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GARDEN OF POISON
Dark side of the Storm castle(Chapter 183)
Emily stared at the door as it closed behind Lauren.
Outside, raindrops were beginning to patter against the closed windows while the wind bustled and pushed against them. The view outside appeared hazy, and the sky seemed noticeably darker than it had been when they had left for town to do some shopping.
Upon hearing footsteps outside her room once again, Emily wondered whether her maid had returned. She then walked to the door and opened it, saying,
"Julia, I think the gown might need—"
However, there was no one in sight. Before she could step back into her room, she heard the faint creaking of the floor, as though someone was walking away from her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as her brown eyes scanned through the empty corridor.
As the creaking sound shifted to the adjacent corridor, faint piano music drifted through the air, sparking Emily's curiosity and compelling her to investigate its source. The back hem of her dress swept behind her as she moved along the corridors, eventually coming to a stop at the top of a staircase leading to the lower levels of the castle. She made her way down the steps, and the moment her foot made contact with the floor below, her gaze was drawn to the high ceilings and intricately carved walls.
Emily moved through the dimly lit corridor until she came to a stop in front of a wall adorned with family portraits, yet these were far from ordinary. Most of the faces depicted in the frames bore scorch marks, making her wonder whether they had been Raylen's family before he turned into an archdemon.
'I am not an earthling like you,' she recalled the archdemon's words.
Emily understood that his statement was in the context of the present, given that her brother and former soulmate had been earthlings reborn as demons in the living world to fulfil specific purposes. Raylen, on the other hand, had always remained a pure demon.
Observing the eight individuals depicted in the portraits, Emily guessed that the Storm family was as large as her own. Upon hearing another creak from the end of the corridor, she tore her eyes away from the gallery wall and began to walk in the direction of the sound.
Spotting a door, she grasped the doorknob when she reached it and picked up a nearby lantern to peer inside, since it seemed the creaking sound had led her here. However, her attention was so focused on what lay ahead of her that she failed to notice that the haunting piano melody had abruptly ceased, enveloping the walls of the corridor in a melancholic, eerie silence. When she stepped inside the room, the wooden floor creaked louder beneath her arched foot, and the lantern's light spilled onto the space just ahead of where she stood.
"What are you doing here?"
Startled by Raylen's voice behind her, Emily gasped, accidentally dropping the lantern on the ground. The lantern's glass shattered, and when the impact momentarily intensified the glow of the flame, her eyes fell upon the lower halves of scattered chairs, revealing trousers, skirts, and shoes to her sight. But the light never extended further, leaving the rest concealed by the darkness.
Her heartbeat quickened, and she spun around to meet Raylen's cold, blue-eyed gaze. His eyes bore into hers, and she uttered,
"I heard a noise… and that's why I came down here."
The customary smile on his lips and the mirth in his eyes were conspicuously absent, unveiling a side of Raylen that he typically kept hidden from everyone. His words, while as soft as the drizzle, carried a certain emptiness as he said,
"It must be the rain. It makes the windows, doors, and sometimes even the floors rattle, unsettling both the living and the departed souls. Not everyone enjoys the rain."
He paused, ushering in a silence that seemed as though it could engulf them like the roaring sea. He advised, "It would be wiser if you avoided stepping in this place."
Emily promptly offered a bow and apologised, "I am sorry. I wasn't aware." She had taken the liberty to explore the castle without his knowledge or permission.
"You weren't briefed about it. There's no need to apologise," Raylen stated before adding, "Lunch should be ready in the dining room. Tread carefully as you step outside. We wouldn't want your pretty feet to get injured."
Taking this as her cue to leave, Emily gingerly made her way out of the room towards Raylen, who stood in the corridor just beyond the door. The atmosphere they had earlier shared in the town had dissipated, replaced by a noticeable aloofness. She wondered whether Raylen had been the one playing the piano earlier, considering the instrument had now fallen silent.
