AN: And I'm back~ Hello again~ I needed to brew up some drama for the story so : oh and not at me getting so distracted bc of stuff- Anyway~ I do hope you enjoy it! I might be updating another chapter tomorrow. KEYWORD: Might! So don't get your hopes up just yet~

Guest: Thank you so much~ And thank you as well for reading it hoho~

Lovepeachy: Really? www I thought it was a long interval over my updates~ and don't mull over what Jack said~ you all are going to know about it sooner or later hoho

Wendbria: I'm glad that you loved it! And I'm also happy that my writing could be of help for you to get back into writing~ Tat makes me happy!

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TWENTY-FIRST CHAPTER
"An Unexpected Visit"

19 Novie, 391 of the New Era
10th Entry

The basement is damp. I have no idea how many days have passed since he locked me in here. There are no windows for the light to shine, only a mere candlestick for light and a broken piano to accompany me in this lonely room. There is a maid who comes to me to bring my food, but the treatment I am getting is worse than a slave.

Every night he never fails to come in the cramped room to check on me. I am afraid of him, very much so. His eyes hold ill intent, if it wasn't for the protection of the King and if it wasn't for my usefulness, I am sure he would have strangled me by now. I am sure he would have killed me and left my body to rot in the sidewalks of the village.

I have no power to fight him; I am but a weak woman in a weak body. People are eyeing me, watching my every move. I am lucky to have survived for this long. This journal will serve as evidence for when I fail to survive. I hope this stays hidden from his malicious eyes, as this can be my only savior.

Although he brings me medicine and takes a doctor to check on my physical health—I am not sure how long I can stay sane.

A month has passed after Merida came back to Elsa's side to serve her alongside Nokk. She and Nokk got along well with each other despite just meeting for the first time. This was because they were brought together by their strong desire of protecting the master they swore their utmost loyalty to.

As the weeks went by, Elsa's recovery sped up for the most part. She was able to speak in short sentences to her maids and was able to smile and greet them when she passed. Honeymaren, her personal maid, was delighted at this great improvement. She served Elsa for a year, ever since the Marquis and the Marchioness cam back from Southern Isles with her frail and bruised body limp on the Marquis' arms.

Anna was most excited about this improvement. When her sister started to go back to her life before—reading books, greeting the maids, having tea, studying—she was delighted and ecstatic to see her sister be healthy again. Although that scar in her sister's heart will forever be etched in, she was relieved to see her sister full of life once again. Duke Overland still visited them more often now, and with Jamie, his aide in tow.

He seemed to enjoy having Elsa as company and speaking to the Marquis. But more importantly, she noticed something different with the way the Duke treated her older sister. It was something someone with eyes would never miss, not even in a million years. Anna was glad he treated her sister gently, but the times the Duke and her sister spend together are full of sweetness. Now, Anna wasn't blind. And she certainly wasn't numb to the little signs the Duke is expressing towards her sister.

The little glances he throws at her, the warm smiles and the gentlest of touches…Anna was sure he felt something. Although she wasn't sure what her sister felt since Elsa was still pretty much a mystery to everybody in the mansion, she definitely saw love in the way the Duke treated her sister.

It was a Friday. The storm had long passed and was replaced with multiple days of the hot summer heat. Anna sat under her gazebo with Jackson sitting opposite of her. The maids brought them cold beverages to quench their thirst and to fend off the high heat of the sun. It was always like this here—the glare of the sun and the scent of the roses fill the air. Anna looked at the man sitting in front of her with discerning eyes.

Indeed, the Duke was one handsome fellow. Silver-white hair, a pointed nose, a chiseled jaw, beautiful blue eyes and pale skin. He looked almost ethereal—maybe even godly. She would definitely fall for him if she weren't married to the love of her life. Of course, the Duke's personality is something else. Complimenting his good-looking physical appearance, he was a gentle man. He was kind, he listened and he was friendly. He knows when to draw a line between servant and master, but he never does things that would make one person hate him. In short, he was a perfect man.

Anna picked up her glass of cold lemonade and brought to her lips as she spared the Duke a glance. "Your grace, I have noticed something different about you lately." She started, catching the attention of the man in front of her.

"What may that be?" He asked.

"…"

She did not answer and just stared at the Duke openly. The corners of her lips curled up and she placed the glass gingerly on the table. "How do you feel about my sister?"

Jack choked. "E-excuse me?"

Anna chuckled. "You don't have to pretend, Jackson. I am not blind. I have been observing you and my sister for months now," she said. "You can be truthful with me."

"I like her."

Anna wasn't even shocked. She already knew of his feelings even before he blurted them out. The younger woman did not answer and Jack continued speaking. "I didn't think I would like her, but the more I spend time with your sister, the more my feelings grow strongly for her…" he trailed off.

"I'm afraid that I might cross the line of not wanting to give her to anyone at all…"

Anna nodded. "But what about your engagement?"

"Truthfully, I have thought about calling it off. I do not want to loveless marriage, especially when I yearn for someone in my heart."

"I am sorry for prying, but if you feel strongly for my sister, then you shouldn't hold back what you feel."

"Pardon me, Madam, but there's someone who is looking for you. She says you will want to meet her immediately."

