Lady in Blue: The Billionaire's Regret

SONATA

CHAPTER 65: SONATA

“O—oh my god! G—get the hell away from me!” A woman’s scream echoed, but nobody rush to her aid. Breathless, her face was fear stricken. She looks pale. Petrified as she runs, but lost where she could save herself from the terrifying beast that was chasing after her.

Her wedding gown was torn into shreds, blood smeared and dirt to the once white cloth it has. That was least of her worries, what concern her was the hair raising growl and the red eyed monster on her trail.

“G—get away please!” She was crying, but the dark hallway seems unending. She’s been running nonstop, and her legs are sores, blisters she could feel on her feet was aching terribly.

She isn’t supposed to be here! She wailed, but for a moment she stop breathing, when her feet caught up on something and so she loses her balance.

“N—no..no…no…no!”

THUD.

Imagine her horrors when she fell onto the carpeted floor. She wanted to go on, but she was paralyzed by fear. Something breathe behind her back before a black mass opened its mouth, and wickedly consumed her…it shows no mercy as it gnawed her flesh, and suck what remains on her veins.

The bride to be who became its meal.

“I can’t marry a man, who is already at his deathbed, daddy!” Adriana was quick to disagree upon hearing the proposal.

Although it came from the wealthy and most known family, she still felt disgusted. Who have on their right mind to marry an ugly man, who had been distorted through series of operation? It is the Drosell’s eldest son, their heir, who unfortunately been involved to a tragic accident. He survived, but his family was told that he can no longer move nor walk…for the rest of his life.

“Quite!” Lucas Dravian eyed her strictly.

But Adriana was stubborn. She crossed her arms and in a hard voice said, “We may have been engaged, but I won’t marry him this time! You can’t force me!”

With that, she turned her back and marched away. While Carsel was left here on the corner, holding a tray and waiting for orders.

It’s ironic, she was part of the family, but she was not treated as one.

“My apologies, Mrs. Drosell.” Her father was quick to make amends. “Adriana still seems torn from what happened to your son, more likely her fiancé.”

“I truly understand, Mr. Dravian.” But Mrs. Drosell’s expression doesn’t seems to buy his excuse. “I was also shocked, when I heard what happened, it was horrible and her disgust—”

“Oh no, she is not disgusted, I assured you, Madame.” Lucas waved off, defending his daughter’s reaction.

Carsel rolled her eyes. As if Adriana isn’t.

She highly value looks and if word gets out that she is yet to marry that grotesque man, she will really lost her face.

“If you say so, Lucas.” Mrs. Drosell stood up. “But I believe that I still have your word?”

Her father stood there unease.

“Err…” He knew he won’t be able to convince Adriana in spite of the benefit that this marriage could bring to their family. “You still have it, Madame.” He lied.

“Good, then I am expecting for her appearance tomorrow.” Each word was firm, threatening.

“Pardon?” Lucas asked.

“Didn’t my messenger sent you the invitation?” Mrs. Drosell’s stern face hardened. “Tomorrow… I moved their wedding for tomorrow, Lucas.”

“Daddy, I don’t want to marry him!” Adriana cried on his lap.

“Oh my god, you needed to do something, Lucas!” Her mother pace back and forth.

Carsel didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but their voices are loud.

“I am trying, but the Drosell’s, I can’t just take back my word.” Mr. Dravian was frustrated. “You know what they are capable of.”

“I know! But we couldn’t just give away, Adriana.” Mrs. Dravian blew a loud breathe.

“What do you wanted me to do then?!” Lucas yelled out.

His voice echoed.

Carsel bit her lips. Uncertain whether it is the right time to enter and bring the snacks they were asking. But if she wouldn’t, she’ll get punished.

She sighs before knocking on the door.

“Come in.” Her father barked.

When she stormed inside, they are not looking at her, but their faces seems to be carrying burdens they had never expected. Quietly, when she reached the table—Carsel placed the food carefully, afraid to spill even a drop on the surface.

One drop, and her back will get whip…again. Her scarred back is an evidence of their maltreatment for years.

“Lucas.” Her mother called helplessly. “What if we find another bride for him?”

“We can’t fool them—” But when his eyes averted to Carsel. An idea pop on his head. “Perhaps, we can do something about that.”

An evil smile made his lips upturned with glee.

“Carsel, is it?”

Her heart skip a beat.

Had they even forgotten her own name?

“Y—yes…” Her lips quivered.

Adriana pursed her lips.

