The morning after Charlotte with Scarlett's name and face woke to sunlight.
Real sunlight not the pale, filtered glow she had grown used to, but warm and honest, spilling across her bed in gentle defiance of the cold walls.
For a moment, she did not remember where she was.
Then she did.
Her chest tightened as she recalled .
The wolves.
The forest.
His voice cutting through the dark.
'Do not leave the grounds again at night. Not without me.'
She sat up slowly, heart pounding.
Her gown from the night before lay folded
neatly at the foot of the bed. His coat was still there , a painful reminder of her failure.
At breakfast, the atmosphere was… different.
Lord Xavier was already seated when she entered, dark coat immaculate, posture composed. He looked exactly as he always did controlled, distant, untouchable.
But when she sat, his green eyes lifted.
And lingered.
Just for a fraction of a second too long.
"You slept well , I hope" he said.
"Yes_s I did, my lord," she replied softly , exhaling the breath she had been holding.
"You will remain within the inner grounds today," he said. "The weather is… unsettled."
She nodded, hands folding in her lap. "Of course."
He studied her as she reached for her tea, noting the faint tremor in her fingers, the careful way she avoided the windows.
Silence stretched between them, thick with things neither dared name.
"You are not to wander at night," he added calmly. "Not again."
"I won't," she said quickly. Too quickly.
His gaze sharpened not unkindly, but with precision.
"Good," he replied.
And for the first time since she had arrived at the manor, she felt it clearly:
She was no longer merely being watched.
She was being protected .
' My family ' he started as he gauged her expression before he continued ' will be joining us for dinner today . They are to arrive this late afternoon.'
The spoon she had been holding slipped and fell on the carpeted floor with a soft thud as she heard about the lord's family arriving in a few hours .
She had asked about them before and today she was going to face them .
' They won't bite your head off , if that's what you're worried about ' he said sarcastically and his lips curled when he noticed her widened fearful eyes .
' At least not anytime soon ' he said to himself before plopping a berry in his mouth.
' Am not worried about that , I jus_st don't know how I'll fit in with them ' Charlotte said truthfully as she lowered her gaze to her unfinished food .
' Just be yourself that's all you need , they have a thing against faking . Act normal and you'll be fine ' he added as he got up and prepared to leave .
Charlotte nodded and also stood up , ' what should I wear tonight? ' she asked softly.
' That's for you to decide ,my lady ' he replied simply before he turned and left .
' The master likes an outlet simple look , the head maid who had come to order the maids to clear the table whispered.
' I don't think I have those kinds of dresses ' Charlotte replied as she turned to face her
' It's alright, I'll help you look for the best dress in one of the family cupboards,or we'll just have the seamstress brought and have her make you a dress for tonight 'the middle aged woman continued .
' That won't be necessary , I'll just wear what I have..I wouldn't want to trouble you with such trivial matters ' she knew how much of a burden she were to her family and she didn't want to be that here too .
' Oh goodness dear , it isn't like that at all now come ' the head made smiled and eased the tension Charlotte was holding on to .