Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 192: I’m Not Changing

Chapter 192: I’m Not Changing

Exiting her family’s cottage first, Samantha thoroughly surveyed the path to make sure the coast was clear before beckoning the petrified, dark-haired girl to join her. Receiving the message, the girl quietly stepped out through the gate and joined Samantha, who in turn, held her wrist so they could both leave before those men returned. From their conversation, they sounded quite desperate to find her, and it made Samantha feel a little worried about the motive behind the councilmen abducting innocent girls in Fernwood.... Were they also the ones behind the last abduction concerning her and her brother? The thought of this made Samantha feel evidently disgusted, and she was determined to help the girl return home and away from those scummy men.

After staying at alert for twenty minutes, the dark-haired girl eventually made it to her home, successfully escaping the wrath of those men that were after her. At that moment, Samantha was made to believe the girl when she was brought to Madame Ginevra’s humble home, and there was nothing about the structure of her home that seemed out of place. Opening the door, the girl politely ushered Samantha in, but Samantha simply shook her head, declining the girl’s kind offer.

"I do not wish to intrude, you can stay safely at home till your families return. Lock the doors, but I must get going now." Samantha uttered to the girl who immediately bowed her head in deep appreciation. There were tears in her eyes, but it expressed her relief and gratitude.

"If you ever need help in Fernwood, please let me know." She said to Samantha, "but I still insist you stay, those... those men would take anyone they lay eyes on. It’s not safe to move about now, you can leave after ten minutes, there’s a chance they will be gone by then." The meek tone of her voice held genuine concern, she seemed more familiar with the men that were after her, and since Samantha couldn’t risk taking any chances, she decided to stay– not to mention but she needed to ask the girl a few questions concerning the village council.

"Okay."

Stepping into the house, the girl immediately closed the door.

Samantha’s scrutinizing gaze lingered on the cozy living room before being ushered to take her seat on the couch. The girl looked through the window, secretly peering outside, and as if she predicted right, those men in armors were still patrolling the street. It made her wonder about the consequences that would befall them if they had lingered longer outside, they would both be caught by these evil minions belonging to Callum.

"Why are they after you?" Samantha couldn’t help but ask the girl who returned to take her seat on the armchair beside where she sat. Her gaze remained fixed on her hands as she nervously jabbed her fingers together, the fear evident in her light-brown eyes, and then she said in a low tone.

"It hasn’t been that long since the elder village council died in Fernwood, but.... the situation became worse when his son, Callum, took over." She hesitantly paused, whilst controlling the sobs that were about to escape and took a deep breath. "I ran into him a week ago on my way to the market, and he hasn’t stopped bothering me since then. When my families are not around, or whenever I step out, he sends his men to abduct me, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. My parents aren’t even aware of it because he threatened to harm them if I ever told anyone about it, and no one else is willing to help because my family trusted a man whose reputation was stained. Plus, they’re afraid of Callum. I haven’t seen you here before, but I had no choice but to inconvenience you with my problems. I just... needed to tell someone."

She used the back of her sleeves to wipe her tears away, feeling utterly traumatized, and Samantha, who understood the girl’s grief since she had faced something similar in the hands of slaves, could feel her own fury lit, as if someone had struck a matchstick inside of her. As much as she wanted to empathize with her, Samantha wisely gave her time to recollect herself before asking.

"The head chief of the village council is dead, and his son is presently taking over everything, the young ladies, the irrational increase in tax, depriving the subjects of their own food and commodities.... This Callum is responsible for everything?" Samantha felt the need to ask again, and the girl nodded.

"You... sound like you know him. Are you from Fernwood too?"

"Let’s say I was." Samantha subtly answered, her eyebrows creased in perplexity. "What is your name?"

"I’m Amanda." The girl, who was still slightly shaken revealed her name, and Samantha could recall Madame Ginevra’s second daughter who bore that name, but she was stupefied at how much the girl had grown. She felt terrible that the girl was suffering in silence while hiding away, and Madame Ginevra was a good woman who showed care to her and Maurice.... Why do all bad things tend to happen to good people?

"I.... You were at the home of Late Mr Dufort, people are not allowed to go in there as it is rumored to be cursed." Amanda chose to inform Samantha about the obnoxious rumors for her own safety. "It doesn’t matter if the rumors are false, but you will get into trouble if anyone spots you going there. Do you perhaps... know him?"

"Yes, I do." A sad smile broke on Samantha’s lips, "I was sent to retrieve a letter, so don’t misjudge my intentions."

"You saved me, I would never... do that. I just thought you were his daughter." She blurted out her suspicion, her light-brown eyes moving up to meet Samantha’s green ones. "You seem to look like her."

