Luzella's eyes widened as she gazed up at the sprawling mansion, its grandeur and majesty leaving her breathless. The imposing structure seemed to loom over her, its turrets and towers reaching toward the sky like skeletal fingers. For a moment, her anxiety was replaced by wonder, and she felt tiny and insignificant in the face of such magnificence.
As she followed Alaric into the mansion, Luzella's eyes sparkled with wonder, drinking in the grandeur of the high ceilings, marble floors, and crystal chandeliers. Her heels clicked softly on the polished stone as she trailed behind him, her gaze darting from one stunning detail to the next. Despite her growing unease, she couldn't help but be captivated by the mansion's breathtaking beauty.
Her wonder was quickly replaced by apprehension, Luzella's voice was laced with a mix of fear and defiance as she asked, "Why did you bring me here? What do you want from me?" The grandeur of the mansion seemed to close in around her, making her feel trapped and vulnerable.
Alaric settled into the plush couch, his movements fluid and deliberate. He gestured to the couch beside him, his eyes never leaving Luzella's face as he said, "Sit." The single word was a command, laced with an air of expectation.
Luzella's eyes flashed with resentment as she sat down on the couch opposite Alaric, her posture stiff and her gaze defiant. The soft cushions enveloped her, but her tension remained palpable, her anger and frustration simmering just below the surface.
Alaric's voice was casual, almost conversational, but the words themselves sent a jolt through Luzella. "From today onwards, you're living here," he said, his eyes locked on hers with an unnerving intensity. "In this mansion, with me." The words hung in the air, heavy with implication, and Luzella felt a shiver run down her spine.
Luzella's face reddened with rage as she realised and she sprang to her feet, her voice rising in protest. "What nonsense are you talking about? Why should I live here?" she demanded, her anger and confusion boiling over. Her eyes blazed with fury as she glared at Alaric. "Who are you, actually? And why should I have to listen to you?" she asked, her words laced with desperation and indignation.
Alaric raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with amusement as he echoed her question, "Who am I?" He thought for a moment, a small, mocking smile playing on his lips, before replying, "Maybe someone the world needs." His voice was laced with sarcasm, as if the answer was obvious, and he seemed to be enjoying the absurdity of having to explain himself.
Alaric's voice was firm and unyielding as he issued his command. "You're living here. Reasons are unnecessary. I told you you're staying, and that's it. No more discussions." His eyes seemed to bore into hers, daring her to defy him.
"If you don't want anyone to worry about you, inform your orphanage." he continued, his tone cold and detached. "And this is your last opportunity. Or else, even if they search the entire world, you'll never be seen again." The words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the gravity of her situation and the power dynamics at play.
Luzella's eyes widened, a mix of fear and defiance flashing across her face as she struggled to process the weight of Alaric's words. The air was thick with tension, and the silence that followed was oppressive, cut through only by the sound of her own ragged breathing.
"But, Why?" Luzella asked, her voice laced with desperation as tears welled up in her eyes.
Alaric's fingers clenched into a tight fist, and his eyes, which had been locked onto hers until now, shifted away as he replied in a low, mysterious tone, "You'll know soon."
Without giving Luzella a chance to respond, Alaric summoned his butler with a curt tone, "Halley Bert."
The abruptness of his action added to the tension, leaving Luzella feeling dismissed and frustrated.
Alaric's voice was firm as he instructed his butler, "Halley, she will be living here from now on. Prepare her room on the third floor."
Alaric's instruction to Halley Bert was direct and authoritative, leaving no room for debate. His words were clear. Luzella would be residing in the manor, and Halley Bert was to prepare a room for her on the third floor. The tone was commanding, expecting immediate compliance.
"Yes, Mr.Lumin" Halley Bert replied, his voice neutral, though a flicker of surprise danced in his eyes before he masked it with a bow. "Shall I have the blue suite prepared on the third floor?"
Alaric nodded in agreement, and Butler Halley bowed slightly in response.
Alaric didn't look at Luzella as he instructed, his voice firm and commanding. "You're going to live here from now on. Call your orphanage and inform them. Don't dare play any tricks that will ruin your life - and theirs. It's better if you listen to me." His words hung in the air, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
He then turned to Halley, his gaze steady and expectant. "Take her phone after she's informed them." he said, his eyes locking onto Butler Halley's with an unspoken intensity as he added deliberately, "She's in your care." The sentence was laced with a meaning that only they could understand. Butler Halley maintained an unreadable expression, but a flicker of surprise betrayed his usual composure, revealing that even he had not anticipated Alaric's order.
"Yes, Mr. Lumin," Butler Halley replied, his tone measured and respectful.
Alaric turned and strode away, his footsteps echoing as he ascended the stairs, disappearing from view. Luzella watched him go, her eyes lingering on the empty space he'd left, a mix of emotions swirling within her.