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nDragging her feet to the middle of the dais, Heidi and Warren stood facing each other. Two maids followed them, holding the rings. Taking the silver ring from the maid, she pushed the ring on Warren’s finger when he raised it. Hearing the polite claps around them. Readying herself, she raised her hand.

nHeidi could feel her heartbeat as seconds seemed to have slowed down, dragging the time like she wanted to since morning had arrived. Everything was happening so fast now that she was hardly able to grasp the situation. Letting her eyes wander at the crowd for the briefest moment, her eyes met the eyes of the man who had stirred trouble in her mind. His stoic expression was in place with a small smile on his handsome face. Except for the silent exchange of gazes from morning, they hadn’t spoken to each other. Call it an intuition but something wasn’t right. She didn’t know why but the thought of the lord enjoying her misery crossed her mind. Behind that sweet smile was a sadist.

nReturning her gaze back at Warren, she gave him the best smile she could muster which brought a smile on Warren’s lips as he slipped the ring on her delicate fingers. Like Warren had said, it might be a truce but it was still a marriage. She didn’t want him to be the only one putting effort. From now she would do her best too, she thought to herself.

nNicholas who had been enjoying the fresh air outside the mansion while looking at Heidi waiting for cousin to put the ring in her finger slowly narrowed his eyes at the smile that appeared on her face. Once Heidi and Warren descended down from the dais, Heidi accompanied Warren around to greet and meet people along with him and Venetia.

n“Congratulations on getting engaged Mr. Lawson,” Heidi’s uncle, Raymond approached with his wife Aurelia, “This is my wife Aurelia,” he introduced.

n“Congratulation Mr. Lawson and Heidi too,” her aunt wished them both.

n“Thank you, Mrs. Curtis,” when her uncle continued to speak to her fiance, her aunt took her to the side and hugged her, whispering softly,

n“How have you been doing? I didn’t know you visited Woville. If I knew I would have made time to come meet you,” Heidi hugged her aunt. Pulling back her aunt then asked, “Are you alright? You seem to have lost a lot of weight,” the woman placed her hand on her cheek.

n“I have been doing well. You didn’t get Ruth?” Heidi asked to see her aunt shake her head.

n“She is at my mother’s house. You know how your uncle is.” That was right, her uncle wouldn’t bring his little daughter to a place where vampire would suck humans blood.

n“He seems like a good man who will take care of you,” her aunt commented in a low voice, looking at Warren, “Are you getting along with everyone here?”

n“Better than Woville,” Heidi replied truthfully.

nHearing this her aunt sighed, “That doesn’t sound bad. Maybe it is for the best,” and she only hummed at it. Her aunt wasn’t aware of what her uncle and the Duke were up to. Though she knew it was a truce to use it for their advantage, she didn’t know the entire outline of if.

nWhen it came to talking to her family, Heidi tried putting up a smile for the sake of it. Her father hardly spoke a line or two before joining his brother. Daniel and Nora instead sticked around as Warren came from an aristocratic family, or may be tried but Warren seemed to hardly care about them. Though it wasn’t evident but subtle, Heidi saw him brush them away politely before going to meet another guest.

nHeidi wanting to use the bathroom, excused herself and walked inside the mansion. Walking through the main hall she heard someone speak behind her,

n“Ms. Curtis, I didn’t get to congratulate you on your engagement,” Heidi stopped in her tracks, her hands already beginning to sweat when she turned around to meet the eyes of the Duke.

n“Duke Scathlok,” she bowed her head unwillingly. He was wearing a black suit with a white shirt inside the vest, his clean glasses covering the dull black eyes. He walked towards her with a smirk on his face.

n“I have been waiting to talk to the future bride of Mr. Lawson but it seems like he is quite taken with you as he had you by your side the entire time,” he said halting his steps, coming to stand in front of her. She alerted herself when he took her hand and kissed the back of her hand with his lips making her flinch internally. He didn’t let her hand go and instead continued to hold it. Heidi looked around quickly to see there was no on around as everyone were outside, not even the maids were seen. Telling herself he wouldn’t do anything, she tried to calm herself.

n“I hope that you have treasured the little gift I gave you. I wouldn’t want you misplacing it and saying it is lost when times comes to use it,” Duke Scathlok spoke, having a tight hold over her wrist.

n“It is safe with me. You promised to free Howard today,” Heidi reminded him.

n“Howard? The coachman,” Duke Scathlok said in realization, “Of course. I will set him free once I get back. You have after all completed half of the truce successfully. But do remember you still have other work of mine to complete. Don’t forget that I will send you right back to where you came from. I have heard that people aren’t that welcoming in the slave establishment,” he whispered and she tried stepping away but the man held a strong grip over her hand.”

n“Please let go of my hand. It’s hurting,” Heidi pleaded the man and he did.

n“How is your relationship with the lord of Bonelake? I hope you have gained enough trust to achieve the work I am going to give you. Lawson trusts you right?” he questioned.

n“Yes,” she answered quickly. She felt uneasy and uncomfortable in his presence. Wanting to get away as quick as possible she agreed and obeyed to everything he said.

n“It looks like you’re turning more beautiful every time I see you. If I knew it, I would have sent Nora in your place. It is a pity to waste such a thing,” he said running his eyes over her body, “We still have to discuss when you have to use the bottle. You will get the letter in a span of two weeks of when to visit Woville.”

nHeidi was scared at his words. She didn’t want to go back to Woville not where there was a possibility of her being violated. Her legs had begun to shake which was covered by her overflowing dress.

nThankfully the head butler had come to fetch her, “Lady Heidi,” she heard Stanley call her, “Mr. Lawson requests for your presence to join the dining room for brunch,” he informed.

n“I will see you soon, Lady Heidi,” Duke Scathlok smirked before making his way out. Heidi didn’t wait to see him off and instead went in the opposite direction, passing by Stanley.

nStanley saw the young woman pass by him and he himself turned to go to the dining hall before he stopped himself. Turning around he looked in the direction the man who had just walked out. He had only appeared at the scene but the atmosphere didn’t feel right between Lady Heidi and the man whom she was talking too. Turning on his heel, he went to the dining room

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