::: Chapter 25 :::
"What are the both of you doing?" Voldemort asked in a soft tone. Bella and Rod both froze in their tracks, not knowing what to say or do.
'Shit! Shit! Shit!' was all Bella could think of. She hated being caught by Voldemort doing something so unloyal. Her eyes darted to Rod who was standing in front of her, closer to the Dark Lord. She was hoping he knows what to do and that he would initiate the first move but when she saw that he too was frozen, she decided to resign to fate and waited for the first 'Crucio' to be delivered. Much to her relieve (and also disappointment), it never came.
"What are the two of you doing here?' Voldemort repeated his question and when he still received no answer, he raised his voice. 'I demand an explanation!"
This finally evoked a reaction from the two guilty parties as they both fell to their knees begging for forgiveness from their Lord.
"Forgive us…..forgive us….. my Lord. We…we didn't mean to be trespassing…..we were…were just….uh…we were…." Rod began but he just couldn't find he right words to finish with. He didn't want to lie to the Dark Lord neither does he want to actually tell the truth. In that moment, he couldn't decide which would be better for his and Bella's well-being.
"Forgive us my Lord….we were….I was….I was…..Rodolphus had nothing to do with this, My Lord.' Bella said as she glanced partially at the Dark Lord and then immediately lowered her eyes to the floor again when his eyes met hers. 'It was all my idea, My Lord. I----I wanted to….."
"No, my Lord,' Rodolphus cut in. 'It wasn't her fault. It was my idea, my Lord. I pushed her into it." Rod said as he looked up to Voldemort.
"No, my Lord. Believe me…..it was my entire fault.' Bella said again in a louder tone with more vehemence.
"Bella….." Rod growled.
"My Lord, I wanted to find out what had happened to Faustus. I know you told me to not pursue this any further but my curiosity got the better of me, my Lord. I must find out what had happened to my son……to our son, my Lord." Bella said and this time she did not even look away when his stare met hers.
There was a momentary pause as all three parties remained in silence.
"Rodolphus, you admit that you were an accomplice in this episode do you not?" Voldemort first addressed Rod.
"Yes, my Lord." Rod replied, bowing his had low that it almost touched the ground.
"Very well. In view of your recent substantial contributions to the cause of the Death Eaters and the fact that this matter is of minute significance,' Voldemort stared at Bella whose head was cocked up like a hen as he said this. 'I will not impose a punishment too severe."
"My Lord is too kind." Rodolphus said with gratitude plain in his voice.
"Rodolphus from this moment on you are not allowed to come back to the Riddle Manor unless I specifically demand for your presence here. Do I make myself clear?" Voldemort said.
"Yes, my Lord." Rodolphus replied without even thinking twice.
"Good. Now get out of my sight." Voldemort said.
Though Rod was very uncomfortable leaving Bella behind, alone to deal with Voldemort after tonight's event which in fact he had suggested, he did as he was told. He just couldn't help it. As much as he cares for Bella, Voldemort always had that effect on him. Voldemort's word to Rodolphus was law. It must be obeyed without question. He sent a word of apology to Bellatrix, and apparated.
In the den now, there is only Voldemort and Bellatrix. Bella kept her head bowed low and remained on the floor, awaiting the Lord's command.
Voldemort entered the room slowly and sat on a chair closest to Bellatrix. She could see his feet now but she dare not even touch it. Finally, who knows why, she felt Voldemort caress the top of her head. Even at this moment she did not move until he says it himself that she could move.
"Bella, get up.' It was a surprising tone. She had expected him to talk to her in a harsh tone which was suited for a Lord-Servant relationship that they have but his soft tone was very much unexpected. As she looked up to him, she saw his hand held out to her. She didn't take it though. She wasn't sure if this is really real or is she just imagining things to happen this way so she tried blinking a few times to make sure she was awake. When in fact she wasn't, she looked from his proffered hand to his face.
'Come up here Bella." Voldemort said again in a soft voice.
