement after seeing her reaction. "Alright. You are allowed to sleep in your chamber, since you seem to dislike the idea of spending the night with me. However, leave your door unlocked. I might visit if I feel unwell."
She was unable to stop a relieved sigh slipping through her lips. Nevertheless, she was fine with it. It was better to let the man know how he had made her anxious. "Thank you, Your Grace. But if I may ask, why did you suddenly change your mind?"
The corner of his mouth turned into a lopsided smile. "I didn't. I was just intrigued to see how you would respond and as expected, you didn't disappoint me. The young women before you trembled in fear in my presence, yet you are calm and collected, as though I was just another human in your eyes. Are you not afraid of me?"
This man had the audacity to make her look like a fool. She was determined to answer his question in the most confident way, so that he would not mess with her again. "I am. But I know I will not be killed, because you need me alive to keep you breathing."
Vance raised his eyebrows in surprise, impressed at her bravery. "Clever. If you are finished with your food, you can return to your chamber and rest. Wilber will show you the way. We are going to the palace tomorrow."
"My apologies, Your Grace," said Melva with her head hung low. "I am no more than a mere townswoman back in Ichorhold. I have no right to stand before the King."
Melva was not sure if she was educated enough to speak with the King. Mrs. Halpine had been the only woman she had learned from, for she was not fortunate to have a governess educate her. She would be very nervous and unable to talk properly if she was given the chance to be in the King's presence. Therefore, she thought it would be better not to meet the King at all.
He chortled at her words. "Who said you will have an audience with the King? You will wait inside the carriage with the coachman. No need to worry."
Melva should be relieved that she was not going to be in the King's presence, but the way Vance had informed her about it was so insulting that she was infuriated. How rude this man was!
"Also, get rid of the dress you are wearing. It is unpleasant to the eye," added Vance, making Melva even more furious.
"I noticed. The way you look at it tells me that you have an odd preference for colour. What has the colour red ever done to you?" Her smile was sardonic as she mocked him for his dislike of the colour red. She was taking her revenge on him in order to get even. It was unfair if she let him insult her without her returning the deed.
"Enough to make me despise it." This time Vance didn't humour her and replied with a serious answer, which made her think something must have really happened to him in the past and it had something to do with the colour red.
Everything about him was mysterious to her. His words and his behaviour made her unable to figure him out, therefore she was curious to no end. Her inquisitive mind was eager to uncover his secrets and perhaps later, she could use them against him. It was odd how this man piqued her curiosity and yet irritated her all at the same time.
Life was unfair for giving this obnoxious man such an attractive outer appearance. He didn't deserve to look this handsome while having a rubbish personality.
"Now, off you go. We will depart early in the morning." The Duke got up from his seat and proceeded to call for Wilber. It was her cue to leave the chamber.
Without needing to be told twice, Melva stood up and bowed slightly at Vance before heading towards the door, which was held open by Wilber. It was not even that late at night yet. The time had barely gone past nine. Not that she fancied spending time with Vance, obviously. But what was she going to do in her chamber alone this early? If only she was allowed to roam around freely in the manor, she would love to have a tour. Unfortunately, that was highly unlikely.
Wilber had no words to say to her as he escorted her to the chamber right next to the Duke's. Elisha was already waiting for her by the door. Nodding his head politely at Melva, Wilber left the two women to return to Vance's chamber. Elisha opened the door for them and ushered her inside.
Unlike Vance's chamber which was void of colour, the empty chamber assigned to Melva was almost sparkling, extravagantly adorned with gold furnishings. It was at least as large as Vance's, if not larger. If she had not known better, she would have thought this was a king's chamber by how lavish it looked.
"Is the chamber to your liking, milady?" asked Elisha as she opened the wardrobe to take out a nightgown which looked brand new—surely not Melva's.
"If I were to be honest, this is much too posh for my liking. But who am I to complain?" said Melva rather bitterly at her nonexistent freedom to choose.
"My apologies, milady," apologised Elisha. "This is the nearest chamber to the Duke's, which is usually for housing guests during their stay. That might explain why it is so grand. I hope it will not bring you any discomfort."
"I cannot imagine this costly bed being uncomfortable to sleep on." Melva offered a polite smile at the young maid. She proceeded on introducing herself as she recalled she had not done so. "I am Melva Winchell from Ichorhold."
"I'm Elisha Halpine, milady, also from Ichorhold," said Elisha as she helped Melva take off her red dress that was gifted to her by Mrs. Halpine.
The family name was very familiar, yet Melva didn't recognise the girl. Did Mr. and Mrs. Halpine have a daughter around her age? They had not mentioned anything about her. If Elisha were their daughter, how had she ended up here? They would never send their own daughter to the demons when they could choose a random girl who happened to be in town like Melva.
'Why is Mr. and Mrs. Halpine's daughter working here as a maid for the demon?' thought Melva in bewilderment.