Chapter 04: The Lion's Den

After the declaration of war that Duke Bradbury proclaimed through his herald, everyone in the Ashbourne Castle was already feeling the tense in the air.

Everyone could feel the war coming closer to them like an approaching storm that would leave them helpless against it. But it wasn't far from the truth.

If the Duke really drove his army towards the land of Ashbourne, not only they wouldn't be able to protect their land, but also fail to protect themselves from being hacked by his men and in the mercy of death.

Despite having a castle and a vast land, her father and grandfather weren't soldiers or knights that were excellent and knowledgeable when it comes to the art of war.

For the past several decades, there has been no war that disturbed the peaceful life of the people of Ashbourne. That was why they were complacent and didn't get to gather enough men and train them as an army who would eventually protect them.

Standing before a building that was built in the eastern parts of their land, Eliana felt pressured by the huge men standing by the wooden door. They were huge as well as bulky, anyone would think of steering clear away from their directions and the path they walk just by seeing them.

And yet, there she was, standing before them and wanting to pass through that door they were guarding.

"Milady, are you really sure about this?" Daisy, her maid and companion, whispered behind her, and couldn't stop fidgeting under the gazes of the bulky men.

Eliana bit her lips and knew exactly why Daisy was feeling so fearful. After all, who could stay calm in front of some men as huge as two people combined?

And as much as Eliana wanted to appear brave, she was not that fearless as she thought she was. And her being here right at this moment could be said as her being foolish.

But did she have a choice in this matter?

Certainly, not.

Stepping forward and facing the two men, Eliana formed a smile on her lips as she said, "I am Eliana Castellio. I'm here to meet your master."

She waited. The two men didn't respond and stared at her with blank eyes.

Four people stood before each other and didn't move. They all stared at each other. Eliana started to feel antsy and wondered if these two men didn't hear her.

But how could that be?

Her voice was surely loud and she didn't stutter. That only means that they didn't want to move nor listen to what she was about to say.

Just when Eliana thought that the two men would tell them that they won't allow them to pass through the door, from inside the building, someone was already pulling the door open.

A smiling face with a head of red curls bursts into their sights. "Apologies, milady." The man pointed at the two men with his chin and said, "These two brutes are too shy and haven't been in the presence of a woman, much less a fine lady like you. Please do come in." He added. "My master is inside."

Eliana released the breath she didn't know she was holding after that stare-down. She smiled at the red haired man and followed him inside.

"Thank you."

The man shook his head, "Oh no. Please do not thank me. I haven't done anything to receive your gratitude."

Eliana knew that he was being polite to her, but she wanted to thank him, still.

They followed him inside and Eliana sent a reassuring glance at her trembling maid. When they finally passed through the door, she was shocked at what was revealed before her eyes.

From outside, the building gave off an intimidating look. Gray brick walls, glass windows that looked plain, and a banner of their guild that fluttered with the wind. A head of a black furred beast with its mouth widely opened with two extremely long fangs bared. A Sabertooth tiger, Eliana presumed. And behind that beast was a silver shield that had two argent swords intercrossing each other.

And inside the building, Eliana saw that the main hall was decorated with a long oak table that could accommodate more than ten people in it and chairs. There were also a few cabinets against the walls but Eliana didn't have the time to see what was inside them as she followed the red-haired man up the stairs.

When they finally reached the end of the stair, the man led us to a room from the other end of the hallway. "Milady, please enter."

Eliana thanked him once again and entered the door that he pushed open with Daisy behind her.

Instead of seeing the face of the man I came here for, a broad back and wide shoulders faced her. The man wasn't looking in their way and was staring outside the window. Eliana walked closer and curtsied, saying, "I'm sorry for the abrupt visit. I am Eliana Castellio."

The man finally stirred and slowly turned around when he heard her. At first, Eliana thought that the man should be about the age of forty or thirty but when she saw his face, her breath caught up in her throat and she couldn't tear her eyes away from his face.

The first thing that she noticed was his eyes. Those golden eyes that were comparable to a blazing fire or a setting sun stared back at her. He was tall, taller than any man she'd ever seen walk in Ashbourne Castle, and if she stood beside him, Eliana knew she would only reach past his shoulders.

He had long midnight black hair that reached past his shoulders to his mid waist, prominent chin, high cheekbones, and red full lips. The young man was undoubtedly the most handsome man she'd had ever seen in her entire life. His pale skin against his black shirt that had a silvery chain attached from his shoulder to the collar of his shirt added more charm to his attractiveness.

Eliana heard someone gasp. She hoped it didn't come out of her mouth, or else, she would gladly find a hole to bury herself before the army of Duke Bradbury broke through the castle walls.

Thankfully, the gasp didn't come from her. It was from her maid who couldn't stop herself from blushing in front of this man. Eliana couldn't blame her, though.

The man was incredibly beautiful. The kind where any man would envy him and women pursue him in exchange of his favor.

"Milady." He said. His voice was as Eliana expected. Smooth like butter and deeper than the ocean. "I didn't know you're going to come to my humble guild."

"Please, take a seat."

Eliana didn't want to appear like she was bewitched to his appearance, but she still couldn't help but stare at him. Thankfully, before Eliana could completely humiliate myself, she quickly found myself sitting on a chair.

But who knew that Eliana would still embarrass herself in their first meeting.