Chapter 104 - The Doll and the Duchess's Dread

I stared at the doll in Alaric's study, its single eye seeming to follow me as I paced. My stomach churned at the sight of it – the perfect replica of my blue silk gown, the gouged eye socket filled with that vile night-blooming cereus. Someone had crafted this with meticulous attention to detail. Someone who had been close enough to memorize every lace pattern on my dress.

"I'll kill them." Alaric's voice cut through the silence, low and dangerous. He stood by the window, his knuckles white against the windowsill. "Whoever sent this... whoever is threatening you... I'll tear them apart with my bare hands."

I'd never seen him like this – fury radiating from every inch of his body, his jaw clenched so tightly I worried he might crack his teeth.

"We need to keep you hidden away," he continued, turning to me with blazing eyes. "Cancel all your appointments. No more public appearances. You shouldn't leave the estate until we find who's behind this."