ARC 1 - TEESE'S CASTLE

After a week long carriage ride, they finally arrived at Teese castle, North of Eardenbal. When the carriage crossed the bridge on the moat, Rhaia couldn't help but peep out the window looking at the ancient castle curiously.

This was where the golden arrow disappeared indicating that the fragment was within this place.

This looked like a castle with a story with its dominating walls, picturesque design and beautiful flowers swaying in the wind. She sighed, this castle was simply telling how rich and powerful its owners are.

At the gate of the castle, the carriage was delayed because the gatekeeper insisted on seeking permission for entry from the butler regardless of the insignia of the House of Baron Devalle hung on it. They had to wait for a period of time and Rhaia began to get nervous. Soon the gatekeeper came and let them in.

Finally getting into the castle and alighting her carriage, Rhaia breathe a sigh of relief and admired the beautiful interior and the exquisite servants, 'mortals sure know how to enjoy their lives' she thought.

She saw a young man walk down the stairs with beautiful blonde hair and a handsome smile on his face, he was also dressed nobly.

"You must be cousin Rhaia?" He held her hand and placed a gentle kiss on it. He then said with an equally gentle voice " I wrote back to the Baron three days ago, I didn't expect you to arrive so early"

"Yes, yes, my father was worried about my cousin's condition and I had to be on my way last week. I guess my cousin is fine?"

Rhaia was a bit confused, according to her memories, her cousin Carlos was a black hair, blue eyes child, this man had blonde hair and brown eyes.

Who was this man talking to her? Moreover wasn't the rumours that Carlos is sick in bed?

Anyway she couldn't feel any connection towards him, so she could guess that the fragment wasn't him.

The man smiled "Please, let's go in to talk. My cousin must be tired after that long carriage ride, How about a cup of tea?"

Rhaia followed him into the main hall and as soon as they got in, they met a stern looking middle age man standing in the hall and his first words were

"Master Kane, you are not allowed to bring in guests without the Duke's permission".

Kane? So he really isn't her cousin Carlos. He really acted like he was, that she began to doubt the memories she got.

"Flare, don't be such an old man. This young lady is cousin's cousin. She was worried about his condition and that why she's here to check on him. Am I right?"

He looked towards Rhaia and asked as he spoke to the middle age man in a relaxed tone. She noticed a sly and playful glint in his eyes. Rhaia guessed she might have met a prankster and from this conversation, he should be Carlos's cousin too.

Flare, the middle age man who Rhaia presumed should be the butler spoke seriously despite Kane's playful attitude

"Well young Sir Kane, irrespective of the fact that you are in charge of the Duke's affairs, you can't make such a decision yourself. You know the Duke dislikes having outsiders around".

Rhaia felt embarrassed being referred to as an outsider, even if it wasn't direct. She took a deep breath as she summoned her courage and introduced herself.

"I am from the house of the Devalle, the only daughter of Baron Devalle, Rhaia Vin Devalle. My father wrote to my cousin about three weeks ago of my visit, I don't know if the Duke got his letter?"

The butler's eyes moved to Kane before going back to Rhaia. She could feel something about to go wrong and then

"I am Flare, miss Devalle, the humble Butler of Teese. I am sorry but the Duke didn't receive a letter from your father and he knows nothing about your visit. You shouldn't come here without a reply. The Duke dislikes such unannounced visitation".

Well she didn't come visiting though, she was here to marry the Duke.

However, how was she to do that with this butler looking like a creditor here for his overdue debts?

Rhaia twisted her fingers in anxiety. She opened her mouth to try to convince this old Butler when

"I received the letter" Kane said as he shrugged his shoulders

"I wanted to inform Carlos but I forgot. I wrote back to the Baron already. I think there is a justified reason for Carlos's cousin to come visit him".

Flare's eyebrows twisted deeply. It seemed he didn't like Kane that much.

" Master Kane, you should always ask the Duke's permission concerning these matters".

Kane rolled his eyes and gave a bored look with a lazy posture. The butler turned to Rhaia with a cold face

"I will report this matter to the Duke, please miss Devalle".

