RedBedSheets

Isabelle wanted freedom. For herself and for her sister, but when the duke falls ill everything starts to change.

She finds herself walking towards a dangerous relationship with the heir to the dukedom and her tormentor. 

“You really think you can leave me? After all this time? I think not”, a smirk that looked so cruel and made my insides feel utterly helpless appeared across his face.

“What if I pay you?” I said after a moment of silence. Hoping I still had chance.

He laughed at my words. A cold and humourless laugh.

“You couldn’t afford the price I’ve put on your head in this lifetime or the next”, I felt the futility beating me down, but I stayed strong. I was trained to deal with such emotions.

“How much”, my lips quivered ever so slightly, betraying the confidence I tried to ooze, yet failing so miserably.

“1 trillion”.

Isabelle and her sister Angela had only known the Gold dukedom growing up. Their mother had worked there and when she passed the girls became the dukedom's legal property and were also raised as maids. The duchess, a close friend of their mother, showered them with affection and allowed them to be sort of pen pals for her young son.

But when she had passed, the girls were left at the duke's mercy and he disliked their relationship with his son and so forbade them from ever speaking to him. From then on, the two made it their goal to escape the dukedom however, life had other plans.

Warning: This is a dark-themed yandere love story. Read at your own risk.

Completed

The Duke’s Beloved Pawn

There a silence. One that made my heart beat dull the noise coming from the busy farm. My throat felt strangely hoarse and became dryer as the seconds passed in silence.


He came so close to me that I shut my eyes in fright, but he didn't stay. He walked ahead. When I realised he wasn't at all near me I turned to him hesitantly.


He was staring at the dress. The beautiful yellow dress. It had a low dipped neckline that was kind of teasing, yet somehow retained a gracefulness.


It was much too pretty to be on me. I found myself worried earlier that I might make it look like a rag, but at that moment my eyes were only trained on the man that seemed to be concentrating on something . I couldn't count the amount of times I opened my mouth to speak and then cowardly stopped. Watching as the young master fiddled around the desk, back turned away from me.


It was a servant girl. A young girl with eyes that seemed locked on the young duke in his suit. In her hands was a tray topped with scones and cakes, as well as a tea pot and some cups.


"Allow me to make you some tea"- she began nervously. Her cheeks so red they looked like they had been stained with rouge.


The dukes voice startled her and she quickly regained her composure with a curtsy. She made her way to leave, but not before throwing me a confused glance.


'Why is someone like her, with someone like him?' 


I had seen it constantly when I was around Justin and it was no less eye opening now as it was then. But somehow I found myself not caring as much this time round.


I looked back to the young master who seemed to be mixing powders together, eventually creating a thick paste. He looked quite satisfied with himself before he applied it on his hand in a single motion and observed it with a nod.


I didn't flinch when he turned to me and raised a commanding finger.


"Sit here", he gestured to the chair that sat directly in front of the dressing table. It was a pretty thing, with a large mirror attached that was framed with polished would, carved in flowers.


I sat down submissively and found myself staring straight at my reflection.


The dukes appeared beside me and I couldn't help but note our differences.


His skin was pale, while mine was tanned from working outside. His hair silken and falling so beautifully around his forehead. Mine was like straw, plain in colour and didn't compliment my face at all. And… those eyes…


From a young age a had been fascinated by them. I had never stopped, but moments like this, when they caught the light, were absolutely breathtaking.


I looked away immediately. Staring down my hands as if they were responsible for all of this. I continued to stare when I felt a tug on the collar of my dress. And when the cool morning air touched my back and collar bone I didn't flinch. The moment I did flinch was when I felt a cold sensation touch my neck and looked towards the mirror accidentally.


Before me was a bizarre scene. The master applied the strange mixture he made earlier to my neck. An area that was scarred from a time I couldn't remember seemed to fade away. He did the same with the other marks. Not once making eye contact with me as he hid the marks caused by his father.


My eyes admired my neck. The smooth skin. The colour that didn't darken here and there. It looked untouched. It looked… normal…


I felt my hair rise when he lifted my plait and paused. I stared at his face, his eyes seemed to be so trained on the back of my neck and whatever was there angered him. His hands seemed to shake and his breathing audibly became shallow.


His raised a hand towards my back and when I felt his finger rub against the texture on the nape of my neck I realised what he was staring at.


Chapter 23