Chapter:- 3 Unspoken Desires
Muffled voices echoed softly from around the corner. Elvira's senses sharpened despite the pain, and she crept closer, careful to remain hidden. She spotted Layra speaking in hushed tones with another maid.
"…but if Lord Victor ever finds out—" the other maid whispered urgently.
"He won't, as long as we—" Layra stopped abruptly, her gaze landing on Elvira's disheveled form emerging from the shadows.
"Lady Elvira!" Layra gasped, rushing forward. "What happened to you?"
Before Elvira could respond, dizziness overtook her. Her vision blurred, and the hallway tilted. Layra's panicked voice was the last thing she heard before everything went black.
When Elvira opened her eyes, she found herself lying on her canopy bed. The familiar scent of lavender lingered in the air, and the soft rustle of silk sheets brushed against her skin. Her head throbbed, and a dull ache radiated from her arms, legs, and ribs.
A deep voice broke through her dazed thoughts.
"Elvira," her father, Lord Victor, sat beside her, his expression a mixture of concern and sternness. "What happened?"
"I..." she struggled to sit up, wincing as pain shot through her body. "There was someone on the balcony last night. I swear it. The window shattered, and I was injured trying to escape."
Lord Victor's brow furrowed, skepticism flickering in his eyes.
"Are you sure this isn't some elaborate ploy to cancel your engagement?" he asked bluntly.
Elvira's heart sank. "Father, I'm telling the truth. I saw someone."
He sighed heavily, brushing a hand over his face. "Get some rest, Elvira. We'll talk later."
As he stood to leave, Elvira clenched the blanket tightly, her mind racing. She replayed the faces at the ball, trying to recall any suspicious glances or unfamiliar figures. Exhaustion weighed heavily on her, and soon she drifted into a restless sleep.
When Elvira woke again, the morning sun streamed through the windows, casting warm light across the room. Determined to clear her mind and find answers, she changed into a flowing tea-pink silk robe and slipped out of her chamber. The castle was quiet, save for the distant chirping of birds.
As she passed by a window overlooking the rose garden, she paused. Lord Ronin was strolling among the blooms, his tall figure cutting an imposing silhouette against the vibrant flowers.
Without thinking, Elvira found herself rushing toward the main door. The garden air was crisp, filling her lungs as she dashed toward Ronin.
"Lord Ronin!" she called out, but her foot caught on a loose stone. She stumbled and fell hard onto the ground. Pain lanced through her body, and when she looked down, her breath hitched—a shard of glass was embedded in her foot.
Ronin sprinted back to her side, his expression alarmed.
"Why do you always hurt yourself?" he demanded, crouching beside her.
"I didn't do it on purpose," she retorted through gritted teeth. "Besides, why do you care?"
Ronin's jaw clenched. "Because I—"
Before he could finish, Lord Victor's voice boomed across the garden.
"Ronin! Oh, God, Elvira!" He hurried toward them. "Now what have you done? Help me pick her up!"
With one arm around her father and the other around Ronin's neck, they carried Elvira back to the castle. She winced with each step, but Ronin's steady presence was oddly comforting.
They set her down on a banquette in the main hall just as a castle guard approached Lord Victor.
"Lord Adron is here, my lord," the guard informed him.
Elvira's eyes widened. "Who's Lord Adron?" she asked.
"Anson's father," Lord Victor muttered before striding away.
A maid arrived with warm water, a rag, and herbs to clean Elvira's wound. Ronin intercepted her.
"I'll do it myself," he insisted.
Elvira blinked in surprise as Ronin knelt before her, his hands gentle yet firm as he cleaned the wound. The sting of the herbs made her flinch, but she found herself captivated by his focused expression. After he was done dressing her wound he looked up and said "What happened here?" pointing at the previous wounds.
After Elvira told him everything she sighed and said "No one believes me they say I did it on purpose because of my engagement" in a frustrated tone.
Ronin didn't know Elvira was getting Engaged but he saved that question for later
"Don't worry I believe you" Ronin smiled.
Ronin's smile gave Elvira the comfort she needed. Ronin picked Elvira and started walking toward Elvira's room while Elvira's gaze lingered on him, tracing the strong line of his jaw and the scar just below his chin. The world seemed to fade around them.
Ronin looked up, catching her stare. A mischievous smile tugged at his lips.
"Careful, Elvira," he teased. "Don't stare too hard, or you might fall in love."
She scoffed, masking her sudden fluster. "You're too confident for an average-looking man."
He chuckled. "Oh, I'm far from average, darling."
Elvira's heart skipped a beat as she realized he was carrying her toward her room.
"Why are we going to my room?" she demanded.
"Because you need to rest," Ronin said matter-of-factly.
He placed her gently on the bed, but she pushed back defiantly. "Stop making decisions for me like everyone else."
Ronin's eyes sparkled with amusement. "You look even prettier when you're angry."
Before she could respond, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
Elvira's breath caught in her throat as he straightened and strode toward the door.
"Rest well, Elvira," he said with a grin before disappearing from view.