In the midst of her duties, Ruby directed the other maids to gather the gifts and deliver them to Camilla's room. Her thoughts remained clouded by the unexpected turn of events, and the uncertainty of Camilla's future loomed heavily in her mind.
Ruby and the other maids proceeded upstairs to deliver the gifts to Camilla's room. They reached her door, but there was no response to their initial knock. Ruby, taking the lead, decided to investigate further and discovered that the door was slightly ajar.
With caution, Ruby pushed the door open, revealing Camilla inside, fast asleep. She signaled to the other maids to enter quietly, making sure not to disturb their lady's rest. They placed the gifts in the room, careful not to make any noise.
Ruby seized the opportunity to explore Camilla's chamber. As she positioned the gifts discreetly, her thoughts swirled with anticipation. The thought that had been nagging at her for some time had become an irresistible urge: to search the room for hidden secrets.
After ensuring that the other maids had departed, Ruby found herself alone in the room, her heart pounding with trepidation. She scrutinized her surroundings with a keen eye, determined to uncover any hidden truths.
As she approached Camilla's bed, her gaze shifted to the slumbering lady. Ruby couldn't help but study Camilla's peaceful face, a mixture of emotions coursing through her. She observed the gentle rise and fall of Camilla's chest as she slept, a testament to the calmness that had temporarily settled within her.
With a delicate step backward, Ruby continued her exploration, eventually arriving at the spot where Rita's lifeless body had been discovered. The memories of that grim day resurfaced, and Ruby's eyes squeezed shut in an instinctive response to the overwhelming emotions that surged within her.
In that moment, Ruby was transported back to the day she had found Rita's lifeless body, a sight that had left an indelible mark on her soul. The pain and shock of that discovery have haunted her ever since. With gritted teeth, Ruby fought back the tears that threatened to surface, determined not to let her emotions overwhelm her.
Ruby carefully inspected the space under Camilla's bed, hoping to uncover any hidden clues or secrets that might provide answers to the mysteries that had long tormented her. Her mind raced as she recalled the tragic day when she had discovered Rita's lifeless body in this very room. At that time, she had come across a snake's shed skin under the bed—a chilling and enigmatic find.
Ruby, despite her thorough search of Camilla's room, had come up empty-handed. Disappointment and frustration weighed on her as she stood up, contemplating the enigmatic past that continued to haunt her. With a heavy sigh, she reluctantly averted her gaze from Camilla's slumbering face and made her way out of the room.
As she strode through the dimly lit corridor, her thoughts remained consumed by the mysteries that surrounded Rita's death. The memory of that grim day and the snake's shed skin she had discovered beneath Camilla's bed lingered in her mind, refusing to be ignored.
Ruby's gut feelings and intuition were telling her that there was more to the story than met the eye. Her suspicions had not wavered; they had only grown stronger over time. The black vibes that seemed to emanate from Camilla's room were a persistent presence, a nagging sensation that couldn't be dismissed.
With each step she took away from Camilla's room, Ruby felt a growing determination. She knew she couldn't abandon her quest for the truth. The past held secrets that begged to be unraveled, and she was resolved to confront the darkness that loomed over her lady's life.
**
Veronica's excitement to share the good news about Francis and Camilla was palpable as she approached her daughter's room. The urgent call from David had initially stirred fear in her and Alfred, but the revelation was a pleasant surprise, one they were eager to convey to Adela.
Knocking on Adela's bedroom door, Veronica eagerly called out, "Adela!" When there was no response, she assumed her daughter might still be sleeping and cautiously entered the room. To her surprise, she was met with an unexpected sight.
Elisa, one of Adela's trusted confidants, was present in the room, her expression fraught with nervousness. But what puzzled Veronica the most was the absence of Adela.
Veronica's stern gaze bore into Elisa, her concern growing by the moment. Elisa's unease was palpable, and she realized that there was no way to evade the duchess's questioning.
Taking a deep breath, Elisa confessed, "My lady..."
