It had been two days since the announcement, and Elena still couldn't shake the feeling of dread pressing against her chest.
She had stopped answering her father and brothers. Their constant knocking, their careful excuses, it all meant nothing to her. She stayed in her room, refusing to open the door, as if silence alone could protect her from what was coming.
Her eyes were swollen from crying, though even that no longer brought relief. The thought of the duke's announcement replayed in her mind like a sentence already passed.
If her family still held real influence, she would have demanded a carriage herself—gone straight to confront the man who had reduced her life to this waiting silence.
Instead, she was stuck here.
Waiting. Waiting for a miracle she already knew would never come.
Elena slid down from the bed which had become her sanctuary for the past few days. She walked to the bathroom and looked at her face in the mirror, she noticed her cheek bones had sunk in a little due to lack of food.
A thought crossed her mind.
I wonder whether not being up to beauty standards would save me.
Then she remembered the rumors of the duke being a lady killer and lost the strength in her legs.
So much for that plan.
The saying "Every cloud has a silver lining" clearly hadn't met her situation before.
Elena tried to stand up using the bathtub to support her endeavour and when she finally succeeded, she took deep breaths before leaving.
Just as she was about to climb into bed and get the night over with, she heard her father's voice from the other side of the door.
"Elena darling, it was never my intention for it to be this way. I know you don't believe me but I tried my best. I hope your properly packed for tomorrow. The carriage from the Duke is arriving and we don't want to make this worse. I hope you understand… and forgive me someday. Goodnight"
His footsteps faded down the hallway.
Elena let him go. Aaanswering would have been a waste of energy she didn't have. She knew her family wasn't to blame entirely but she needed an outlet for her frustrations.
Even though she was reluctant to be a chess piece for the Duke's grand love affair, she had still somehow managed to pack her bags amidst the tears of the last two days.
Elena turned to the side and grabbed the picture frame on her bedside table. It had a photo of her and her mother from when she was younger.
She pressed it to her lips, then set it back down gently before closing her eyes.
"| Synchronization Complete |"
Elena fell asleep in seconds, due to her exhaustion. But if she were awake for a few seconds longer… she would have heard it.
SAME TIME AT THE DUKE'S MANSION
The Duke sat in his office, sorting through documents when he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in" he said without glancing away from the mountain of paperwork before him.
A butler walked in and stood at attention.
"The prepar…"
"Don't slouch, Lumiere" the duke said emotionlessly.
"Yes, your excellency" Lumiere answered immediately, correcting his posture.
The Duke lowered the paper in his hands and looked at him.
Lumiere felt chills running down his spine. The Duke's piercing green eyes felt like they were searching his soul.
"How can I expect to entertain guests, if the help is not up to standard." the Duke said flatly.
"It won't happen again, sir"
The Duke moved his eyes away from the young man and back to the files while saying a single word. "Proceed"
Lumiere started his report without so much speed he feared he might bite his tongue accidentally.
"Your excellency, all the preparations have been finalized."
"The carriages?"
"Already in place, sir"
"The bedrooms?"
"Prepared with the finest dresses the Grimgor Dukedom has to offer"
"You may leave"
Lumiere bowed once more before carefully exiting the room.
The Duke dropped the parchment in his hand and turned to the profile of the candidates.
His gaze lingering on one for a moment longer than the rest.
Then he smiled.
VALENDIS VILLA
Elena stood outside, waiting for the carriage to arrive. Her father and siblings behind her.
She had decided to be polite and accept their company, but a conversation was still out of the question.
The carriage arrived on time.
She turned to her family gave them one last look, then she glanced at the house where she had grown up before bidding everything farewell.
She stepped into the carriage, that would take her to the "doorways of hell".
The scenery passed by her but she barely noticed.
Hours later.
GRIMGOR DUKEDOM, DUKE'S MANSION
The carriage came to an abrupt stop. Her worst fears had arrived.
The door was opened and Elena stepped out onto the grounds.
She took in her surroundings. The cobblestone path led up to the stairs before the doors. A fountain stood quietly to the side, and a nice array of trees were lined up in the distance.
The setting was beautiful, but quiet, too quiet to be exact. That didn't do anything to ease her mind.
She began walking, each step louder than it should have been. When she finally reached the door, her fingers lingered on the brass handles as she took in the designs. It was a heavy wooden door with beautiful carvings of lions that depicted the real thing.
Then she pushed them open and was greeted with an unexpected sight.
At the top of the stairs, there was the Duke standing regally while looking down on her.
The duke wore a sharply tailored, dark-toned long coat with a high collar that fit his frame, it was paired with a crisp buttoned shirt and fitted trousers tucked into polished leather boots, which gave him a controlled and commanding silhouette.
She looked around and saw servants lined up all the way to the stairs, it was a polite form of greeting but their expressions were distant.
"Are you done with your observations" the Duke asked.
"Yes. I was …"
"Your late" he said curtly.
"Pardon me?"
He completely ignored her and continued.
"Welcome to the Grimgor Dukedom. I'm His Excellency, Regulus Vanderborne. I hope you will enjoy your stay"
He turned away.
"Wait" Elena said
He paused slightly.
"Yes?" Regulus asked with turning around.
"Is that all" she asked quietly.
A brief silence.
"Welcome to the selection" Regulus said before disappearing up the stairs.
Elena turned to look back but the servants were already closing the doors.
As soon as she heard the thud of the closed door, she realized then and there that her fate had already been sealed.