Feeling my heart skip a beat, I sit and await her answer, since yesterday I couldn’t help but think. 

Maybe Wilkins was right, perhaps she wasn’t suited to death, but that all depends on whose side would she take, after all, no child would side with a man they just met over their family.  

“Well, I suppose it depends on the secret.” She said, putting her elbow on the table. 

“If it were still hurting people I think not, but if they had nothing to do with it and were simply being paid to keep their silence I wouldn’t mind.” 

I watch as she leans against the rail and sips her wine-coated tea. 

“After all, they may be protecting something too by keeping a secret, it’s not always about money, even if they do accept it.” 

Everything seemed to stop, watching her hair glow as the sun began to rise. 

I had never thought of that, while they may know about what the crowns did, a mere Baron saying no would end in death no doubt. 

He was bound to die either way it seemed, a shame really, I’ll never get to drink their wine again. 

Turning my head, I watched the sunset, it seemed to always calm my soul, as if it were a lullaby without song. 

“I see….you're quite the mystery Lady Alindell.” 

I say as I stand, looking at the Lady who wore nothing but her gown and shall, I stared into her lemon honey eyes that shimmered with flakes of gold. 

“About the party, I don’t wish to attend, but, if your heart is truly set on having your debut I’ll personally escort you to the castle.” 

While she won’t live that long, I might as well play along, after all, even a bumpkin like her has dreams I suppose. 

But what I got wasn’t the reaction I was expecting, looking up at me she smirked. 

“You’re a horrible liar, dear Count.” Standing up, she stepped closer to me, grabbing onto my collar to fix it, I could smell the wine on her lips. 

“But it’s that party or none, I’ll find another man if I want to go to the castle.” 

Listening to her words, I couldn’t help but scoff. 

Another man? After all your attempts to…..have you ever attempted to seduce me?

My eyebrows furrowed as I thought, while she wore lavender to match my hair like many of the ladies did, I never knew if it was to impress me or irritate me. 

Nor did she ever genuinely try and ask me for anything. 

The more I learn about this woman the more haughty I find she is, in what land does she think she belongs? 

“Hah? Another man? Are you attempting to say you don’t want me?” While usually I’d be filled with glee, that statement boiled my blood and annoyance crept in. 

“Oh No, silly Trixxy, I just mean you’re awfully busy, and last I checked I wasn’t a man, you should save that authority for when-“

I couldn’t stand it anymore, does this woman never stop with her little jokes?

Stepping forward, I watched as she fell back onto the table and I slammed my hand beside her head. 

A teacup fell and another spilled, but I didn’t care, I had enough, her mockery was to end today or so be it I would strangle her. 

Pinning her to the table, I watched as her eyes widened and she looked up at me, red-cheeked. 

Leaning over her I whispered, in a rushed yet fierce voice. 

“Lady Alindell….for the last time….Women are my preference….”

For the first time, I had her stunned into silence, leaning above her my eyes couldn’t help but wander, I had never noticed the little marks on her neck, or how thin her shoulders were. 

How her collarbone sat perfectly on her chest, or how her hair seemed to curl at the ends. 

“Goodness….you sure do know how to take the breath away from someone Count.” Watching as she gasped in air for the first time in a long minute, she moved her gaze to the side, unable to meet mine. 

For such a vulgar and ferocious woman, I won’t deny the fact this rather submissive turn of events was quite a pleasant surprise. 

Smirking, I took my hand and while still leaning over the table, I curled her hair around my finger. 

“Now, about that trip to the capital, I do believe myself to be a much better candidate, and thus I will speak to your Father on the matter.” 

Her eyes widen beneath me and she looks up at me, grinning, I look at her, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to silence her here and now, but another part of me wanted to just stare. 

“W-well I th-“ She tried to mutter, but bit her tongue when I kissed the tips of her hair and grinned. 

“I suppose I’ll plan it, good day dear Lady.” Giving her a taste of what she had always left me with, I felt that I had won for once. 

With that, I leave her be and turn on my heel, walking out the door, I felt triumphant, as if I for once had won a long rivalry with a woman I had known for a mere week. 

Waiting outside was Wilkins, glaring at the man I caught his smirk. 

“Isn’t she a gem?” He said. 

“Quite the opposite, she’s more like a boulder I need out of my way.” Storming past him, I walk the halls of the manor. 

“If you say….and in two days we will strike.” 

Wilkins voice stopped me right in my tracks, two days? Rather soon isn't it? 

Stop it…you came to this manor to kill everyone here…do not forget who you are. 

“Alright, I will prepare myself.” It seems I won’t be able to escort the lady to the capital after all, I had told myself that, but for a strange reason, guilt pooled in my stomach.