ALL NOVEL Chapter 22.2 – Walking into a Bear Trap?
The evening air was cool as I packed my things. The sense of urgency that had clung to me for days finally eased, so I hummed and took it slow. With a lead in hand, the desperation gnawing at my insides had dulled, and I was feeling quite optimistic now.
I wasn’t rushing headlong into the unknown anymore—I had a plan. If I dropped dead before that, I’d just accept that as fate.
Lilian moved quietly around the room, helping me gather what I’d need for the journey. Now that the urgency had faded, I noticed some things about her. She had a habit of just… watching me. Even right now, she watched me closely, her gaze flicking between the items I packed and the expressions that crossed my face.
“You seem different,” she finally said, breaking the silence. “Better.”
I glanced at her, catching the curiosity in her red eyes. “Better how?” I asked though I had a good idea what she meant.
“Less tense,” she replied, tilting her head slightly. “Like you’re not on the verge of breaking something. You even chatted with me.”
A chuckle escaped me, low and relieved. “Hey, I wasn't going to break anything. That'd be embarrassing. And, well, I’ve finally got a lead, thanks to you. It’ll take a few days to get to the Carlstein Barony, so there’s no point in feeling so rushed. I feel fine now.”
Lilian nodded, her eyes studying me with a mix of understanding. “By the way, I didn’t know you had a fiancée,” she said, handing me a shirt that I put on the bag.
She must have overheard my conversation with the Count. Super hearing? I noted.
“I’m standing here today because I have a fiancée,” I decided to say, my voice quieter, more reflective.
“Oh,” she blinked in surprise. “She's that special to you? I didn’t think you’d be that loyal to a girl, considering the rumors.
“No, no, it’s not—” I began, but my words caught in my throat as an image of Munera Obsidian, Nebula’s mother, flashed through my mind. I stopped myself before I could say anything more, realizing that explaining the whole situation to Lilian would be more trouble than it was worth. If she knew that Nebula was an Obsidian Vampire, things would get complicated fast.
Instead, I shifted gears. “Don’t worry about it. Instead,” I said, trying to keep my tone casual, “if you meet any vampires at the Carlstein Barony, stay put, okay?”
“Huh?” Lilian looked at me, her confusion clear. “Alright, sure…”
The conversation ended there, and although Lilian still looked puzzled, she didn't press further. I was grateful for her silence, as it allowed me to focus on the task at hand.
The night fell quietly around us, and before long, the packing was done, and we retired for the night.
****
The following morning, the mansion buzzed with the usual activity, but I was already ready to leave for Carlstein.
I found this body's mother, the Countess, waiting for me at the mansion gates, her expression a mix of concern and affection.
“Iskandaar,” she called gently as I approached.
“Mother,” I greeted her, bowing lightly out of respect.
She stepped closer and gently cupped my face in her hands. Her touch was warm. “Your father said he warned you already, but I just wanted to tell you this myself. Remember,” she said, her voice soft but firm, “Nebula is your fiancée, and she’s a nice girl. Don’t cause trouble at her place, okay?”
Her concern was understandable, given Iskandaar’s past activities. I smiled at her, nodding. “I won’t, Mother. I’ll behave.”
The red-haired woman studied me for a moment longer, her gaze filled with the love and worry that only a mother could hold. I felt a little guilty. I was not her son, although I was slowly accepting all of Iskandaar’s identity as my own.
“Good,” then, with a small sigh, she let go, giving me one last affectionate pat on the cheek before I turned to leave.
I headed toward the carriage, waiting outside, where Lilian was already standing by. Our eyes met, and as I approached, I spotted a figure beside the horses standing around the carriage. They were the Knights who would be accompanying me on this journey.
And I recognized their captain.
Of course, it was none other than Sir Carlos. He was leaning against the side of the carriage, wearing a usual grin. “Morning, young master,” he called out, his voice full of the easy confidence I’d come to expect from him.
“Ayy, Sir Carlos!” I greeted him with a wide grin as he turned around. I pulled him into a short hug immediately. Somehow, that surprised him and the people around him.
It was a brief, impulsive gesture, but it felt good. When I stepped back, I could see the surprise on his face, quickly replaced by a hearty laugh. “Haha…”
“Our new 5th Ascension,” I said, clapping him on the shoulder. “You didn’t come to see me after you woke up?”
“Sorry, sorry,” Carlos replied, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “I’ve been busy with training and, well, you know how it is.”
We chatted for a bit, the camaraderie between us lightening the mood. Sir Lucas was nearby too, and he joined in our conversation.
The Countess watched us with a smile from the other side of the gate. Lilian also watched from a distance. Her usual curious gaze was a little brighter as she looked at the three of us. Finally, with all the preparations complete, it was time to leave.
