Chapter 3: “Where the Darkness Whispers”

I tried to stand up, but my head spun, and I nearly collapsed. He stepped closer to me… and gently placed his hand around my waist to help me regain my balance. His cold hand touched my skin, sending a shiver through me.But my heart began to pound rapidly.

"Ah, I thought you were about to fall," he said, looking at my face.

"You've always been so clumsy. So thin—one gust of wind and you'd fly away."

I looked away. "Do you know me?" I asked, my voice trembling.

He stepped closer—so close, I could feel his breath on my face. His gaze was calm, yet intensely focused.

"I don't have to know you," he said, "but… you're the little girl who fell into the river trying to rescue her doll. I remember."

I swallowed hard. Back then, he had saved me. I'd been crying… and he'd laughed, then thrown my doll back into the river. And now… he was laughing again, but this time his laughter wasn't just cold—it hurt.

"You're still that little girl. Just... a bit taller now. Still too thin."

"I'm… not her anymore," I said quietly.

Magnus stood still for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "Do you really believe that? Yet I can still see that fear in your eyes."

Without looking at me, he walked over to the window, brushing the curtains aside with his fingers, and stared outside.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. His voice was calm, but cold.

"I... came to change the flowers, my duke" I said, hiding all emotion. "If you permit, I'll get to work."

He gently lifted the vase and turned toward me. "Change the flowers. The roses," he said.

I nodded, silently bowing my head before heading toward the garden.

I picked the roses and returned to the annex . When I entered, Magnus was lying in the chair, his eyes closed. He still seemed unconscious. I stood silently, only looking at the carpet beneath my feet, holding the flowers tightly in my hands.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes. His gaze immediately locked onto mine. "Again," he said in an indifferent tone, "pick the red roses. Let them be dark, like blood."

I was frustrated. However, I didn't show it on my face and bowed again. I went to the garden, picked the red roses, and returned to the annex. Magnus was still lying in the bed, but this time, he was awake. His gaze immediately fell on me.

"Finally..."he said, his gaze frozen. "You know how to follow orders. Not surprising. After all, even a dog obeys its master's wishes."

I was deeply angered by the comparison to a dog, but I didn't show it because he was a nobleman, and I feared that if I said anything, something might happen to my grandfather.

He approached me. The sound of his footsteps froze my heart. He took the red rose from my hand and brought it close to my face. 'Look, Layla. No matter how hard you try… this flower is still more beautiful than you. At least it knows how to be devastatingly alluring. You, on the other hand… you only deceive people with your appearance."

I felt his breath on my face and stepped back. But he leaned in and whispered, "Every time you look into my eyes, you try to prove something. But do you know what? I look at you only to break you. No matter how hard you try to appear strong inside, you are still that broken little girl. Just like the one drowning in the water, crying as she looked at me."

Tears welled up in my eyes.

He smiled—cold, proud, and merciless. "It's easy to break you. Behind that appearance, you're just emptiness. Loneliness, regret, and the guilt your father saw."

His last words shattered my heart. Tears rolled down my face. My heart clenched so tightly, it felt like staying in this annex would bring nothing but pain, hatred, and humiliation. I didn't say a word, and I left the room.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱ • ༒ • ⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱ • ༒ • ⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

I ran through the forest with tears in my eyes. My heart raced. Though the darkness enveloped me, the familiar trees made my grandfather's warm house clearly visible in my mind. As I approached the cottage, I wiped my face, took a deep breath, and forced a smile. Grandfather was waiting for me at the door.

Seeing me, he took a step forward. "Ah, my dear girl is finally here," he said, his eyes locked on mine. "You stayed in the annex for quite a while."

I smiled. "Things took a bit longer, Grandpa. Everything's fine."

He nodded, but his eyes were filled with suspicion — as if he could sense the ache buried inside me. Then he placed a hand gently on my shoulder."You still look tired, Layla. Go get some rest. It's best if you go to bed early tonight."

I lowered my head, still smiling. "Thank you, Grandpa."

After hugging him goodbye, I made my way up the stairs. Inside my room, I changed into my long white nightgown, then slowly lay down on the bed. But even with my eyes closed, the ache in my heart refused to let me sleep.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱ • ༒ • ⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱ • ༒ • ⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Then, slowly, my eyes closed again. Though my heart still ached, exhaustion had taken over my body. Memories drifted through my mind as I gradually slipped into the embrace of sleep...

