I like night strolls

Augustus? What was he doing in front of my room? In the middle of the night at that? Couldn't he be creepier than this? I instinctively took a step back upon meeting his gaze.

"What are you doing here?" I asked when he said nothing.

Augustus calmly bat his eyes and then showed me a ring. "Father told me to give you this."

My eyes fell down to the ring before raising it up back at him. Marquess Ross? Does he take me for a fool? Why would Marquess Ross ask his beloved son to deliver this to me? And even if he did, he could just give it tomorrow. This didn't make sense. Despite that, I tried not to point it out.

"Thank you." I snatched the ring away from him. My brows raised when he just kept staring down at me, showing no sign of going away.

Was he too surprised that he got caught standing here that he couldn't move? What did this guy want?

'I wouldn't find out if I don't pry, right?' I mentally arched my brow as a smile resurfaced on my lips.

"Brother, do you want to accompany me for a late-night stroll?" I saw how his pupils dilated slightly, making mine constrict.

Oh, my good brother. Please tell me the conclusion in my head was wrong. Although intermarriage was long been banned, during this time, that matter was being debated on and in a couple of years, the ban would be lifted.

"You shouldn't walk outside in the middle of the night, Marsella," Augustus advised in a low tone before he turned and walked away. What I failed to see was how his eyes briefly glinted and how he lick his canine tooth as he turned.

"What will happen to me in here?" I murmured, not taking his advice as I proceeded to head into the garden.

The garden in the mansion was vast and beautiful. Even during at night, the lantern had given it a great atmosphere. I hugged myself with the shawl wrapped around my shoulders, gazing up at the full moon. 

"How beautiful…" I whispered as my eyes softened. Back in my previous life, I usually find myself staring at the night sky. Maybe because I was constantly on the battlefield and looking around only graced me with blood and corpses.

I closed my eyes, relishing the night breeze. There was just something in the night, in the dark, and in the silence that gave me comfort.

"I love night strolls…" and this reminded me how I wished Joseph would accompany me for a late-night walk even once. That scum never did.

My eyes slowly opened and looked around, relieved to see I was still in the same Ross family garden. There were times that I awake in a panic, afraid I was still in the hellish life of Vera. 

"Marsella, thank you…" I smiled gently as a soft gust of wind blew past me, making me tuck my hair behind my ear. "… for dying."

I may sound heartless, but I didn't care. Marsella's death ended her suffering, but it granted me a new beginning. Did I think I deserve it? Of course, not. Considering how many lives I had taken, I didn't deserve it. 

However, I was not the type of person who would refuse opportunities. If they gave a chance to start over, I would gladly take it and make the most out of it. 

'First, I will strengthen this body until I can wield a sword and protect myself. My marriage with the grand duke was just the beginning of a better life, Marsella. Hang in there.' I smiled and looked above. 'I'm sure you will be in heaven, Marsella. You are kind, after all.'

"What are you doing here?" I jumped in surprise when I heard Yves' voice from behind me.

I slowly turned around, facing him squarely. "Praying."

"Praying?" Yves furrowed his brows and approached me. "You refused to walk with me earlier and now I find you here." 

"I regret refusing your offer, honestly." I sighed, and he chuckled, stopping a few steps away from me. 

"Then, shall I accompany my lovely little sister?" Yves raised a brow, casting me a knowing look.

As I stared at his playful expression, I could not help but chuckle and nod. "Let's do that then."

Yves and I walked side by side, but leaving a safe distance between us. Surprisingly enough, he wasn't saying anything while I just appreciated the scenery, and was glad to have some company.

"You look happy." He pointed out, breaking the silence between us. "Why are you so happy?"

"Do I?" I raised a brow and cast him a look.

"You were smiling just now."

"Oh…" I nodded, shifting my eyes ahead. "Well, I like late-night strolls… and I'm glad you're here, brother."

As I continued on in my unhurried pace, my brows furrowed as Yves halted. I turned my head back to see him staring frozen at me.

"Brother?" I called, puzzled.

Yves blinked, snapping out of his trance. "You've changed, Marsella."

"Is it bad? To change, I mean."

"No, it's just… surprising.."

"Change is the only constant in this world, brother. No one can stop it, so we can only try to keep up." I smiled and turned around, resuming in my strides with my hands clasping my shawl. 

"Let's go!" I cocked my head back, grinning before I skipped my steps as I felt especially free tonight.

"Ah.. goodness! Don't run!" Yves yelled, and I giggled, hastening my steps while he tried to catch up.

****

As Marsella and Yves ran in the garden freely, sharing giggles and sibling moments, Augustus watched them from a certain window. With a glass of wine in his hand, he swirled it while his eyes were fixed on Marsella's bright smile.

"I told her…" He muttered as his eyes glinted and his canine teeth growing. "… she shouldn't go out late at night."