Thank you!

Resolving to spend the entire day in her chamber, Gwyneth curled into a ball in her bed, her eyes wide open and her duvet tucked in.

She could not imagine leaving her chamber.

Not after Albert's death.

What would her brother say? What would everyone say?

There were already rumors about her. Regarding her being the only one who survived the ball.

Sirius...

Tears filled her eyes, and she simply closed them, letting them roll onto the bed.

She could not understand... Why was he obsessed with her?

Soon, night fell.

Sitting on her bed, Gwyneth stared off into the distance, wondering why no one had come to get her. Surely they must have seen Albert's body.

Breathing deeply and trying to still every panic that was hammering her whole body, she clutched her dress.

She took a deep breath, stood up, and exited her room to find Elias standing there looking rather composed.

"Brother!" Gwyneth gasped, surprised by his presence.

Elias raised his brow. "I was going to call you for dinner."

"What?" Gwyneth was surprised by his words.

He never summoned her for dinner. Not by himself.

Then again... Her handmaids. She had not seen them since she told them off at breakfast.

"What?" Elias chuckled. "Why do you look so shocked?"

"I um.." Gwyneth turned away from him. "I am not in the mood for food."

"Where are you going if not for dinner?" Elias questioned, his smile disappearing at the first word.

Gwyneth narrowed her eyes at him. Thinking it was strange that he was not bringing up Albert.

"I am taking a stroll." She replied, walking past him.

Elias' face darkened. "Gwyneth?"

Gwyneth came to a halt, clenching her fists hesitantly in response to his cold and heavy tone.

"Where is the Duke?" Elias carried on. Asking.

Gwyneth turned cold, her eyes widening. "The... the Duke?"

The desire to deny flooded into her soul. However, she found herself fleeing from him.

"Gwyneth!" Elias exploded in rage, turning to see her fleeing. But instead of following her, he simply stood there and watched until she was out of sight, then clenched his fist until blood flowed out.

.....

Making her way to her garden, she raised her gaze to the starry, dark sky devoid of the moon. Her eyes, which were a deep midnight blue that nearly matched the hue of the starry sky, flashed exquisitely, reflecting the stars.

Tears came slowly into them.

Her thoughts strayed to her uncle Gerald, whose body was still missing.

Rather than expressing curiosity about his absence, Elias was determined to marry her off.

Gerald's departure after giving her a hint about Sirius's presence, Elias' fury directed at her. However, he had not taken any action against her.

Gwyneth smiled, lowering her head. No one had ever tried to hit her. But she could always sense their animosity.

Elias, her father, her mother, and even Madame Danna.

Imogen was the only person who never expressed such hostility. She had only expressed admiration and respect. She was always there for her, regardless of how much pressure everyone put on her.

Gwyneth closed her eyes, allowing tears to fall. Her current plan was to track down Gerald. Nothing else. He must know some trick to help her kick Sirius out of her life.

"Sirius!" Gwyneth gasped, her eyes widening with realization.

Sirius must have been the reason they never treated her the way they wanted! He was why Elias was holding back!

It was obvious!

"Ah!" Gwyneth moaned, pressing her palm to her forehead. She was overanalyzing and it was giving her a bad headache.

She inhaled deeply and started to stroll around her garden, giving her blooming flowers a faint smile.

Even under the cover of the night, they were still in full bloom.

"Your Highness?" She heard Madison, one of her handmaids, call out.

"Hmm?" Turning, she saw Madison walking towards her reluctantly.

She was the only one present and Gwyneth could tell how anxious she was.

"Is there something wrong?" Gwyneth asked straight away.

"Your Highness, I..." Madison paused, lowering her head. "I sincerely apologize for what happened this morning. His Majesty threatened us."

Gwyneth said nothing, nor did she find that statement surprising.

"As soon as he instructed us to prepare you for the day, we realized that his intention was to make plans with a possible groom for you. We attempted to persuade him that you opposed marriage, but he threatened to take our lives and our families." Madison clarified, trembling with every word.

They had told her about this earlier, but not in full detail...

Gwyneth sighed deeply and lowered her head. "I should be the one apologizing."

Madison exclaimed, waving her hands in panic at the princess. "No, no, Your Highness!"

Gwyneth raised her head, smiling faintly. "Where are the others? We should have dinner together."

Madison's face dropped. "About that..."

"Huh?" Gwyneth furrowed her brow.

"They...resigned from their positions." Madison confessed hesitantly, dipping her head.

Gwyneth was hurt, and she could not deny it. Could they have left because they were afraid....? Or was it solely because of Elias' threat?

Seeing the princess's dejected expression, Madison grinned broadly. "I am here with you, your highness! I will never abandon you!"

Gwyneth did not expect that. She just stared at Madison, astounded.

She was the youngest of her handmaids. Two years older than her, with long dark hair, stunning hazel eyes, and flawless caramel skin.

Despite having been raised by a foster family, among her handmaids, Madison was the talkative and most vivacious. Her energy was something she always appreciated.

She smiled back at Madison, sniffed, and embraced her tightly. "Thank you!"

Madison's eyes widened. "Your Highness..."

"Thank you!" Gwyneth cried out, closing her eyes to keep her tears from flowing.

She felt so isolated. So alone. She had never experienced the same level of affection from her handmaids, despite their constant presence around her.

They were obviously scared because she was the only one who had survived that night.

Everyone who remained in the castle died that night, except for their princess.

Thank goodness they had left the castle.

It was absolutely terrifying!

"Thank you." Gwyneth spoke again, this time more calmly.

She was going to protect Madison and find her uncle! And she was going to find out why she was the object of Death's terrible obsession!

Why was he interested in her?