On Sunday morning, Neil Bathory's car pulled up to the entrance of the Zehren mansion without an invitation or prior announcement. A Bathory could appear in such a surprising manner, and no one would ever dare question it. However, Neil had chosen that particular day because most of the service staff were allowed to rest on Sundays—a rule imposed by the Marquise, quite in keeping with her considerate nature.
Breakfast was prepared as usual, though that morning Eilith Billeter occupied Lucrecia's place, as the "glass doll" had left the mansion only a few days prior. Lucrecia had been specially invited by Lathasha Zehren, obviously with the intention of keeping her away from the residence while Neil made his visit.
It was far too early to receive unexpected visitors. Delilah had even thought about skipping breakfast when she found the perfect and almost magical figure of the noble fairy in the dining room. She found it difficult to greet her with an animated smile when she felt so dissatisfied with herself, but she managed to control the situation nonetheless.
Raguel had invited her as a thank-you for the gifts she had brought back from Yuor. However, since it was a gesture he wished to express personally, it made no sense to the unhappy Delilah that he had involved the others.
—I am very sorry to change your regular routine —Eilith said softly.
—You have made me happy. I am impressed that you accepted my invitation —Raguel responded from the edge of the table.
He could be so courteous and flattering when he wished to be. However, it was Cain who was attending to the mystical fairy, standing by her side just as one would expect.
—You are wearing the necklace.
In the noble fairy's crystalline eyes, the sparkle of the dark diamond hanging from Delilah's neck was reflected. Of course she was wearing it. Lucrecia had personally threatened her; she wouldn't dare disobey her when she was so strict even about the simplest things.
Delilah bowed her head slightly.
—I am sorry... I have no way to thank you for your kindness.
—I would be honored if you would stop being so defensive.
Although the fairy's voice was kind and charming, within Delilah, those words felt aggressive. It had never been her intention to show hostility toward the noblewoman. The feeling of having been trapped was inevitable.
Before she could prepare an adequate response, the dining room door burst open. The King's shadow counselor—a man to whom few had access, someone for whom the highest nobles would fight even for something as simple as sharing breakfast—appeared in that ordinary and unworthy place.
For a moment, no one was able to react. Neither Raguel nor Delilah offered the required respect. It was Eilith who rose first from her seat, remembering her grandfather's teachings on how to behave before a figure of such authority. She lowered her head. No one was to look directly at Neil Bathory or dare to greet him unless he ordered it.
The others followed suit once they finally shook off their shock. Neil paid no attention to the bows; he was far too used to causing atmospheres as somber and silent as that one.
—My apologies. I have come without warning —he said with a feigned modesty that was uncharacteristic of him.
Liam's son took a step forward and extended his hand toward Delilah, who remained bowed before him. She seemed slightly confused, but even looking indirectly, she knew what she had to do. She left her place and walked obediently through the small aisle between the table and the wall until she stopped in front of him.
Cain had not yet recovered from the heavy impression of seeing that man. Although he had only observed him for a couple of seconds, he needed no introduction: his voice, his presence, and his confidence imposed themselves over everything. A man horribly superior in every aspect.
—Diplomacy is not necessary —Neil said with a relaxed smile as he clapped his hands, inviting everyone to relax—. Today, I am just an intruder.
No one moved. Not even an eyebrow.
Eilith slowly raised her face. She didn't remember the last time she had seen Neil. Every time the Bathory house had to handle military matters with Duke Billeter, it was Andrea who attended the meetings.
—Why is Neil Bathory in this place? —she asked.
The young woman's restlessness exceeded what was permitted. Although she had been allowed to drop her posture of respect, no one had authorized her to speak. The crystalline fairy immediately recoiled, embarrassed for having thought out loud. Andrea always had a kind and pleasant presence, but Neil was different. There was a dangerous glint in his eyes that made it impossible to hold his gaze.
Neil, who was rarely cruel to people he considered useful, did not respond either. He simply ignored her, a clear show of his supremacy.
—Your health continues to deteriorate —he finally said, focusing his attention on Delilah—. So I have taken the day off to visit you.
