NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Betrayed
"Open the gates!" The guard yelled from the tower.
The gate slowly opened for the carraige to move in, but instead, it stopped.
"What is going on here?" A feminine voice said from inside.
The coach rushed to open the door, revealing a young lady, perhaps younger than Iris.
"My lady," the rude gaurd spoke.
This girl here is an imposter demanding to meet Master Andros and aslo posing to be lady…" His words were cut short by the lady's words.
"Lady Iris Thorvald," Her eyes were wide with surprise. She stepped out from the carraige and gave a courtesy.
"I'm Lady Andros.
Welcome, we have been waiting for your arrival," She smiled.
Iris's brows furrowed . How did they know that she was coming? Did her grandmother write to them?
"Come on in, It's freezing out here," Lady Andros tlglanced at her clothes.
Iris smiled then turned to Matteo.
"Thank you so much," She said.
But he didn't have his usual smile. Rather, his face was in a deep frown.
"Excuse me, lady," He said, Ignoring Iris's gratitude.
"But, I can't leave Lady Iris alone here. I'll have to come with her,"
His words shocked Iris as she stared at the man.
"Matteo, it's okay, I'll be safe now." she said. Her heart warmed by the fact that this guy knew nothing about her struggles yet, he cared. He helped a total stranger.
Matteo leaned into her ear, "My gut is not okay with leaving you here. And I always trust my instincts," he whispered.
"You can come and stay with her too," Lady Andros said, with warm smile.
"Good," He said.
Iris joined the lady in the carriage while Matteo followed with his horse.
An ugly scowl designed the guards face as they made their way in.
But Iris's mind was too consumed by Matteo and his help.
"Don't you have somewhere else to be?" She asked, little guilt tugging at her heart. She didn't want him to pause his life for her.
"Look, I may know nothing about you, but I've had my eyes on you since you stepped into the royal castle with your dancers." His eyes were piercing into her soul as he spoke.
"And all I saw was a girl who needed to escape. You were desperate. And I always choose to help those who need it." His voice cracked.
"I'll leave when I'm sure you are safe."
Warmth spread through her chest, his words brought hope and comfort.
"Come on now, the maids will lead you to your room," Lady Andros ended their heartwarming moment with her words.
A maid came and took Matteo down the halls to the room he would be residing while Lady Andros escorted Iris.
"My husband and the duke will be home soon." She said,
"The Duke?" Iris interrupted. This was the capital and the capital had no dukes. Just the king and other titles under him.
"Yes, They were kept at the castle a bit longer. You know, the king's death and all," Lady Andros's voice held very little grief. But Iris felt some type of pang in her chest. Tonight was the first time she set her eyes on the king, but still, he had ruled the kingdom just well according to everything she has heard over the years. Though, tales about the Royal family being a long deep blood line of demons and ruthless creatures, the king was just a tough guy who looked over his country.
A sound coming from the entrance made Lady Andros pause.
"They are back!" She said, her voice filled with anticipation.
"Come lady Iris, we have to see them," she pulled Iris by the wrist.
She was about to protest, to tell her that she needed to get into a less revealing dress before meeting The baron.
But it was too late to protest, lady Andros had already pulled her towards the living room.
"Welcome my love!" She exclaimed, releasing Iris and rushing to help the Baron take his coat off.
Iris stared at the grumpy old man whose wife was now attending to.
Wife.
When she'd met Lady Andros, she thought maybe the Baron was young himself. She didn't imagine to see a man in his late sixties.
"My lord, Lady Iris is here," His wife said. His eyes finally traveled to Iris who gave him an awkward courtesy.
"Thank you for having me, Lord Andros," she said.
"Where's the duke?" Lady Andros asked her husband. Before he could open his mouth to give an answer, the door was pushed open and a tall man with chocolate brown hair barged in.
Iris's heart dropped.
"Eden!" she screamed, racing towards him.
She wrapped her hands around his neck, tightly hugging him.
She couldn't believe it. Her brother was here!
He really was here!
Now she's convinced that she was safe.
"Excuse us, Baron," Eden's was a chilly echo.
The Baron and Baroness
gave a quick bow before making their way into the long dark hallways.
"Oh, I'm so glad you came for me," Iris said, squeezing the man even tighter.
"Of course I came. You are my only sister, how couldn't I?" His voice was flat. Held no, emotions. So unlike him.
"By the way, since you've refused to die, I had to come do the job myself."
One second,
Two seconds,
Three seconds,
The words didn't make sense.
She moved back in order to look him in the eyes. That was when she noticed she had been the only one hugging him. He was not by any chance holding her.
His eyes were cold. icy cold. No emotions.
Again, so unlike him.
Before she could process his words and the disturbing silence, Eden brought of a small gold colored dagger from the side of his booth.
Pushing her to the wall by their left, he pressed the weapon against her neck.
"What's this?" her vouce cracked.
Eden has always been a loving brother. But never a playful one. What sick joke was this?
"Eden, this isn't the time for jokes, I've been through a lot already," she furrowed her brows.
"Yes, a lot. You were supposed to die after Dominic's death. Not escape and all this drama. It was not part of the plan."
His words swirled around her brain, making her dizzy instantly.
"What plan?"
This had to be a prank.
She tried to push her pinned body of the wall.
The little movement caused a friction between her skin and the sharp blade.
blood stained the knife.
Her blood.
This was no joke.