Samantha tried not to react to that statement and just smiled. "You say your parents aren’t aware of Callum’s molestation?"

Amanda shook her head, her anxious fingers grabbing the fabric of her dress. "I’m afraid to tell them, what if he harms them?"

"You should tell them regardless of his threats, they’re your family for a reason, and after today, I promise you won’t have to worry about Callum harassing you." Samantha rose to her feet and gave the girl’s shoulder a comforting squeeze, "I must get going now, make sure to lock the doors when I leave, and stay safe."

"Did you find the letters you were looking for?" Amanda asked, and Samantha wasn’t entirely sure about why the girl was curious about her letters, was she still suspecting her intentions. "Not completely, but your concerns are appreciated. Take care of yourself."

When Samantha left the house, Amanda watched her leave till her figure was nowhere in sight. Her eyes drooped as she pressed her lips into a thin line. Was there a chance she was looking for ’THE’ letter Mr Dufort had secretly handed to her Mother before the tragedy happened.

—-

Once it was Midnight, Ivan and Cassian waited outside to commence their action as planned. When the stopwatch stopped ticking, an exasperated sigh escaped Ivan’s lips at his little lamb’s tardiness. All he needed her to do was dress up as a Courtesan, how hard can that be? But she was taking forever to come down and meet them.... It’s been more than thirty minutes!

"What’s taking her so long?" He murmured while looking up at her room’s window, and he heard Cassian chuckle at his complaint before tucking his hands in his pocket.

"Women, it’s their special skill when it comes to getting ready, even if it’s a disguise. Nowadays I tell my wife to start getting prepared an hour before the actual time, even an hour isn’t enough most times and I’m like... seriously what are you women always putting on? My little sister is the worst of the worst!" Cassian tsked at the recollection, and he was probably sure his sister would need to wake up overnight to get ready for her wedding with Elian.

"They do that? Maybe I should go check on her." Ivan made up his mind, but before he could take any step towards the inn, his little lamb finally stepped out of the Inn, all dressed up, and when Ivan’s gaze landed on his little lamb, his mind immediately went blank, as if it had developed a short circuit, and his pupils momentarily widened at the..... was this his little lamb or a goddess disguising herself as his little lamb?

In disbelief, his dazed eyes took in her elegant dress that hugged her body curves in all the right places, whilst sculpting her delicate figure into perfection. Designed with a corseted bodice, it showcased his little lamb’s slender waist, accentuated by the delicate black lace that crisscrossed along her smooth porcelain skin.

Samantha’s gown, which cascaded into a flowing skirt, crafted from layers of sheer, translucent fabric seemed weightless as she moved, whilst exposing glimpses of her toned legs, seductively teasing the eyes with each step she took, and Ivan momentarily gulped. The deep red hue of the dress, like fresh blood, complemented her complextion, whilst casting a warm and alluring glow against her skin.

Half of her face was hidden against the black translucent veil, leaving her emerald green eyes to their view. As she approached the two men, she pulled the veil above her face so they could see it was her.

"Did I take too long? I had to put Alain to bed and make sure he was asleep before leaving." She explained the reason for her late coming, "but I’m here now, we can leave."

"Hell no, you’re not going anywhere dressed like that." Ivan disagreed before glancing at Cassian who seemed impressed by her choice.

"Stop staring." He covered Cassian’s eyes before looking at Samantha who remained innocently confused by his objection to her choice.

"But... didn’t you say I needed to be dressed as a Courtesan? In order to make them believe I’m one I have to look like one, so why do I have to change? You don’t like the dress? But they’re the perfect combination of your favorite colors."

"My most treasured property is on display, I have every right to complain." He retorted as he eyed her from head to toe. No no, she was looking sexy, too incredibly sexy, he didn’t want eyes to feast on his beloved once they get there! Maybe he made a wrong choice by deciding to make her his partner tonight.

"Uhm... forgive me, Your Majesty, but this isn’t your property, they are my property and I get to wear whatever I feel like wearing." She answered back, her green eyes flashing with defiance, "You wanted me to do this remember? To be clear, I am not coming because you told me to, but I have scores to settle with the new village council, and when I see him, I plan to gauge his eyes out so he won’t have to look at other innocent women, come to think of harassing them. I’m not changing, and I’m coming with you, with or without your approval."

"You...." Ivan blinked in disbelief at the feisty confidence she emanated, "...you are so hot right now."

"...!" Samantha was baffled by his unexpected compliment, but to avoid revealing her bashful smile, she hurriedly walked past both men to the carriage that awaited them.

"So, you won’t stop her."

"She’s right on one thing, who am I to dictate what she wears?" A dominating smile curved his lips as he watched her walk away, "I’ll just kill the men who think they can touch what is mine."

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