Eve's heart clenched as Baron Mortimer's cold words sank in. The man she was forced to call her father, the one who should have protected her, spoke of her as nothing more than a tool—a mere object to be handed over at his whim.
The pain was sharp, like a knife twisting in her chest, but it quickly ignited something deeper within her, anger. A burning anger that fueled her determination.
She thought of her sick mother, the reason she endured these hardships. The funds for her treatment came from the Baron, giving him control over her every action.
The resolve within Eve solidified, becoming an unbreakable vow. She would save her mother. She would escape this nightmare.
And one day, she would take down the Baron, ensuring he would never harm anyone again.
Baron Mortimer gave a final, dismissive glance at Adrian—still disguised as Darian—before the connection in the mirror severed, leaving only silence in its wake. Eve let out a slow, trembling breath, trying to steady herself.
Her hands, once trembling with fear, now balled into fists at her sides.
Adrian, noticing the turmoil in her eyes, took a moment to regain his composure before turning to her. His voice, though still carrying Darian's cold edge, softened slightly. "It's time. We need to move forward with the plan."
Eve nodded, pushing aside her emotions as best she could. "I understand. I'll do whatever it takes."
Adrian gave a sharp nod, satisfied with her resolve. "Good. We'll head to Everhart Manor now. From this point on, you are an offering to Adrian Everhart, and you must play your role convincingly."
Eve straightened, her expression hardening as she steeled herself for what was to come. "I'll do it. For my mother."
With that, they left the base, making their way to Everhart Manor. The journey was quiet, each of them lost in their thoughts, knowing the real test was about to begin.
As they approached the manor, Adrian's demeanor shifted once more, fully embracing Darian's cruel and calculating persona, while Eve prepared herself to play the part of the broken, submissive offering to the man who was supposedly her savior.
When they arrived at the gate of Everhart Manor, the guards immediately recognized Adrian in his Darian disguise. Their eyes narrowed, recalling that this was the same man Adrian had once thrown out with little ceremony.
"Halt!" one of the guards barked, stepping forward with his hand on the hilt of his sword. "What business do you have here, Darian? You were exiled from this estate."
Adrian, maintaining Darian's cold and calculating demeanor, didn't flinch. "Summon the acting head of the family. I have an important message from Baron Mortimer."
The guards exchanged suspicious glances but didn't dare disobey, especially since the name of Baron Mortimer carried significant weight. One of them nodded and hurried off to fetch Isabella, while the others kept a watchful eye on Adrian and Eve.
After a few tense moments, Isabella appeared, her posture rigid with authority and her eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and disdain as she saw who was standing at her gate. Adrian couldn't help but feel a pang of attraction as he observed her valiant demeanor.
He had never seen this side of her before; it was a stark contrast to the gentle and caring mother he knew. There was a fire in her eyes that made her seem all the more formidable and captivating.
"Darian," Isabella spat his name with venom, her gaze hard and unyielding. "You have some nerve showing your face here again. I should have you thrown out immediately."
Adrian, staying in character, bowed his head slightly. "Lady Isabella, I understand your feelings, but this concerns your son. I have a message directly from Baron Mortimer that you will want to hear."
Isabella's eyes flickered with a trace of concern, but she masked it quickly. "A message about my son, you say?" She hesitated for a brief moment, then turned to the guards. "Detain him. I don't trust a word he says."
The guards moved forward, ready to restrain Adrian, but before they could act, Eve spread her mana outward.
Dark tendrils of power coiled threateningly around the guards, making them freeze in place as she casted Dark Binding. The oppressive pressure of Eve's formidable magic hung in the air, and the guards hesitated, clearly outmatched.
Adrian seized the moment, his voice sharp and threatening. "I have people of this caliber around me. You might detain me here, but I don't care what happens to your son if you attack me. Now, do you really want to risk it?"
Isabella's eyes widened in shock, the tension in the air palpable. Her instincts told her this was more serious than she had initially thought. After a moment of tense silence, she lifted a hand, signaling the guards to stop.
"Stand down," she commanded, her voice tight with tension. "Let them inside."
Reluctantly, the guards stepped back, though their eyes remained wary and suspicious.
Isabella led the way into the manor, her steps brisk and full of purpose. Once inside the guest room, she turned to Adrian, her gaze icy and filled with mistrust. "You have five minutes. Speak."
"First, Lady Isabella," Adrian said, his voice still cold and calculating, "I must ask you to dismiss everyone from this room. What I have to say concerns your son, and it must remain confidential."
Isabella's eyes narrowed, her suspicion evident. "You expect me to trust you? You, of all people? The loyal lackey of Baron Mortimer. What makes you think I'll allow you to speak in private?"
Adrian, still maintaining his disguise, met her gaze evenly. "You don't have to trust me, Lady Isabella. But if you care for your son's safety, you'll take that chance. I promise you, this is a matter of utmost importance."
The guards bristled at the suggestion, their hands twitching toward their weapons, but Isabella raised a hand to stop them again. Concern for her son overrode her mistrust, and she nodded reluctantly. "Leave us," she ordered.
The guards hesitated but ultimately obeyed, filing out of the room one by one. Once the last guard had left, Isabella closed the door, her posture rigid as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Now, spit it out."
Adrian, still in Darian's form, scanned the room with his Appraisal technique, ensuring that there were no lingering presences or hidden dangers.
Satisfied that they were alone, he took a deep breath, letting the disguise melt away. His features shifted, his hair lightening, and his posture relaxing as he reverted to his true form.
Isabella's eyes widened in shock, her hands flying to her mouth as she took a step back. "Adrian?" she whispered, disbelief evident in her voice. "Is it really you?"
For a moment, Adrian saw the doubt and fear in her eyes, but as he began to speak, explaining everything that had happened—the ruse, the plan to save Eve and her mother, and his disguise—he watched the doubt slowly fade.
Her intuition as a mother and his mannerisms that had shown changes over the past few days matched with the current Adrian. Her eyes softened, and the stern mask she had worn earlier began to crack as she listened to her son's words. The resolve in her gaze was now mixed with a mother's relief and love.
Adrian felt a surge of emotion as he saw her valiant self break down to reveal the woman who had raised him. She was formidable, strong, and unyielding, yet still the mother he had always known.
His attraction towards her grew stronger in that moment, realizing that beneath her fierce exterior was a woman of immense strength and beauty. The feeling was confusing, but he pushed it aside for now, focusing on the task at hand.
Isabella's hand trembled slightly as she reached out to touch his face, as if to confirm that it was truly him. "Adrian... I can't believe it's you."
"It's me, Mother," Adrian said gently, placing his hand over hers. "I'm sorry for deceiving you, but I had to. We need to move in secret in case Mortimer's spies are around."
Isabella nodded, her eyes now filled with determination. "You have it. Whatever you need, Adrian. Just tell me what to do."