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7. YOUNG LADY

He opens the door and there's the man who came to my house to bring my sister back. Although I try to avoid them, something catches my eye, now I can see him more clearly, blond hair, a defined jaw, and blue eyes like mine. His athletic body reminds me of how intimidated I felt by him at home, but his gaze was different, one of pure malice and authority.

"Sir, I'm sorry to disturb you. But we need to define something urgent regarding the ceremony."

His gaze followed mine, paying attention to the Lord, without making eye contact. Something that reminds me of the housekeeper's warning not to look the Lord in the eye. But I've ignored him so many times that I can hardly count.

I lowered my gaze, diverting my attention to my feet, shod in the luxurious shoes that had been made available to me. Only the gentle touch of the Lord's hands on my chin makes me raise my face again to look at him.

"I have some things to sort out," he mutters, his hoarse voice echoing in the room. "But wait for me right here. Treat my room as if it were your own, young lady."

I nod hesitantly, feeling a mixture of anxiety and curiosity as I watch him walk away. His request was clear and I had no choice but to comply.

As soon as he leaves the room, my body immediately relaxes, as if I were carrying a weight. What have I done to end up in his room, isn't it possible that I'm so curious to know what it's like to be his slave?

With slow steps, I began to explore the luxurious room that was now somehow mine. The décor was surprisingly similar to that of my room, a choice that somehow made me feel a strange sense of familiarity amid all the unknown.

The walls were covered in dark, textured wallpaper, reminiscent of weathered wood. Candles arranged in golden candelabras softly illuminated the room, creating a mysterious atmosphere. A large gold-framed mirror occupied one of the walls, reflecting the image of a young woman who was still trying to adapt to this new reality.

The bed was majestic, with black silk sheets that contrasted with the gold of the canopy. There were decorative cushions carefully arranged on it, creating an irresistible invitation to lie down. Next to the bed, a small ebony bedside table contained various objects, including an old book and a red rose in a delicate porcelain vase.

I walk towards the huge window, admiring the view outside, although the weather is cloudy with the sun hidden in the clouds, the view is still magnificent. What does the blond man mean by ceremony? Is it something to do with his status as Lord? Or a bloody ceremony?

My heart is beating fast, fear is taking hold of me. I rest my hand on the window and raise the other, stopping in front of my chest. I start to breathe calmly so that my heart stops beating so fast with fear. I don't have a minute's peace; when I stop to think, I'm once again eating away at the unknown. Where did I end up, why does he want to make me his slave, there are so many women out there, older and I believe more experienced than me.

I close my eyes, and images of my sister take over my mind, like a vision. I can see her so real, how strange. She's sad, at my best friend Martina's house.

The images become distant when hands touch my arm, a discomfort in that area brings me out of my trance.

"I see you're settled in the Master's room." His voice sounds familiar, I turn around and see his blue eyes staring at me with a certain disdain. Instinctively, I take a few steps back, away from him, as I approach the bedroom door. My voice comes out harsh, full of suspicion.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with your master?"

He turns to follow in my footsteps, crossing his arms at chest height and looking at me coolly. "He's sorted everything out, whatever it is. He asked to see if you needed anything since Beatrice had to leave to take care of the ceremony details for him."

My body bumps unconsciously against the door, making me realize that I was still backing away, leaving me trapped in that room with him.

"I don't need anything from you." My voice comes out shaky and full of nerves.

A crooked smile appears on his lips as he approaches me, and the feeling of being trapped intensifies. He responds with an insinuation that makes me uncomfortable. "Maybe you do, you just don't know it yet."

Before the man's uncomfortable proximity could intensify, I turned quickly and opened the door to find Lord standing outside. He looked at me, visibly confused by my haste to leave the room. However, he soon became serious and clenched his fists, making his veins pop.

"What were you doing, Zion?" His voice sounded authoritative, hoarse, and deep, and an immediate tension filled the air. "I made it clear that it was only to check if she needed anything."

Zion, visibly uncomfortable with the situation, stammered out an answer.

"I was just following orders, master. She seemed nervous, so I thought I'd take a look."

"If you need anything, young lady, don't hesitate to ask Beatrice. She'll be back soon." His tone of voice was much calmer when he addressed me, but his gaze remained fixed on Zion as if seeking an explanation.

As soon as the door closed abruptly, making me jump, a shiver ran down my spine. Instinctively, I hugged my own body, as if seeking some form of protection or comfort in that uncomfortable situation. He was silent for a moment, looking at me intently with his eyes.

"Did he touch you, young lady?" His calm voice makes me look into his eyes. Trying to understand his sudden change of mood. "You seemed in a hurry to get out of here."

My arms fall by my side, keeping me a few centimeters away from his body. At least this way I can concentrate on things, as I'm too easily carried away by his ways.

"No, he didn't touch me." My voice sounded firm, but at the same time revealed a trace of uncertainty. "Why does everyone call him Master or Lord?" My curiosity overcame my prudence and, surprisingly, he didn't seem offended by my question. He moved away from me and sat down in an armchair near the fireplace.

The flames crackled as he lit them, spreading a cozy feeling throughout the room. Only at that moment did I realize that I was cold. The conversation was becoming less tense, and my mind was starting to process the strange situation I was in better.

"They call me that out of respect and formality." He replied, averting his eyes from mine for a moment. He leaned his elbows on the armrests, revealing a ring with a coat of arms that I recognized from the buttons on the housekeeper's and Zion's clothes. "But my name is Alaric Blackwood. And you, miss, what is your name?"

This interest in knowing my name bothers me. Can I reveal my name to him? Doesn't he know my sister's name? After all, she's the one who should be here.

"Nyra... my name is Nyra." My voice comes out quickly, pronouncing my name.

He remains serious, his gaze dark and distant, as if he were analyzing something. My body begins to tense as if he knows I'm hiding some very important information from him.

"Nice name, miss." He crosses his leg over the other, resting his elbows on it. "But tell me, did you come to my room to agree to be my slave?"

For a moment, my mind freezes as I stare into his eyes, which are changing color, just like before in that huge room.

"I don't want to be anything, just do what has to be done". My response is quick, nervous, without any kind of fear. I can't let my fear overwhelm me, if I'm here to be some kind of sacrifice or whatever, let it be done soon.

He gets up quickly from the armchair, standing so close to me that my eyes blink trying to process this instant proximity.

"I see you're in a hurry, miss. But I'm sorry to tell you that it won't be today that you die."

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