Valerian Empire

Katherine felt herself melt into nothingness as Alexander held her in his arms, her eyes closed feeling her mind in peace after a very long time. As she pulled back they saw that the rain wasn’t going to stop anytime soon.

The silence was soothing with the rain drops hitting the surface of the ground and walls.

“I received Elliot’s note. Is he here too?” she asked him.

“Elliot didn’t accompany me here but he’s with Sylvia in the town. They reached Mythweald two days ago.”

“They did?…They aren’t on official business are they?” she asked to see Alexander nod in confirmation.

The Lord noticed on how the girl was catching up on the details without needing to explain much. There was still a week left before the trial period got over, due to which vampires and humans who entered the other land were still on watchful eye.

Katie wondered how long they had been standing here since Silas had sent her through the secret passage door. He had asked her to return back inside once the time was up meaning she would have to stay here in the mansion. If Lord Alexander would take her from here, it would only mean conflict between the vampires, humans and the council.

Remembering something she had to tell him, Katie said,

“Do you remember the time when I was at Mr. Weaver’s house, I had spoken about the doll that moved? I think it’s Lady Ester. I think she is a witch,” hearing this Alexander smiled and she looked at him confused, “You knew?”

“I had my suspicion,” he said placing his hand in his pocket, “I had asked Mr. Tanner to look into it when we first went to the theater. He works for both the south and north as a tax collector, and having someone who is familiar with the lands and the Lords official made it easier to understand the situation and the scenarios. Not once has Lord Norman’s wife attended events or the council meetings. There have never been any pictures of her on the newsletter of our lands, not even in the land of Mythweald.”

“But she showed up today. She was there when I went down to the hall,” and she heard him hum in response.

“Was she in the hall talking to people?” when Lord Alexander questioned her, she realized that she hadn’t found Lady Ester speaking in the hall but she had been standing behind her. She then looked at him and shook her head slowly.

“What if she’s here? Won’t it-” she felt Alexander place his cold finger on her lips.

“Until I am there you have no need to worry about anyone, or anything. Silas will make sure to keep his parents busy inside though I am not sure how long he can manage it,” his tapered finger swiped across her lips, “I know you have a lot of questions to ask but we have very little time. You can trust Silas for now,” he said making her nod.

Silas had helped her sneak out to meet Alexander which she was utterly confused in the beginning. He had threatened her time and time during her stay in the mansion and therefore making it hard to believe that Lord Alexander and Silas had some sort of agreement.

But what Silas get out of it? The way she had seen the younger son of Lord Norman was the apple of the Lord and Lady of Mythweald. She shivered as the wind passed by, chilling her due to her wet clothes.

“Let’s get you back,” Lord Alexander said noticing the tiny goosebumps forming her skin. She had lost weight, he thought to himself as he looked at her.

“When will I next see you?” she asked anxious as he walked her to the passage she had come from.

“Sooner than you expect,” was his reply and after a pause he spoke, “I am sorry to hear what happened to Ralph. If I could, I would have helped him…I have moved him to Valeria.”

“Thank you,” she thanked him, her eyes sad and lonely. She felt Alexander’s hand suddenly picking hers when they came to stand in front of the tower.

“There are few things we cannot predict while some when we can we take precautionary steps. Whatever you could, you have done well, Katherine. Don’t think otherwise,” he squeezed her hand encouragingly, “Good night, darling,” he leaned towards her, placing a quick kiss below the right side of her ear.

The bricks began to disappear to make a way back inside. With the raindrops still falling from the sky, Katie got inside before turning to see that Alexander had already left.

After the ball was done, few guests stayed while few left the empire.

Katie hadn’t bothered to close the window as it rained, letting the sprinkles of water fall on the floor. She felt safe knowing that Lord Alexander was in Mythweald. She wanted to talk to Silas, rather she had questions which she needed answers for.

Instead of asking one of the maids to fetch the young lord, Katie decided to go find him herself. She didn’t believe the maids as they were too loyal to the Norman family and she didn’t know why but sometimes Judith, the maid seemed to be giving Lady Ester information of what she did even though she was assigned by Silas, and being careful never hurt anyone.

The candles were blown out, the corridors slightly dark. Making sure no one was around, she knocked Silas’ bedroom door. When he opened the door unlike other times his expression didn’t read anything vile or irritated. As though he was expecting her, he opened the door wide to let her in and locked the door carefully.

Ready to ask questions, she opened her mouth to only get her arm grabbed roughly towards him, “What are you doing?!”

She found Silas’ with his finger on his lips indicating her to keep quiet as he looked at the door.