The Memories Etched in Ink
Alone at night by candlelight, I flip open a leather-bound notebook filled with meticulous entries about Leo—his lies disguised as LOVE, his possessiveness dressed up as devotion, every interaction twisted for control rather than care…
"Why does he want me? Not love—it`s never been about love." I say as I sketch a crown beside words before crossing it violently out "Or does he simply hate losing?" My pen hovers then writes."Power? Convenience?"
The next page details potential suitors, Lord Vaelen – military ties but impulsive. Son of Marquess Thornwood – clever but weak-willed... All flawed options weighed against one unforgivable truth none could challenge Leo directly without consequence...yet.
"It's never been about genuine compassion or understanding. Just power and control… How do I escape when even my breath is shackled by tradition?" I sketch a bird in a cage before closing the book sharply.
"And what if I fail?" Then I see something I had written.. that`s when an Idea crosses my mind.
Finally a solution..
...
Moonlight filters through the heavy drapes of my chambers as I slip into a hooded cloak, My movements silent. The mark on my arm pulses faintly, reacting to my simmering fury. I glance at the maids' quarters—now eerily quiet after their duties before melting into the night.
The town center is bustling despite the late hour. Lanterns flicker as drunks and merchants shuffle past. me as I navigate through shadows, slipping unnoticed into a decrepit building marked with a raven's sigil.
I open the curved oaks and the dim candlelight of the guild hall flickers as I step deeper into the den of whispers. The air is thick with secrets, ink, and the musk of old parchment. Hooded figures shift in shadowed corners, their murmurs dying as I pass.
At a heavy oak desk at the back sits, a skeletal man with fingers stained black from too many contracts signed in blood. His smirk is sharp as a blade when he recognizes the hood—but not my face.
He leans forward
"Ah… A Valmont cloak." *His voice rasps like dry leaves. "Come to trade gossip for gold? Or"—his grin widens "something darker?"
I do not flinch. icy calm I say,
"I don't barter in gossip." I lean closer. "Tell me Where`s your master is old hag.. where's master he?"
He grins" I am the master here.."
He is lying, I clearly remember his face and doesn't like this toothless old hag.Where I saw or met him, we`ll talk about it later. Right now let me deal with this thing first.
"Am not here for games mister and I neither have time for them, I want.to see.your.master!" I say anger simmering in me as my shadow tendil emerges from under my hood and grabs his neck.
"Ghk- s.. my la.."
"Now.where`s.he?" I hiss...
---
After being strangled for 10 seconds he later takes me to a door and leaves me there, I Open it and enter, the room reeks of ink and secrecy, And a hooded figure sits behind a desk stacked with scrolls.
The Ravenhimself.
A raspy chuckle comes out of him.
"Ah... The Duke's little shadow finally emerges."
My gloved hand slams onto the desk—not with coin, but with a folded parchment bearing a royal seal I stole from Leo's last visit to Duke Valmont's study.
And I coolly, tossed a pouch of gold onto the table
"I need everything on him", "about King Aldric's bastard, his dealings with House Valmont. And His enemies. His weaknesses." My eyes flash dangerously under the hood. "And don't waste my time.
Silence.
Then the Raven barks out a laugh that ends too quickly when I don't blink.
And whispering he said,
"Enough of these vipers in silk gloves... I`ll give you answers wait for my call." He grins.
---
Morning Duke Valmont mansion.
Sandra entered in my chambers as usual without knocking..
"Your bath is ready"said with indifference.
I stood up and went to the bathroom only to look at the water and find it... bubbly Which was normal but not to me.. the maids in this mansion had always prepared plain water for me, no bubbles or roses nothing.
But today!...
"What is this.. " I asked..
Sandra answered calmly, a hint of mockery in her voice, "It's lavender, my lady. It creates bubbles and smells nice."
I clenched My jaw, fighting the urge to unleash my fury upon them. The mark on my arm burned with intensity, the shadows in the bathroom growing darker as if sensing my anger.
"Lavender, hm?" I repeated through gritted teeth, the air growing thick with tension. "And you expect me to bathe in this... concoction?"
The other two maids exchanged anxious glances, sensing the dangerous change in My demeanor. Sandra tried to maintain her composure, but a sliver of fear crept into her voice.
"Yes, my lady," she managed to say. "We thought you might enjoy the soothing scent of lavender as you bathe."The maids exchanged a panicked look before quickly nodding in agreement. "O-of course, my lady," stuttered Sandra, her voice its usual mockery.
I looked at the water it wasn't their first time doing this kind of thing to Me even in my past life Sandra told me the same thing but it wasn't lavender.
