Chapter 67 Claimed By The Duke (1)

Chapter 67 Claimed By The Duke (1)
“Lady Rosamund,” Evelina called, pulling me out of my thoughts. “We have arrived.”
I sighed, not out of relief but in fear. My hands gripped my dress tightly.
We have arrived.
That thought filled my head.
I stared at the castle from inside the carriage. It loomed high into the gray sky, its dark stone towers casting long, imposing shadows over the courtyard. The moment I saw it, the fear inside me grew even stronger. I knew that whatever awaited me in this castle was nothing but evil.
“My lady,” Evelina said, offering her hand. “Allow me to help you down.”
I looked at her, well aware that she was just a spy sent by my parents to watch my every move.
Coming here wasn’t my choice; my family had forced me into this nightmare. Everyone knew Duke Tristan. He was ruthless, cruel, and I was set to become his tenth bride.
Every single woman before me had been reported dead on the very first day of her marriage. The rumors were horrific—they said he slaughtered them, drank their blood, and ate their flesh.
My parents knew all of this, yet they still sent me here just so the Duke could become their son-in-law. My father had recently bought his noble title, but wealth wasn’t enough for them; they wanted royal influence.
They didn’t care if I died the same way. As long as the Duke married me, they would forever be connected to his noble house, and that alone would give them all the influence they had ever wanted.
I stretched out my hand. Evelina took it and helped me down from the carriage. Cold mountain wind whipped against my skin, carrying the faint scent of rain and old stone.
Taking a long breath, I walked toward the castle. The guards standing at the entrance opened the massive doors the moment they saw us.
“My lady,” they greeted me with a bow.
I offered a tight, fake smile to hide my panic.
One of the female servants led me inside the castle, through dimly lit hallways filled with flickering torches. I gasped when I saw dozens of noblemen and noblewomen seated around a long dining table, surrounded by grand chandeliers and lavish silver platters.
My eyes darted nervously around the hall before settling on the Duke, who sat proudly at the head of the table. He was draped in fine dark velvet, imposing and motionless.
“Your Grace.” I bowed my head respectfully.
He didn’t speak right away. His dark, piercing gaze burned into me, heavy and suffocating. Seeing me bow, the nobles began to whisper among themselves—loud enough for me to hear every word.
“Look at her,” a lady snickered. “A low-born noble trying to play in the big leagues.”
“Does she really think she belongs here?” another sneered. “Climbing into the Duke’s bed won’t change her weak blood.”
Bride? Bed? I don’t want any of this! I wanted to scream at them, but I bit my lip until I tasted blood and stayed quiet.
“Rise,” the Duke commanded.
The hall went dead silent.
I lifted my head and met his cold, icy eyes for a second before looking down.
“Lady Rosamund,” he said. His voice was deep, smooth, and laced with danger. “Welcome to my castle.”
I forced myself to curtsy gracefully, lifting my chin to meet his gaze without flinching. “Thank you for your hospitality, Your Grace.”
He didn’t move. He just studied me like a predator judging its prey. Finally, he raised a single hand, and two maids immediately stepped forward.
“Take Lady Rosamund to the east wing... and...” He paused. A faint smile appeared on his lips before disappearing just as quickly. “Make her comfortable.”
Wait... that’s it? No feast? No formal greeting?
The maids turned to lead me away, but his voice cut through the silent room, stopping me dead in my tracks.
“Lady Rosamund.”
I froze in my tracks.
“I will visit your room tonight.”
Cold terror rushed through my veins. He was coming to my room tonight. Just like the nine brides before me, I wasn’t going to survive.
The heavy double doors of the grand hall closed behind me, cutting off the cruel laughter and hushed mocking of the nobles.
The silence of the East Wing was instant, suffocating, and heavy with secrets.
The two maids walked ahead of me in complete silence. Their footsteps made no sound on the thick red carpet that stretched along the stone hallway. Evelina walked a step behind me, and I could feel her sharp eyes on my back, like a blade ready to strike.
“Is the East Wing always this quiet?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the rapid pounding in my chest.
Neither of the maids answered. They simply turned into another dimly lit hallway.
When they finally stopped before a massive set of carved oak doors, one of the maids pushed them open and stepped aside.
“Your quarters, Lady Rosamund,” one of the maids whispered, her voice devoid of any warmth before leaving the place.
I stepped across the threshold, and a sharp gasp escaped my lips.
The room was large and beautiful. A huge canopy bed with deep emerald-green curtains stood in the middle of the room. A warm fire burned in the large stone fireplace, filling the room with a soft golden glow. Polished wooden furniture and sparkling crystal chandeliers completed the grand chamber.
It was a room fit for a queen—or a gilded cage for a sacrificial lamb.
“Allow me to prepare you for the night, my lady,” Evelina said, stepping into the room behind me before shutting the door behind her.
I turned to look at her. Her face was an unreadable mask.
“You seem very composed, Evelina,” I said softly, standing still as she began unfastening the endless silver buttons along the spine of my heavy velvet gown. “Are you not afraid for me?”
Her hands paused for a split second before resuming their work.
“My duty is to serve you, Lady Rosamund,” she replied quietly, her tone flat. “Not to ponder the Duke’s... preferences.”
Preferences. Is that what they called the horrific deaths of nine women?
She helped me out of my heavy dress and dressed me in a simple, floor-length ivory silk nightgown. The thin fabric offered little warmth against the cold air that drifted through the castle’s old stone walls.
“I will leave you now,” Evelina said with a shallow bow. “My lady.”
Before I could ask her another question, she slipped out of the room, leaving me alone.