The letter

" Where do you think you're running off to be like that? And what do we have here?" Eva's voice of ridicule rang into Aurelia's ear while she hurried towards the back of the mansion.

Aurelia turned to look at the young lady who seemed quite troublesome. Eva was putting on the black lacy dress she was wearing earlier, making Aurelia think they had gone to the tea party. " I'm not a guest here Lady Eva, I do have work that needs to be attended to," she replied with contempt.

" I see, if you're not a guest then what are you doing in this mansion? You aren't given any portion to work on nor do you serve or clean other than to get the Duke's attention." Eva was wondering who this stinky thing was and what is her position in the Duke's mansion.

" Unbelievable! I doubt that is the dress the Duke asked to be bought," Eva casted a grave look on Aurelia who was holding the bag tightly.

Aurelia had the intention of dumping the dresses into the refuse but seeing Eva meddling in her business, she got to think fast.

" What's so special about you, a pale looking doll with no height? Thin and ill looking like a sick fellow," Eva kept berating Aurelia. She wanted to know the reason why Aurelia was in the mansion and wasn't given any work. Instead, she was being treated as a guest.

Aurelia wasn't the pretty or gorgeous type but she had that hidden beauty, her facial features weren't too bold and her petite body fit those features well.

While Eva kept on bad-mouthing Aurelia, Aurelia couldn't do anything other than to quietly lower her head. Even if the Duke gets to know about this, he would still consider her as an insignificant person.

" Aurelia, what are you doing in the backyard, come, someone's here to see you." Maria came through the front yard and failed to notice the Duke's guest presence also.

Aurelia followed Maria who hurriedly gave her a white paper which she had hidden in her apron. " It came from the Vincent mansion. Take, don't let the Duke see it."

" Vincent mansion? Who are they, I have never heard anything about the mansion," Aurelia was confused as at the same time, curious.

" Read the letter and you'll know."

She quietly said to Aurelia who nodded and handed the leather bag to Maria. " Give it to Vivian, it's a gift from me." She muttered before running off in the direction of the corridor to her room.

Meanwhile, Eva was hissing behind the back door, eavesdropping as an evil flint sparked in her eyes.

***

Sitting on her dressing table, Aurelia quietly broke the blue seal used in sealing the letter with shaky hands. On the back of the envelope was a curvy handwriting stating, ' The Vincent Mansion '

Taking a glance at her door, she then focused on reading the letter.

[ Dear Aurelia,

I'm glad to hear you're doing well in the Duke's mansion. It has been quite some time since I last heard from you, take care. Kindly dispose of this letter after reading, I love you.]

Aurelia blinked severally but saw nothing after reading through the letter. She was awe-stricken by the short but caring letter. She didn't know anyone from the Vincent mansion nor any mansion in Devontae.

" What am I getting myself into? I should ask Maria about this letter and who delivered it." She then stood up and left the room quickly forgetting the last sentence in the letter.

.

.

Louis was in his room when Stanley walked in with quick steps. " Master, I heard something bizarre lately which is spreading among the maidservants."

Louis was going through some papers on his desk when Stanley spoke. " I'm busy Stanley, don't report useless news to me especially when it comes from within this mansion," he pointed out and adjusted the glass which was hanging on the bridge of his nose.

It wasn't rare for Stanley to see Louis wearing glasses when reading but it always intrigued him to know why. Louis had the most perfect vision, he was the best in everything he did and also in the noble circle but he was always pushed aside by others.

" You should leave now."

" It has to do with Aurelia if I must say," Stanley knew Louis would chase him out but mentioning Aurelia was enough to turn the tides.

____—-

Maria paced up and down in the vast corridor in worry. How did the Duke find out about the letter she secretly gave to Aurelia? Neither the maidservants nor Stanley knew but somehow, it got leaked.

Hearing the soft clicking of hills on the tiled floor, Maria lifts her head to see the Duke's guest, Eva Crest walking towards her. The Crest were a noble family in Devontae and have the closest relationship with the King and his household, no wonder their youngest daughter kept pestering the Duke.

" Milady," Maria bowed when the lady got to where she was standing.

" You should meet the Duke." Eva knew it was this old hag that brought the letter to Aurelia and sincerely would answer for it.

" Yes, milady."

.

