That morning, the gardens of Velornia's palace hosted a small gathering for a select few nobles. Bathed in the gentle warmth of the sun, the colorful blooms added beauty to the scene, and soft laughter and polite conversation filled the air.
Lady Isolde, with a calm smile that seemed to match the garden's delicate atmosphere, mingled among the guests.
Yet behind her serene expression, her heart simmered with a worry she could not reveal since her last encounter with Veren Kaelis. His veiled threats gnawed at her sense of safety, and each formal event now felt like a trap.
Among the crowd, Isolde spotted Duke Althred, a wise old nobleman whose face bore a serene composure. His silver hair was neatly combed, and his sharp gaze spoke of a life filled with experience and genuine kindness.
Approaching him, Isolde felt a faint sense of relief, as though his presence could see through the burden she kept hidden.
"Lady Isolde," Duke Althred greeted her with a warm smile, "this morning, you look as lovely as a rose in bloom."
Isolde smiled, though a trace of tension lingered in her eyes. "Thank you, Your Grace. The beauty of this garden must be contagious, for it has lifted all our spirits, I believe."
The Duke nodded gently, his gaze sweeping across the lively garden.
"Yet no matter how lovely, this garden cannot fully hide the storms brewing around us, can it?" he said, his voice soft but meaningful. "I hope you find a way to weather it, Lady Isolde."
Isolde swallowed, her heart racing at his words. "I will do my best, Your Grace."
The Duke looked at her intently. "Be careful, Lady Isolde. Some people are never satisfied with just a little control."
Before Isolde could respond, their conversation was interrupted by a sudden hush that settled over the entire garden. The guests' gazes turned to a man who had just appeared at the edge of the garden—Veren Kaelis.
With a faint smile on his face, Veren walked slowly, his presence casting a dark shadow upon the bright morning.
The guests began whispering, surprised to see the warlord at such an intimate gathering. He was known to shun social events, especially with his harsh reputation and rigid discipline.
But Isolde knew that Veren's presence here was no coincidence. His gaze swept the crowd, and each step he took heightened the tension hanging in the air.
Finally, his eyes met Isolde's, and that piercing look made her feel trapped, a feeling she could not shake.
Veren walked toward her, as if the vast garden had shrunk to contain only the two of them. The presence of others blurred from her view; only Veren and his gaze held her captive.
"Lady Isolde," Veren greeted her, his voice smooth yet layered with something deeper. "The morning is exceptionally beautiful... and your presence only adds to its charm."
Isolde mustered all her composure, responding with a restrained smile that hid her unease. "Your presence here is... unexpected, Lord Kaelis. I assumed you preferred more... strategic settings."
"Oh, you're right," Veren replied with a smile that held no warmth.
"But I felt the need to ensure that all guests were enjoying themselves." He paused, his gaze fixed on her. "Especially you, Lady Isolde. I wanted to be certain you are in good spirits."
Isolde felt his gaze pierce through her defenses, but she maintained her calm. "I appreciate your concern, Lord Kaelis. But is this comfort truly for me… or perhaps for yourself?"
Veren's smile grew thin, a chill underlying it, almost like a threat. "I value protection highly, Lady Isolde. Like that small token I sent yesterday, for example."
The memory of the necklace—his so-called emblem of protection that came with an unspoken price—made Isolde's body tense.
"The necklace was... too lavish, Lord Kaelis. Though I'm uncertain if it's proper to accept something so symbolic from you."
"No need to worry," Veren replied, stepping closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "You deserve much more, Lady Isolde. And in time, such gifts will continue to come."
Isolde clenched her hands, willing herself to remain steady. "I have no wish for things that might burden me... or my family, Lord Kaelis."
Veren chuckled softly, his laugh carrying a faint hint of menace. "That's exactly why I sent it, Lady Isolde. A symbol of protection. One that ensures your family's well-being, so long as you understand your role."
The pressure of his words weighed on her, but she held his gaze, her calm almost fragile.
"Is that genuine concern, or merely an attempt at control?"
Veren's eyes bored into hers, as if trying to read her thoughts. "Perhaps you misunderstand my intentions, Lady Isolde. I only wish for everything to proceed as it should," he replied with a calm, chilling tone.
"I will always strive to fulfill my role," Isolde replied, clutching the tension within her tightly.
"That's all I ask," Veren said, nodding with a faint smile. "As long as you know your place, Lady Isolde, everything will remain as it should."
Isolde was speechless. Veren's gaze held her, binding her within an invisible boundary she dared not cross.
Around her, the laughter and chatter of nobles faded, and it felt as though they were trapped together in a bubble of unbearable tension.
She knew then that this battle would not be an easy one—and every word from Veren signaled that her freedom was slipping away, little by little.
-ooOoo-
Isolde's steps away from the palace garden felt heavy, as though she were fighting against an invisible weight binding her with unseen threats.
Her mind raced with determination, haunted by Veren's cold smile and sharp gaze. But now, amid those threats, Isolde knew one thing she could not allow: surrender.
"I can't just wait," she murmured, barely audible to anyone. "If Veren thinks I'll simply submit, he's gravely mistaken."
Upon returning to her chamber, Isolde paused by the window, gazing out over the palace gardens where noble laughter still echoed.
Beneath all the beauty and grandeur, she knew there was a dark force lurking, a man who would not hesitate to destroy her life if she resisted. Each breath felt like the last before stepping into a dangerous game with no clear escape.
Yet she had no choice.
Isolde began to plan, considering whom she could trust in the palace.
Perhaps there were a few servants who had long been loyal to her family, or even nobles who still valued justice. But every step now felt like a perilous chess game with lives at stake.
As dusk began to fall, she summoned Lena, her most trusted maid since childhood, a woman who was like family. Lena entered with respect, but Isolde saw worry in her expression, sensing the weight of her mistress's troubles.
"Lady Isolde, is there anything I can help with?" Lena asked softly.
Isolde nodded, a trace of hesitation in her voice, then lowered it. "Lena, I need your help. But it's dangerous. Very dangerous."
Lena looked at her without fear, loyalty clear in her gaze. "Your command is an honor to me, my lady," she replied gently, stepping closer, sensing the burden Isolde bore.
Isolde took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto Lena's.
"I need to know who I can truly trust in this palace," she said, her voice soft yet resolute. "This will place anyone involved at great risk."
Without hesitation, Lena replied, "I will help you, my lady. You won't face this alone."