Chapter 15: Chapter 15

There was a real commotion on the next day. According to rumours, something significant was missing from the imperial treasury at night. All guests were to go to their possessions immediately. The emperor ordered the entire palace to be interrogated. The guards who guarded the treasury were imprisoned. What exactly was missing, no one knew. It was kept a strict secret.

Even the duke was constantly in the palace. He returned from there late at night. While the investigation was going on, no one was allowed to leave the house. The turmoil reached its climax when young girls began to disappear around the city. Four of them had already disappeared in two weeks. At first, this was ignored, because they were all from poor families. But soon, a patrol consisting of imperial guards began to walk on the streets.

Today was the anniversary of the death of Ariana's mother. Nina and I would go to the cemetery and the church since they were nearby. The Duke was against our trip, but I managed to persuade him. Still, even though I was not the daughter of the Duchess, I was obliged to honour her memory. After all, I was in her daughter's body, whom she loved very much. Nina helped me hide my hair under a blue hat with a veil, because all the girls in this world who came to the church must cover their faces. The maid suddenly froze in place and pointed to the window.

"My lady, there is a huge bird over there." Nina muttered.

I went to the window and opened it. The bird immediately flew into it and sat on the table. It looked like a hawk, but it was really much bigger than it should have been. The wings were dark blue, the chest was white, and the back was completely black. I could say for sure that such hawks did not exist in our country. I noticed that a note with the royal seal was tied to his paw. A letter from a sadistic prince?

"Lady, why did you let it into the room?" Nina looked at the bird in horror.

"Are you from Mikael?" The hawk looked at me with his black eyes, as if he understood what I asked, and put the paw with the letter forward.

With slow steps, I approached the bird and carefully removed the letter from its paw. Unfolding it, I quickly ran through the letters.

Good afternoon, my impregnable bride. You ran away from me so fast.

I thought you'd at least say goodbye to your saviour and not be the first to leave the hunting grounds. This upset me insanely. I wanted to order the guards to return you, but I also had to leave urgently. You did not even write to me during our separation, so I wrote to you first. I urge you to stay at home in connection with the missing girls. If you disobey me, I will lock you up in the imperial palace for the rest of your days."

Your future husband, Mikael Bengard Veilos.

PS: The bird's name is Odin. It bites, be careful with it.

How crazy, how could you say that you would lock me in the palace? I was not your property. There was an order from the emperor for everyone to return home. Why did you write such words? What the hell was an impregnable bride?

"My lady, are you all right?" Nina turned to me quietly.

"No. I'm not okay." I kicked the pillow next to me with all my might.

"Who wrote to you that you were so angry?"

"Mikael." I hissed.

"Did you receive a letter from the Crown Prince?" Nina covered her mouth with her hand in surprise.

"Yes."

"And what did he write to you?" Nina asked with genuine interest.

"That I will be banned from the imperial palace for the rest of my days if I leave home."

"Saint Lumiel. Is he really going to do that to you?" She covered her mouth with her hands.

"Who will stop him? He's a prince, but I am not his property no matter what."

I took a paper and a pen from the table to get up from the couch. I needed to write an answer to him so that he got behind me. Having finished my letter, I went up to Odin, and, taking him by the paw, wanted to tie the letter. But he immediately tried to bite me.

"I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"

The hawk first looked at me, and then put out his paw, as he did last time. This time I managed to attach the letter for the first time. The bird immediately flew out the open window.

"Let's go, Nina."

"Are you sure?"

"Certainly. Today is the anniversary. We must visit mother."

"All right, my lady."

The church was half an hour away from the estate. It looked like a Catholic one. There were no crosses anywhere. Priests wear small pendants in the form of the sun on their chests. But they were dressed almost the same as in our world. Nina and I walked up to the altar. The maid put her hands together. I looked at her and followed her example.

I mentally turned to the god of light, Lumiel, to ask that the soul of the late duchess find rest, as did her daughter. I also asked for my sister's soul, but I didn't know if it was possible or not. After the prayer, we went to a large cemetery. I followed Nina, and she stopped near a marble tombstone. It looked very well maintained. I read the inscription on it.

"Marianna Valmont, beloved mother and wife."

She and Ariana had similar names. I placed a bouquet of flowers I picked in the garden next to the headstone. I hope she liked them. Nina moved away from me and stood in the shade of a tree.

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"Duchess Marie." I heard a soft male voice behind me. Turning around, I saw a young priest with blond hair and grey eyes.

"I think you're wrong." I got goosebumps. This man was quite strange.

"What?"

"I say you are wrong. My name is not Marie."

"Sorry. For a second I thought I saw the Duchess Marianne." He approached me.

"Did you know my mother?" I lifted the veil.

"It can't be. Are you the duchess' daughter?" His voice trembled. Who was he? The reaction was too weird.

"Yes. My name is..." Before I could say it, he said it first.

"Ariana."

"How do you know?" Now, I was really a little scared.

"No wonder I mistook you for her. Even your voices are similar." The priest smiled sadly.

"Who are you?"

"Forgive me for being rude. I am Victor. I knew your mother." He bowed gallantly.

"Is what you said true?" I had a hard time believing this, so I couldn't hide my doubts.

"Yes. She often visited this temple. Even when she was pregnant with you. I was then still a child. Your mother was a very kind and bright person." An incomprehensible gleam appeared in his eyes.

"Were you close?"

Your mother often helped me. It is a pity that she left this world so early. Did you come to pray for her?"

"Yes. Today is the anniversary of her death."

"I know." Who was this guy? He was not in the novel. He looked to be twenty-five years old.

"Victor, get away from the lady." Nina ran up and stood between us.

"Nina, good afternoon."

"My lady, it's time for us to go home. Your father will be worried." The maid took my hand and led me along.

"Come again, Lady Ariana. I will be happy to see you again." Victor smiled at me.

Nina walked so fast, as if she tried to run away as soon as possible. I felt her hand tremble.

"Nina, what's wrong with you? You're acting weird. How do you know this priest?"

"My lady, promise me you will never speak to him again." The girl stopped and hugged me.

"Nina, you're scaring me." I didn't like him either, but Nina was shaking all over.

"My lady, this man is dangerous, trust me."

"He's just a priest."

"Please, my lady. Believe me. You said that I am your friend."

"Of course."

"If you see him again, don't go near him." Her hugs got even tighter.

After I reassured Nina, we got into the carriage and headed to the studio. I promised Sarah that I would visit her. She had made a new dress and really wanted to show it to me. All the way, I was tormented by the question of why Nina was so frightened of an ordinary priest. He appeared to be very kind and friendly, but his appearance alone was enough to cause Nina to tremble. I had never seen her behave like that around someone.

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