Last year, Cedric Dukedom was plunged into an unexpected abyss as news spread of the untimely demise of Duke Cedric, a stalwart leader known for his courage and martial prowess. The circumstances surrounding his passing remained shrouded in mystery, casting a somber veil over the once-honorable dukedom in the eastern part of the empire.
Duke Cedric's death marked the end of an era, leaving the people of the dukedom in mourning for a leader who had guided them with unwavering loyalty. The grand castle, once resonant with the echoes of noble lineage, now stood in solemn silence.
The abrupt shift in power came with the ascension of Duke Cedric's adopted son, a figure notorious for his tyranny. The young lord, with mysterious black hair and hazel eyes that seemed to hold secrets untold, emerged as the unexpected heir to the legacy of Cedric Dukedom.
In contrast to the noble traditions of the Knights' lineage, the new duke wielded authority with an iron fist. His arrival was marked by an air of enigma, as the people tried to decipher the motives behind his sudden rise to power. The grand halls of the castle, once adorned with the symbols of honor, now bore witness to an unsettling transformation.
The adopted son's rule was characterized by a shadowy demeanor that left the inhabitants of the dukedom uneasy. Whispers of his mysterious origins circulated among the villagers, adding to the aura of uncertainty that enveloped Cedric Dukedom. His governance, unlike the strategic brilliance of his predecessor, leaned towards tyranny, with a disregard for the traditions that had defined the dukedom for generations.
The lands that were once peaceful under Duke Cedric's leadership now experienced the heavy hand of oppression. The imperial army, once a disciplined force upholding honor, began to reflect the darker inclinations of the new duke. Banners that once fluttered proudly now seemed to cast a foreboding shadow over the eastern territories.
As the people of Cedric Dukedom grappled with the abrupt shift in power, they couldn't help but wonder about the true nature of the mysterious figure who now held their fate in his hands. The castle, once a symbol of strength and honor, became a fortress of uncertainty, and Duke Lucian, ruled with a reign that left the eastern part of the empire in a state of unease and trepidation.
Elena's arrival at Viscount Reynard Stirling's grand estate marked the beginning of a new chapter veiled in uncertainty and trepidation. The imposing mansion, surrounded by meticulously landscaped gardens, echoed with the whispers of servants scurrying about their duties.
The viscount, known for his infamous reputation, awaited Elena's entrance into the opulent receiving hall. With a demeanor that exuded arrogance, Reynard Stirling observed her arrival with a calculating gaze. His eyes, cold and calculating, seemed to strip away any semblance of privacy.
As Elena stepped into the lavishly adorned hall, adorned in garments that mirrored her newfound status, she couldn't escape the disquieting atmosphere that permeated the air. The viscount's gaze, lingering on her with an unsettling intensity, hinted at the tumultuous journey that awaited her.
The servants guided the new mistress to her room, their behavior seemed professional like they were used to seeing new faces in the manor. The maids helped Elena settled down and take a warm bath as one of the them provided Elena with new clothes and combed her hair. "Be prepared for tonight, the lord will visit your room." They said before retiring from the room. Elena sat there hesitating, from a mere slave to a bride, she came a long way, but her guts told her that it won't end well with Viscount. With each passing hours, her heartbeat increased waiting for the unknown fate.
The door swung open abruptly as the Viscount entered, casting a disdainful gaze upon her. His hand rose swiftly, delivering a harsh slap that sent her tumbling onto the bed. The impact left her face marked, blood oozing from the scratches, her body trembling with a mixture of fear and disbelief. She had anticipated mistreatment in this grand estate, but the Viscount's true nature unveiled itself on the very first day.
"You deceitful wench! Your family has played me for a fool! First, they send an illegitimate daughter, and now I discover you're nothing more than a slave! Do they truly believe I would soil myself by siring offspring with a lowly slave?" His face burned with anger, and Elena, her cheek throbbing, pressed her hand against it, shivering in shock. The revelation of her identity had come faster than she could comprehend.
"I-I am sorry, my lord," she stammered, pleading for mercy.
"YOU WILL NOT TAINT MY ESTATE!" he bellowed, his fury escalating. Gripping her by the hair, he yanked her off the bed and threw her to the floor. "A creature like you doesn't even deserve to be a servant in my house," he declared, unleashing a torrent of blows with a cane. With each strike, she prayed for release, yearning for an end to her wretched existence."DON'T YOU DARE RUIN MY MANSION!!!" he screams before grabbing her by her hair and yanking her throwing her on the floor. "A bitch like you, don't even deserve to be a servant in my house!", he says before starting to beat her with cane, with each hit, she prayed that it was the last one, she wished that her miserable life come to an end.
To be continued....