Chapter 3

"My lady, where are you going?"

She stopped in front of me, panting, eyes scanning me from the ground up.

"Is something wrong?"

My voice came out dry, detached. But really, what did it matter anymore?

"Do you even know where you're going, my lady?"

Her voice trembled with concern.

"It's none of your business," I replied with a mocking lilt. She sighed.

"My apologies..."

"Where is this place? And how long have I been asleep?"

"This is the Marquis's mansion. You've been sleeping for two weeks."

I had been looking out the window, but at her words—two weeks—my attention snapped to her.

"Two weeks?" I echoed, stunned.

Pathetic. The fact that I'd been weak enough to sleep for that long, just because my body was adjusting... It made my stomach twist in disgust.

I turned back to the window, checking for the wings and horns.

Gone.

I exhaled in relief.

"When am I going to meet the Marquis's family?"

My gaze lingered on her, waiting.

"This afternoon. At dinner."

I clenched my jaw, annoyance flickering beneath the surface.

"So why did the Emperor—"

I didn't get to finish. Someone was moving toward me.

I turned around instinctively, body bracing for an attack—

But it was a child.

I froze.

A child?

What was a child doing in a place like this?

I glanced at the maid, eyes demanding an explanation.

"That's Mika, the youngest daughter."

"And the other one?"

Another child was approaching.

The way the maid looked at me—confused, hesitant—made my lips curl into a faint smile.

As the second child drew closer, Mika asked the maid who I was.

Hellen—the maid—faltered, clearly uncomfortable.

And I savored every second of it.

After she introduced me to the children, we returned to my room to prepare for the dinner.

A Few Hours Later

I stepped into the dining room, barely able to breathe in the suffocating dress they'd forced me to wear.

The two children from earlier sat at the table, now dressed to match the elegance and cold formality of everyone else present.

To be continued...