140 Keeping Up With The Act
“Why the dungeon, if I may ask?” She politely questioned with a considerable daring, curiously meeting the gaze of Lady Odette and it took a while of silence before she got to her feet, standing before Annalise who instantly lowered her gaze, since meeting the gaze of someone like Lady Odette can be considered impolite.
“Come with me.” And she walked out, brushing past Annalise who turned to see the elderly demoness leaving her chambers already.
Her brows creased in puzzlement as she wondered what sort of trap she might be getting herself into. No one fancy’s her presence in the Viscarrian palace, not even the maids, so it’s just baffling that Lady Odette summoned her without any warnings.
Reassuring herself that all is well, she took a quick step out of the chambers and followed Lady Odette’s footsteps. Based on the direction they took as they made it through the corridor and down the long stairs, Anna knew they were heading directly for the dungeon as the elderly demoness had said but her main concern wasn’t their impending destination, she was more worried about what they were going to do there.
Reaching a divided path, Lady Odette took the left path in silence while Anna quietly followed like a hypnotized puppet. She wanted to raise a question but there was this feeling crawling through her senses that forced her to remain quiet.
The path was lit with fork torches and candles. She tried recollecting how frightening the dungeon looked like in Roshan’s childhood memories and it was one of the scariest, blood and human flesh were the only thing that spoke about the horrors of the dungeon, except this particular route they took, seemed more personal, or even private and the cells were empty.
‘Did they renovate the dungeon?’ Thought Annalise to herself as she stared at the empty cells, only to stop directly in front of one since Lady Odette halted as well. A lady was locked in one of these cells, hugging her knees and burying her head between them. Her hair was a terrible mess and there were slight traces of fresh injuries around her arm that were slowly starting to heal.
When she slowly lifted her head up, Anna’s eyes widened in disbelief and a shocking gasp left her lips.
“Lady Gretta?!”
.....
~
Just when Roshan felt happy that his conversation with Azazel was over, uncle Evan decided to steal a little piece of his time with his nostalgic presence, speaking about the family ball and the amount of guests they were to expect on that day.
Unfortunately for Evan, Roshan wasn’t interested about the family ball or what they plan on doing there, he even walked out on him to prove his point while Azazel just hummed a mockery song for his uncle, adding to his already frustrated mood that was caused by Roshan.
“He has no say in this, it’s part of the family tradition and he’s going to have to pick a mate during the family ball, whether he likes it or not.” Uncle Evan sounded final and there was no turning back, that boy really needs to have a mate and not just any mate, but a beautiful mate from a strong, powerful and reputable family that’ll only make the Astaroth family stand stronger in power.
For the first time, Azazel was starting to anticipate the family ball, awaiting the drama that might spurt if Roshan goes against the family rules again.
Reaching Anna’s chamber, the glacier knocked on the door, waiting for the annoying woman to answer him but surprisingly, he didn’t even get a response.
He knocked again, but when the result still came out the same, he opened the door and walked in, only to find her chambers neat but empty of her presence.
Her floral scent still lingered heavily in the room when he inhaled it, making it known to the handsome demon that it hasn’t been too long since she stepped out.
“Where did she go?”
The disappointment didn’t bother to hide itself as it displayed visibly on his face. This woman was really making him chase after her, sooner or later he’s bound to cut those legs of hers so she stays in one place. All the time he was conversing with Uncle Evan, his mind kept drifting to the annoying woman and it became difficult to listen when all he wanted to do was be by her side.
And now that he got that chance, she’s nowhere to be seen.
Closing the door and already thinking of where he’d go to find her, a maid walked past and she bowed her head politely at his presence, not daring to meet his gaze.
“Your highness.”
“Have you seen the human maid?” He asked right away, and to his quick relief, the maid nodded.
“Lady Odette had asked for her a few minutes ago.” The maid informed him and Roshan’s expression turned grim at the information, she’s with lady Odette??
“Why?”
“I’m not sure your highness, but I think they were heading to the dungeon.”
“You can leave.”
