The atmosphere became unbearable, the air heavy with the weight of their animosity. Lucian stood tall, glaring down at Mikhail, who met his gaze with an unwavering intensity.
Mikhail clenched his jaws and gritted his teeth, fighting to keep his composure. Lucian's words pierced his heart, stoking the fire of his anger. But he knew he had to stay strong.
"Meaning you have no say in the decisions I make for this family," Lucian continued, his tone now icy cold and filled with disdain. He smirked at Mikhail's visible reaction, a flicker of satisfaction dancing in his eyes.
Mikhail seethed with anger, his emotions bubbling like a cauldron ready to spill over. The words that had been spoken between him and Lucian echoed through his mind, bringing back memories of their childhood. He couldn't believe how Lucian could have forgotten.
"Have you forgotten what you said to me when we were kids?" Mikhail growled, the words laced with bitterness, his voice heavy with resentment. He stared at Lucian, his eyes filled with disappointment and frustration.
Lucian's face contorted in shock, a flicker of realization crossing his features before they fell into a mask of sadness. His voice trembled with genuine confusion as he responded, "What are you talking about?"
"Don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about," Mikhail shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm. His anger began to dissipate into a profound sorrow, but he refused to let it fade completely. The weight of his words hung in the air, a heavy silence enveloping them.
Lucian attempted to speak, to defend himself or offer an explanation, but Mikhail wouldn't allow it. He cut him off, refusing to let his brother evade responsibility. "You said you wouldn't be like our father, but it seems those words were just empty promises," Mikhail stated, his voice resonating with disappointment.
He paused, taking a deep breath, determined to conceal any trace of emotion on his face. As he lifted his gaze, his eyes hardened with resolve. "You fail to comprehend the extent of your own hypocrisy. It's clear to me that kindness is not a quality you possess." With venom in his voice, he spat out his words, leaving a bitter taste in the air.
Lucian's eyes widened in disbelief. "Your responsibility is to train my children, not to lecture me, Mikhail! Leave this instant!" he bellowed in frustration, pointing an accusatory finger towards the door.
Without uttering another word, Mikhail turned on his heels and stormed out of the study, slamming the door shut with a resounding bang.
***
The sun began its descent, casting a radiant golden glow upon the city. Eveloria, having completed her bath, slipped into a flowing white nightgown. With her footsteps echoing throughout the room, she made her way towards the not so cozy haven of her bed.
Sinking onto the soft mattress, Eveloria pulled the covers up to her chin. Her gaze drifted towards the window, where she could see the bustling street below. A chilly breeze infiltrated her room through the open window, causing a shiver to run down her spine. Wrapping herself tightly in the embrace of the thin covers, Eveloria found comfort in the captivating view outside. With a gentle smile forming on her lips, she whispered to herself, "This is the one beautiful thing in this room."
Her bedroom window faced north, serving as a perfect gateway to the world beyond. Positioned directly in front of her bedroom door, it offered an uninterrupted panorama of the sprawling city below. In that moment, gazing upon the endless expanse before her, Eveloria couldn't help but feel a sense of boundless freedom.
A sudden knock at the door startled Eveloria. She tore her gaze away from the mesmerizing city view outside her window and called out, "Come in."
The door creaked open, revealing Marlene with a look of both relief and exhaustion on her face. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, taking a few deep breaths to regain composure. "Oh my god, that was a close call," she murmured to herself before locking eyes with Eveloria.
Marlene pushed herself off the door and approached Eveloria, who was perched on the edge of the bed. Gracefully, she reached out and clasped Eveloria's hands in hers, holding them tightly as if afraid she might vanish in the blink of an eye.
"Are you okay?" Marlene asked, her voice filled with genuine concern. "You seemed quite scared when I walked in."
Eveloria felt Marlene's grip tighten, reassuring and comforting. She mustered a smile and replied, "No, I'm fine, really. It just caught me off guard, that's all."
She released her hands and smiled at her as they hugged for a brief moment before stepping back again. Marlene's gaze shifted from Eveloria's eyes down to their entwined hands.
"I wanted to bring you dinner, but your stepmother seems to be watching me closely. I'm sorry," her expression softened, concern written all over her face. Eveloria assured her, "It's alright. I'm not hungry anyway," although that wasn't entirely true. She was actually starving but didn't want to burden Marlene with her hunger.
