Ominous Present

The ride to the mansion was silent as the twins were both too shy to speak. From time to time, Raven and the twins would exchange glances, but in the end, Raven ignored them.

"Raven, he's back," said Adriana, breaking the silence. Raven shifted his head away from the window and frowned.

"He didn't do anything to you, right?" Raven asked Adriana, who stayed quiet. This made him affirm Issac did do something to her. "What did he do to you?"

"Entered my room in the middle of the night and pinned me down onto my bed."

"Ha? Pinned you down? Where is he? I'm not letting him off for doing that," Raven pulled his sleeve up.

"Raven, it's alright. I managed to break away from him," calmed Adriana.

"What else did he ask you to do?" asked Raven, tapping his foot.

"Asked me to marry him," answered Adriana, and Raven stood up, hitting his head on the ceiling of the carriage.

"Ask you to marry him? I should have killed him," muttered Raven rubbing his head.

Usually, Adriana wouldn't bring up this conversation, but she wanted to test a few things out. Raven was still the same towards Issac. He still can't stand Issac being all close to her.

While the twins don't seem to look surprised at all. Raven must have told them about their situation. Or they're just acting like they know.

"Also, Madam Jocelyn had asked me to get married. Do you have any recommendations?" Adriana asked Raven, who bit his under lip.

"Married? Do you have to get married this early?"

"I'm almost twenty-one. I should at least have a fiancé," answered Adriana.

"Do you have anyone in mind?" asked Raven hoping there wasn't anyone at the moment.

"Not really."

"If you do have, please tell me," Raven insisted, knowing Adriana would not tell him and would surprise him.

The first thing Adriana saw once she entered her room was a huge box covered with pink wrappers. She frowned, smelling something unpleasant, and covered her nose. It had a rotten smell that she suspected was something rotten.

The only crazy person who would send this kind of gift was Issac. Adriana had no idea what Issac wanted from her this time.

Adriana had rejected Issac how many times now. Yet he doesn't seem to give up. Adriana ordered Joana to open the gift. And once the box was unleashed, a wave of rotten flesh waved around the room.

The servants who were present excused themselves as the smell was intolerable. Yet Adriana held in the unpleasing smell as her stomach churned.

Joana screamed and ran back behind Adriana. She pointed her finger as her hands trembled, and she couldn't say a word.

"What is it?" Adriana asked Joana, whose mouth was trembling as if she saw something awful.

Seeing Joana unable to say a word. Adriana walked towards the gift, and her expression turned darker.

It was a dragon head. To others, it doesn't mean anything but a weird gift. But the meaning of a dragon head was claiming dominance over a person. It symbolizes power and possession towards something or someone.

Under the dragon's head lay a white piece of paper. Adriana took it out and read it.

"I hope you like the gift from Issac."

It insulted Adriana, but she did not feel angry about it. It was more of a way to motivate her. She thanked Issac for the first time.

Adriana knew why Issac was obsessed with her. It was simply because her blood was strong enough to summon the basilisk.

The only person in the Belladonna family whose blood had poison flowing in them was Adriana and Vayne Belladonna.

And whoever possesses poison in their blood has a higher chance of becoming the head of the family.

For instance, the current family head, Vayne Belladonna, has poison flowing in his blood. However, the older the person becomes, the weaker the poison grows.

And at the age of twenty-one, this is the usual time to try and summon the basilisk.

This might be why Issac had been becoming greedier these past few days. But since Adriana knew what his plans were. She would not allow him to do what he wanted freely.

"Clean this mess and prepare me another room," ordered Adriana, then dashed in Raven, whose brows furrowed, smelling something rotten.

"Did he do this? I haven't seen him anywhere. Is he really back?" Raven asked Adriana, who shook her head.

"Not entirely. He comes back and forth. How do you think he can get the dragon's head?" Adriana asked Raven, who agreed.

"Right. Then can I place a barrier in your new room?" asked Raven hoping Adriana would say yes.

"Do as you wish."

Raven stood behind Adriana, who made her way to her new room. While the twins followed them from behind.

"Raven, why is our guest following us? Aren't you supposed to accompany them instead of me?" asked Adriana. At the same time, the twins shook their heads, trying to tell her it was not needed.

"Lady Adriana, you don't have to be so considerate about us," appealed Lincoln, who looked away when he felt Raven glaring at him.

"Yes, I agree with Lincoln. We're just guests, and I'm sure Raven wants to spend more time with the lady," added Levious, who nodded, trying to sound convincing.

"Raven," called Adriana, knowing Raven would ignore his friends just for her. Raven sighed while rubbing his neck.

"Sister, I want to spend more time with you. We've been apart for two years. And I brought them for other reasons," muttered Raven, who frowned.

"Other reasons? I wish to hear what they are."

"I'll one hiring them," answered Raven, who suddenly sounded serious.

"Hiring?' questioned Adriana, who thought about it and asked, "I thought one of the families would hire them. One became a knight, and the other can work in the palace as a secretary."

"Yes, and I think they are skilled and strong enough to help you."

Adriana paused, and the others followed. Raven knew Adriana didn't like others helping her. But he could not allow her to walk alone.

Raven made a habit of himself walking behind Adriana. So that he could watch her back and protect her from others. But he wasn't strong enough. Which made him determined to find people who Adriana could trust.

Raven made friends for her sake. This was the best thing he could do for her. He at least once wants to see Adriana walk in a path of roses.

"Thank you," Adriana smiled and ruffled his hair. "But I also hope you didn't make them your friends just for me."

"Don't worry. I didn't. I genuinely like them," Raven whispered so that the twins could not hear it.