SLAP.

“You didn’t show respect!” She spat out. “You should have added my lord!”

“Adriana!”

Carsel cheeks ache. She slapped her hard, making her eyes to watered. “I—I’m sorry, my lady.”

Why was she treated differently, when they are blood related? Why are they used to forget who she is, when they are her parents?

“Stop it, Adriana.” Her father scolded her sister for the first time.

“Whatever.” The latter only rolled her eyes.

Carsel hangs her head low.

“Now apologize to her.” Lucas ordered her for the first time.

“W—what?”

Even she was surprised.

“Apologize to your sister. NOW.”

GASP.

Carsel’s eyes widened.

“Y—you knew who I was?” She was speechless.

Her father smiled sadly, “Of course, sweetie, I just haven’t had the courage to say it, because of everything we have done…”

“I’m sorry too, honey.” Her mother who looked at her father first walked to where she is and grabs her hand, so tender as if afraid to hurt Carsel. Despite of the horrible things they had done to her.

“I can’t believe this!” Adriana scowled. “What the f**k is happening here?!”

But nobody paid any attention to her.

“Oh, my poor sweetheart.” Mrs. Dravian planted a soft kiss on her head.

Carsel’s lips parted.

She felt accepted. For the first time in her life, she felt like she belongs her or so she thought she is.

“Oh my god! Try this one, I am sure this will suit you well, sweetie!” Mrs. Dravian laid a couple of dresses on the bed… Carsel’s first decent bed and room away from the attic she was given.

“I think I like this one, mother.”

Mother. It felt both strange, but familiar.

“Now go on and get dressed.” Mrs. Dravian brushed her hair. “Then, I’ll make sure that you are going to be the most beautiful girl on that ball!”

Her excitement was contagious.

Carsel quickly nodded her head and rushed to the bathroom. As she did, Mrs. Dravian’s expression changes.

Adriana appeared on the door.

“Call your father, tell him that tonight we will deliver the bride to the Drosells’.” She said.

“Oh god, I really hated her.” Adriana rolled her eyes, but do as what she was told.

When Carsel came back, Mrs. Dravian wore the same mask to fooled her younger daughter.

She felt no remorse, no regrets was shown, when they arrived on the Drosell’s mansion.

“Is this where the ball is going to be held, mother?” Carsel eyes explored the view.

It wasn’t a mansion, but more like a castle.

But why does it seems like…it was too silent? If there is a ball, isn’t it supposed to be loud? She thought. Or perhaps, they are they first one to arrive.

“It is, now c’mon, sweetheart.” Her mother laid out her hand.

Carsel ignored the warning bells inside her head and happily hop from her seat and go with her.

“Why did father and Adriana did not come with us?” She asked.

“They wanted us to spend time together, honey” Her mother shortly replied, but she isn’t looking at her.

Carsel wanted to ask so many questions, but she set them at bay. She didn’t wanted to annoyed her own mother, now that she was treating her fair.

A butler greeted them, when they arrived.

“The others are already waiting there, Madame.” He announced.

Her mother only nodded her head, pulling Cassel with her. But as they go further, she could feel the shudders on her nape rising.

“Mother, I don’t feel like I wanted to attend the ball anymore…” Her heart thumped loudly.

Each corridors are dark, and the unease as they walked grow stronger.

“Mother?”

But Emerald Dravian did not speak.

“Mo—”

“Shut up!” She angrily glared at her.

Carsel was taken aback.

“If you don’t shut up now, I’ll drag you inside myself!” She was already showing her true colors.

Petrified, Carsel hangs her head meekly.

She wanted to runaway from this place.

But it’s too late.

“Mrs. Dravian, it is a surprise that you visit us this late.” Mrs. Drosell’s voice rang.

The familiar woman terrified Carsel. She wanted to hide, but it feels like she couldn’t.

“I bring your bride, now I wanted you to fill what I bargain, Mrs. Drosell.” Her mother’s voice was firm.

Bride? Carsel soon realizes something. Is she the bride she was talking about?

Betrayal filled her chest. Her stomach churned as her head registered what was happening.

She was brought her to be offered.

“But it wasn’t the bride I was asking.” Mrs. Drosell raised her eyebrows. “I believed that you should have bring your eldest—”

“She is still a Dravian, and I believe that you did not request for Adriana, and Carsel is my daughter by blood.”

“Mother!”

