"L-lady, your face. Should I bring a cold towel for you?" asked Joana, nervously approaching Adriana.
"An ointment is enough. Don't make such a big fuss about this," replied Adriana though she did not care much about her face.
"How can the madam do this to you?" Joana grumbled, knowing Jocelyn's temper.
"It's nothing new."
"Then I'll be back with the ointment and afternoon tea to calm yourself," smiled Joana as she made her way out.
For some odd reason, Adriana felt that Joana had become used to her by now. At first, the timid young maid couldn't even look into her eyes.
But Joana managed to gather her courage and face Adriana, which was impressive. At least there was a maid who could stand beside her now.
Something like this did happen, but Adriana never noticed it. Now that Adriana thinks about it. This made her wonder how different she was in the past.
The so-called poison beauty in the past was spoiled and noisy. To make it short, she was a total brat.
But Adriana had changed. She isn't the girl who did not know anything. The past had hurt her.
Adriana sighed, remembering the conversation between her and Jocelyn. In her past, she was once engaged to a son of a Marquess. But it never went through as the son suddenly died. It was unfortunate when the son was a great person.
It wasn't announced since no one knew who the murderer was. But Adriana had a hunch who it was. As one's jealousy and possessiveness can lead to murder.
This year will be stressful for Adriana. Her father will be bothering her a lot, and so will Ebony and Jocelyn. At one point, she'll need to find someone to get married to.
"Lady! I'm back. Do you need help?" asked Joana, who held a tray.
"No, I'll do it on my own."
"Aw, I understand," listened to Joana as she placed the teapot and cup on the table. "I made some yellow tea and added mints to lighten the taste."
"Mint?" Adriana questioned as she watched Joana pour tea into her cup.
"I heard...actually observed that you seem to enjoy the taste of mint," Joana hesitated, wondering if she had said too much.
Adriana hummed and was impressed by Joana. It seems like Joana is a lot more useful than she had thought.
"What else did you observe from me?" asked Adriana, who took a sip.
"The lady seems to enjoy eating anything related to strawberries."
"You're not wrong," grinned Adriana taking a bite of the strawberry pie.
Adriana heard soft laughter from Joana, and their eyes met. Joana stiffened up and wondered if she was too comfortable around Adriana.
"It's alright to laugh and smile around me. It's not like I will punish you for that," stated Adriana, which made Joana smile ear to ear.
The perception of Adriana being a cold-blooded woman was not entirely true. There was at least five percent kindness in her. And Joana was grateful that Adriana had softened throughout the year.
"If there is anything you want, please tell me! I'll get it as fast as possible."
Adriana enjoyed her tea so much that she did not realize the night had fallen.
Before Joana left the room to retire, she placed a white envelope on the side table.
When Adriana saw the name. A smile lifts across her face, and she opens the envelope.
The stories told by Raven were quite interesting for Adriana, and she found herself laughing at them. And some were news.
Though all their letters are inspected before being sent. They had to make some sort of code that only they could understand.
The letter goes:
"Dear sister, how are you doing? I hope you are feeling a lot better now. I was wondering if you are coming to my graduation? You don't have to if your body can't handle it. But it would be nice if you did come. If you do, I'll introduce you to Lincoln and Levious. Also, I'll be bringing home them here. I want to introduce you to two of my two friends, and I hope you'll like them. Then see you soon, and don't get sick before I see you."
Adriana chuckled and placed the letter back into the envelope. She grabbed a book before tucking herself into bed.
Adriana turned the light stone off and shut her eyes. But heard a footstep slowly making its way towards her.
Adriana kept her eyes shut, pretending to be asleep. She felt a finger slip through the tips of her hair.
"Are you pretending to be asleep?" asked a man in a low tone. "I know you're not asleep. Don't you think you should greet me?"
"And what do you think are you doing at this time?" Adriana slowly opened her eyes to meet a pair of red eyes in front of her.
Issac sat on the side of the bed while his face was a few meters away from Adriana's. He traced her lips with his thumb and moved closer, but Adriana placed a hand covering his lips.
"Get away from me."
Issac stared into her eyes and smirked. He moved back and watched Adriana sit up. He had his legs crossed while he continued to admire her beauty.
"You look thinner. Have you not been eating?" Inquired Issac.
"And why do you care?" Adriana said tartly.
"Of course, I would care," smirked Issac, who moved closer to her.
Adriana's back was pressed onto the wall while Issac slowly approached her. He reached his hand out, but Adriana slapped it away.
"How fierce. It seems like you've changed a bit."
"I wouldn't stay the same way, and you haven't changed either," taunted Adriana, who pushed Issac off her bed. "You're dirty. Don't sit on my bed."
Issac was taken aback by her action. He slowly turned his head, looked at her, and then laughed aloud.
"Adriana, don't you know I've agreed with father?" asked Issac, who forcefully grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer to him. He moved to pin Adriana on the bed, lowered his head, and whispered, "Once I return, I'll make you my wife."
Adriana shuddered and tried pushing Issac away, but his strength was far superior to her, making her give up. Instead, she used her knee and kicked him in the stomach.
This made Issac lower his guard, and Adriana used this to push him away. Her brows were furrowed in anger that she did not want to deal with him longer.
"You think I'll agree to that?" snapped Adriana, who used Yashiro to restrain Issac. "I've found someone, and I'm planning to marry him."
Issac's eyes grew wide, and he tried grabbing her wrist, but Yashiro blocked him.
Issac then asked, "Who is it? Who is the man you plan to marry?" Issac could not believe her words. And at that moment, he was ready to hunt the man down.
"I won't tell you," Adriana shook her head.
"I see. If you won't tell me. I'll just figure it out on my own," Issac called Lucifer and pushed Yashiro out of the way. Issac warned before leaving her room, "Don't you think you've won. You're still mine, Adriana."
"Are you alright?" asked Yashiro.
"Yes," answered Adriana. "I'll be asking you to add a layer of protection."
"As you wish."
So it was today that Issac arrived back home. Adriana had spoken too soon about the house being in peace. And because of that, Adriana had a sleepless night. Issac is back, and it was not a good sign for her.