The smile of the sophisticated Lucrecia Reines vanished that afternoon when she received a sudden message that interrupted her meal with Marquise Zehren. She had spent wonderful days learning directly from the woman she admired most and did not take that impertinence well. She found it difficult to erase the expression of annoyance from her face even when she learned the message came from Eilith Billeter.
At that moment, it seemed nothing could scratch the fortress of the "French doll." During her stay at the residence, Lathasha herself had told her of future plans: she and Cain would be separated from the rest of the candidates to receive special training. From then on, the total administration of the marquessate's lands would be at their full disposal; their proposals would be executed and their decisions fully backed by the Marquise.
All of that could only be interpreted in one way.
However, it moved to the background when she heard the true content of the message. The Duke's granddaughter trusted that Lucrecia would be the only one capable of fixing the disaster Neil Bathory had caused during breakfast.
Lathasha was understanding. She knew better than anyone what the young woman's reaction would be upon learning of the current situation at the mansion. Evidently, several unusual things had occurred during her absence.
The car that was to take her back departed shortly after, but the vehicle's speed became a cruel joke of which Lucrecia had no intention of laughing. As they moved along the road, time began to feel unbearably slow. The sky began to darken, absorbing the hours like a cloth slowly soaking in water.
At the mansion, Cain had remained in silence, apart from the rest of the candidates. Not much time had passed since Neil withdrew and, aside from that, none of the three chosen male candidates knew what would happen from now on. For her part, Lady Billeter remained waiting in the entrance hall.
Lucrecia was still too far away.
The clock struck nine in the evening when Delilah finally crossed the second-floor hallway to head down the stairs. She did not consider it necessary to say goodbye personally to the other candidates, nor did she even try to see them to communicate her decisions. Although that mansion was no paradise nor did a true bond exist to unite her to her companions, she knew this was not a definitive farewell either. The destiny that awaited her was still uncertain.
She was descending the last step when a voice stopped her.
—Are you going to leave without saying anything?
Eilith was blocking her path.
Delilah did not react immediately to the figure guarding the exit. For an instant, it was impossible for her to comprehend what she was seeing, as if it were a hallucination. Her expression became insecure. Those words made no sense coming from those red lips.
Outside the mansion, Neil had left a car that would take her directly to the Bathory residence once she finished preparing her luggage. Delilah was a reserved girl; her measured behavior could seem cold. Even so, Eilith knew that even if she tried to stop her obviously, she would not react in a hostile manner.
—I am sorry... but I cannot allow you to leave.
For a moment, Eilith thought Delilah's eyes were truly beautiful when they filled with bewilderment. That small, silent girl had a particular charm. However, a fleeting memory stifled her thoughts.
During the trip to Yuor, Cain had become quite pitiable after his encounter with Layla. His nights were long and, because of that, he often ended up falling asleep in any place where he was allowed to rest. It was not something especially worrying.
Or so Eilith had thought.
In reality, she was being selfish by not looking beyond her own desires. She understood it only the moment she heard Delilah's name leave the cold lips of Cain's unconscious body. Then, everything made sense.
Eilith looked at the girl before her again.
—Delilah... tell me something.
Her voice sounded lower this time.
—What is it that you feel for Cain?
In that instant, a chill ran through Delilah's body, as if those words had the power to break her from the inside. Something was not flowing normally. Why was Eilith asking that kind of question?
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