Bowing again as she passed him, Emily retraced her steps in the direction she had come from, this time moving at a swifter pace than before. She heard Raylen closing the door with a discernible click and then trail a few steps behind her, silently reminding her of his presence without the need for her to turn around to confirm it.
"Princess Emily, here you are," Lauren exclaimed, relieved to have found her as she had been searching for her. However, her relief was short-lived as, just behind the princess, she suddenly caught sight of the grim expression on her Master's face.
"One of the rooms below requires cleaning. I startled the Princess," Raylen stated, causing the head servant's eyes to widen with the realisation that she shouldn't have uttered a word earlier. "Go clean it."
"Yes, Master!" Lauren responded promptly and hurried away to retrieve the mop and the dusting pan.
Emily headed to the dining room, with Raylen close behind, seemingly ensuring that she wouldn't stray or attempt to sprint out of the castle. After all, Dante had placed her under his care during her stay in the Storm Kingdom.
"Master." Westley bowed respectfully.
"Fix a plate for me," Raylen ordered before settling into the chair at the head of the table. When Emily reached for a chair to sit in, seemingly at random, he remarked, "You can take a seat on the other side. It would be a pity to have someone at the table and not have them facing you, don't you agree?"
Although she had initially believed that having company during meals would be pleasant, Emily began to feel a little jittery as she sensed his eyes following her every move. Deciding to walk around the table, she selected the seat across from him, maintaining a slight distance while allowing them to maintain eye contact.
"Could it be that you saw something down there that has made you so quiet, Princess?" Raylen casually inquired as the maids entered to set their plates.
Emily met his eyes from across the table, and she responded, "There wasn't enough light to see anything."
Soon after, Westley re-entered the room with another set of maids, who carried the dishes and started serving them to Emily and Raylen. For dessert, a cake was presented on the table, with each slice carefully cut before being placed beside their plates. Completing the setup, an ornate glass was placed beside Raylen, containing a dark, rich red liquid.
"Did you know that the earthling demons can also consume blood?" Raylen inquired in a nonchalant tone, smoothly shifting the subject, as if her earlier trespass into the forbidden space had not occurred.
"I think it would shock the humans if we were to openly consume blood, potentially causing a riot and disrupting the balance," Emily replied, her voice carrying to him as effortlessly as the surrounding air, despite the distance between them.
"One of these days, you should give it a try. Who knows, you might seek more of it," Raylen suggested with a smile, his cold eyes continuing to study her. He reached for the glass beside him and took a sip.
"Addiction isn't a good quality to possess. Consuming things in moderation often leads to better outcomes," Emily responded to him. "Grandmother always complains about having morning headaches, but that doesn't stop her from emptying bottles of liquor."
"Surely she has a good reason for it," Raylen said, taking another sip before setting the glass back on the table.
"Probably," Emily whispered, and when a maid had finished serving her, she said, "Thank you," before the maid withdrew. She said, "If there's even a slight possibility of becoming addicted to something, it is wiser to stay away from it. Not to be consumed by it."
"What's the point of life if you haven't lived a little and savoured the worldly pleasures it offers, Princess? Surrendering yourself and relinquishing control by fully immersing into it is an entirely different experience," Raylen remarked, taking a bite from the food before him.
"You don't strike me as someone who relinquishes control," Emily responded, noting the wicked smile on Raylen's lips. The cold demeanour that had earlier enveloped him seemed to dissolve.
Raylen's eyes seemed to hold a wealth of unspoken thoughts, but instead, he chose to reply with a simple, "Depends."
The following morning, while Emily was still soaking in the bathtub, Lauren knocked on the door. Julia promptly opened it, allowing the older woman to step inside while carrying a box in her hands.
"Princess Emily, your gown has arrived," Lauren informed Emily, which brought a smile to the latter's lips.
"He finished it in time!" Emily exclaimed with a smile, rising from the bathtub as it was time to get ready.