After that, he turned around and went up the stairs.

Rhaia was now nervous, was she going to be driven away already? Her fragment was still here somewhere.

"Don't be worried, it is no problem" Kane said with an outstretched hand

"I am Kane Teese, Carlos's cousin. You can just call me Kane"

She curtseyed and took his hands " I am Rhaia Devalle , we are in laws to the Teese. Please forgive me for coming abruptly."

Kane held her hands with his eyes lingering on her face. With her flawless milky skin, her face was as exquisite as a doll's. Her eyes were a captivating green like it had a hypnotic effect on whoever looked into it.

"Kane?"

He held her hands and kept staring at her face making Rhaia feel so uncomfortable. Although she had received countless looks before but Kane's gaze made her uncomfortable.

"Sorry cousin Rhaia, but your beauty is so captivating I couldn't help being fascinated".

He leaned over and printed another kiss on her hand but this kiss was a bit longer and did he use his tongue? She had goosebumps running up her arms, Kane felt creepy all of a sudden.

She took back her hands and discreetly wiped it behind her all the while maintaining a polite smile.

"Thank you Kane"

"I have heard rumours about the beauty of the only daughter of Baron Devalle in the kingdom of Tarldia but I never thought they were true until today. I don't think there is any girl more beautiful than cousin Rhaia"

Rhaia laughed awkwardly "oh why?! Thank you Kane, I appreciate your words" his eyes still made her uncomfortable.

She didn't realise she was still slow at reading others through their eyes, guess she hadn't learnt her lessons. If not why didn't she notice the hunger in his eyes at first like he saw some kind of prey.

Footsteps sounded in the hall. Well here came her saviour, Flare walked towards her and Kane with his still unsmiling face. Guess this old man never smiled.

"Miss Devalle, the Duke appreciates your concern and now that you are here you are welcome. Please follow me, your room has been tidied up. I hope you would enjoy your stay here".

A huge relief for Rhaia knowing Carlos didn't drive her away. She curtseyed to Kane.

He smiled " I told you it was no problem didn't I?" .

She gave him a polite smile as she nodded and went after Flare to her room. Her room was arranged on the second floor

"This is your room miss Devalle. Your luggage will be brought up soon by your assigned servant, so you can get to know who it is. Breakfast is at 8am, lunch by 1pm and dinner by 6pm. You can ask the servants to deliver your dinner in the room or go to the dining hall for it. If you have any further needs or questions, you could always ask the servants".

"Thank you sir Flare, I would like to know when it would be convenient for my cousin to see me". Rhaia didn't forget the purpose of her trip. She had to show her concern for her sick cousin after all.

Flare paused "Well miss Devalle, the Duke doesn't want to meet with guests for now. Maybe some other time but I would let you know. Before I leave miss Devalle, you are allowed to go anywhere else within this mansion but not the third floor. It is out of bounds. Please remember the Duke wants no disturbances, even master Kane has to seek permission before going up the third floor, and I hope miss Devalle hearkens to this"

She nodded. This butler gave so much pressure she couldn't wait to slam the door on his grumpy face. His expression eased a little at her response

"Well have a good rest then miss Devalle, you would be called for dinner soon".

She thanked him and he left.

She looked at the room, it was big, so spacious. There was a giant canopy bed in the middle of the room with its curtain swaying in the breeze. A couch was near the bookshelf close to the fireplace.

An ottoman was placed in front of the bed with a big rug laid beneath the bed. Flowers were arranged about and the room gave a pleasant smell.

The sunlight poured in from the huge windows and balcony, the beaded curtain making no effort to shield it. It was a beautiful room.

There were two doors in the room of which one was a cloakroom and the other a bathroom. The bathroom had a big tub in it, candles and a shelf on the wall holding two flower vases.

It was more like a room for a Duchess rather than a random unannounced outsider. Rhaia chuckled at her thoughts, she was still petty after all, grateful a part of her hasn't changed.

Rhaia sighed as she look about the room. In all it was a beautiful room and she liked it.