Delilah barely reacted. Various emotions flashed across her dull face. At the same time, Cain's thoughts came to a standstill. He hated the tone with which that man—barely a year older than himself—spoke to Delilah.
—I am also concerned about Delilah... her appearance is not her usual self —Raguel intervened in a low voice, making it clear he was only expressing an opinion and not intending to address Neil directly.
It was a clumsy performance. Neil smiled internally. Raguel was his accomplice and avoided looking at him directly, but he had no talent for hiding his thoughts.
—I feel completely responsible —Neil responded naturally—. Delilah has made many efforts for me. I know she will keep saying she is fine, but she can hide nothing from me.
That exchange was deliberate. Neil was attributing something completely unreasonable to himself.
—I have come because I have decided to take you to live at the Bathory mansion.
With an announcement of that magnitude—of which even Raguel had not been forewarned—the entire atmosphere seemed to distort, momentarily altering time and the environment within the dining room. The house of Bathory had chosen Delilah. It wasn't hard to guess the meaning behind those words, and yet, she could no longer maintain her expression of tranquility.
Something in Cain's chest suddenly grew heavy. A chill ran through his body, and he was unable to hide it. It was then that Neil directed his gaze toward him. He had a clear field: no one seemed to notice that brief silent exchange, but he could observe every trait, every change in the breathing of the Count's son.
The expression on Eilith's face was also not that of someone detached from the problem. Strangely uncomfortable, she raised her head again to look at the girl standing beside Neil.
—Do you wish to live at the Bathory mansion? —she asked.
However, she reacted immediately and lowered her gaze again. Neil also lowered his eyes for a moment. She was Eilith, the Duke's spoiled granddaughter: a princess accustomed to receiving bows, never to offering them. This became evident now that she could not restrain herself.
—What kind of question is that? —Neil finally said, directing his words to Eilith—. The Bathory house is a goal for anyone.
After answering that uncertainty, Neil considered it unnecessary to continue exchanging words in that place. He took Delilah's hand naturally and led her out of the dining room.
His conceited performance was inadmissible to Raguel. Nothing that had just occurred made sense. He wasn't even able to turn and look at Cain or the aggrieved Eilith. He remained motionless until the sound of the door closing echoed in the dining room. Then, the silence became unbearably heavy.
Outside, the sky looked gray and the distant rumbles of lightning announced heavy rain. Even so, after leaving the dining room, Neil calmly walked down the hallway leading toward the garden, a place normally quiet and quite striking for anyone visiting for the first time. The journey was short before he finally decided to speak, direct and frank.
—Delilah, it makes no sense for you to continue living here, exposing yourself to pain. Even if you can control it, you are too valuable to allow yourself to continue this way.
Neil's first truly serious words overwhelmed her. He was always sudden and provocative, making it difficult to keep up with him. However, on this occasion, he was not speaking irrationally. He knew something that, in the depths of her being, she recognized herself: she had hidden her emotions behind her cold face. She didn't want to show that she was suffering, but it was true that she could hide nothing from him.
In all the years of her short life, no one had called her valuable. During all that time, she had simply acted according to her position, limiting herself to being useful. That is why she liked hearing him say those words and, for the first time, she raised her gaze to observe him intently, surprised... and unusually comfortable.
—Do you really like that man? Cain? —he asked bluntly.
Neil had a marked habit of speaking as if people possessed the capacity to be on his level; as if everyone should understand him instantly. And it was at that height where, according to him, only those who could understand him from the first moment were worthwhile.
Although Delilah wanted to respond with sincerity, she was afraid. She felt that if she opened her mouth, she would break. She didn't want to tell the truth because, at that precise moment, she deeply despised her own feelings for Cain.
Neil read it in her eyes. Then he placed his hand on her head and gave her a gentle pat.
—It's fine for now... I am the one who has to save you. It will be so as long as you take this hand.
Then he lowered his hand and offered it to her, as if it were a deal... or perhaps a wager.
Delilah held it.
That was how great her desperation was. So great that she forgot all the precautions she should have: that no matter how much a noble pressed, one should never lose their composure. However, Neil allowed it. Better yet: he ordered it.
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