In the hush expanse of the hallway, the exchange between Ravenna and Duke Vaelorian unfolded. Her words held a simmering annoyance, and his response was laden with a heavy sigh, indicating the tense atmosphere. As the conversation began, they faced each other in this opulent room, where the grand window allowed a view of a horizon veiled by a shroud of gray fog.
"Just to be clear, I only came back to see my little brother... I didn't come here to see you," Ravenna declared, her brows furrowing with a mix of thought and irritation. Duke Vaelorian, after a deep sigh and a pinch of his nose's bridge, turned his gaze to the misty horizon outside, his demeanor revealing a sense of resignation.
After a brief silence, he inquired "Ravenna, how's your mother doing?", and her response was laced with a forced smile. "Fine, she's still alive, she should make a full recovery soon. She will be thrilled to know that you asked about her. It has been twelve years, father, but you didn't even bother to come see my mother." Ravenna's tone turned sharp, and when her father met her gaze, his eyes held an undertone of truth and guilt.
In an attempt to change the subject, she inquired, "Where is Azrael?" Her voice void of emotion, but the question carried an underlying sense of concern. Duke Vaelorian, his gaze following hers, sighed softly, signaling the weight of what he was about to share. "He is serving punishment," he responded quietly.
This revelation only deepened Ravenna's frown, and she pressed for more information. "For what?" Her voice carried an undercurrent of anger, revealing her protective feelings toward her younger brother. Duke Vaelorian's features grew more serious as he turned to lock eyes with her.
Ravenna's protective instincts flared, her voice held a strong sense of concern as she pressed for more information. "What is it that he did that's making you punish him?"
In response, Duke Vaelorian's frustration boiled over, and he raised his voice as he explained, "He ventured into the human world when I clearly told him not to do such! He went into the human realm without my knowledge." His frustration was evident, with flaring nostrils and a raised voice. Yet, in an abrupt change of topic, he suggested, "It doesn't matter anyway, let's have a drink."
Ravenna's frown deepened, and she clenched her jaw, a vein pulsating on her forehead. Her fangs retracted, but her mounting irritation was palpable. As Duke Vaelorian took a step forward, she couldn't contain her impatience and snapped, "Take me to Azrael now!" Her father stopped in his tracks, and their gazes locked in a silent standoff.
"What?" Ravenna demanded, returning her father's gaze with equal intensity. Duke Vaelorian let out a deep sigh, his hand running through his hair as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He tried to shift the conversation, saying, "Let's spend some time together; it has been years since you've been here."
Ravenna's patience was wearing thin, and she had no intention of engaging in small talk. "I want to see my brother! I only want to see my brother; I have no reason to spend time with the likes of you!" She spat these words angrily, her glare piercing through him. Her emotions were resurfacing rapidly, and the familiar burning sensation behind her eyes hinted at the struggle to maintain control. Her agitation showed as her voice rose, and she reiterated her demand, "I ask again, where is my brother?"
Duke Vaelorian softened his expression slightly as he took another step closer to her," My daughter -" he started, but her demeanor remained cold and dangerous. The room crackled with tension as they stood at odds, their complex relationship laid bare.
Ravenna's fury boiled over, and she vehemently expressed her discontent, yelling, "I don't want you to call me that!" She took a step back, crossing her arms tightly over her chest, her eyes welling up with tears. Duke Vaelorian faced with his daughter's raw anger, paused and eventually relented, nodding as he conceded, "Okay, I will take you to Azrael."
While his words may have been conciliatory, he couldn't quite explain the pain he felt within. Seeing his daughter so upset and angry with him pierced something deep inside him, a raw ache he struggled to describe.
Ravenna couldn't help but notice her father's discomfort. She offered a sly, knowing glance as she thought, 'You suffer when seeing me like this, don't you? Well, suffer more.'
Her voice, even when she wasn't yelling, seemed to inflict pain upon him, a sensation he couldn't escape. His heart ached as he walked beside his daughter, heading toward the outside of the manor and the gates of the dungeon.
As they approached the dungeon gates, Sylas, the servant, was taken aback by the unexpected presence of Duke Vaelorian and Ravenna. Fear and surprise painted his features as he hastily addressed them, "Your grace!" He stepped forward quickly, his voice trembling with both surprise and anxiety. His eyes darted between the Duke and Ravenna, unsure of what to make of the situation.
Duke Vaelorian briefly acknowledged Sylas, and Ravenna casually noted, "You seem to be doing well, Sir Sylas," her tone masking her underlying tension. Sylas responded with a respectful nod.
She glanced toward the dungeon, her thoughts racing. 'Father has gone mad; don't tell me he locked Azrael up here?!' she silently wondered.
Duke Vaelorian decided to cut to the chase, addressing Sylas once more, saying, "Sylas, make way. Ravenna and I want to see Azrael." But Sylas hesitated, refusing to step aside.
Sylas remained steadfast, offering his explanation, "I apologize, My Lord, but I can't move away right now."
While Sylas and Duke Vaelorian continued their conversation, Ravenna pivoted away from them, heading towards the dungeons. Her countenance remained devoid of emotion, though the seething rage within her was palpable. As she arrived at the dungeon's entrance, she pushed open the creaking door to reveal the dark and dismal interior. Row upon row of cells stretched before her, and with each step, the scent of blood mixed with the pungent odor of sweat grew more pronounced.
She couldn't help but frown at the unsettling atmosphere but pressed on until she reached the final cell. There, she hesitated for a moment, her gaze fixed on the unlocked door. She walked to the entrance of the cell and found herself peering in at Drusilla. An ironic thought crossed her mind, 'So Drusilla was the little sneaky rat,' she mused to herself.
A hint of anger flared within her as her eyes shifted from Drusilla to the lean form of Azrael, but she promptly pushed it aside when she saw Drusilla feeding Azrael. With a mocking snicker, she quipped, "I see I knew my future sister-in-law would take care of my cute little brother while I'm away." The sudden arrival of Ravenna took Azrael and Drusilla by surprise. They both looked up from their spot in shock as they saw her enter the cell.
Ravenna sat down on the floor next to Drusilla, leaning against the wall. She closed her eyes for a moment, exhaling deeply. Azrael, puzzled by his sister's unexpected appearance, couldn't help but ask, "Ravenna?"
Just then, Duke Vaelorian entered the cell, the atmosphere growing tenser with his arrival.
Duke Vaelorian's voice cut through the air as he sternly announced, "I believe I ordered that no one should give Azrael food!" He shot a sharp glance at Drusilla, then briefly acknowledged Sylas who stood behind him.
Drusilla, appearing ready to explain, was promptly interrupted by Ravenna, who emitted an exasperated sigh. With a composed and unwavering tone, she addressed her father, saying, "Father, I think I have heard just about enough. Cancel this punishment and let Azrael go." Her words held a sense of finality, challenging her father's decision.