Duke Larry was preparing for his inspection at the mine the following day. As he entered his chambers, Zilayefa failed to assist him, still recovering from her fall. Instead, she stared at him intensely, her eyes fixed on his every move.
After a while, Duke Larry noticed her gaze and raised an eyebrow. "Do I look so dashing that you can't take your eyes off me?" he asked with a straight face, his piercing eyes locking onto hers. Zilayefa was taken aback by his question, her mind muddled in an instant. She hastily replied, "Yes, my lord."
Realizing her mistake, Zilayefa's face turned bright red as she dropped to her knees in panic. "No, my lord!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling. Duke Larry was amused by her reaction, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Which one is it, yes or no? Make your choice," he teased, his eyes glinting with mirth.
He walked closer to her, his long strides eating up the distance. Zilayefa tried to remove his hand from her chin, but he held firm, his grip gentle yet unyielding. "Look at me," he commanded, his voice low and husky. Zilayefa's eyes met his, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with tension.
Duke Larry's gaze lingered on hers, his thoughts wandering to the captivating depths of her eyes. He sensed her fear, but his curiosity got the better of him. "You have such..." He paused, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the right words.
Suddenly, he released her chin and turned to leave, his movements abrupt. Zilayefa, still on her knees, watched him go, her heart racing with confusion. She quickly scrambled to her feet and followed him out of the tent chambers.
As they walked, Duke Larry's workers greeted him with nods and bows. Zilayefa trailed behind him, her eyes fixed on his broad back. "And where are you going, Zilayefa?" he asked, his voice firm, as he turned to face her.
"I'm following you, my lord," she replied, her voice soft but determined. Duke Larry raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over her fragile form. "You're still recovering. Go back inside and rest. You need to sing for me this evening, and I don't want you catching a cold."
Zilayefa's face set in a determined expression. "I'm well, my lord. I've rested enough. I wish to continue my duties." Her voice was laced with a quiet desperation that caught Duke Larry off guard.
He laughed, the sound low and husky. "Continue your duties? Then why didn't you attend to me when I was getting ready this morning? Or do you want to follow me so you can slip away and drown yourself again in a pool?" His words were tinged with a hint of anger, his eyes narrowing as he watched her.
Zilayefa's face paled, her eyes welling up with tears. She fell to her knees once more, her hands grasping the hem of his trousers. "Please, my lord, let me come with you," she pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion.
Duke Larry's workers stopped and stared, their faces a mixture of curiosity and concern. Duke Larry's expression softened, his eyes locked onto Zilayefa's tear-stained face. He gently removed her hands from his trousers and walked back into the tent chambers.
"Get inside," he commanded, his voice firm but gentle. Zilayefa struggled to her feet, her knees aching from the force of her fall earlier. She crept back into the tent, her eyes downcast.
As she entered, Duke Larry's wolf, Fire, walked into the chambers, her eyes fixed on Zilayefa. "Fire, girl, come here," Duke Larry called out, his voice firm. Fire trotted over to him, her tail wagging slightly.
"Make sure she doesn't leave this chamber," he instructed Fire, his eyes never leaving Zilayefa's face. Fire hesitated for a moment before nodding her great head. She lay down beside the entrance, her eyes fixed on Zilayefa.
Zilayefa's gaze met Fire's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. "My lord, please let me go with you. I can't stay with this animal. This animal killed my brother," Zilayefa exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.
Duke Larry's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing as he watched her. "You think my wolf killed your brother?" he asked, his voice low and even.
Zilayefa nodded, her eyes welling up with tears.
"The day we came looking for my mother at your castle," Zilayefa continued, her voice shaking. "I'm sure it was this wolf that chased us and killed my brother."
Duke Larry's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing as he watched her. Fire, sensing her master's unease, let out a low growl. Duke Larry raised a hand, silencing her.
"You think my wolf killed your brother?" he repeated, his voice low and even.
Zilayefa nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "The day we came looking for my mother at your castle, we were chased away, and my brother...my brother was killed."
Duke Larry's gaze lingered on hers, his thoughts wandering to the events of that fateful day. He knew that Fire had chased the intruders away, but he had no knowledge of anyone being killed.
"Fire, did you kill anyone that day?" he asked, his voice firm.
Fire let out a low whine, her tail tucked between her legs. Duke Larry's eyes narrowed as he watched her.
"I think there's been a misunderstanding," he said, his voice softening. "Fire, here, is a loyal companion. She would never harm anyone without my command."
Zilayefa's eyes widened, her face pale. "But...but I saw her," she stammered.
Duke Larry's expression turned gentle. "I think you've been through a lot, Zilayefa. Maybe you're misremembering things."
Zilayefa's gaze dropped, her shoulders slumping in defeat. Duke Larry's eyes lingered on hers, his thoughts filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Tell me, Zilayefa," he said, his voice low and soothing. "Why are you so desperate to follow me today?"
Zilayefa's head snapped up, her eyes locking onto his. "I'm looking for my mother, she is the only parent we have left, after our father's passing, we left Ama to Nero to look for my mother in your castle, but instead your wolf killed my brother Bernard and you caged us, making us your slaves" she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was told she might be at one of the mines, treating patients. I want to find her."
The Duke was not happy about her choice of words, but what she said where all true, He indeed enslaved them. But it was a good thing for him, now he can sleep comfortably at night because of her.
Duke Larry's expression softened, his eyes filled with a deep understanding. "I'll help you find your mother," he promised. "But you are not leaving this chambers until I return"
Zilayefa's gaze lingered on his, her heart filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty. She nodded finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Thank you, my lord."
Duke Larry's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "Fire you are to stay with her until I return ". He instructed his pet wolf and
With that, he turned and left the tent, leaving Zilayefa to her thoughts. Fire, still lying by the entrance, watched her with an intense gaze, her tail thumping softly on the ground.