Anna and Jack turned to look at the butler who cut off their conversation. The younger woman looked at Jack with an apologetic smile. "Do you mind me going to see who it is, your grace?"

Jack shook his head and gestured for her to go. Anna smiled at him apologetically before letting the butler escort her to the receiving room.

The Bjorgman mansion is one of the most expensive looking mansions in all of the Empire. Gold trims decorate the ceiling and fine silk drapes cover the large windows of the room. The chesterfield was made with the most beautiful and most comfortable material, and fine pottery sit to bring some life in the room. A large painting of the Empire's most famous painter hang on the wall, greeting the guests and reminding them that the Marquis house was raining with money.

The woman sits on the chesterfield waiting for the Madam of the house. Her eyes gaze around the massive money adorned room, as beads of sweat trickle down her forehead. She was nervous about this meeting. After all, she came here with no warning. The Marquis mansion was one of the most protected mansions in all of the Empire. Not anybody can go in and out of the place unless the couple permitted you. The woman waited half an hour in her carriage, under the heat of the sun, contemplating whether or not she would try her hand at meeting the Madam of the house. And she was lucky enough to be permitted to get inside.

She just hoped the Madam would listen to her.

But that would only be a one in a million chance, thinking back to the impetuous greeting she gave the Madam in the banquet that day.

Her hands found comfort in clutching her dress as she waited anxiously for the woman she came here to see. Her heart pounded in her chest as the grandfather clock ticked behind her. Just when is she coming? She wondered. And as if her thoughts had been answered, the doors to the room swung open revealing a beautiful brunette wearing a bright olive dress, walk into the room. Madam Bjorgman's eyes landed on her and she frowned.

Clearly, she wasn't welcome in their residence.

"Why have you come without notice?" She did not miss the hostility in the woman's voice. The Madam did not even ask her to sit down. "Do you realize you're being rude?"

"I am sorry for coming without prior notice, Madam Bjorgman." She bowed her head and hung it low before looking up and locking eyes with the woman in front of her. "I have sent you letters, but you never once responded to them…"

"Of course I wouldn't respond to letters of someone I dislike."

"Which is why I thought to come visit you. I have been coming here for three days straight, but it is only now that I mustered up the courage to come to you."

Madam Bjorgman laughed. "How impudent of you, Lady Fischer."

The atmosphere suddenly became cold and the Madam's expression turned sour. "What is it that you want?" She asked.

"I came here to give you an apology gift," She gestured for her maid. The maid walked forward and placed a box with intricate designs on the table. "Why would you apologize months after? I can feel your insincerity."

"But I am totally sincere…"

"What do you want?"

"I want you to stop calling my fiancé. Please leave him alone."

"I thought I've made it clear to you, Lady Fischer." Madam Bjorgman started, "You should settle it out with your fiancé, not me. I do not have the right to stop Duke Overland to stop what he's doing."

"But he is going to be wed! We're getting married in three months!"

"So? Is that a problem I have to carry? I am not the person you are engaged to Lady Fischer. Why are you coming to me?"

"I did not want to do this to you, Madam Bjorgman, because I respect you—"

"If you respect me, then you wouldn't come into my residence unannounced or uninvited. I have wasted my time trying to humor you, Lady Fischer. If you are having a hard time with your engagement, talk it out with Jack, not me."

Madam Bjorgman's words pierce through her heart. And she snapped.

"Watch your back Madam Bjorgman, maybe one day you'll see a knife near your neck."

"Is that a threat?"

Silence.

Madam Bjorgman laughed in amusement. "Many people have wanted my neck, Lady Fischer. It's not only you. You can touch me, but know that we aren't going to let this off lightly."

"A threat for a threat."

"It would be best if you retire to your home, Lady Fischer. Before I let my knights drag you out of this residence."

Madam Bjorgman stood up and pointed at the door. "Then, I will see myself out."

"Heed my word, your grace." She said, her voice low.

She pulled on the door and in front of her stood a beautiful woman dressed in a blue dress that hugged every inch of her body. Her hair was platinum blonde and her eyes glistened blue. She had long eyelashes that fanned her high cheekbones tainted in pink. For sure, she was the most beautiful woman Tatiana had ever seen in her life.

"Sister, why are you out?" Madam Bjorgman spoke from behind her.

Tatiana's eyes stayed on the woman; it was almost like she was bewitched. "Lady Elsa, please walk slowly. I know you are eager to see—"

Behind the woman, Elsa, was a man she knew all to well. Her fiancé stood behind Lady Elsa with a face full of distrust and annoyance. Of course he would feel that way. It was not long ago when he warned her not to touch this woman.

Tatiana clenched her fists, all sorts of thoughts running through her mind. She hung her head low and bowed. "I'll see you soon, Madam Bjorgman."

"Who was that?" Her ears perked up at the melodic voice that spoke behind her.

"Just someone who had business here, there's nothing to worry about sister."

Yes…Just someone who had business here.

Just wait and see.

On her way out of the mansion, with her maid treading behind her, she stopped and whispered. "Did you do it?"

"Don't worry, my lady. The deed has been done. You will see results soon enough."

Tatiana raised her head and walked into her carriage. "Good." She said before she handed the maid a bag of gold coins and a dagger.

"Now kill yourself. We don't want trails and I don't want someone who will turn on me."