CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE:Tamed by love

Lord Nigel woke up, turned to his side, and gazed at Aria, who was still sleeping peacefully. He quietly got out of bed, went to the bathroom, had a shower, and dressed impeccably.

As he headed out, he instructed the guards stationed in front of his door, "Don't leave your posts, not even an inch. Ensure Aria's safety."

The guards nodded and bowed. Lord Nigel turned back and addressed one of them, "Summon all the messengers and have them assemble at the courtyard. I need to dispatch messages."

The guard bowed and hurried off to carry out the order.

Lord Nigel walked away, making his way to the court yard. He stood under a shaded area, reserved exclusively for him. Soon, a group of mysterious men dressed in black began to arrive.

As they assembled, Lord Nigel summoned a nearby guard, "Go to the store room and retrieve two black boxes. Bring them here immediately."

The guard bowed and hastened to carry out the order. Once the messengers were fully assembled, Lord Nigel began to address them, "Now, listen to me..."

Lord Nigel continued, "I'll be selecting most of you to deliver something for me." Just then, the guard returned, struggling to carry two huge black boxes. He managed to set them down before Lord Nigel.

"In these boxes," Lord Nigel began, "I have something for you to deliver. I want you to head over to... Does anyone know Aria?" One of the messengers, seemingly the head of the group, bowed and replied "Oh, I know that maid, my lord."

Lord Nigel's expression turned cold, his gaze piercing. "Don't you dare address her with that title. Address her as Lady Aria."

The messenger bowed hastily, correcting himself. "Forgive me, my lord. I know Lady Aria. I have seen her a few times."

Lord Nigel nodded. "Good. I want you to locate her mother in the outskirts of Ashwood. She resides there. I want you to hand over this golds to her, there's a letter in the box.tell her that her daughter is safe."

The messenger nodded, understanding his task. Lord Nigel selected a few of the messengers, pointing to them. "You, you, you... About ten of you will go. Remember, if you're ambushed on the way, never forget that I trained you. You must fight to protect these boxes. They contain golds like I said

The selected messengers bowed, acknowledging Lord Nigel's instructions.

Meanwhile, the men hired by Davina to eliminate Aria were going around, inquiring if anyone knew her. They showed people a sketch of Aria, but most individuals claimed they didn't recognize her.

Undeterred, the men persisted in their search. In ashwood palace the messengers dispatched by Lord Nigel had departed in a carriage, carrying the boxes containing gold and a letter. with a sketch of Aria, courtesy of Lord Nigel's artistic skills, they aimed to find Aria's mother.

Lord Nigel had instructed them to ask around, using the sketch to facilitate their inquiry. "Show this to people and say you're looking for her mother," he had advised. "They'll direct you to her."

******************************

Lord Nigel returned to his chambers, only to find Aria absent. He assumed she must have woken up and gone to the kitchen.

He summoned the guards and inquired, "Is there anyone seeking an audience with me? Any advisors or counselors wishing to offer their services to the palace?"

The guard replied, "We haven't found anyone suitable, my lord. Many are hesitant due to the fate of the previous advisors and counselors."

Lord Nigel's expression turned thoughtful. "Why would such a fate befall anyone who hasn't done anything wrong? It's only those who betray me who should fear such consequences."

He instructed the guard, " inform Lady Charlotte that I'd like my usual tea." The guard asked, "Shall I have her bring it to you personally, my lord?" Lord Nigel responded.

Lord Nigel's tone suddenly turned cold as he addressed the guard, "How dare you question me? How dare you? Since when did you start questioning me?"

The guard trembled, bowing deeply in fear.

Lord Nigel's voice remained icy, "Have Lady Charlotte bring the tea for me. And get lost!"

************************************

As the men sent to eliminate Aria rode through a secluded pathway, the silence was palpable. Whispering among themselves, they questioned their mission. "Are you sure we'll find her?" one of them asked.

The leader's voice was firm and reassuring. "Keep quiet, we will find her. Even if we can't, we must. The amount Davina is offering can change our lives." The men nodded, continuing their journey.

After a while, the desolate road gave way to a bustling area. The men began showing people the sketch of Aria, inquiring if anyone knew her. Many denied recognizing the girl.

As they approached an elderly fruit vendor, they asked abruptly, "Do you know this girl?" Without showing respect for the old woman, they thrust the sketch at her.

The vendor's eyes narrowed. "Why are you asking if I know her? What do you want with her?" The men's tone turned threatening. "Answer us, old lady. Do you know this girl?"

The old lady nodded, "Yes, I know her." The leader's face lit up with a smile. "Good. Now, do you know her mother?" The vendor nodded again, "Yes, I know her mother. They're lovely people." Her expression turned suspicious. "Why are you looking for them?"

The men's tone turned menacing. "Can you take us to her?" The old lady stood firm, "I won't until you tell me why I should." One of the men sneered, "Old lady, do you want to live long? If you want to live long, do as you're told."

The old lady's eyes widened in fear. "Okay, okay, fine. Allow me to pack up my fruit." The men wouldn't wait. They dragged the old lady away, ignoring the concerned glances from bystanders. As people attempted to intervene, the men's intimidating presence scattered the crowd.

The old lady was tossed into the carriage, and the men continued their journey, leaving a trail of unease behind.

*************************

Meanwhile, Lord Nigel's messengers were also inquiring about Aria's mother. After asking around, they met a young girl who claimed to know Aria. The messengers decided to pick up the girl, and together, they headed towards Aria's home location, carrying the boxes containing the gold and letter.

********

The men sent to eliminate Aria continued their journey until they arrived at an old, abandoned location. The house now stood as a haunting relic, its beauty lost to the passing of time. The men exchanged skeptical glances, turning to the old lady.

"Why did you bring us here?" one of them asked, their tone laced with disdain.

The old lady's expression remained stoic. "This is where they live."

The men laughed, their amusement short-lived. They disembarked from the carriage, scanning their surroundings. That's when they saw her – a middle-aged woman, likely in her late thirties, emerging from the abandoned house with a basket of laundry.

Her eyes narrowed as she took in the strangers. "Who are you guys?" she asked, a hint of wariness creeping into her voice.

The leader's gaze locked onto Aria's mother, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Capture her now," he commanded his accomplices.

Aria's mother's eyes widened in terror as she tried to flee back into the house. However, the men were too quick, catching up to her and pinning her down.

Aria's mother struggled against her captors, pleading, "Let me go! Who are you people? Why are you doing this?"

The old granny, horrified by the sudden turn of events, protested, "This isn't what you told me! You said you were looking for someone, but you didn't say you'd harm anyone!"

The men callously pushed the old granny aside, and she hit her head on a nearby stone, dying instantly.

Aria's mother screamed, "No! You just killed her! You just killed an innocent person!"

The men ignored her cries, leaving the old granny's lifeless body behind. As they dragged Aria's mother towards their carriage, they spotted another carriage approaching from a distance.