"It's late now. You should stay the night," suggested Astell while Adriana looked out of the window and nodded her head.
They had to discuss a lot more things until the sun had fallen. Adriana massaged her temples, feeling her head was about to burst. The last time she felt this way was two years ago.
For Adriana, two years was a long wait, and that long wait was hell. At last, she was free.
"Are you alright? How about I ask Felix to brew you a cup of tea before retiring the night?" Astell looked at Felix, who nodded and made his way to the kitchen.
"I…don't need it. I'm fine, " said Adriana, but it was too late as Felix had made his way out already.
"I disagree," Astell stood up and leaned closer to Adriana. "Others may not see it, but I can."
"And what makes you say so?" Adriana raised her head, not caring how near their faces were.
Astell continued to stare at Adriana, who smirked. She flicked her finger on his forehead, making him flinch. The flick didn't feel painful, but Astell rubbed his forehead just for an act.
"If you have nothing else to say. I will leave now," said Adriana.
"Have a good night, my lady," smiled Astell, which stunned Adriana for a while. She stood up, and before leaving the room, she said.
"Good night."
Adriana got out of the bathroom wearing a white bathrobe and a towel around her shoulder. As she walked toward her bed, droplets of water fell from the tips of her hair. She sat down and dried her hair.
Marriage. That word never once came into her head in the past. Since no one was willing to marry her. Even if it was for the money. But Astell Skydane accepted her.
Not to mention during the talks of the contract. His eyes looked serious and sincere. He wasn't the only one serious about this whole marriage. Not once did he discard her opinions. It was unusual for her.
Once, her hair was dry enough. Adriana went to sleep for the first time in a while. And slept like a child that night.
The following day came, and Astell knocked on her door. But no one responded. Then he opened the door. He didn't see anyone but a piece of paper on the table.
"I apologize for leaving first. A sudden matter arose back home," read Astell, and he folded the paper.
"The lady has left?" Felix asked, seeing no one in the room.
"She must have left before the servants had begun their day. That reminds me, is the Mariposa Mansion all set?" Astell asked Felix, who opened a notebook.
"The mansion just needs a few more adjustments, and it is all set," answered Felix.
"I see. Then I leave the rest to you," Astell patted his shoulder while Felix sighed. "I heard that."
"I apologize. I've been feeling a bit exhausted lately."
"Did you argue with your wife?" asked Astell.
"Not exactly. It's a disagreement," corrected Felix.
"But for women, it's an argument from what I learned from my parents. I'll allow you to leave early. Make sure to fix things," chuckled Astell.
A loud crash could be heard in the greenhouse as Ebony stood up and swung her hand in the air, slapping Adriana.
Jocelyn, who had witnessed it, stood up and stopped Ebony. She understood what Adriana did was wrong. But how dare she slaps her daughter?
"Ebony! Stop what you are doing right now!" Jocelyn walked to Adriana and comforted her. But Adriana shrugged her hand off.
"I'm alright," Adriana told Jocelyn with a cold look.
"Adriana, you stayed a night in a man's mansion and did not send a word about it. Then you come back saying, I wish you all well? You think you can leave this place?" Huffed Jocelyn while her maid tried to calm her down.
"Yes, I can leave this place. Once I'm married, I'm no longer a Belladonna," Adriana glared at Ebony.
"The audacity. Fine, I guess you are bold enough now," Ebony laughed out loud. "But Adriana, you're still not free just yet. Remember, I still can control you."
Adriana shivered, seeing the bloodlust in Ebony's eyes. Right, she almost forgot something important. That was her magic.
There was a reason why Ebony was chosen by Vayne Belladonna, and it was because of her magic. The power to control people by force. Ebony lifted her finger, which activated the spell in Adriana.
Her legs trembled as she tried fighting against the force cast on her. Adriana glared at Ebony, still fighting it. But every time she fights it, the pain grows stronger.
"Ebony! Stop it right now," ordered Jocelyn as she helplessly watched her daughter being crushed on the inside.
Adrian groaned softly as her legs gave up. Her chest tightened, making her unable to breathe all of a sudden.
"The more you fight, the more it will hurt," Ebony stood in front of Adriana, and as Jocelyn was about to charge toward Ebony, she was held back by the maids. "Bring Jocelyn back to her room and make sure she doesn't leave."
Ebony stared down at the helpless Adriana and laughed out loud. This is what she had wanted to see. A weak-looking Adriana. Now all she had to do was to beg. But of course, Adriana did not ask for it.
"What should I do with you? Since you're leaving, how about giving your husband a present?" Suggested Ebony while Adriana continued to grasp for air. Ebony snapped her finger and stopped the spell.
Adriana gasped and tried to push her body up, but her body felt all numb. She was left on the ground while eyes watched her.
"I should have done this earlier. But I'm only doing this since your father is not here. Now for the next two days. What should I do to you?" Ebony asked Adriana, whose vision was starting to blur. "Ah! That's right. The room. I'm sure you'll have a great time there."
Adriana did not bother to beg because that is what Ebony wanted from her. And she swore to never lower her head to a Belladonna.
Back in the Helene Mansion sat Astell, who was staring at a hairpin that Adriana had dropped. It looked old and rusty, which meant it was special to her.
"Felix, I must return this to the lady," mumbled Astell.
"What about supper?"
"I'll skip for the night. Prepare my horse," ordered Astell.