Lilian and I got on the carriage, and it set off, taking us south toward the Carlstein Barony while the knights rode their horses around us.
The familiar landscape of Romer faded into the distance, and I felt a sense of purpose settle over me. I hope the birthday party won't take too long.
****
Nebula Carlstein sat in her private room in front of the beautiful, elaborately made mirror and looked at her reflection. She felt both comfortable and awkward looking at herself. The soft, dancing light from the candles lit up the room and made it feel cozy. The light also made soft shadows on the very complicated rugs that were hung on the wall. There was a soft rustling sound in the room that came from Nebula's maid carefully and slowly braiding her hair.
The maid’s wrinkled hands moved with practiced precision, but her observant eyes noticed the tightness in Nebula’s shoulders, the slight furrow in her brow.
She spoke softly in a voice full of worry. "My lady, you look upset. What's on your mind?"
Nebula stayed silent at first, but soon her eyes flicked up to meet her maid’s gaze in the mirror. For a moment, she wanted to dismiss the question, to brush off the concern as nothing more than pre-event nerves. But Nebula did want to talk with someone. And this maid, among the others in the mansion, was someone she trusted.
The woman had been with her since she could remember and before that with her mother. Someone in this household she could confide in was her.
Nebula parted her lips, sighing. “I just... wish my fiancé wouldn’t come,” she told her in a whisper. "It wouldn't be wise for him to be here, Mirella.”
The maid, Mirella’s hands stilled for a moment, before resuming their task, more gently now. “My lady, you hate him that bad? Surely he couldn't be as bad as the rumors say,” she offered, trying to reassure her.
Nebula’s expression darkened, and she shook her head slowly. Her eyes observed her reflection. “Perhaps some of the rumors are exaggerated, but they exist for a reason. And it's not hate. He's not a bad person, I guess… But if he falls into a trap set by Lucien, it will shame not only him but me as well. Do you truly think Lucien invited him to his birthday party out of goodwill?”
Mirella frowned, her brows knitting together as she considered Nebula’s words. She had been in this household long enough to understand the complexities and the dangers that lurked behind every smile, every kind word. No, she had been here since even before that, when her Lady used to live here. “Do you believe this invitation was a ploy, young lady?”
“Oh come on, you should know better than me, you’ve been here for longer. To begin with, this was never meant to be a genuine invitation, I think,” Nebula replied. Her voice now was steadier, but the underlying tension remained still. “It’s a plan to humiliate me… My brother wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to undermine me in any way he can.”
The maid's fingers tightened around a strand of Nebula's hair hearing the last part, but she quickly released her grip and resumed her work with a gentler touch. "Does your fiancé know what he's getting into? "Is he aware of your family dynamics?"
Nebula pressed her lips into a thin line. "Just a little. I told him about my stepmother, but he doesn't know about my stepbrother. He appeared sharp-tongued when I met him, but rumors say he's dumb. Not that it'd change anything. Even if he saw through any traps… his reputation alone could be used against him.”
They fell into a brief silence, the only sounds being the soft swish of fabric and the crackle of the candles. After a brief pause, the maid broke the silence again, her voice soft but probing. "My Lady, how should I treat him? Considering his reputation.
"Treat him with respect," she stated firmly. "But if he ever disrespects you, punch him." A faint smile tugged at her lips, though it didn’t reach her eyes. Nebula added, “You were like a mother to my mother, her last memory before she died… I won’t let him dishonor that.”
Mirella’s hands stilled for a moment. Her expression softened, filled with a warmth that was rarely seen in this cold household. “My lady…”
“And you are the only one who knows and… shares my secret,” Nebula said, her voice low. “Without you, I would be alone in this house.”
Mirella, her mother’s Vampire Thrall, smiled gently, her gray hair catching the candlelight as she nodded. “I am always here by your side, my lady.”
Nebula closed her eyes briefly, drawing strength from the presence of this woman who had been her constant companion, protector, and keeper of her most intimate secrets.
A sudden knock on the door broke the silence.
“Lady Nebula,” a servant’s voice called from the other side, “The Romani Family’s carriage has been spotted approaching the estate.”
Nebula's eyes opened slowly, and her heart sank as she sighed. She braced herself for what was coming. "So he's here," she murmured, rising to her feet with a grace that concealed the messy feeling brewing within her.
She smoothed down her dress, her fingers trembling slightly. She felt nervous. Turning back to the old maid, she nodded, “Let’s go meet him.”
Mirella nodded, stepping back as Nebula made her way to the door. She had no choice anymore, but to face whatever awaited her…
Regardless of how humiliating it might be.
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