The forest was silent. The fog had thickened, and my heartbeat quickened. With every breath, I felt the weight of someone's gaze. Suddenly, I heard breathing behind me. Slowly, I turned around.

From the shadow of a tree, Magnus emerged. His eyes glowed crimson, and he looked just like the mysterious man from my dreams. A mocking smile played on his lips.

"Finally," he said. "Did you find the courage not to run this time, princess?"

Fear clenched my chest."I wasn't looking for you," I said, my voice trembling.

But he kept coming closer.

He laughed. "You can't hide your thirst."

He stepped closer. The chill of his breath brushed against my skin. I wanted to step back, but I couldn't move.

"The darkness inside you—it's my shadow, Layla," he whispered into my ear. "And the more you deny it, the more it will consume you."

"No," I whispered, but fear drowned out my voice. "Don't do this." He came even closer. He took my hand—cold. So cold. I suddenly pulled away, trying to escape, and cried out, "No! Don't touch me!" Tears welled up in my eyes. His gaze locked onto mine — fierce, burning with fire and vengeance. His eyes reminded me of a predator closing in on its prey.

"I was supposed to destroy you," he said. "But now, I want to make you mine."

I instinctively stepped back, but he blocked my path and leaned over me.

My heart was racing, but I felt powerless to protect myself. He brought his face close to my neck. His breath was cold, and when his skin touched mine, it sent a shiver down my spine. It was stronger than fear — a panic that made my heart tremble.

"The scent of your blood… astonishing," he murmured, his voice carrying a mysterious tone. "Sweet, cursed, and... mine."

Tears fell freely from my eyes. "Please..." I whispered. But he didn't listen.

He pressed his lips to my neck. I held my breath, frozen by his touch. I was terrified, but the helplessness — the inability to protect myself — felt even more terrifying. Then suddenly, he moved closer and crushed his lips against mine in a fierce kiss. It was overwhelming — stronger than anything before — and I completely lost myself, unable to resist.

Everything faded. Darkness swallowed me whole. Then, I jolted awake, gasping for air. My heart pounded in my chest. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft, golden glow over my bed and bathing the room in warmth.

Yet my heart still remembered the heavy breath of that night.That dream… it didn't feel like a dream at all. It felt real. Too real. I touched my lips — the ghost of that gentle kiss still lingered.

A strange feeling stirred inside me — a confusing warmth tangled with fear. Slowly, I got out of bed and walked to the mirror. I stared at my reflection. But then… I saw it. Something on my neck . A faint, reddish mark.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱ • ༒ • ⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱ • ༒ • ⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Magnus Von Eisenhardt stood on the balcony, watching the river. A cigarette burned slowly between his fingers. He exhaled a thin trail of smoke into the night air, lost in thought as he gazed at the still ripples dancing on the surface of the water.

Then he turned around. His eyes landed on the small side table near the bookshelf. On it sat the bouquet of roses Layla had picked from the garden the day before.

But the flowers had started to wilt a little. Magnus gave a faint smile — as if recalling a quietly amusing memory. He stepped into the room and approached the table.

He picked up the roses, brushing his fingers gently over the petals, and whispered: "Plump crimson lips trembling with fear…"

Just then, his most trusted servant, Felix, entered the room.

"My lord, this afternoon you have a meeting with the wealthy traders from the northern territories. . In the evening, your mother, lady Eleanora, and your grandmother, Madam Gertrude, Additionally, you are also required to attend Lord Alistair's banquet."

Magnus placed the flowers back on the table and glanced at Felix. "My mother?" he narrowed his gaze. "That's an unexpected offer."

Felix nodded. "Yes, Your Excellency. Madam Gertrude mentioned that she personally wishes to speak with you."

Magnus paused for a moment before looking out the window again. "Mother and grandmother together... interesting."

He took another puff of his cigarette, his eyes empty and distant, as if a vast void had opened in them. "Alright, we'll meet with the traders first, then I'll go to see my mother and grandmother."

Felix bowed and quietly left the room. Magnus turned his gaze back to the roses. His fingers gently pressed the petals, and a strange expression appeared in his eyes…