The maid nodded and walked away. After her dismissal, Roshan let out a frustrated sigh as he combed his fingers through his hair, inhaling deeply to maintain his building rage before exhaling through his parted lips. He wasn’t wrong when he said that woman was a trouble magnet. She really doesn’t know who to avoid and when to avoid them.
Why would his Aunt take Anna to the dungeon???
~
“Forgive me Anna, it wasn’t my intention to hurt you.” Gretta pleaded with teary eyes as she looked up to meet Anna’s dumbstruck stare, “I admit my wrongs and I feel ashamed for what I did to you, please let bygones be bygones.”
“But I’m not holding anything against you.” The confused Annalise finally said something, not until Lady Odette suddenly chose to interfere.
“How is that possible? She poisoned your juice, and has admitted it to you herself. Surely there must be some punishment you wish to throw on her part.” Lady Odette pointed out with a convincing appearance etching to her face, to the point they reached her midnight black orbs and spoke of her false considerability.
“I’ll take whatever punishment you give me.” Gretta was already on her knees, holding on to the hem of Anna’s dress as she pleaded for mercy and her actions were leaving Anna in pure bafflement.
“I know I wasn’t good to you, and I know how big of a mistake I’ve caused, punish me if you see fit Anna.”
“But_” she tried to move back a bit, avoiding Gretta’s grip on the hem of her dress and not completely sure of what she should make of the scene in front of her. Gretta poisoning her juice in the first place wasn’t a shock to her, but watching her admit it and beg before a maid for mercy was another thing.
The Gretta she knows would rather die than bring herself this low to a maid.
“You were the victim, so it’s your right to punish my foolish niece for acting so despicable, what is your choice Anna dear?” Asked lady Odette who had a look of remorse on her face, but Anna doesn’t think she has a say in any of this.
“Why should I do that when she’s already being punished?”
“Then save me from the hands of Roshan,” Gretta quickly chimed in with a pleading gaze, “I heard you’re the only one who can convince him to let me go.”
“But..”
“Gretta!”
It felt like the soul harboring inside of her was spiritually forced out of her system as the hairs on her body stood at attention, hearing Roshan call her name in such a menacing tone that it sent prickles of fear coursing through her nerves.
When they all turned to look in his direction, he was standing not too far from Gretta’s cell and all of a sudden, his fists clenched tightly at his side.
Gretta, who was the first to notice it felt her throat instantly close up at his action, making it difficult to breathe as an invisible force seemed to squeeze the air out of her lungs and she let out a panicked cry, sprawling to the ground as she choked for some air.
Anna’s eyes horrifically widened at the sight, watching Gretta struggling to breathe like a dying fish on land, her hands clutching to her own neck but how could she stop the choking when she couldn’t even touch what was choking her??
To heighten the situation, Roshan’s fist balled tightly as he closed her throat even tighter, the pain contorting her ghastly face as he showed the young demoness no mercy with the intention of ending her life.
Anna turned to look at Roshan who was staring daggers at the demoness and her eyes landed on his palm that was angrily clenched at his side.
Was he doing this???
“Stop.” Her brain finally worked and she hurried to his side, trying to open his palm but he didn’t let her until his eyes landed on the worried Annalise.
“You’ll kill her, stop, please.” She begged. He had the intention of ignoring her at first but seeing her pleading doe eyes, he let out a controlled sigh and released his palm.
Gretta who already had tears swimming from the corner of her eyes, finally coughed when the aching in her throat suddenly reduced. She gasped for air as her chest burned in response to the aches that surpassed her throat.
Lady Odette was completely taken aback by the sight in front of her, “Roshan, you could have-”
“Don’t talk to me.” He instantly shut her up, making it clear to the elderly demoness who was dumbstruck by the anger in his tone, despite how hard he tried to control it.
“Let’s go.” Grabbing Anna’s wrist, he took her out of the dungeon before she could say a word to him and only after his presence had faded did a relief look wash over Gretta’s face.
“Aunt! I...I thought you said this_ would work??” She was nearly yelling as she gasped for air in between her words, realizing she could have died but Lady Odette was nowhere sorry for her niece.
“It will, this is all part of the plan, but you need to be a little more patient and keep up with the act.”
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