Chapter 213: Corvin Graves
• ELOISE •
I could tell something burdened Drevon. However, it was only that day behind the drapes I could tell. The last few days have been spent with showers of love, gifts, and other things that made me feel like I was living in paradise.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
I exhaled, before opening my book to continue reading, I wasn’t actually reading, just trying to pass the time. My activities have been reduced; it happened gradually, and before I knew it, here I was sitting and acting pretty like a doll.
Diana handled the inner court, and the Dowager oversaw the preparation for the ball of the season, as she called it. While Osha spent more time with Snow so that he wouldn’t disturb me. He was more playful this period, and I wish I could play with him too. But I could tell I was always exhausted without doing a thing.
Pregnancy was hard!
"If he’s isolating me, then he should be here at least, yet he’s at court," I mumbled, dropping the book.
This was no doubt his doing. The least he could do was be here.
"Your Majesty."
"What is it?" I asked dryly, pushing the book aside. "It better be something to give me life, because right now I’m dead."
"..."
I veered my hopeful gaze to Talia. "Is it time for your wedding? I can help plan everything, just give me anything. Anything."
I sounded desperate now, but I didn’t care, as long as I could be freed of this statue position.
"Actually, you have a visitor," she replied in a monotone voice.
"Visitor?"
"Yes, from House Graves."
I frowned. "House Graves?"
Was there a noble house with such a name? I have read through every house and never heard of it.
"I have never heard of House Graves," I said bluntly.
"They are one of the low Houses, so they aren’t too recognizable," she explained.
The nobles’ houses had high and low ranks, but still... I read them all, and I’m not able to recall seeing such a name.
However, Talia seemed to know; she shouldn’t because she never pays attention to stuff like that. Odd.
"Okay, let them come in."
"Of course, your majesty, I’ll let him in."
Him?
The next moment, the doors opened. I heard a cane first, and the sharp sound on the polished floor made my pulse quicken, a strange feeling swamping over me.
What stepped through the doors appeared like a silhouetted figure, and my breathing hitched, but soon turned into a man, wearing a long black coat with faint dark patterns. Underneath was a fitted black waistcoat, a white shirt, and a cravat held by a jeweled pin. His trousers were tucked into polished boots.
He carried a cane, tapping it against the floor as he came to a halt. He took his tall black top hat and revealed his dark hair, but with the highlights, it appeared deep violet.
"Greetings, Queen of Valkanor."
I didn’t see his face. No. I couldn’t
see his face; he wore a black full plain mask with small eye slits."I have travelled far to find you, and at long last, I set my gaze upon you. You’re a beauty that shouldn’t exist in this world." He spoke strongly as if I were a wonder he had anticipated seeing his entire life.
"Who are you?" I asked, for some reason, I could tell he wasn’t a lycan.
He didn’t look like he was from around here either.
I saw a movement behind him, and Talia stepped forward, but her eyes were dull, as if she was in a reverie.
"What did you do to her?!" I demanded.
"There is no need to be in an alarm, Your Majesty. How else could I have come to you? Fear not, she is not in harm’s way."
"And you expect me to believe you, you clearly did something to my handmaid," I said, trying to remain calm.
Whoever this man was, I shouldn’t underestimate him; he was able to walk through an empire filled with lycans without being detected.
"As I mentioned, what I did was necessary. It was the only way I could meet you."
"Just who are you?"
"I’m Corvin Graves, and it’s an honor."
"Why have you come to see me, Corvin Graves?"
"I expected you to know of my coming already."
My heart skipped a beat. The silhouette figure in my dreams. It was him?!
"You’re frightened when you should not be."
"I’m not frightened. You’re an unwanted stranger, and I’m eager to know who dares to approach me in my home."
"Spoken strongly, as expected from the Mother of the Endless."
Mother of the Endless?
I pushed to my feet. "I’d like you to leave, free my handmaid, and be gone!"
"You should ask more questions than chase me away, the right questions."
"I have no questions for you."
There was a strange glow to one of the eye slits of his mask, violet.
"I shall be back again when you have the right questions for me, Your Majesty. I hope then we shall converse properly."
He neared Talia’s ear and whispered something.
"Stop it! What are you doing?" I yelled.
His cane struck the floor.
"Your Majesty?"
I gasped, looking at Talia. "A-Are you alright?"
She blinked, confused. "Yes?"
I placed a hand on my chest and sighed in relief.
"Is everything alright? You look shaken, shall I call for the Royal Healer?"
"N-No." I swallowed a lump in my throat. "You mentioned something about House Graves and..." I wavered, unable to even explain what I saw.
How could I possibly explain what happened if I don’t understand it?
"House Graves?"
A cold chill grasped me. She doesn’t remember. Whatever that man did to her made her forget.
I clenched my fist, but I heard a crunch. Puzzled, I opened my hand and saw a small black paper with five words written in violet ink.
"The tongue shall not speak."