"Yes, my Lord." Bella replied as she took his hand and got off the floor. Gently, he pulled her over to the empty chair opposite him and she sat down.
"Surprised?' Voldemort asked, sensing her uneasiness. She gave no reply so he continued. 'I don't blame you,' he said as he looked at Bella who still said nothing. 'Bella, I don't blame you for snooping around behind my back trying to search for clues that could explain our son's death. I realize that he means a lot to you and I had expected you to do a thing like this in spite of what I told you to do. So, why don't you just come right out and say it?"
"Say what, my Lord?" Bella said as her eyes finally blinked for the first time since he had proffered his hand to her.
"That you think I killed him." Voldemort said.
"Oh no….no my Lord. I…I couldn't possibly think a thing like that. After all you are his father and he is your heir so what reason could you possibly have to kill him." Bella stammered a little for Voldemort had hit the nail right on its head.
"It's only logical. No one else was there in that room but Faustus and I. All of a sudden he died and there were no witnesses. Who else could be the suspect but me?" Voldemort continued again with his theory of what he felt Bella was thinking.
"My Lord,' Bella started as she fell to floor and grabbed the hems of his robes. 'I would never doubt you my Lord. I could never think that of you my Lord. I…."
"You're lying Bellatrix,' he hissed. 'Your guard was down when I caught you snooping around this room and I read your mind." He said calmly.
Bella stared up at him with her mouth open, trying to say something but all that happened was tears started to fill her eyes as her guilt took over and her gaze fell to the floor. He was pleased to see her breakdown in front of him. Now, he has seen all the sides of Bella.
"Get up here,' he said as he grabbed her by the shoulders and sat her down on her chair. He brought his face close to hers and pushed her chin up so that her eyes were level with his. 'I don't blame you. In fact I would be rather disappointed if you had just laid back and not even try to do anything to find out how Faustus had died. But, I would still treat this as disobedience; you deliberately went against my word and I'm sure you know the punishment for direct disobedience is death. However, due to the circumstances I am willing to forgive and forget on one condition."
"What is that my Lord?" Bella asked him, eagerly.
"Just do not pursue this matter any more. He is gone now and whatever happened has happened, nothing will bring him back. I want you to promise me Bella, that you will never pursue this matter again." Voldemort said.
"Yes….yes, I promise my Lord." Bella replied.
"Good.' He said and at that time, he suddenly noticed how close his lips were to hers and he had a huge urge to kiss her but he stopped himself. The timing felt so inappropriate. So he pulled back. 'Now leave my den. I have very important things to do."
She got up and started towards the door when he called her again.
"Bella, I think the timing is now more appropriate for you to make a comeback and join your fellow Death Eaters, don't you think?"
Her heart skipped a beat. Did she hear right?
"You…..you mean….I could….I could join the Death Eaters again?" Bella said as she turned to face him again.
"Yes. I think it is alright for you to join us again. Would you like that?" Voldemort asked her.
'Yes,' she breathed. 'Yes, I would be more than happy to come back and join the Death Eaters again, my Lord. Thank you, my Lord." A huge smile was plastered on her face as she clasped her hands together.
"Good. Now we could only get stronger."
"Thank you….thank you, my Lord." She said and started walking towards him and then, she gave him a soft peck on the cheek. Then she turned, and left.
As he stood there alone, watching her shadows disappear, he thought o himself:
She must never know what happened to Faustus.
I cannot have her hate me…..she is after all y most loyal servant and I can't afford to lose her….
Now it's settled….she would never ask about Faustus's death again….
She'll be back with the Death Eaters and that should keep her busy and soon she'll totally forget…..
Why the hell is my heart beating so fast?
THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINETHIS IS A LINETHIS IS A LINETHIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE THIS IS A LINE
Reviews please? Thank you.
xoxLewrahxox: No I don't mind long reviews.
Lady Cathy: Thanks. Hope this one is to your liking too.
Inkfire: Sorry I can't update within the requested time. I had a lot to do and yes I just love cliffhangers.