Hazel had held the hem of her dress tightly in her hands tightly in her hands when she decided to confess to him.
He was her husband and it would only be right if she would love him. Even if he would reject her, at least, he would take care of her. And it was enough for her to spend her life happily there.
She never had dreams of finding the lover of her life with the way her life was decided by her father. So she was content to feel these kinds of emotions and did not expect much.
“I think..”
“Aahhhh” but before she could say her heartfelt words, she heard the sound of screaming and turned only to see that the countess was the one who shouted as she ran toward the door.
“Tsk! Wrong timing! I think we have to wait for your confession. There is a drama to unfold!” she wanted to ask why he was not surprised then like others.
But turned to look more at what he had planned then wasting her time in questioning the man who only likes to talk in puzzles.
Just as the countess, even the count ran towards the door. Though he did not shriek or cry, his complexion was looking ghastly.
Hazel frowned as she knew that nobles put all their effort in maintaining their respect. Behaving like a peacock is part of their lives and they would prefer death over their insult then what happened that made the couple forget all manners.
She could hear the whispers and tried to concentrate more on them but could not understand what was happening until the knights entered the room.
Her eyes widened and she stood there frozen when she noticed it was a coffin that the knights brought.
Both husband and wife fell on their knees and Hazel lost all the color of her face when the coffin was opened and she saw the body of Natalie.
Her face was injured badly and she had a lot of injuries all over her body. She was wrapped in a cloth as if her body.. Could it be!?
Hazel covered her mouth with her hands when she gasped as she could not believe the girl who was chirping happily and threatening her just two days ago was lying limp on the coffin in such a miserable state.
She took a few steps back to stay away from the crowd that was walking closer and closer.
She wanted to believe that it was done by the witches. She wanted to believe that the lady had run in the wee hours telling that rafael would not be able to protect as he had told to everyone but when she remembered his cold smirk when the body was brought, she could not force herself to believe on the lies that were as clear as the glass she was holding.
“You seem to be more affected than I thought!” Hazel jumped on her place when she heard him whispering closer to her ears and turned to stare at him but this time there was no affection but questions.
“Sorry to interrupt your precious moment over this. What were you going to tell me?” he asked as he made an apologetic face not for the death of the girl but for the commotion it brought as she was not able to confess to him.
It made her wonder would he even feel bad for anyone’s death or did he even have emotion to feel death at all.
She had always known that his hands were stained in blood yet she ignored the truth as she was dreaming of a blissful life. But how could a person who was standing on bones and blood have an emotion called love.
“It was nothing, my lord. I wanted to say thank you for everything you have done for me. And I am grateful that you have kept your side of the promise and forgiven my life!” yes! Though he had killed many, she was grateful that he had not killed her.
Except it, any emotion was in vain.
Rafael continued to stare at her face as if he was acting for more. The words she whispered so genuinely did not make him satisfied at all but he still nodded as he did not want to press her further.
The sound of crying and whispers only increased with time and he had noticed how the count had stared at them as if he was blaming them for the death of his precious daughter.
A nefarious smile formed on his lips as he wondered how a foolish and greedy count like hum could understand the situation too well.
Rafael finished the drink in his hands and kept the glass on the table as he walked forwards and spoke in a soft voice,
“As you all can see, the country is facing grievance over the death of their youngest daughter.
So, we all should understand it and end the feast right here. Let the family mourn peacefully.” Many who were still looking at the drama and curious how the girl died suddenly could only nod and leave the room reluctantly while the family continued to sit near the coffin as if they did not hear the words of the lord or the whispers of the guests.
Soon the room turned empty, Hazel wanted to leave and rest in her room as the strange thoughts were making her nauseous but at the same time she wanted to stay and see what Rafael was going to do next as both of them knew the truth.
Like a kind man, Rafael patted the shoulders of the grieving father with compassion who raised his head instinctively.
“I am sorry for the loss you suffered. Too bad! If only the girl had learnt to listen.
I think she developed this habit from her family. I hope the incident would be enough for others to learn a lesson and mend their ways.
But now that you are mourning, it would be a burden if i stay here. So, I will be returning.
And about the contract, you do not need to worry, take your time and sign it by tomorrow before our carriage leaves.
I will send a knight to assist you!”