The great Bathory mansion, considered an achievement and a goal for a vast number of nobles, was not so impressive to the eyes of Baron Asselin's son. At the very least, it was not as its exaggerated reputation described it. His high expectations were barely met. However, Liam Bathory's house was far from being the true calling card of the current heir.
The fact that Raguel had been invited by the brothers who possessed such matchless prestige—without intermediaries and in complete secrecy—was revealed with every step he took toward the study, where he would be received with unexpected kindness.
In such circumstances, he could no longer consider Delilah special. The irony of life was truly absurd. Many people could collapse with just a single word from Neil Bathory, and yet, those who lacked that kind of ambition were being forced to look him in the face.
Raguel found that family far too conceited, but he would never refuse the opportunity to observe closely the man who had destroyed the confidence of a woman like Lucrecia Reines. To Neil, undoubtedly, the gods had granted certain gifts. If Raguel were forced to describe him now that he finally had him before him, he wouldn't know where to begin praising him.
—Thank you for accepting my invitation.
When Neil greeted him, Raguel confirmed that even his voice seemed carefully crafted to disarm anyone. Nothing had even begun yet, and he already felt at a disadvantage.
While the heir's appearance did not stand out for a particularly rigid aristocratic distinction—rather, he seemed like an ordinary man—he was devilishly attractive. A celebrity capable of gaining popularity just by smiling or directing his gaze somewhere. Perhaps that was the reason why no noble could meet with him easily. Instead, a group of butlers handled bureaucratic matters. Neil was a free man: someone who lived for himself, someone who saw those seduced by high-society protocols as clowns.
—You are here because I need you to explain a particular matter to me —Neil continued calmly—. Once I understand what I wish to know, I would like to speak about the Baron's family.
Fierce words came from a soft and gentle voice. As he spoke, Andrea poured a glass of wine with elegant movements, as if taking for granted that Raguel would agree to answer his older brother's concerns.
Young Asselin had the feeling that the moment the origins of his selection within the circle of candidates would be revealed to him had finally arrived. If that were the case, he was willing to provide Neil with everything he needed. The encounter between those two was destined to happen sooner or later, because upon it depended whether Raguel's status and influence would change forever.
—Although that girl is not usually particularly expressive, her situation has worsened in just a few days —Neil said with a pensive look—. She simply keeps saying she will be careful, that there is nothing to worry about.
Raguel had no time to relax or drink from the crystal glass. Neil had spoken directly, offering an all-too-familiar description, as if expecting his guest's reaction to reveal something important.
—I have the methods to obtain some answers from her —Neil continued— but I do not wish to force her. It is possible that the ground I wish to access is too intimate.
Raguel did not need to hear more to understand that the concern of that man had a name: Delilah.
He felt frustrated thinking that, somehow, Neil knew he possessed the answer to what troubled him. The Bathory heir's reputation for being someone who knows everything was no lie. However, Raguel smiled with arrogance upon realizing something: even the powerful Neil was unable to know the truth of a poor girl who simply suffered for love.
—You know that girl is quite good at keeping things to herself —he finally said, crossing his arms.
—That repressed personality of hers makes her capable of destroying herself on her own —Neil responded coldly.
Raguel let out a short laugh.
—You are being dramatic. No one destroys themselves for love.
His words caused the brothers to look at each other in surprise. For an instant, the suppositions that had already been cleared up by Delilah herself regained their strength.
The brown-haired demon remembered the young woman's lamentable image all too well. He knew he had no right to speak about her personal matters when she strove so hard to keep them hidden, but he thought that either of these two brothers might have the power to improve her condition.
—I am also worried —he finally added—. I would like to help her, but definitely, no one can. Cain is quite insensitive regarding those matters. As you must already know, one cannot be more cornered than when falling in love with someone like him.
The revelation fell like an unexpected blow. Linking the man who had renounced his title as Count with Delilah was not exactly what Neil or Andrea expected.
—Cain...? —Andrea murmured, taking a moment to process it.
Neil remained silent. He and his brother knew well the past of which Cain was a prisoner. There was nothing surprising about a man who rejected all women for that reason. But then... why would Delilah have fallen into such an obvious trap? It made no sense.
—And... what are the feelings of the Count's son? —Neil finally asked.
The heir of the Bathory house felt uncomfortable, even incredulous. He asked the question while countless thoughts crossed his mind. Raguel finally took a sip of wine before responding.
—They are those of a man who tries to wound himself and anyone who draws near, all for the purpose of never again stepping into the hell of his disastrous past. Although Delilah is unfortunate to fixate on someone like that... I must admit I am impressed.
He placed the glass on the table with a light clink.
—She has managed to confuse him. At this moment, he cannot comprehend what that girl's true feelings are. This strange war between the two of them is... a bit twisted.
Apparently, Neil did not occupy the most important place in Delilah's life. Who would have imagined that a part of something he believed to be his was related to another man?
The light entering through the windows illuminated his expression of incomprehension. He remained in silence for a long moment, analyzing every detail of what had occurred around Delilah in the last few days. In the end, he could only reach one conclusion. There is no method to change people's feelings. Until now, the only "impossible" he knew was precisely everything related to human emotions.
—If Delilah hides her feelings —he finally said— it means there is still something I can do.
His voice turned cold.
—I will not allow her to lose, even if her body falls to pieces.
Andrea and Raguel looked at him in surprise.
—Brother... what do you mean?
Neil rested his fingers on the table calmly.
—I am going to give them a single opportunity.
Raguel could barely believe the arrogance with which he spoke.
—I will visit the mansion over the weekend —Neil continued—. Raguel, find some reason to invite Miss Eilith.
—What?
Neil was, without a doubt, an irritating person. He spoke as if he could give orders to anyone. And he was definitely no guardian angel, especially when saying things like "falling to pieces."
—You have nothing to worry about —he added with absolute confidence—. Delilah is my protégée.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
—A valuable existence destined to be favored by Neil Bathory.
The sincerity in those conceited words forced Raguel to reorganize his thoughts. Deep down, he wished for that girl to be freed from the pain her feelings caused her. So, in the end, he could do nothing else but follow Neil's plan.
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