Episode 5

LAURA:

Stepping outside the mansion, I am surprised by the beautiful, lovely gardens surrounding the luxurious residence… I love them.

“It seems it has been a long time since you ventured out, my lady.”

I turn slowly to see a smiling, charming young man.

He bows, his smile unwavering.

“That is correct, Lord Adrian,” I affirm, returning his look with a cautious half-smile. I know that behind that charming smile hides a cold, lethal vampire—it is no accident he is Duke Victor Cortes’s second-in-command.

“Uncle Adrian, are you traveling with us?” Mia asks, beaming at him.

“Indeed, little Mia.”

“Wonderful!” the girl exclaims excitedly, while her brother observes everything with bored indifference, his face a perfect mask… What a peculiar child.

“It is time to depart.”

My husband’s deep voice draws my attention, and I turn to admire him once more… He truly is handsome… I cannot recall the last time I had such fresh, delectable meat, haha.

The vampire ignores my scrutiny and begins issuing orders until it is time to board the carriage.

I enter first, followed by the children, and finally Victor. The three of them settle on the seat opposite me—which suits me perfectly, as it grants me ample opportunity to admire the man who will soon be my delicious dessert. For now, I shall simply watch.

Everything would be better if I had a pair of sunglasses.

Without warning, the carriage lurches forward. I sway and brace myself, my hands pressing firmly against my husband’s muscular thighs.

“Are you all right?” he asks.

Delicately, as if nothing happened, I return to my seat.

“Quite,” I answer, the sensation of his hard muscles still lingering in my palms… I should have touched a little higher…

Hours pass. The children sleep peacefully against their father, while I feel I cannot bear another minute confined in this rolling box.

“Are we there yet?” I ask my husband, who merely gazes out the window in silence.

“We have only been traveling an hour, Duchess. Has your prolonged seclusion made you forget the measure of time?”

“Apparently so… How much longer until we arrive?”

The vampire studies me intently for several seconds before replying, “We will arrive by nightfall.”

Upon hearing this, my world seems to crumble. A whole day in this contraption? No, I would rather ride a horse.

Victor frowns, his arresting eyes fixed on me once more. “You are behaving most strangely, Duchess,” he says, his voice low.

My heart stutters. Damn, I forgot. The former mistress of this body scarcely spoke and never looked directly at the Duke—her eyes were always downcast.

I settle back against the seat, offering a relaxed smile. “I had a dreadful dream and decided I must change my way of life.”

His eyebrows rise with interest. “Oh? What did you dream?”

“I dreamed I was a lonely old woman who died alone in her room, with no one by her side.”

“That is not a dreadful dream.”

“For me, it is, Duke.”

“Is that so… Does this mean you will cease insisting on a divorce to marry that baron?”

I narrow my eyes slightly, keeping my expression neutral. So, the Duke was aware of everything.

“Yes. Divorce is not worth the trouble. I live quite comfortably as I am.”

The Duke begins to laugh, and I watch as two long fangs extend past his lips.

“Laura, Laura… What do you truly want? You know, I have never believed in such sudden transformations.”

His face darkens, his canines protruding further. “I want nothing. Only to live quietly and in peace.”

“Peace?” He scoffs. “I am astonished to hear someone like you speak of peace, when you are allied with Baron Harrison.”

I frown, not understanding his meaning. “I do not follow…”

“Yes, I thought as much,” he says, striking the carriage wall sharply. It halts abruptly.

“I believe I shall continue on horseback.” Those are his final words before he exits, though not before ensuring the children are settled comfortably.

I sink into my thoughts, trying to recall every detail of Laura’s life, but there are gaps—blank spaces I cannot access. Could it be that Laura was involved in the deaths of the children and the Duke?

The carriage begins to move again. I feel a heavy gaze upon me and look up to find Albert staring at me with his usual sullen expression.

“I do not understand what you see in that simple baron. My father is handsomer and wealthier… Truly, I do not understand women.”

The boy speaks without a trace of emotion on his face. I raise my brows, surprised.

“You are too young to be speaking of such things.”

“I will be seven years old. I am capable of distinguishing right from wrong. What I fail to comprehend is why adults often act worse than children.”

Wait… did this child just insult me?

“Are you insulting me?”

“I would never insult you, Duchess Cortes. I am merely stating a fact about certain adults, and you are among them.”

“My, for a child not yet seven, you are remarkably perceptive.”

“Of course. I am a handsome, intelligent child and, moreover, the future heir to my father’s entire fortune.”

“My, what an ego you carry.”

I watch as the boy smiles for the first time, but he quickly hides it, reassuming his typical, grumpy mask.

I look at him with a touch of sadness. In truth, I would like to give them both maternal affection and love, but I must proceed step by step, lest they suspect a different soul now inhabits this body.

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