Marlene saw through Eveloria's lie. As she was about to protest, she could hear the hunger in Eveloria's voice, but Eveloria quickly changed the subject. "By the way, why didn't you come to wake me up?" she asked, confusion evident in her voice. Marlene looked a little guilty but didn't respond immediately. "I was sent to the town's market at the town square," she explained.
"Did that woman make you do it?" Eveloria questioned. Marlene replied quietly, almost too low to hear, "No, it was Lady Briana. She even got her mother involved. That's why I had to go. I'm sorry," she added, looking up at Eveloria through her long lashes with a sad expression.
"It's okay. Briana really thinks I'm easy to fool," Eveloria responded, trying not to sound bitter about it. "Reminds me of the flower crown incident that almost killed me," Eveloria recalled, her tone tinged with bitterness.
"She probably never expected me to spill the beans about her actions after she threatened me," Marlene said, her voice filled with anger and disappointment.
Eveloria nodded knowingly. "I suppose I should have anticipated this," she sighed, feeling a mix of regret and resignation.
"I will take my leave now, Lady Eveloria. You should rest," Marlene informed her, her tone firm. Eveloria nodded in understanding, offering a faint smile.
"Goodnight, Marlene," Eveloria bid her farewell, waving as Marlene exited the room. "Rest well, Lady Eveloria," Marlene replied, casting one last glance before disappearing from sight.
***
Night had descended upon the kingdom, wrapping it in a chilly embrace. The moon, bright and full, hung in the starless sky, casting its silvery light upon the forest floor. Leaves danced gracefully to the cool night breeze, their rustling blending with the peaceful darkness of the surrounding trees.
A carriage approached, its wheels chattering along the dirt road, and horses' hooves clopped steadily as they trotted forward. Eventually, the carriage came to a halt, signaled by a tall, muscular young man with burnished copper hair and piercing steel-gray eyes. His rich brown skin, broad shoulders, and well-toned physique exuded an air of masculinity akin to that of a skilled athlete. Dressed in long, flowing black cloak and gleaming armor, he stood out amongst the crowd.
Sir Tristan, for that was his name, surveyed his surroundings with keen eyes, taking note of every detail in the forest. His steel-gray eyes seemed capable of piercing through to one's very soul, much like a sharp sword slicing through any obstacle in its path.
Approaching him, a fellow knight inquired, "Sir Tristan, why have we suddenly come to a stop?"
Tristan cast a quick glance at the man before declaring, "We shall set up camp here." The knight, taken aback, interjected, "Captain, you cannot defy the young lord's explicit command! He expressly instructed us to return today."
Turning his gaze to the side, Tristan gestured towards a clearing behind him. A small hill, crafted from ancient stones and cloaked in a thick carpet of grass and moss, beckoned. With unwavering determination, he continued, "This shall be our campsite. Pitch your tent here while I venture forth to gather firewood for the night."
"Captain, please hear me out," the knight protested, his voice tinged with concern. However, the intensity of Tristan's stare left no room for further argument. A silent exchange transpired between the two warriors, their eyes speaking volumes. After several tense minutes, Tristan broke the silence, addressing Sir Roland, "Look at our comrades. Can you honestly say they are fit to continue this perilous journey?"
Roland shook his head, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "If we disregard the young lord's directive, who knows what dire consequences may befall us," he lamented. Tristan's gaze shifted to the other knights, observing their agreeing nods.
"I shall shoulder the burden of responsibility. Merely heed my words," Tristan asserted, turning back to face Roland. Firmly, he commanded, "Establish camp with utmost haste. The longer we tarry, the greater the risk of discovery. I shall return shortly."
Roland's reluctance was evident, yet he found himself bound by the authority of the young captain. As the esteemed leader of the guard, Sir Tristan held the power to dictate their actions, leaving Roland with little choice but to comply.
"Very well, Sir Tristan," he muttered, his words laced with resignation. With a heavy sigh, Roland turned away, his gaze fixating on the dense forest ahead. Determined to fulfill his assigned task, he ventured forth, disappearing amidst the rich green foliage in search of the necessary firewood.