The room was completely unfamiliar. The wooden scent mixed with wax. The unicorn tapestry next to the stair and the large statues at the door. He had never been to this house. Yet the woman standing in front of him seemed oddly familiar despite the paleness of her skin, her dark circles that covered her eyes now. She did not look a day older, yet it felt like the centuries had passed since he had last seen her.
Because now, he did not feel the affection when he saw her. But her presence was like a blade spearing him, straight to his gut, reminding him how she had left him without turning when he had fallen from his position and wealth.
It had made his manner colder than required. He had no complaint against the household, only the master. When he was fighting in the bar, he was told that he needed to seize another house. The name had been familiar until they mentioned her.
If it had been anyone else, he would have felt joy, a sadistic feeling where he would take his so-called revenge. Mourn for the young man she had killed to marry in a wealthy family, a family that had harbored traitors and now she was going to lose her life for them.
But as he stood here and faced her, he felt nothing. This woman… She was nothing. And he.. Was nothing to her too. He took a sip from his ale as his men bowed in front of the lady.
The laced gown slowly slipped from her arms. His men sucked in a deep breath. They were not prepared for the games she could play. He was! After all, he had been burnt by them already.
In the inconstant light of the few left torches in the corner sconces, she took a few seconds to stop him. He waited, ignoring how his men were looking more at the fullness of her bosom than her face. Her red hair seemed to be burning in the moonlight and her golden eyes were sharp, burning but her face looked gaunt. Her large round eyes did not look girlish anymore. She had grown up as a beautiful woman in these two years.
He could feel the eyes of his men. They were wondering why he did not stand up to greet the lady. The crimes were not proved yet. She was still the marchioness while he was just an earl.
As her gaze found him, her shoulders stiffened. For a brief moment, her alarm was obvious. Finally he stood up and showed her his cold eyes. At least she knew that she was in trouble now. But she did not show it. Her face was still stoic, without any hint of emotions as he had found her in the crowds of their gatherings and the balls wherever their eyes meet. She had always worn the best gowns, finest jewels but her eyes were lifeless.
"My lady, as you must have been informed, we are here to make sure that your family is in alliance with the new rules of the kingdom. It will take us some time to be assured of that. We hope you will cooperate with us." If she was searching for hatred, she was a fool.
He had forgotten all about her. If not for her name, he would have not recognized her at all.
"We will require two private chambers and lodging for my men with a stable where only our horse would reside." he announced as if he owned this place. Her lips parted and her eyes narrowed.
She had no idea how large this palace was… but she was sure her husband would not prefer his presence.
"My husband is not in the manor. I request you to return when he is here to assist you with this matter." a hint of worry but she hid it well. The man turned to look at Lennart as if the lady had a valid point but he just sneered at her. She was not that fearful or worried about the public image when she visited him in the dark woods every week.
"Then call for him. We will wait in the dining halls until he returns." he sat again, showing that he had no mood of leaving. She gritted her teeth as she looked at the maids.
They bowed their heads showing their incompetence too. Ha! All these years she had fought for her right as a mistress of the house but they never treated her as one and now that she was taking a step back, they want her to take the responsibility of their crimes.
"Do you think I have the means to know where my husband is working? He must be busy with many deals. I have no source for knowing all of them." she spoke in a cutting voice, "if you want to take over our land in the name of assuring our allegiance to the king, you can say that in plain words." his men turned to look at him with uneasiness.
They could feel the heaviness between them even if they have no means to know the reason.
"Then I will speak in the language you can understand, your husband has been associated with the deals that might be harmful for the king. We are here to make sure that is not the case. Because if it is proven, it would not be the land you should be worried about." She sucked in a deep breath but stood straight as he took a step toward her.
"I am asking you once again, will you provide me lodgings or i must snatch your authority from you?" his voice must have been full of rage for her eyes trembled and she looked at him in a new light.
Yes, the kind man you used to know. The sweet person who used to give in is no longer alive. You killed him with your own hands.