Meanwhile, in the palace, Adela and Richard shared a rare moment of tranquility. As they lay together, Richard gently played with Adela's hair, and Adela couldn't help but express her contentment.
With a sleepy and affectionate tone, Adela said, "Love."
Richard responded with equal tenderness, "Yes, love."
Adela continued, "I think now I can sleep so peacefully. I don't feel hot at night." Her status as a fire mage had always made her body temperature higher than normal, often causing discomfort.
Adela's fingers traced delicate patterns on Richard's chest, her touch sending shivers down his spine. As she spoke those words, "Your body temperature is down," Richard felt a sudden rush of warmth and affection for the woman beside him.
He took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts, and then turned to face Adela. His eyes were filled with a mixture of excitement and determination as he said, "Adela, I want to talk to Master about you and me."
Adela propped herself up on her elbow, her curiosity piqued. "You and I? What do you mean by that?" She gazed into Richard's eyes, searching for the meaning behind his words. His fingers brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, and he offered a gentle smile before revealing his intentions.
"I want to marry you," Richard declared, his voice laced with sincerity.
Adela's initial shock was evident, and her heart raced in response to his unexpected proposal. Thoughts raced through her mind, and she hesitated before replying. She pressed her lips together, contemplating the weight of his request.
"My... Prince, don't you think it will be a little quick?" Adela finally stammered, trying to find the right words to express her concerns.
Richard's eyes narrowed slightly, puzzled by her hesitation. "Quick? Why so? Don't you want to marry me?" He looked earnestly at her, awaiting her response.
Adela took a deep breath, her gaze shifting as she wrestled with her inner turmoil. Her hesitation wasn't rooted in a lack of love or commitment; rather, it was tied to the shadows of her past and the uncertainties of her future.
"I didn't mean it like that, my love. It's just... Actually," Adela began but then stopped herself, struggling to put her thoughts into words. She sat up and turned away from him, her mind drifting back to the challenges she had faced in the past.
As Richard sat up and held Adela from behind, his protective embrace reassured her, but it was clear that there was something troubling her. He rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice filled with concern and sincerity, as he said, "I won't kill you, Adela. Don't be afraid."
Adela sighed, knowing that the source of her unease was not something as simple as fear. She turned her head to meet his eyes, her gaze filled with uncertainty. "No, it's not like that, honey."
Their gazes locked, and for a moment, they communicated through the silent exchange of emotions. Adela's breathing slowed as she leaned against his chest, seeking solace and understanding in his arms. Finally, she mustered the courage to reveal a part of the truth that had weighed heavily on her.
"Love, your father will not allow us to marry so soon. He will do something to stop it," Adela admitted, her voice laced with worry.
Richard's determination flared, and he tightened his embrace. "I will start a rebellion when the time comes. We'll fight for our love, Adela."
Adela appreciated his devotion, but there was more to her concerns. She looked up at him, her eyes revealing another layer of her hidden fears. "Also, I am searching for a body."
Richard, taken aback, couldn't fathom what she meant. "A body? What do you mean by body?" He asked, his mind racing to make sense of her words.
Adela sighed heavily, realizing that she couldn't keep this secret any longer. But the truth was a heavy burden to bear, one that could change everything. She hesitated, and Richard sensed her hesitation, prompting him to ask, "Adela, are you hiding something from me?"
With a deep breath, Adela began to share the secrets that had haunted her. "Richard, there's something I've kept hidden from you, something I've been searching for. It's a matter of life and death, and it's connected to my past."
Richard's brows furrowed as he tried to comprehend the gravity of the situation. "Life and death? Adela, you have to tell me everything. We're partners in this, and we'll face it together."
Adela's revelation hung heavy in the air as she took a deep breath, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and uncertainty. "I don't know if you've heard, but a long time ago, a witch was brutally burned here."
Richard's expression shifted from shock to curiosity. "What?" He leaned in, giving his full attention to Adela's words.
Adela continued, her voice barely above a murmur, as if speaking too loudly might summon the past.
To be continued.