She felt her mouth go dry at his words. She shook it off. It was her husband on their wedding night. It wasn't expected. She watched him as he casually undressed, walked over to the opposite side of the large bed, pulled the covers back, and got inside.
Sylvie felt the mattress shift underneath his weight. She decided to not overreact. He hadn't touched her. She put the covers down and watched as he laid his head on his pillow and looked up at her. Their eyes met.
Sylvie felt a sliver of familiarity hit her.
She thought her intuition was playing tricks on her. She had never lain eyes on him. Yet, she felt like somehow she knew him. Sylvie felt safe with him. A feeling she only experienced with the wolf. She had to admit she had never laid eyes on a man as handsome with such brooding features.
She hadn't realized she was staring at him until he spoke.
"Don't worry, my little Rabbit. I won't devour you tonight." He assured her. "Sleep. We will talk more tomorrow," and with those words, he rolled over, turning his back to her.
Within seconds he was snoring loudly.
Sylvie rolled her eyes and lay down as well...
The Next Morning
Randolf had left before the sun came up. He hated to admit it to anyone else, but he felt content when he slept next to Sylvie. He had pretended to be asleep the entire night. It had taken everything in him not to touch her. Her faint snoring and soft heartbeat had been a heady mixture to him.
He had waited until he knew she was sound asleep when he had pulled her slender frame close to him. He nestled in her hair. The smell of lemon and cinnamon, a soap given to human guests to bog down their stench, wafted his nostrils. He knew he was a fool. He should have never brought her here and married her. Life as the wife to a Loux Garoux Royal would not be easy.
He prayed over time, she would forgive his selfish act. He just couldn't be without her. He wouldn't. He had to go back to Canis Island. He didn't know how long he would be gone.
A few weeks. A few months. He had the Lycan scum on the run, and as much as he wanted to be in Sylvia's arms, Randolf had to finish this mission. He had to end the war. His island would have peace again.
It would be a neutral territory once more. He didn't bother using the gas lamps to get dressed. He was buttoning his uniform jacket when he heard her soft, sleepy voice. He had planned on sneaking out. He hated goodbyes.
"You're leaving, my Lord?"
"Yes, and don't call me that," he answered gruffly.
"Apologies. What should I call you?"
"My name, of course. Randolf or husband. Understand?"
"Yes, my Lor-Randolf." She corrected herself.
"While I am away. I'm expecting you to take care of yourself. I know this place is much different than the island. Please don't wander far or go anywhere alone. Try to accommodate my butler, Whitley. If you ever feel like you can't handle it, tell my father. Understand?"
She nodded her head yes. She was half asleep.
With those words, he left her room and the manor before dawn. Sylvie went back to sleep. A few hours later, she was awakened by a loud knock on the heavy wooden doors to her chamber.
"Good morning, Mistress Canis."
She heard Whitly say the name, but it didn't register for her that it was her own. Recalling last night, Sylvie looked to the right side of her bed. He was gone. There was no remnant left that he had visited her chambers last night. She sat up and saw it was The Butler wasn't alone Bouvier was with him.
Whitley pushed a mahogany food cart with her breakfast atop it. Once he wheeled it over to her bedside, before taking them off and presenting it to her, took a formal bow. The morning mistress came he she felt a sudden panic wash over her mistress. She was a married woman now and not just married but married to a wealthy Lord/Prince. Her status was no longer low worn, it felt overwhelming, a little scary.
All it took was two words, and now her life was forever changed. Whitley's demeanor towards her shifted, as well as Bouvier's. They were now her subordinates. The conversation she had with her husband earlier this morning, while she was half awake came back to her.
"Thank you, Whitley." She said simply.
He removed the cover from her plate and presented her with breakfast. "After you were dressed, Madam Your presence is requested in the portrait room."
Sylvie didn't know what to say. Bouvier noticed and chimed in on her behalf. "I'll have her there. Not to worry. Now, off with you."
Whitley bowed once more and rolled his eyes at Bouvier before exiting her chamber. Once the doors were closed, Bouvier walked over to the bed and sat beside Sylvie. "Are you alright, girl?" She asked her. "Was he rough with you last night?" Bouvier continued.
"How did you know he was here?" Sylvie was surprised at her knowledge.
"I have my spies. Never mind about that. Tell me everything. that happened." She urged.
"He slept in the bed with me... and he left before dawn. He did not touch me." She confided in her.
Bouvier was surprised at that tidbit of information. She redirected her questioning. "How do you like Prince Randolf?"
"I-I'm not sure. He seems kind, and he is very handsome. I was expecting him to be old and mean. He was none of those things. He apologized to me." She told Bouvier.
"He apologized to me." She told Bouvier.
Bouvier heard the shocked tone in Sylvie's voice.
"Why did he apologize to you?" She asked, suddenly wrapped in the story.
"For not being at our wedding and for bringing me here. Why would he apologize for bringing me to such a lovely home? "
Bouvier said nothing. And then asked, "Did you believe him?"
She was bewildered. Why was Prince Randolf acting so strangely?
"I do believe him," she answered, "but I'm still unsure as to why he chose me."
Bouvier knew from this conversation Sylvie trusted her to a certain degree. Bouvier also knew it would be in her best interest to become an ally to Sylvie. Adolf would want to know everything going on between the new couple. This was the perfect time to gain her trust. Adolf was not happy with the marriage.
Though he trusted his son's judgment, he had told her she would be Sylvia's maid. Bouvier had no choice but to comply. She had no place to go. He wouldn't let her leave the manor without an escort. Whitley was keeping a very close eye on both women.
Bouvier took a breath and then spoke. "I promised him you. You were a gift. The night of the fire."
"A gift?"
" Yes. He was meeting Amaruq, and I wanted to show my loyalty to the Loux Garoux. You were a peace offering, as well as your mother."
Sylvie's eyes lit with recognition. That was why Amaruq had been so upset. Bouvier had insulted his class as well as his patronage of her brothel. "I'm sorry things didn't go like you wanted," Sylvie apologized.
"Nonsense. I was a bitch and a hard-nosed taskmaster. Those girls are probably happy about my fate."
Sylvie said nothing. Bouvier was probably correct in her assumption.
"We must change the topic. Today is your first day as a gentle lady of the manor. It shouldn't be hard. You will meet with your new family and dine with them tonight."
"Have you met them?" Sylvie asked out of curiosity.
"No. I have only met his father- briefly." She decided to lie about her relationship with Adolf. "He told me I must look after you. Since we are the only Island dwellers here."
"My husband said this place is dangerous. Is it?"
Bouvier didn't know how to answer that question but tried as best as she could. "Not if you do what your husband says. Now, Enough talk. It's time to eat your breakfast and get ready for the day. I will find you something to wear." Sylvie's attention went to the plate that sat on the tray beside her bed. It was laden with food. Her stomach growled, and with no further hesitation, she ate. First, she started with the buttered roll. Then, she finished the bowl of oatmeal."
"Wipe your mouth and hands. For God's sake!" Bouvier saw that Sylvie had crumbs on her face and hands. Sylvie listened to her and did as she was instructed. "Better. Your bath is waiting." Bouvier announced.
"A bath? I already took one... yesterday." Sylvie was confused.
Bouvier rolled her eyes at Sylvie's naivete. "You are a lady now. You must bathe every day now. Sometimes more than once. I will teach you what is expected of you. Not to worry. In the bath you go, now." She said once more as she moved the breakfast cart to a wall beside her chamber door.