"Mr. Hatt is renowned for his quick hands and beautiful gowns," Lauren remarked, opening the box and carefully laying the gown on the bed. "This one looks different from the ones I have grown accustomed to seeing him create," she said, her gaze fixed on the muted, pastel blue fabric. "Nonetheless, it's pretty."
Soon, Emily donned the gown, carefully layering each piece until she was fully dressed. Thigh-high white stockings adorned her legs, and she slipped her feet into her new shoes. Her hair was parted at the centre, and a few strands from her crown were loosely braided on both sides, which were then pinned at the back, while the rest of her honey-blonde hair flowed freely.
Her face was lightly powdered, and her lips were delicately tinted pink. Once she was ready, she gazed at her reflection in the mirror.
"You look stunning, Princess Emily!" Julia exclaimed with excitement as she beheld the royal princess dressed in the distinctive attire of the West.
"I must agree, it has been a while since I've had the pleasure to dress someone as pretty as you. I believe you will shine at the gathering today," Lauren encouraged the young princess, boosting her confidence.
Emily smiled at them, though she remained unsure about how smoothly the conversations would flow as the spectre of the past continued to occupy her mind. As she observed the gown, she found herself liking it a little more than she initially did, especially appreciating how the skirt flowed like gentle water ripples as she moved.
"I will let Master know that you are ready," Lauren said with a smile before leaving the room.
"Princess, wait!" Julia exclaimed, and Emily turned to her maid, who held a thin stick. Julia then gently pressed the tip just below the outer corner of her eye. "To ward off evil eyes."
"Thank you, Julia." Emily was thankful to have such a caring maid. Although no one could replace the companionship she had shared with Anastasia, she was more than glad that the woman was now by her brother's side.
Examining herself one last time in the mirror, Emily wondered whether the lingering physical pain she concealed would fully leave her when she found a man her heart truly accepted, and they healed it through their bond.
As she left her room and descended down the stairs, Emily noticed that one side of her upper sleeve had become loose. With no time for last-minute adjustments, she pulled the sleeve back into place and made her way towards the carriage waiting to transport her to the gathering.
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GARDEN OF POISON
Card with the names (Chapter 184)
Music Recommendation: Us and Them - The Chamber Orchestra of London
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As Emily walked through the corridors, eventually arriving at the castle's entrance, she spotted Raylen standing next to the carriage, talking about something with the coachman, his hands casually resting in his trouser pockets. As though hearing the soft footsteps approaching him, he turned to look at her while the coachman walked to the front.
She observed him wearing a black suit paired with a white shirt, as though attempting to deceive everyone into perceiving him as a pure man with good intentions. His piercing blue eyes scanned her from head to toe before rising to meet her gaze, and he remarked,
"You look like you were pulled from the depths of the sea. Someone who might be easy to lose." His cryptic words made the princess shoot him a glare.
Was he implying that no one would pay attention to her?
Emily frowned and retorted, "I didn't dress to impress you." She preferred to wear what made her comfortable rather than trying to impress the demon she had no interest in.
Raylen's tongue grazed over his sharp canine, and a wicked smile formed on his lips as he responded, "Of course, Princess." His eyes took another lingering sweep before he added, "After you."
Emily climbed into the carriage, and Raylen followed suit, taking a seat beside her. As she settled in, she smoothed her skirt to ensure it remained free from wrinkles. She then heard him ask her,
"So, what kind of man are you looking for? It would be easier to narrow down the options."
"I haven't really thought about it," Emily replied, earning a quizzical look from Raylen.
"Go on, tell me. I promise I won't share it with your mother. Your secret will be safe with me." Raylen mimicked the act of zipping his lips shut and throwing the key out of the window.
Emily turned her body towards Raylen and her gaze locked with his crystal blue eyes as she shared, "I never had any preconceived expectations about the man I was looking forward to meeting. I had resolved to accept him just as he was, whether tall or short, lean or thin, rich or poor, because having a soulmate would have been a blessing on its own."
