Valerie sat a seat away from the couple who talked. While she watched them, her gaze drifted occasionally to the large clock mounted on one of the four walls of the bookstore.
They needed to be home before two in the afternoon, and currently, it was thirty-six minutes past eleven. Not that they had anywhere else to stop by—she could easily watch them talk until one o'clock while starting a new book.
Malorie would occasionally laugh, her lover joining her. They were a sweet couple, hidden from the eyes of anyone who knew their father. Valerie didn't know who Lorien was, but one thing was certain: he was a vampire.
She didn't know which family he belonged to or where he was from. It was something she needed to ask him—or Malorie—though she wasn't sure Malorie had most of the answers. Either way, she needed to keep her sister safe.
The conversation between Lorien and Malorie lasted an hour more before he kissed her goodbye and left. After choosing their books for the month, the sisters paid the lending fee to Sir Taylor and left the bookstore. On the way home, Valerie asked:
"Do you know where he's from? Lorien, I mean," she queried.
Malorie bit her lip, then nodded. "You might be shocked if I tell you. I was stunned."
Valerie nodded, urging her to go on.
"He's the son of the Eastern Grand Duke," she revealed.
Valerie paused mid-step, then turned to stare at her sister. "You mean the Grand Duke who came to see Father yesterday?"
Malorie nodded, pressing her lips into a thin line. "I know, it's unbelievable. That's why I didn't want to tell Father about him."
"Wow…" Valerie breathed, and they resumed walking. "That's… that's beautiful!" she suddenly exclaimed.
"What are you thinking?" Malorie asked, raising a brow.
"I'm thinking it's a good thing he's a man of high caliber. Father won't be able to touch you once he speaks to him!" Valerie laughed.
"Yes, that's true—but don't forget, the Eastern Grand Duke and Father share the same title. Neither has power over the other," Malorie pointed out.
"That's true as well. But remember, Father wanted you to marry the Eastern Grand Duke because he believes he's a better choice. A man of high standard." A shudder ran through Malorie as she recalled the Nor'east Grand Duke. "Still, everything will be fine once Lorien speaks with Father. Until then, we just have to protect ourselves—and your baby!"
Valerie looked over just in time to see Malorie glance down at her stomach. "You already named the baby?"
"You did? But you don't know the sex."
Malorie's smile widened, revealing her dimples. "Yes. We picked both a male and a female name—just in case." She chuckled softly. "He said… if things go well with Father, we'll live together."
Valerie laughed, then her smile faltered. "Saddening. You want to leave your sister."
Malorie chuckled. "Of course not. We'll definitely visit—and you'll visit us too."
"Indeed," Valerie sighed.
Soon, they reached the mansion. The guards stationed outside the gates stared at them as if they hadn't seen them leave earlier.
"Are you going to let us in, or would you rather keep admiring our beautiful faces?" Valerie snapped. She hated every single employee their father had hired.
One of the guards knocked on the gate, and a comrade from inside opened the smaller entry. The girls walked through without sparing them a glance. The house was quiet, save for the occasional shuffle of the maidservants' feet.
"Did Mama leave?" Valerie asked one of the maids. She never knew their names—most were too afraid to share them with the Valencia daughters.
"Yes. She left an hour ago. Said she'll return later," the maid responded. Without another word from Valerie, the maid disappeared from view.
★
Luncheon was served at two. The family of four sat in their respective seats. Ethan spoke first; he cared little for dining etiquette.
"I've come to a conclusion," he began. Malorie's heart jumped, as did Valerie's. "Since Malorie—my dear daughter and your dear sister"—he glanced at Valerie with a sly smirk before turning back to Malorie—"has refused to name the father of her child, in fear that I might harm him… she will leave my house. Effective immediately."
Silence followed. So complete, you could hear a pin drop. Cynthia stared at her husband as if waiting for him to laugh and take it back. Valerie wondered if he actually meant the words that had just spilled from his mouth. Malorie, meanwhile, stared blankly at her father.
"No…" Malorie whispered.
"Yes." Ethan's smile widened. "Yes, sweetie. You're going. The maids have already packed your belongings."
Valerie stood abruptly and slammed her hands on the table. "No! Malorie is not—"
Her words were cut off when Ethan stood and slapped her across the cheek. Her skin stung, but she didn't cry. Instead, she stood her ground and stared at her father, who had already resumed his seat.
"Sit down, Val. I'm not done," Ethan said smoothly.
Valerie clenched her fists tightly but said nothing. She sat.
"As I was saying—since Malorie will be leaving my house to go to her baby's father, you, my dear Valerie, will be married off to Raelyth Thalor."
If Ethan's previous statement was a bomb, this one was a grenade. He adjusted his robe, shifted his plate aside—a signal for the maids to clear his place—and folded his arms atop the table.
"The slap couldn't have been that harsh to leave you mute, Valerie. I need words," Ethan said.
Valerie, eyes brimming with tears, looked at Malorie, who was crying silently. She swallowed hard and turned to her father. "I… I thought you said I wouldn't be married."
"I did. But as it stands, your sister has made herself unavailable. This is a deal, love—a deal," he said with an exasperated sigh. "You can't just cut off a deal made in blood. If the first option fails, we go with the second." He ended with a low chuckle.
Ethan rose and looked over his family. "Prepare yourself, dear daughter. Raelyth Thalor will be coming to take you tomorrow."