But spit..
They had spit in the bath water and lied to her.. The did this because of what I did lastime at dinner.
Hahh!!.. I scoff.
My hands clutched the edge of the bathtub, knuckles white with anger as the memories of past mistreatment flooded my mind. My gaze narrowed angrily as I saw the bubbly, lavender-scented water, a clear indication of the maids' mockery.
"Is there a problem, my lady?"
My gaze hardens, eyes locked onto Sandra.
"You know damn well what's wrong..."My voice a low, dangerous whisper.
*"I-I don't understand—"She hesitates, a flicker of unease in her eyes.
"Come. Here."
The words aren't a request. They're an executioner's axe hovering. Sandra gasps as the shadow wraps around her throat like a vice. There's fear in her eyes, but it's quickly masked by defiance.
I don't blink. The shadows coil at her feet like serpents waiting to strike.
"What is this? What's happening?"The shadow forces Sandra's head beneath the bubbly water.
"Ghk—no! NO!" (choking, struggling)
Bubbles erupt violently as she thrashes. I watch, My face eerily calm.
"Does the lavender smell nice now?"(I lean in, whispering)
Sandra's hands claw desperately at the tub, water sloshing everywhere. Her panicked gasps fill the air.
"Stop! Let me go!"
I tighten My grip ever so slightly. The shadow tightens around Sandra's throat too.
"Oh, I don't think so… not until you learn a lesson…"
The scene intensifies as I continue to plunge Sandra's head under once more, bubbles erupting violently. The maid's muffled screams echo against the tiled walls, her struggles growing weaker.
"You will learn respect—one way or another."
The shadows tighten, forcing Sandra deeper into the water as she flails in silent agony. The other maids frantically try to flee, but the shadowy tendril slams the door shut with a resounding crash. They whip around in terror.
"What the hell is going on?!"The maids plead, their voices laced with fear.
"Please, my lady! Stop this… Have mercy. We're sorry… We won't ever do it again, we swear it…"
"Oh.. so now I am "my lady," I say. The maids shrink back. They hadn't even realized their mistake until now.
"Y-yes, my lady… W-we're very sorry…"
Sandra's struggles weaken, bubbles ceasing as she finally passes out under the water's surface. The tension is deafening as the other maids stare in horror.*
"S-she isn't moving…" One whispered, terrified.
My eyes never leave Sandra's unconscious form in the water. There's a coldness to my expression, a chilling calm.
"Good… maybe now you'll all learn. Now... clean everything up... and prepare me a new bath before.. I change my mind and you'll all end up like that stupid maid."
"Y-yes, my lady... Right away..." voice shaking.
The maids scramble to obey, their hands trembling as they drag Sandra's limp body out of the water and begin frantically mopping up the mess. One rushes to refill the bath with steaming, untainted water—her movements frantic, her breath uneven. With trembling hands, they began draining the dirty water from the tub and refilling it with fresh, clean water. The atmosphere in the room remained tense, the shadows in the bathroom almost palpable as they scurried around, doing my bidding..
I watch them with icy detachment. The room is thick with fear—and something darker.
"Perhaps now they'll remember their place." I murmur under my breath.
I glance at my own hair—now matted with lavender-colored suds. I grimace, frustration clear.
""Ugh, my hair... How did it even get in my hair.?"
The maids continue their tasks, but one dares to speak up—her voice still trembles, though.
"M-may we assist you, my lady…?" I eye them... as they tremble. The maids freeze under My gaze fear and trepidation are written all over them. They swallow nervously, waiting for my response. They're like prey caught in the gaze of a predator.
"Please… we could wash your hair for you… if that pleases you…" One says nervously, in almost a whisper.
'Haha.." I scoff.."Of course"
The maids' relief is evident. They move cautiously toward Me, their steps measured as any sudden movement might provoke me.
"We'll be very careful… You have nothing to worry about."
They begin gently washing the suds and lavender perfume from my hair, their gestures tentative yet steady. The silence is broken only by the sound of running water and the nervous breaths of the maids. As the maids attend to my hair, my thoughts flicker through my mind. I`m acutely aware of their submission now—how quickly they bowed to my will after refusing me earlier.
"If only you had been this attentive before… None of this would have been necessary. When you are done take that trash with you( unconscious Sandra)" The maids nod, their eyes downcast, still fearful.
...
After they were done, They quickly pick up Sandra's unconscious form, avoiding direct eye contact with me as they leave. Silence falls once again. The bathtub is now filled with unscented, clear water. I stand gracefully, stepping out of the bathtub. The water drips as I grab a robe, and begin to dry my self off.