"Such an accommodating princess," Raylen commented, his slender finger lightly tapping his knee as if thinking about something while gazing at her. He then asked her with a serious expression, "What if it was me?" and his question caught her off guard.
"But it's not you," Emily replied.
"What if?" Raylen persisted, pressing her for an answer. "Unless you are suggesting that you lack an imagination."
"I do, especially when it concerns you," Emily replied curtly. She couldn't help but shudder at the thought of what might have happened if she discovered he was her soulmate.
"What happened to the princess who used to fight back? All I'm hearing are your defensive words," Raylen stated, noticing one of her feet tapping with nervousness, and he placed his hand on her knee to stop it.
For the briefest moment, Emily felt her heart slip from her chest. At the same time, the side of the carriage where Raylen was seated rode over slightly elevated ground, causing him to lean closer to her. Upon realising their proximity, the princess's hand instinctively moved forward and hit his head.
"I am sorry; I didn't mean to do that! But you came so close, and I panicked!" Emily blurted out, hastily retracting her hand to her chest.
Raylen's blue eyes narrowed at her, as her reaction had caught him by surprise. As he leaned in closer once again, this time looming above her, she felt her back pressing against the carriage wall, causing her to gulp. He said in a low voice,
"If it had been someone else, they would have ripped your fingers from your hand. One finger at a time. Consider yourself fortunate that I am a kind man, Princess Emily."
Emily didn't require an explanation that the 'someone' he referred to was none other than himself. She cleared her throat and agreed, "You are indeed a kind man." She then added, "I didn't mean to hit your head."
Raylen let out a soft hum as he leaned back in his seat, his gaze fixed on her, and he taunted her, quipping, "Your aim is as bad as I expected it to be. Let's hope your accuracy is more precise when it comes to choosing the right men to converse with."
"I have excellent aim. It's just that the carriage was shaky—" Emily paused mid-sentence, and then softly murmured, "My apologies." She turned away from him and closed her eyes. Given that he was an archdemon with superior strength, she doubted that her hand prepared to strike him with a blow aimed at his head would actually hurt him; instead, it would likely damage her hand instead.
A palpable and uncomfortable silence hung in the air within the carriage, and Emily felt a creeping unease, wondering if the rest of the day would continue in this strained manner, which left her with a sense of anxiety in her chest. As she was the one who had struck him, she began to part her lips to speak, but he beat her to it.
"You don't have to be so nervous. There are plenty of men at the gathering, and you will find at least one agreeable man among them."
Emily gave him a nod and redirected the conversation, asking, "Did you know there is a reason why the earthling demons have soulmates?"
"To counterbalance the malevolence of the demons with the goodness of the earthlings," Raylen replied, using his hand to prop up the side of his head. "It is ironic when you think about it, especially considering that most demons were once earthlings. Earthlings are more despicable than they appear at first glance."
Emily's eyes shifted to Raylen, her mind pondering over his words. She hadn't forgotten what she had seen the day before, and although she hadn't discussed it with anyone, she knew it was wiser to refrain from entangling herself in matters that didn't concern her. Yet, at the same time, she couldn't shrug off the eerie creaking noise she had heard echoing through the corridors.
"Princess," Raylen spoke, his voice soft against the rhythmic sound of the carriage wheels and the horses' hooves. He noticed the curiosity in her eyes.
"Hm?" Emily asked, her eyebrows subtly arching.
"If you are planning to kiss me, I have a better position in mind," Raylen remarked, and Emily suddenly became aware that she had unconsciously leaned in closer. She promptly moved away from him and redirected her gaze forward.
"How much longer until we reach Ruiz's mansion?" Emily inquired, her eagerness to jump out of the carriage apparent as their conversation grew increasingly erratic.
Raylen pulled out his pocket watch, flipping it open to check the time. "You are stuck with me in this carriage for the next twenty minutes," he said, a saintly smile gracing his lips.
