Lady Rosamund was confident that the slave was a nobody. It was an easy choice for her. If the dark force took the girl, no one would come to claim her. There would be no trace of her, no one would miss her. On the contrary, her daughter was a precious jewel, an important person for her.
Lady Rosamund was certain the dark forces wouldn't be able to tell the two women apart, especially when the girl looked almost exactly like her daughter.
"What did you think?" Lord Zoltar asked, turning to his wife.
She turned her head and said, "What?"
"The performance, of course."
"Well, it was okay."
Lord Zoltar frowned, surprised by her indifference. "Only 'okay'?"
"Yes," Lady Rosamund shrugged. "She's not that great."
"I see," Lord Zoltar said. "Well, I thought she was wonderful."
Lady Rosamund felt a pang of jealousy. "I suppose she has her charms."
"Indeed," Lord Zoltar agreed, his eyes fixed on Gwendolyn.
Gwendolyn had disappeared from the dining hall, leaving the audience stunned and impressed.
Lord Zoltar stood up and announced, "Everyone, thank you for coming. The show is over. Enjoy the rest of your night."
The guests started to disperse, murmuring excitedly about the performance.
Lord Zoltar turned to Lady Rosamund, a satisfied smile on his face. "What's wrong?" he asked, noticing his wife's displeasure.
"Nothing," she said, her tone icy.
He chuckled. "There's no need to be jealous, my love. She's just a slave, after all."
She remained silent.
He shook his head, amused. "You are too possessive. We are married, remember?"
Lady Rosamund glared at him, her eyes blazing with anger. "Just remember who you are, and what you owe me," she snapped.
Lord Zoltar sighed, rolling his eyes. "Yes, my dear," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"And, remember your place," Lady Rosamund added.
He clenched his jaw. "Yes, my dear. You don't have to remind me over and over again."
Lady Rosamund stormed out of the dining hall, her anger boiling over. She was determined to put her plan into action. She would hide her daughter and send the slave in her place. It was a perfect scheme, one her husband wouldn't suspect.
Without a second thought, Lady Rosamund hurried to her daughter's room with a determined stride, her mind focused on executing her plan.She was so focused on her plan that she didn't notice the strange shadows gathering in the corners of the corridors. They were lurking in the shadows, watching and waiting for their opportunity to strike.
As she entered her daughter's chamber, she quickly locked the door. She turned to face her daughter with a sad expression on her face.Seeing her mother's pale face, Livitha asked, "What's wrong, Mother?"
Grabbing her daughter's arm, Lady Rosamund began to tell about her husband's plan. "Your father will send you away," she explained, her voice shaking. "He wants to sacrifice you to the dark forces."
"What?" Livitha gasped, horrified.
"I'm so sorry, my dear. You have to run away. Now!"
Livitha stared at her, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Hurry, there's no time!" Lady Rosamund urged.
The young woman didn't move, stunned by her mother's words.
"You must listen, my daughter. I have to send you away from here, far away from this town, so they won't find you," she whispered, her voice breaking. "It's the only way to protect you."
"Mother, I can't leave you," Livitha protested, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Please, go!" Lady Rosamund urged.
"I don't understand," Livitha sobbed.
"You have to trust me."
"I do, Mother. But, what will happen to you?"
Lady Rosamund didn't answer. She pulled her daughter into her arms and hugged her tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
"No, Mother. Please come with me."
Lady Rosamund shook her head. "I can't. They'll find us both if I go."
"Then, I'm not leaving," Livitha insisted, taking a step back.
"You have to, for both our sakes."
Livitha's eyes widened. "But, Mother, I'm not ready! I can't leave without you."
Lady Rosamund held her at arm's length. "Yes, you can. You are stronger than you think, my dear," she said. "Now, listen. I have a plan. We will switch you for the new slave that performed tonight."
"What?"
"She will take your place, and you will be safe," Lady Rosamund said firmly.
Livitha's mouth dropped open. "You can't be serious, Mother."
"I'm deadly serious."
Livitha stared at her mother.
"You have to do as I say. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Livitha said, her voice trembling.
"Good. Now, change your dress and put on the slave's clothing. We don't have much time."
Livitha nodded, doing as her mother told her. Tears were flowing from her eyes as she understood the serious situation.
After her daughter changed into the slave's clothing, Lady Rosamund instructed, "Now, follow me."
They exited the room and snuck out of the castle through secret tunnel, careful not to make a sound.
Livitha took a deep breath, and then they ran as fast as they could towards the edge of the village.
"I'm scared, Mother," she whimpered.
"I know, my darling. But, it will be okay," Lady Rosamund reassured her. "I'll protect you."
As they approached the village, Lady Rosamund's heart was racing. She knew it was dangerous, but it was the only way to keep her daughter safe.
"Run quickly to the village, my child," Lady Rosamund ordered her daughter. "I will find the slave, and we will trade."
Livitha nodded, her eyes wide with fear. "What if they find me, Mother?"
"They won't. Don't worry. Quick!" Lady Rosamund gave her daughter a gentle push, urging her to hurry.
Livitha dashed into the darkness, her footsteps resonating on the cobblestones.
As Lady Rosamund watched her disappear, she turned back toward the castle.
She crept through the darkness, her eyes scanning the streets. She saw the slave's house, and without hesitation, she entered it.
The house was dark and quiet. She crept through the rooms, looking for the slave.
As she rounded a corner, she heard a rustling sound behind her.
Lady Rosamund froze, her heart pounding.
A figure emerged from the shadows, and Lady Rosamund gasped in surprise.