ready

Diana woke up from a deep sleep to the sound of a door creaking open. She groggily shifted her arm out from under the pillow, only to find herself enveloped in darkness. She blinked, hoping the darkness would dissipate, but it persisted. "This must be a dream," she whispered to herself, desperately wanting it to be true.

Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, Diana felt the coolness of the floor beneath her feet. The knocking on the door continued, growing louder and more insistent.

"Madam, can I come in?" a woman's voice called from outside. Diana recognized it as one of the maids.

"Yes," Diana replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Three maids entered the room, their expressions sullen and seemingly resentful of her presence. The largest among them opened her mouth to speak.

"The Duke is waiting for you, my lady. We are here to assist you in getting dressed."

Diana stood up, realizing that many hours had passed since she had arrived. Her thoughts were still muddled, and she struggled to think clearly. Taking a deep breath, she attempted to calm herself.

"I would like to take a bath first," she stated, trying to assert some control over the situation.

"Yes, my lady," one of the maids responded, her voice devoid of warmth.

They guided Diana to the bath, gently washing her as if she were a fragile doll. She observed her reflection in the mirror, her slender form, blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and chapped lips. Her outward appearance was beautiful, but inside, she felt tainted and corrupt. One of the maids accidentally caught sight of a scar on Diana's back and let out a small gasp. Diana ignored it, lost in her own thoughts.

The maids continued their work, while Diana's mind raced. She pondered the events of the previous day, or was it earlier today? The timeline eluded her, adding to her confusion. When did she arrive here? What had transpired since then? Countless questions plagued her mind, leaving her feeling increasingly unsettled.

"How long ago did I arrive?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

The maid responded promptly, "Approximately four hours ago, madam." The revelation surprised Diana.

She had no recollection of how she ended up here, and the uncertainty of her circumstances only heightened her anxiety. What had transpired today? What lay ahead? These questions gnawed at her, leaving her feeling disoriented and vulnerable.

Diana had imagined her plan differently. She had envisioned poisoning the Duke within a few weeks and escaping this place. But now, doubts crept in. Was it too easy? Should she have taken more drastic measures? No, she couldn't allow herself to give in to despair. She had made a promise to the only person who had ever loved her—to keep herself alive.

Lost in her contemplation, Diana realized that the maids had finished dressing her. It was time for her to meet the Duke. Anxiety coursed through her veins, but she couldn't pinpoint the source of her fear. She hadn't even been this fearful of his powerful family. Yet now, she viewed him as a monster.

"You are ready, my lady," one of the maids stated. Diana shook her head slightly, her mind filled with uncertainty, as they made their way towards the dining room. Would they be having a meal? Confusion clouded her thoughts further. The Duke's behavior had been peculiar ever since her arrival, and it had only been two hours. She no longer knew what to expect. This task would require time, and she braced herself for whatever lay ahead.

The door swung open, revealing a man Diana did not recognize. He stood tall and imposing, with charcoal hair, bushy eyebrows, and broad shoulders that seemed to belong to a titan. This man was her husband, Lord Ezra. In the dim light of the candles, Diana finally saw his handsome face, a sight she had been deprived of until now. The dining room was eerily silent, with only one servant present, and Lord Ezra sipping his wine, its deep red color resembling blood. Diana hesitated at the threshold, waiting for permission to enter, as was her custom. Trembling, she met her husband's gaze, his dark eyes boring into her.

"Why do you wait for permission?" Lord Ezra said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Diana stepped forward, each footfall causing her heart to ache and her breath to catch. What was to come? What did her husband have in store for her? She couldn't fathom this peculiar situation. Fainting during her initial visit to the mansion, then being kissed by a husband she never knew, and now finding herself seated at the dinner table... Something was amiss. Was he plotting something? Would he be the one to end her life? Confusion and fear gripped her tightly.

With a single glance, Lord Ezra dismissed the servants. Despite his striking appearance, Diana couldn't shake the feeling that he was a monster beneath that handsome facade.

"How was your journey, my wife?" Lord Ezra asked in a seemingly ordinary tone.

"It was... a blessing, my Lord," Diana replied, her words laced with confusion.

The peculiarity of the situation weighed heavily upon her. Was her husband merely jesting? Or did he somehow know about Diana's secret mission? Fear coursed through her entire being, causing her to tremble like a leaf. Lord Ezra observed her with a calm expression, gently lifting her face with his hands.

"You know, I never intended to marry you. But due to my father's threats, I had no choice but to wed a complete stranger. I was furious and filled with anger until I laid eyes on you. I never knew you were this beautiful," Lord Ezra confessed, his tone filled with a mix of surprise and admiration. "I owe my father a debt of gratitude now... It's clear that you see me as a monster, just like everyone else. But you know, that actually brings me joy. Embracing my monstrous nature feels perfect for me. Now, dear, you should eat," he said, gently kissing Diana's forehead before leaving the room.

Diana was left in a state of shock, completely unprepared for this unexpected revelation. The fear that gripped her surpassed anything she had ever experienced before. As Lord Ezra departed, she collapsed to the floor, her body shaking with silent sobs as tears streamed down her face.

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