As the clones of Adrian and Sophia, now disguised as Darian and Eve, approached Baron Mortimer's castle, the dark stone structure loomed ominously in the distance.
The air around them grew colder, and the bustling noise of the city gradually faded into an unsettling silence. The castle's massive gates were guarded by two stern-faced soldiers, clad in heavy armor and wielding spears.
Adrian's clone, maintaining his confident facade as Darian, approached the gate with an air of authority. The guards eyed him warily, their grips tightening on their weapons as they blocked the path.
"Halt!" one of the guards commanded, his voice firm. "State your business."
Adrian's clone raised a hand, signaling for them to relax. With a smooth motion, he removed the cloak that had been covering his face, revealing the meticulously crafted illusion of Darian.
The guards' eyes widened in recognition, and they quickly straightened up, offering him a respectful salute.
"Lord Darian," the guard said, his tone shifting from suspicion to deference. "We apologize for the delay. We didn't recognize you at first. Please, come inside."
The gates creaked open, and Adrian's clone nodded curtly before stepping through, with Sophia's clone—disguised as Eve—following closely behind.
The guards closed the gates behind them, their stern expressions returning as they resumed their watch.
As the clones made their way through the castle's dimly lit corridors, the news of "Darian's" arrival quickly spread among the staff and soldiers.
Whispers filled the hallways, and the tension was palpable as they approached the meeting room, known as the council chamber.
As the clones of Adrian and Sophia, now disguised as Darian and Eve, entered the council chamber, Baron Mortimer's calculating gaze fell upon them.
The room was dimly lit, adding to the ominous atmosphere. Mortimer's tall, imposing figure stood at the head of the table, flanked by two of his most trusted advisors.
His graying hair and cold eyes betrayed nothing of his true intentions, but his presence exuded authority.
When Darian entered, Mortimer's lips curled into a thin, knowing smile. Unlike most, he didn't need to put on a facade of warmth.
He knew that Darian, his trusted advisor and the one who handled all his dirty work, preferred straightforwardness.
"Darian," Mortimer said, his voice low and smooth, filled with an underlying menace. "I see you've returned. How was your little excursion?"
The clone, disguised as Darian, nodded curtly, his posture stiff with the weight of the role he was playing. "Uneventful, my lord," he replied. "Though dealing with Adrian Everhart was... enlightening."
Mortimer raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Enlightening? Do tell."
Darian gestured slightly to the clone of Sophia, disguised as Eve, who stood quietly beside him with her head bowed.
"Adrian is much worse than the rumors suggest. Capricious, doesn't listen to anyone, and quite... lustful. Once he took a liking to Eve here, he was relentless. She has had to endure his advances constantly," the clone continued, his tone measured. "But on the bright side, he has started to listen to her."
Baron Mortimer's cold gaze flickered with dark satisfaction. "Listening to her, you say?" he mused. "Good. That's exactly what we need. If she can make him bend to her will, then he will be easier to control when the time comes."
The baron's calculating eyes shifted to Eve. "Remember, the plan is to have him surrender to my forces when I attack. He will hand over his mother and sister, and the Everhart line will be extinguished for good."
He paused, his expression turning more sinister. "And when that happens, Adrian's precious little family won't be around to protect him. You, my dear Eve, will be the key to his downfall."
Mortimer's voice lowered, and a cruel smile spread across his lips. "But let me remind you, girl, you are mine. My property. My slave. No one else has the right to touch you, especially not that boy. Tell me, has he tried to lay his filthy hands on you?"
Eve, clenched her teeth, struggling to maintain her composure as she responded in a soft, controlled voice, "No, my lord. I have only let him touch my hands, nothing more."
Mortimer's expression remained cold, but there was a flicker of approval in his eyes.
"Good. You are mine, and no one else's. If he dares to defy me by laying a hand on what is mine, I will make sure you and your whore of a mother suffer the consequences. So, keep him on bay."
He leaned in closer, his voice dripping with malice. "If you displease me, I will take great pleasure in offering your mother to the dogs. I'll have them fuck her in front of all the people of this territory. Do you understand me, girl?"
Sophia, disguised as Eve, fought back the bile rising in her throat, gritting her teeth as each vile word passed his lips. She managed to nod, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she is afraid "Yes, my lord."
Mortimer straightened up, satisfied with her response. "Good. See to it that you don't forget your place. Come to my room later, I will have to see whether that brat has done anything to you or not."
Adrian gritted his teeth as the woman, Baron, was inviting was his woman's clone. So, he immediately interrupted him.
He turned toward Baron Mortimer, his expression hardened with feigned frustration. "Adrian is becoming impatient, my lord," he said, his voice edged with annoyance.
"He's growing more insistent about freeing Eve from her status as a slave. He demands control over her collar, claiming he wants to grant her freedom. It might affect your plan if his wishes are not fulfilled."
Mortimer's cold gaze narrowed, and for a moment, the room fell into an eerie silence. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he reached into his robes and pulled out a small key and a duplicate controller for Eve's slave collar.
Without a word, he tossed them to Darian, who caught them effortlessly. The thought that Darian and Eve would betray him didn't even come to his mind as he had control over both of them. He fancied himself a god that could do anything to those powerless than him.
"Let the boy think I am merciful for now," Mortimer sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "But make no mistake. She will always be my property."
Without warning, Mortimer turned his cruel gaze toward Eve. His eyes glinted with sadistic pleasure as he grabbed her by the hair, yanking her head back with a vicious tug. Sophia, maintaining her role, let out a pained gasp as Mortimer's grip tightened.
"You may think you're gaining your freedom, girl," he hissed, his voice laced with venom, "but you will never forget who owns you. Even if that fool Adrian removes your collar, you will always belong to me."
With that, he struck her across the face with brutal force. Sophia staggered under the blow but managed to stay on her feet, her eyes filled with defiance hidden beneath a mask of submission.
Mortimer's lips curled into a twisted smile as he beat her again, this time driving his fist into her stomach, making her double over in pain.
"Remember this pain, girl," he growled, tightening his grip on her hair and dragging her closer. "Remember who your true master is. No matter what happens, no matter where you go, you will always belong to me."