Chapter Two: Whispers and Serpents
The Everhart manor bustled with whispers the next morning. Servants carried trays with lighter steps, maids bowed deeper than usual, and even the guards at the entrance stood straighter.
Their young lady had returned from the brink of death.
Inside her chamber, Lina sat by the window, staring at the sprawling gardens. She wore a pale-blue gown trimmed with lace, her long hair brushed smooth and falling over her shoulders. Though she appeared calm, her eyes were colder than before—unmistakably different.
"Milady, your porridge."
Lady Miriam, the head maid, entered with her usual stern grace. Her dark hair was pinned in a neat bun, her uniform spotless. At her side skipped Elsie, a younger maid with bright eyes, carrying a tray far too large for her small arms.
"Lady Lina, I added honey!" Elsie beamed, setting it down. "Because you always complain about bitterness, and—"
"I don't want porridge."
The flat tone silenced the room. Elsie blinked, confusion flickering across her face. "But… but you always…"
Lina's gaze softened slightly. The girl was too innocent, too easily manipulated. A perfect pawn for someone like Selene.
"Thank you, Elsie," Lina said gently, adjusting her tone. "But from now on, I'll decide what I eat. Bring me bread and tea instead."
Elsie hesitated, then curtsied with a confused nod. "Y-Yes, milady." She scurried out.
Miriam, however, lingered. Her sharp eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Lina. "That is unlike you, my lady."
Lina met her gaze without flinching. "Perhaps nearly dying changes one's appetite."
The maid's lips pressed thin, but she bowed. "As you say, milady."
---
A knock interrupted them. The guard at the door announced, "Baron Cedric requests entry."
"Let him in."
Her father entered, his expression lighter than yesterday but still tinged with worry. He sat across from her, folding his large hands.
"Lina," he began carefully, "Selene is still outside the estate. She's refused food and drink, waiting only to see you."
Lina's fingers tightened against the armrest. "I told you yesterday. I do not want her near me."
Her father frowned. "She looks pitiful, child. Everyone knows you took her in. If we cast her aside so cruelly, the household will gossip. Your reputation will—"
"My reputation?" Lina's voice cut sharply, carrying the authority of someone far above a baron's daughter. "Tell me, Father, is my safety worth less than whispers? Or will you let a viper coil in our home until it bites again?"
His eyes widened at her tone. This was not the pampered daughter who once begged for trinkets. This was… someone sharper. Stronger.
"Father." Her voice softened, but it was firm. "Trust me in this. Selene must never step inside again."
Miriam, standing silently at the side, lowered her head in agreement. "The young lady speaks with sense. I've long felt something… off about that orphan."
Cedric sighed heavily. "Very well. I will order the guards to drive her away."
At that moment, Elsie burst in again, flustered. "M-My lady! Forgive me, but—she's here!"
The doors banged open.
Selene stumbled inside, her white dress torn, her golden hair tangled. Her green eyes shimmered with tears, her frail figure trembling like a reed in the wind.
"Lina!" she cried, falling to her knees. "Please, forgive me! I was so afraid for you—I prayed day and night. When they said you would not wake, I… I wanted to die!"
Her sobs filled the chamber, so pitiful that even the guards shifted uncomfortably. Elsie's eyes welled with sympathy.
But Lina did not move. She only stared down at Selene, her expression carved from ice.
"You dare enter uninvited?"
Selene flinched at the unfamiliar chill in her voice. "L-Lina, it's me… don't you remember? I'm Selene, the one who—"
"The one who nearly killed me."
The room froze.
Selene's tears halted. "W-What…?"
Lina leaned forward, her eyes narrowing like a hawk spotting prey. "You wore the face of a lamb, but your heart is a serpent's. Did you think I would not see it?"
Her father shifted uneasily. "Lina, that's—"
"Silence, Father." Her voice was razor-sharp. "This matter is mine to end."
Miriam's lips curved faintly—the first sign of approval she had shown all morning.
Selene trembled, forcing more tears. "Y-You must be mistaken… I-I would never…!"
"Guards," Lina commanded coldly, ignoring her pleas. "Remove her. If she steps into Everhart grounds again, drive her out like the beggar she is."
The guards exchanged uncertain glances with the Baron, but Cedric finally nodded with a weary sigh. "Do as my daughter says."
Selene's eyes widened, panic flashing beneath her mask. She clawed at the carpet as they dragged her up. "Lina! Please, don't cast me out! I have no one else—"
"You had me." Lina's gaze was merciless. "And you threw it away."
The doors shut with a heavy thud.
For a long moment, silence blanketed the chamber.
Then Lucien appeared, leaning casually against the doorway, having entered unnoticed. His emerald eyes glimmered with amusement.
"My, my. Our sweet sister has grown claws." His smile was slow, dangerous. "Tell me, Lina… when did you become so sharp?"
Lina met his gaze evenly. "Perhaps I've always been sharp. You were simply not looking closely enough."
Lucien chuckled low, his voice smooth as velvet. "Interesting. Very interesting." He pushed off the frame and left without another word.
Her father rubbed his temples, clearly overwhelmed. "Lina… you've changed."
She looked out the window again, her voice quiet but unyielding.
"No, Father. I've only opened my eyes."