“You’re clever, I’ll give you that.” Mrs. Drosell chuckled before her eyes stared at Carsel, who shuddered. Her eyes felt like it could reach out her soul and read every secret she hid. “As for this one leave her here, she is to be bride of my dear Trevor.”

Trevor? That might have been Adriana’s supposed fiancé!

Her mother did not hesitate to brushed away Carsel’s grip, who wanted to cry out her heart being abandon like that.

Emeral Dravian did not hesitate to walkaway and leave her there as if every little thing she showed to Carsel were nothing.

“Mother…” Carsel’s stomach churned, when her silhouette disappeared.

“Tch. Those greedy humans.” Mrs. Drosell called for her attention. “Carsel, it is?”

She meekly nodded.

“Come with me, and quick, I wanted you to mret met master Trevor.” She said.

That confused her.

“Isn’t he supposed to be your son?” She frowns.

“Oh good gracious, quit asking some questions.” Mrs. Drosell uttered until she leads her to a large bedroom.

“Here is your room, but may I remind you that you are not allowed to leave this room until your marriage.” She looked at her with the same stern look. “Are we clear?”

“Y—yes, Madame.”

“It’s mother, Carsel.” Her face loosens. “Since you are to marry Trevor, you can call me mother.”

Mother. A new mother, while her own abandoned her.

How strange. Carsel thought.

But being the stubborn her, Carsel’s heart still seeks for freedom. When it hits midnight, she planned to escape. Mrs. Drosell didn’t treat her badly, but she won’t marry her son, it is against her will.

Clad on a black trousers and shirt, while her entire face was wrapped in the same color to hide her better in the shadows. However, she didn’t nerd to hide. Nobody was there. It feels as if Mrs. Drosell was the only person who was occupying the castle.

“Is she really with her son?” Carsel loosened for a bit.

She hadn’t met him, but she wished not.

Walking carefully, the only sound she could hear was her own heartbeat that was beating loudly against her own chest…and the piano music.

The piano music?! Her eyes widened. Then somebody was out there!

Carsel was ready to runaway, but for no apparent reason—she felt compelled to follow the tone.

NO!

Yet her body moves against her own will. Helpless, and with her struggles that deems futile, Carsel was brought to a room, a vast hall where the music came from.

Sonata. It is Moonlight Sonata…

When her eyes laid towards the piano, she could see a figure of a man sitting in front of it. His back is turned, but she didn’t feel scared that he would see Carsel peeing…prying. It actually felt…safer to be there than any part of the castle.

What is this feeling? It was odd.

The music stops, and when he turned around, Carsel’s breathe hitched against her throat.

He is one of the gorgeous man she met. Sharp jawline and aristocratic nose, his broad shoulder and the charming honeyed colored eyes that seems innocent.

She gulps. Is she staring to a real Prince?

The man chuckled at her reaction. He laid his hand to her.

“Come here.” His voices is warm.

As ordered, Carsel began to walk. One at a time, two, only to be stopped by a pair of strong arms that clutched her wrist.

“She’s mine, Lucio.” A cold baritone voice glowered.

The man he called Lucio chuckled, and hold his hands up in the air, “I am not yet doing anything, brother. Don’t worry, she’s all yours, Trevor.”

Trevor?! The trance she was in breaks.

Carsel blinked at the mention of that name.

Slowly, she turned her head away from Lucio to her side only to meet a pair of red glowing eyes that was staring at her with so much hate…contempt, and more of all…of disgust.

“What? Thinking that I was a monster like you expected?” He said harshly and let go of her hand.

She was taken aback.

“I didn’t say—”

“Save your breathe as If I wanted to marry the likes of you anyway.” Trevor was extremely cold.

Carsel was hurt.

She hangs her head low.

“You were nothing, you were all after our money!” His voice thundered. “But suit yourself, you are a thrash—”

“I didn’t have much of a choice.” Carsel whispered, cutting him off. His words struck her, making her already bleeding heart bleeds more. “I was offered to marry you, but I didn’t say yes!”

Her outburst caught them off guard.

“You can hate me.” She looked at her supposed groom, whose eyes are hidden by a mask. “But keep in mind that I was here, because I was forced.”

When she left the pair, Lucio stalked closer to Trevor, “May I ask if I could steal her from you?”

But he only earned a deadly glare as a warning.

“Shut up.” Trevor clenched his jaw.

“But I believe that bride is different from the previous one you killed…”

He killed. His eyes turned red at the reminder of it.

Lucio was right. He killed her, his previous bride before Carsel…before many others he had certainly forget their name.