The Villainess's Secret Bedroom Service
Chapter 26: The Disciple

Chapter 26: The Disciple

The duke strode through the long halls of the Ashter mansion, the resounding echo of his heavy steps bouncing off the tall, weathered walls. The eerie quietude of the place was gradually becoming overwhelming when a sudden cacophony of incoherent noises reached his ears from one of the rooms at the far end of the second floor.

Damien paused, contemplating whether he should investigate the source of the commotion. However, the subsequent sound of a woman’s shrill shouting swiftly made up his mind. He briskly made his way towards the open room at the end of the corridor, where he witnessed Raphael violently yanking a maid by her hair, her tear-streaked face already bearing the marks of prior abuse.

And in that moment, he recognized the maid from the day he had rescued Rosalie from the carriage accident in the capital’s shopping district.

"You useless bitch! So Rosalie has been secretly meeting that scoundrel Damien Dio, and you never reported it to me? Do you want to die?!"

Aurora clasped her trembling hands together, her voice intermingled with uncontrollable sobs as she pleaded,

"Please, My Lord... I truly didn’t know anything, I swear! L-Lady Rosalie spent most of her time at home, I promise!"

"Lies! Dio himself claimed they had been meeting in secret! How dare you lie to your master?!"

Raphael’s thunderous outburst was abruptly interrupted by the audacious entrance of another person into the room, causing him to flinch and redirect his enraged gaze toward the source of the disturbance.

And to his surprise, it was Damien Dio himself who interrupted the scene.

"There you are, Miss Aurora. "

Damien furrowed his eyebrows as his golden eyes fell upon the disheveled hair clutched in Raphael’s left hand. Young Lord Ashter responded with an indifferent smirk.

"Ah, Your Grace. The exit is in the other direction."

However, Damien had no intention of leaving just yet. He seized Raphael’s wrist, causing the young lord to wince in pain from the duke’s formidable strength, and spoke in a cold, almost menacing tone.

"Release her, Lord Ashter. This woman is coming with me. It was Lady Rosalie’s request."

"What? This woman is employed by the Ashter family! You cannot simply take her away because you wish to, Your Grace. There are certain protocols that must be followed."

Raphael’s words seemed to hold little weight with Damien as he gazed down at the kneeling maid and posed a question loud and clear.

"Do you wish to change your place of employment, Miss Aurora?"

Aurora nodded, tears streaming down her bruised face, and responded quietly,

"Yes, Your Grace."

"What?! You ungrateful, worthless bitch!"

Raphael raised his hand once more, preparing to strike the maid’s face again, when his wrist was met with something cold and sharp – Damien Dio’s infamous black sword, adorned with red flowers and stripes – "The Sword of a Beast," the legendary weapon that had claimed the lives of countless enemies. And it was now pressed tightly against Raphael’s raised hand.

"Move that hand, and you will see it rolling on the floor."

The duke’s chilling voice and darkened expression seemed to freeze the entire room in an instant. If it had been someone else pointing their sword at him, Raphael might not have flinched. However, Grand Duke Damien Dio was different. If he declared that he would sever Raphael’s hand, there was no doubt he would follow through.

Reluctant to lose his hand at this moment, Raphael slowly lowered it and released Aurora’s hair, allowing her to step away from him and take refuge behind Damien’s tall frame. The duke, in turn, lowered his imposing sword, then draped his black uniform jacket around the trembling maid’s shoulders, and spoke, at last,

"Thank you for your compliance, Lord Ashter. We shall take our leave now."

Raphael watched as the Duke disappeared into the hallway along with Rosalie’s maid and could not help but feel his entire body boil with rage.

"Do you truly believe you can have your way simply because you possess royal blood? We shall see how long it takes for Rosalie to flee from you in tears, you goddamn monster."

***

A soft knocking sound infiltrated Rosalie’s slumbering mind like a ghostly whisper. She reluctantly lifted her heavy eyelids, realizing she had dozed off and was still dressed in her crimson gown, sprawled across the bed.

’God, how long was I sleep?’

Glancing toward the window, she noticed the darkness outside, though a faint glimmer of the setting sun remained on the horizon, partially obscured by the dense curtain of the dark green forest.

"I wonder if Damien has returned. He promised to be back before dinner."

Just as this hopeful thought floated through her half-awake mind, another gentle series of knocks echoed in her serene chamber, accompanied by the soft voice of Sir Logan.

"My Lady, a representative from the Temple has arrived to see you."

"The Temple? Did he truly summon a priest?"

Rosalie sat back on the bed, still somewhat bewildered that Damien stuck to his words, and finally answered,

"Please, let them enter."

The bedroom doors swung open almost soundlessly and as the girl turned her head to the left to greet another stranger, she suddenly forgot how to talk, and the only thought that lingered in her weary head was this one,

’Damn... This novel certainly has its share of stunning men... But I don’t believe this person is the priest. Alexander was definitely older.’

The young man who emerged from behind the door possessed an ethereal allure. His long, flowing platinum hair cascaded down his shoulders, catching the light with an otherworldly sheen. His piercing silver eyes, like liquid mercury, held an enigmatic depth that drew Rosalie in as if she were enchanted. Framed by platinum lashes, his gaze exuded a magnetic intensity.

Towering in height, he possessed a commanding presence that was both striking and elegant. Surprisingly, beneath his stunning appearance, his physique hinted at unexpected strength and agility, revealing a surprising level of physical fitness.

Noticing Rosalie’s perplexed expression, the man bestowed upon her a gentle smile and introduced himself, his deep, melodious voice filling the room.

"Good evening, Lady Rosalie. My name is Altair, I am the first disciple of His Holiness the High Priest."