When they finally arrived at the Ruiz mansion, Emily leaned over to glance out of her window to see a grand building surrounded by lush gardens. Beautiful, weather-worn statues stood as a testament to the mansion's rich history, signifying its ownership by one of the old families residing in the Storm Kingdom. Similar to theirs, several other carriages were either parking or dropping off passengers, who had just arrived behind their own vehicle.
When Raylen and Emily stepped out of the carriage, they attracted the stares of the majority of the guests gathered outside, who subsequently greeted their king with a respectful bow. Their king, in turn, took time to mingle and participate in their small gatherings.
"I extend my humblest greetings to you, King Raylen, and to his niece," Mr. Ruiz greeted them warmly. The man sported a tapered moustache and wore a genial smile. "It is truly an honour to have both of you here."
"The honour is all mine, Mr. Ruiz," Raylen responded with a charming smile, and before long, Mrs. Ruiz joined their company.
"Well, don't you just look lovely, Lady Emily? Even though it has been only two days since you arrived, there has already been much talk about you," Mrs. Ruiz remarked, raising her eyebrows subtly to indicate that there were individuals who had already taken notice of her.
"You are very kind to say so, Mrs. Ruiz. You have a beautiful mansion," Emily complimented with a polite smile.
"I will be delighted to give you a tour later," Mrs. Ruiz replied, and Emily offered the woman a respectful bow in response.
Leaving the Ruizes to greet their other guests, Raylen and Emily stepped further inside, where the attendees eagerly greeted the king, more than happy to find themselves in his presence. Both men and women eyed Emily, scrutinising her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes, even though her feet were concealed beneath her flowing gown. She maintained a constant smile, one she often wore on such occasions.
A woman with blonde hair walked towards them and addressed Raylen, saying, "King Raylen, I was hoping to see you here, especially after hearing about your niece. She is cute, just like a button." She turned to Emily and cooed in a voice that suggested she were speaking to a child, "I am Gloria, a dear acquaintance of your uncle."
Emily's smile didn't falter, and she introduced herself, saying, "Emily. Shall I address you as Auntie?"
Gloria's smile vanished from her face before it scrunched into a puzzled expression, and she burst into laughter, turning back to Raylen and saying, "She has a great sense of humour."
"She certainly does, doesn't she?" Raylen's blue eyes danced with amusement.
Emily had the urge to roll her eyes, but she refrained, as she had been trained not to do so. Her mother had once reprimanded her for it when she was thirteen, and the lesson had stuck.
"I sent you a letter two weeks ago." Gloria's attention shifted back to Raylen.
Raylen offered a warm smile to the woman and responded, "Westley must have misplaced it. He's getting on in years and can be forgetful. I considered replacing him, but he's too dear to me, just as you are."
Emily could feel the sweetness practically dripping from Raylen's words and averted her gaze. Catching sight of someone she was familiar with, she decided to excuse herself and walked towards a woman of similar age.
"Janelle?" Emily's unexpected greeting surprised the woman. As Janelle turned to look at her, a look of excitement lit up her face.
"Oh, my God, Lily!" Janelle exclaimed, hugging her tightly before quickly pulling away, as though fearing they might get scolded. She scanned their surroundings, looking left and right but not spotting the princess's family. "What are you doing here? Are you on your own?!"
"I should be asking you that," Emily replied with a broad smile. She recalled that Janelle's family had previously resided in Versailles before relocating to the North. Feeling her sleeve slipping from her shoulder, she quickly pulled it back into place.
"Mother and Father thought it was better to move to the West after the Elder ministers fell from their positions. We came to Storm Kingdom for the gathering. I even missed King Dante's wedding," Janelle explained to her, and she asked curiously, "Where is Lady Sophia?"
"Back in Versailles."
"Really?" Janelle exclaimed in surprise. "Then we should be able to hug and hold hands like we did when we were little! Who are you here with? You should come stay with us," she suggested warmly.
"At the moment, I am staying at the Storm Castle. Grandmother said Brother Dante was the one who arranged it," Emily responded, and her friend nodded in understanding. A moment later, a gentleman appeared before them, the man's eyes briefly scanning Emily before he pressed his lips together. Then, he turned to look at Janelle and asked,
"May I have a dance with you later, fair lady?"
