The following day, as the first light of dawn crept through the windows of Isolde's chamber, the maids arrived to clean the room, their whispers filled with rumors of the previous night's assassination attempt. News spread like wildfire through the castle, sparking fear and uncertainty among the servants and nobles alike.
Evelyn, Isolde's mother, rushed to her daughter's side upon hearing the news, her heart heavy with concern. However, the lingering scent of blood in the air made her feel nauseous, a visceral reminder of the danger that had threatened her beloved daughter. Despite her own discomfort, Evelyn pushed aside her own fears to comfort Isolde, wrapping her in a warm embrace.
Isolde, ever resilient, smiled reassuringly at her mother, her demeanor calm and composed despite the chaos that surrounded them. Her strength and poise were a source of solace for Evelyn, a reminder of the resilience that ran in their blood.
Meanwhile, Duke Sable, remained conspicuously absent, his indifference to his daughter's plight speaking volumes about his priorities. His failure to even acknowledge the assassination attempt left Isolde feeling betrayed and abandoned, further straining their already strained relationship.
But Evelyn, unable to bear witness to her daughter's suffering any longer, made a decision that would alter the course of their fate. With a resolve born of desperation and determination, she resolved to confront Duke Sable, to demand answers and justice for the harm that had befallen their family.
Gathering her courage, Evelyn made her way to Duke Sable's chambers, her footsteps echoing in the empty corridors of the castle. With each step, her resolve hardened, her determination unwavering in the face of uncertainty.
As she approached the door to Duke Sable's chambers, Evelyn braced herself for the confrontation that awaited her. Whatever the outcome, she knew that she could no longer stand idly by while her family suffered. The time for action had come, and she would stop at nothing to protect those she loved.
As Evelyn stood before the door to Duke Sable's chambers, her heart raced with a mix of determination and trepidation. With a deep breath, she knocked, and after a moment's pause, the door creaked open, granting her entrance. Duke Sable's surprise was evident as he beheld his wife standing before him, a sight he hadn't witnessed in years without coercion.
Approaching her with a mixture of astonishment and longing, he reached out as if to embrace her, but his gesture was met with a cold rejection that left him reeling. His eyes clouded with hurt, Duke Sable averted his gaze, unable to meet Evelyn's piercing stare.
"I am sorry…" he began, his voice heavy with regret, but Evelyn cut him off with a pointed question.
"Did you know regarding the assassination attempts on Isolde?" she demanded, her tone tinged with accusation.
His admission hung heavy in the air, a silent acknowledgment of his knowledge of the danger that had threatened their daughter. Evelyn's scoff betrayed her disbelief at his indifference to Isolde's safety.
"What do you want Evelyn?" Duke Sable interjected, his impatience evident in his tone. "I am a busy person, so hurry up and shoot instead of beating around the bush."
Pushing aside her own pride and resentment, Evelyn reached out to grasp her husband's hands, her voice pleading. "Please," she implored, her words laced with desperation. "Please help me at least once and protect Isolde. I cannot bear to watch our child suffer any longer."
But Duke Sable's response was as cold as ever, his eyes devoid of warmth. "What will I get in return?" he countered, his tone calculating.
Evelyn's anger flared at his callousness, her lips trembling with suppressed fury. "You are her father!" she admonished him, her words tinged with bitterness.
But Duke Sable's response was chilling. "So?" he retorted. "You know better than anyone else that the Sable family doesn't care about their own blood."
"What do you want?" Evelyn demanded, her voice quivering with a mix of rage and disbelief.
His answer stunned her into silence. "You," Duke Sable replied coldly, his gaze unwavering. "I want you."
Evelyn's eyes widened in disbelief, her mind reeling at the implications of his words. The realization dawned on her with a sickening clarity, leaving her speechless before the man she had once called her husband.
To be continued....