Chapter 12: Beast
Elara's thoughts were still swirling from her failed escape attempt when the door creaked open again. She stiffened, expecting to see Ravenor's dark silhouette or Seraphine's taught face, but instead, a small figure cautiously stepped inside, carrying a tray of food.
The girl looked young, perhaps around Elara's age, with large brown eyes and a nervous energy about her. Her hands trembled slightly as she balanced the tray, casting anxious glances around the room as if Ravenor himself might leap out from the shadows at any moment.
Elara stood, eyeing the girl curiously. This was a new face, someone she hadn't seen before.
"Your... meal," the girl stammered, setting the tray down on the table with a soft clink. She quickly stepped back, folding her hands in front of her apron, clearly eager to avoid lingering.
Elara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I don't think we've met. You are?"
The girl dipped her head quickly, avoiding direct eye contact. "I'm Mira, Lady. I've been assigned to tend to your needs."
And keep an eye on me. Elara thought bitterly.
There was something timid about her, the way she moved as if she were treading on eggshells. Elara's eyes flicked to the door before returning to Mira, an idea already forming in her mind. The girl seemed harmless enough, but perhaps... she could be useful.
"Mira, was it?" Elara said, her voice soft but probing. "Have you worked here long?"
Mira's eyes widened, and she shook her head hurriedly. "No, Lady. Just a few months. I mostly stay out of sight."
Elara smiled faintly. "I see. Must be difficult to stay out of sight when your master is as... vigilant as he is."
Mira stiffened at the mention of Ravenor, her eyes darting nervously to the door. She said nothing, but her silence spoke volumes.
Elara tilted her head, watching Mira closely. "He's terrifying, isn't he?"
Mira's hands fidgeted with the hem of her apron, her knuckles white. "The Master... he doesn't like it when we... speak out of turn."
Elara chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "I bet he doesn't." She took a step closer to Mira, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "What's his name, anyway?"
Mira froze, her eyes wide as saucers. For a moment, Elara thought she might refuse to answer, but then the girl whispered, barely audible, "Master Ravenor... Ravenor Frostveil."
"Ravenor," Elara repeated, tasting the name on her tongue.
So the beast had a name after all.
She filed it away, storing the knowledge for later use. After all, knowing someone's name gave you a certain kind of power over them, or so the legends said. It was every bit as dark and menacing as the man himself. She had half-expected it to be something ridiculous, but no Ravenor suited him perfectly.
Ofcourse it would end something like Frostveil. Because wherever he goes, there's a frost that follows. She thought, rolling her eyes.
Mira flinched slightly at hearing the name spoken aloud, her gaze flicking toward the door again as though expecting him to appear any second. It was clear she feared him, but then again, who wouldn't? This man had that kind of effect on people merely by his haunting red eyes.
But fear... Fear could be useful.
Elara's mind began to churn, calculating. Mira was skittish, yes, but there was something in her demeanor that Elara could exploit. A servant like Mira would be privy to all sorts of information, information that Elara could use. If only she could gain the girl's trust.
Elara softened her tone, keeping her voice casual. "You must see a lot, working here. The castle is enormous. I'd probably get lost trying to find my way around."
Mira nodded quickly, clearly relieved to be talking about something safer. "It is. Lots of twists and turns. But the servants have their own paths, hidden ways, so we don't disturb anyone important."
Elara's heart quickened at that. Hidden ways? She kept her expression neutral, though her mind was already racing. "Sounds like you know this place like the back of your hand."
Mira shrugged, still avoiding eye contact. "We have to, Lady. It's part of the job."
"I imagine you could go anywhere, then?" Elara ventured, her voice laced with false innocence. "Even... outside?"
Mira stiffened visibly, shaking her head so fast her curls bounced. "Oh no, no. We're not allowed outside without permission. No one leaves without the Master's orders."
Elara frowned, though she wasn't surprised. She studied the girl for a moment longer, watching the way her fingers twitched nervously, the way her gaze flicked toward the door every few seconds. It was evident she wanted to leave already.
But Elara needed information, and Mira was her best bet.
She gave a small, resigned sigh, feigning defeat. "I see. Well, I suppose I'm stuck here for a while, then."
Mira, sensing the shift in tone, nodded quickly. "Yes, Lady. The Master's orders are... absolute."
"I'm sure they are," Elara muttered, her mind already working on a new plan. She couldn't convince Mira to help her outright, but, perhaps she could plant a seed, something that would eventually grow into opportunity.
Elara took a seat on the bed, eyeing the tray of food with mild disinterest. "I appreciate the meal, Mira. It's nice to know atleast someone here is looking out for me."
Mira smiled weakly, still on edge. "Of course, Lady. It's my duty."
Duty. The word hung in the air like a noose around Mira's neck. Elara could see it, this girl was bound by her fear, by her sense of obligation to Ravenor. She wouldn't break easily. But everyone had a limit, and Elara had to be patient.
For now, she'd play along, bide her time. But sooner or later, Ravenor or one of his loyal servants would slip. And when they did, Elara would be ready.
Mira shifted awkwardly, her eyes flicking toward the door again. "Will there be anything else, Lady?"
Elara shook her head, offering a kind smile. "No, Mira. That will be all."
Mira dipped into a quick, nervous curtsy before retreating toward the door. Just as she reached for the handle, Elara called after her, voice soft but loaded with intent. "Oh, and Mira?"
The girl froze, turning back with wide eyes.
"Can you pass a message to your Master? Tell him I need something to occupy my idle brain. Some books will do."
Mira blinked rapidly, her nervous energy spiking once more. She nodded quickly, a flicker of fear passing through her eyes, before she slipped out of the room without another word.
The door clicked shut, leaving Elara alone with her thoughts.
Ravenor. She finally had a name, but that wasn't nearly enough. Not yet.
She let her eyes drift around the room. The door was a dead end. The window, even worse. But the hidden ways? The servant passages Mira had mentioned? Now that... had potential.
Elara leaned back on the bed, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
She wasn't done yet. Not by a long shot.
And if she had to play nice with the terrified little servant girl to get what she wanted, well... then so be it.