"I would be delighted," Janelle responded to the man's question with a gracious bow. He proceeded to write his name on the card attached to her wrist before taking his leave.
Emily noticed how men cast glances in her direction, briefly observing her only to shift their attention to the other women. She couldn't help but recall Raylen's earlier words, the ones he had spoken before they climbed inside the carriage. Speaking about the devil, where was he? Her eyes looked around the room, but he had vanished from her sight.
Even though Emily had agreed to attend the event willingly, she now found herself less certain. It wasn't because she wasn't dressed well or her appearance lacked compared to the others, but rather because of her lingering hesitation born from the fear of yet another rejection.
"I am so glad to see you here, Lily, and to have you next to me. Your company is always a pleasure. How does your dance card look?" Janelle inquired, prompting Emily to look at her questioningly.
"What dance card?" Emily asked in return, as she had been looking at the other guests attending the gathering.
"The card around your wrist. Let us get you one," Janelle replied, leading Emily and further explaining, "It allows you to accept or decline gentlemen's dance requests at your discretion, preventing you from feeling overwhelmed or bombarded."
Once the card was securely tied around Emily's wrist, it took less than ten minutes before men began to approach her, engaging her in conversation and expressing their interest in getting to know her.
After two men had departed, a third approached and stood before her. His hair was as dark as the night, and his smile even wider than Raylen's. However, while Raylen's smile had a veneer of kindness, this one reeked of overconfidence.
"Lady Emily, my name is Marshall Travis," the man introduced himself. "I have this nagging feeling that I have seen a familiar face like yours before, but I can't quite remember where. Because I am certain I would remember encountering a beautiful woman like yourself," the man named Marshall complimented her.
"Perhaps it's fortunate that you don't," Emily responded with a polite smile and tone.
"You possess sharp wit, milady. I would have asked you for a dance, but I am rather clumsy on my feet. I hope we can arrange a meeting though, some time this week when you are free? Perhaps at the Storm Castle?" he suggested with a smile.
"I will discuss it with my mother and inform you," Emily answered him, and the man bowed before taking his leave.
"Do not even entertain him, Lily," Janelle whispered, leaning closer to Emily. "He's famous for ruining reputations, just like the next man of higher status."
"What are you ladies whispering about?"
Emily didn't need to look back to know that the voice belonged to Raylen. He had arrived with another couple, joining their company.
"King Raylen, my humblest greetings," Janelle greeted him with a deep bow.
"Your niece is indeed as beautiful as the rumours going around the kingdom suggest," remarked the woman, while her husband gave a brief nod.
"The Storm family possesses strong genes when it comes to beauty," Raylen responded, causing Emily to narrow her eyes. Hadn't he said something about her getting lost in the sea of the crowd here earlier?
Janelle looked confused and pulled Emily aside to ask, "He's your uncle?!" From what she knew, the Blackthorns and the Storm family were not related to each other.
Emily shook her head and whispered, "I will tell you later."
Amidst the bustling conversation around them, Emily's hand subconsciously adjusted her sleeve when her gaze unexpectedly met Raylen's, his eyes looking right at her. She wondered why he was focusing on her just as she heard him say,
"Would you have some room on your card for a dance later, milady?"
"My card is already full," Emily quickly lied through her teeth.
"Lily…" Janelle called her and gestured with her eyes in front of them.
When Emily looked down, she realised that Raylen had extended his hand towards her friend, not her. If only she could vanish on the spot, she would have done so in a heartbeat. She had wrongly assumed his gaze was directed at her.
"My niece so eager to dance with me." Raylen's lips twisted into a smile, and the accompanying couple laughed.
Emily offered an awkward smile. She had a growing feeling that, one of these days, she might need to purchase a coffin. That way, when she stabbed him, he could have a proper resting place inside it.
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