Aurelia was on her way to the kitchen to find Maria after searching almost the west wing without finding her. On her way, she meets Stanley who was glaring at her, " the Duke requests your presence right now Aurelia. I doubt you would ever stop getting into petty troubles." He grumbles to himself, enough for Aurelia to hear him.

She clenched her fingers into a fist in anger, it was Eva who must have told her to the Duke about the small argument they had a few minutes ago.

On reaching the Duke's drawing room, Aurelia instantly felt the dark aura surrounding him. She also noticed the dark clouds around his head and Eva who was having a smirk on her face while standing beside Louis.

" Everyone out!" He ordered.

Maria and Stanley ambled out of the room while Eva remained rooted to the ground. Aurelia knew certainly that she couldn't leave because the Duke wanted to speak with her but Eva still standing beside him made her blood boil.

" I hope you aren't deaf, what are you doing standing there?" Louis' voice carried a heavy force enough to make the two ladies tremble but Eva stood her ground thinking Louis was referring to Aurelia.

It suddenly dawned on her that the Duke was actually speaking with her. " Duke…,"

" Leave," he cuts her off.

Eva felt embarrassed as she nodded grimly. She stomped her feet on the floor and glared at Aurelia before walking out of the room.

" Shut the door."

Aurelia nods absentmindedly and slowly closes the door before facing him again.

Louis stared at her for some time before asking, " are you blind? Shut the door, not leaving it ajar."

Aurelia nodded again and fully shut the door. She was scared of him. Or perhaps he wasn't that same person that left her two years ago but then she was still young and timid. Not understanding the world well as she had always been locked in her castle when she was a princess.

As the old memories rushed into her head, she felt her eyes itch her.

" Come closer," Louis said again and leaned his back on the chair he was sitting on.

After getting closer to his desk did she notice her letter on the table. It then dawned on her that someone must have entered her room after she left but who was at fault.

Seeing the shock mixed with surprise on her face Louis took the letter from his desk and read through it for the second time after Eva had brought it to him but loudly for her to hear.

" The Vincent Mansion." He emphasized the sender's address while staring at her with a sneer hanging on his lips.

" I thought I made it clear when I said no falling in love, Aurelia. Do remind me if I have treated you like a slave," Louis added and crossed his legs in a graceful manner.

Aurelia shook her head indicating no. He had never treated her like a slave but she would deserve being treated like one.

Louis kept staring at her for a whole five minutes without saying a word. Aurelia felt the air turn even more heavier as his anger grew.

" Who's he? What is his name Aurelia?" He questioned and threw the letter on his desk with disgust clearly written on his charming face.

" I don't know… I don't know him…I.."

" Silence!" Louis cut her off immediately.

Aurelia's heart jumped in fear as her legs wobbled. It was his first time shouting furiously at her.

" You don't know them?" He asked.

" No, I don't."

" Then why was the letter sent to you without a name? You irk me Aurelia, those silly lies won't work on me you know." He said as if reminding her about lying which had never happened. The last thing Aurelia would do was to lie to the Duke.

" Who gave you this letter?" He inquired.

" I don't know, I found it on…"

She was suddenly hauled against the wall. Aurelia whimpered in pain as tears welled up in her eyes.

Louis was a first generation pureblooded vampire and his powers supersedes others. Only the King could match with him only in power perhaps not age.

His speed and agility was incredible making it easy for him to hunt down dangerous creatures on his journeys around Devontae and beyond.

" You don't know who brought the letter Aurelia? I wonder what happened here in Devontae when I was away, from now on you're grounded in this mansion. Any itty bitty mistake would send you back to the establishment." He growled angrily and tossed her on the floor mercilessly.

Aurelia held her neck as she took in the air. The Duke had held her tightly on the neck, strangling her to the point her face drained of all its colors.

" Stanley!" Louis called and the door was instantly pushed open outside revealing Maria and Eva.

" Take her to her room and don't forget to use the chains," he said and ambled out of the room.

Stanley was speechless after hearing the Duke's command. " Yes, master."

Maria was heartbroken after hearing his order and she took the position of pleading for Aurelia. " Master, Aurelia is still naive, she's just a child and certainly would love to play around but please pardon her this last time."

Eva frowned and glared at the old thing in contempt and displeasure.

" My anger cannot be revoked, so is my judgment." He said while looking behind his shoulder, sending a clear message to every one of them.

Eva smiled cynically and followed behind Louis while Stanley and Maria carefully took the lost Aurelia to her room.