Alexandra
36th Day of Summer, 997th Year of Grace
It had been a week since I had last seen the valet.
He had disappeared right after his big confession, saying he wouldn't bother me anymore.
At first, I thought it mere coincidence. After all, the estate was vast and my duties numbered many. I didn't expect to cross paths with him every day.
But thoughts of him kept gnawing at me every moment of my day.
Until today.
I was helping Betty polish the banisters in the eastern wing of the castle.
The work itself was dull but her constant gossips filled the silence. When I first met her on the day of my recruitment as a maid, I had thought of her as a stuck up maid who cared only about the rules.
But over the weeks of working in the estate, we had grown close.
"Have you heard?" Betty paused her work. "The young lord hasn't left his chambers in days."
My hands stilled. "He hasn't? How... How long has it been?"
She shook her head, continuing her work. "It'll be a week today. Isn't it strange?"
I forced a smile. "He's ill?"
"Perhaps. But if he's ill, why hasn't he asked to see a physician?" Betty straightened and dusted her apron before moving to another post. "He won't even answer the door when servants deliver his meals. Everyone's worried about him but no one dares question him or enter his room without his permission."
I couldn't move. "What about his personal valet?"
Betty glanced at me. "Our young lord doesn't have a personal valet. He despises being followed around. Even when he goes outside the estate, Lord Edward sends his own valet to accompany him. And that valet left with Lord Edward when he set out for the western borders.
No. I met him after Lord Edward had departed so they can't be the same.Then... The realization struck like a blade. No. It can't be... He said he was only a valet.
"Where is Lord Elijah's room?" I asked lightly. "I've never seen him so I'm quite curious."
"It's the last door at the end of the western wing." She wiped away the sweat on her forehead. "But don't go there, okay?"
I nodded but after I was done with my work, I found myself waking through the western wing, each step too loud in the long hall. Fortunately, there were no guards or servants stationed here--probably the young lord forbid them from lingering.
A few moments later, I found myself standing before the door of Lord Elijah's chambers.
I knocked once with trembling hands.
No answer.
"...My lord?" I knocked again, the words scraping against the back of my throat. "Are you well?"
Silence.
I knocked again, harder. "My lord, are you there?"
Still no answer.
There was only one choice left.
My hands gripped at the handle--cold as ice beneath my palm.
I hesitated for a moment, every part of me screaming to turn back but I shoved the hesitation away and turned the handle.
The door creaked open and I stepped into darkness.
Elijah
36th Day of Summer, 997th Year of Grace
The curtains were drawn, the lamp left cold for days while the air had become stale.
I thought she would forget me if I disappeared from her sight yet I heard her behind the door, knocking as she called me.
She probably knew my true identity now.
It was bound to be happen someday but I couldn't understand why she would come looking for me after knowing the truth.
I pressed my palms against my temples and tried to ignore the sound of her muffled voice through the door.
I was sure it was her. And the void knew too.
The accursed maw gnawed at the edges of my mind.
She's here... it whispered. She came to you. The prey has come to the hunter. Take her. Feast upon her.
"No." I ground my teeth, my nails raking against my scalp. "I won't let you have her."
The latch turned, hinges groaning as the door creaked open.
I thought I'd locked--
Every sense of mine caught fire when I heard her steps pressing upon the floorboards as she entered the room.
I didn't need to see. It was her.
"Why have you come?" My voice was hoarse. "Go back. Please... go back."
She stepped closer.
"You haven't left your room in a week, my lord." Her words trembled with worry, not fear. "Everyone is worried about you--"
"Don't!" I cut her off, my voice aching. "Don't come closer. You shouldn't even be here."
But she only came nearer.
The void clawed at me, its voice growing clearer. She's suffering. Let us end it. She's already broken. Take her. Devour her. Make yourself whole.
"No!" I clutched at my chest, as if trying to strangled the beast within. "Leave me! Go away!"
My vision darkened at the edges and my tongue betrayed me the next moment, muttering, "Come closer."
Her steps faltered but she resumed approaching. She was too close.
"A-Are you alright?" Her voice was soft. "Do you need h-help?"
"Stay back!" I screamed but my body rebelled, my arms lunging for her.
She gasped as they dragged her down, the bed groaning under the sudden weight.
"No, no, no!" I cried even as my hands pinned her. "Why didn't you listen to me? I told you to go away!"
I cursed myself, the void and the Lord.
"Let me have a taste," the void spoke through my lips. "Your sorrow is still ripe. Let me tear you open. Let me devour your light."
My fingers clawed at her uniform, ripping fabric as if I were some starved beast.
She struggled with haggard breaths and eyes wide with horror.
I tried to stop myself.
No. I don't want this. Please. Someone. Anyone. Help me. Save her.
My hands reached to undress myself when she suddenly wrapped her arms around my neck and held me against her chest, trembling and weeping herself.
I struggled to break free and even bit down upon her neck, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth.
"It's alright..." she whispered, her voice cracked. "I-I finally found you... It's alright if this is what y-you want. If h-hurting me will help you get b-better, go ahead. Tear m-me open. D-Devour me. It's a-alright if it's you..."
Hot tears blurred my vision while the void within howled.
But the next moment... it fell silent.
For the first time, the void had quieted. I regained control of myself and all strength left my body at once.
I collapsed in her arms, my cheeks pressed into her shoulder--wet with tears I didn't want to hide anymore.
"It's alright." She stroked my head. "Y-Your precious is here for you."