The journey dragged on beneath a blanket of grey skies and growing silence. By the time the carriage rolled into the gates of the prince's castle, night had already claimed the sky.
Torches flickered along the stone archways, their light dancing across the cobblestones. Servants rushed out to meet us, and the guards opened the gates with crisp salutes.
The prince stepped out first, stretching as if he'd merely endured a minor inconvenience instead of three hours of brooding silence.
"We'll stay here for the night," he said already walking to the grand stairs.
I didn't move.
"I'm not spending the night here when the manor is just miles away," I muttered.
The prince stopped and turned, "it's late, everyone is tired."
"I'm not," I said. "I'll take a horse and ride there myself."
He raised an eyebrow, "You're in a nightgown, not quite the proper riding attire. And that shawl..."
Cedric stepped forward from where he'd dismounted. "It's not safe. You're exhausted and angry. Please, just rest we'll leave in the morning."
I turned to him, heart pounding. " What did I get everytime I trusted you? Do you think I'll fall for your deception again?"
Cedric's jaw tensed, "You knew things and I also wished to keep you safe,"
"You wanted me contained. You didn't come for me, Cedric. You came to collect me."
His shoulders dropped, but he didn't deny it.
The prince folded his arm, like it was a well–scripted play. "Well you're still alive and well. Even after all the shouting and attempts to murder me. You're quite lucky, my lady. You have my word, tomorrow morning you'll be home."
I glared at him, "You locked me up after promising me freedom and proof of innocence. I was treated like a prisoner."
"You are wise to know prisoner aren't given the type of treatment you had," he said coolly. "You'd be in the dungeons fighting for morsels with rats."
I opened my mouth, but Cedric cut in.
"A night, please. We all are tired from the journey to here," he begged.
"I'm not staying here," I said firmly.
"Your highness is offering you his hospitality...."
"I'd rather sleep in the woods than spend a night in this place,"
The prince looked at us with mild amusement, "You are still stubborn as I remember. But you holding grudges was something I couldn't imagine."
"Well, you're still insufferable as you look."
Cedric's face was filled with exasperation. He turned to the prince, "I apologise for my sister's behaviour. Thank you for the invitation but I believe it's wise we go home."
The prince raised a brow, "Yes, I believe so too."
He then turned to look at me, "You're quite the interesting lady. We'll meet again soon."
Within the hour, Cedric and I were back in the carriage. This time bound for the count's manor. I was finally going back there.
The closer we drew to the manor, the more my heart began to thump. It was not joy nor relief that stirred within me but dread. The silence between me and Cedric stretched long. I stared out of the window as forests blurred past.
The count's manor.
I should have felt something— relief maybe, because I had been freezing for hours. But all I felt was a pressure building in my chest.
I wasn't ready to face Rebekah and mostly Lisbeth, who I had forgotten about.
The wrought iron gates of the estate creaked open, the manor emerging like a memory I wasn't ready to relive. It's tall somber walls loomed under the moonlight. Everything looked untouched by time, yet I felt like a ghost returning to a place that killed me.
The carriage slowed, crunching over the gravel drive. I gripped my shawl tightly.
Count Tahenna stood waiting near the steps, flanked by footmen, his eyes scanning the carriage. The last time I saw him, his gaze was cold enough to cut me open. But now—
As soon as the carriage door opened, he rushed forward. Before I could gather my thoughts, he had me pulled into his arms.
"My girl," he breathed into my hair. "My dear girl."
I froze. His embrace was warm. Nothing like the stone-hearted man who had once turned his back on me.
"I should have known," he said pulling me back to look at me. "I failed you. I should have recognized you sooner."
His voice trembled at the edges, his hands still resting on my arms like he was afraid I'd disappear.
"I don't understand..." I whispered.
My throat tightened. The count only showed public affection to Rebekah. Iris' refusal to change didn't attract his affection but created a distant relationship with her father.
"I'm tired," I said quietly.
"Ofcourse," he replied. "I had them prepare a warm bath and chamomile tea for you."
"Thank you," I said walking to the door of the manor.
The moment my foot touched the first step, the grand doors swung open.
A young woman stood framed in the entryway.
Her short brunette hair curled just beneath her chin, styled in that meticulous, effortless way that takes hours to perfect. Her posture was flawless—hands folded neatly in front of her, as though she'd practiced this moment. Her eyes swept over me, and then softened with something like pity.
"Rebekah, you're finally home," she said, pulling me into a tight hug.
Then she whispered, " I wonder how you fixed.... your little condition."
"Iris," I whispered.
Her grip tightened slightly but her smile didn't falter, "Yes dear sister, it's I."
She pulled me inside and towards the stairs.
"You should be dead," she whispered her voice low and menacing.
I stopped and stared at her. The brunette hair, the brown eyes. She was definitely Iris.
"You threw me in the river?"