The Duke’s Imposter Sister

While he had eaten all the dishes in front of him, Gris plate remained full; she had only managed to slice up the steak in front of her in pieces.

Her hands were so shaky anyways that there was no way she could eat more even if she had the time to enjoy her meal. As Gris stood up and was led out the curtains by the butler, she heard a sigh.

Vianut put down his napkin on the table and continued. Ive found a horseman. Gris felt her heartbeat quicken again.

He claims to know you.

A horseman? What horseman?

I dont understand what youre

Then she remembered.

She turned around to face him, and she felt herself struggling to breath. Suddenly her sight turned pitch-black. Was he talking about the horseman that brought her and Stephan from the brothel to the mansion?

When her sight cleared, she saw Vianut, wiping his mouth like a gentleman. There was no chance to ask him more questions.

The curtain closed in front of her, she lost her chance.

That was the end of their meal.

***

When she left his room, she was frantic. Her neck burned like she was already placed on a guillotine, and her heart pounded so hard it started to ache.

Of course, it was normal for Vianut to look for the horseman. It was obviously odd for his dead sister to come back alive, so he wouldve wanted to find the horseman that delivered Yuliana and find the truth about where she came from.

But Stephan said he put the horseman on a boat and sent him far, far away. So how did he find him? Had he already heard everything from the horseman before he was sent away?

Gris paced fearfully in her room lost in thought, and she began to feel more frantic when she heard a knock on her door. Soon enough, Bellin entered, and greeted her. Gris let out a sigh.

Ah, youre back, maam. How was the meal?

Lately, Bellin wore a comfortable smile on her face when she talked to her. Gris wondered if Bellin could read how frightened she was right now, she supposes she was as pale as a dead man. Bellin seemed to have noticed that she was troubled and turned to ask her.

Is everything alright?

Unable to explain to her the reasons why she must have looked so troubled, Gris decided to keep quiet. She felt suffocated. This was it, she could feel her end nearing and there was nothing else she could do, what was there left to do but to wait for her death? Gris panicked, she caught hold of the hem of her dress and stood up. She wanted to run away. It didnt matter where, as long as she got out of the mansion now.

Studying her face, Bellin carefully asked her.

Uh the Marquis is looking for you. He said it was an urgent matter and he needs you right after the meal

He mustve come after he heard Yuliana and Vianut were eating together. He would be asking her what they talked about.

Gris didnt want to discuss this with Stephan. She thought it would be a better use of time to find a way to escape the mansion. Afterall, he was another person that would kill her if he found out he could no longer use her.

Besides, Stephan must already know that Yuliana had now left Vianuts room. If Gris didnt come to him, she is certain he will come to her.

Lost in deep thought, she opened the door to the corridor.

Where is the Marquis? Gris asked Bellin and she rushed into the hallway to lead her.

I will take you to his office. Bellin told Gris and Gris nodded. Noticing Gris trembling behind her, Bellin realized that this was serious matter and hurried her steps.

In a blink, they left the walls of the mansion and headed towards the annex on the west side. Gris supposes that they must be heading towards the knights office in the building too since they passed a couple of men in armor.

In the far end of a corridor she could see the sun shining brightly.

They arrived in front of a door and Bellin knocked on it. To the voice asking who it was, Bellin replied, Sir Marquis, Madam Yuliana is here.

There was an answer straight away from the other side of the door. Come in.

Once they were inside, Gris dismissed Bellin and thanked her for opening the door for her. Gris went deeper into the room and saw Stephan was sitting on a sofa, and was writing a letter with a fountain pen. He looked up at Gris and removed his monocle.

I heard you had breakfast with Vianut, he said with his face slightly flushed with agitation. He then leaned his back to the sofa.

Im a little curious whether you cant avoid Vianut or youre choosing not to, he said in a low, calm voice.

Stephan reached out for his cigar and inhaled smoke from it and exhaled deeply. Gris could only stare at his face which became hazy behind the white smoke from burning tobacco leaves, his image was devilish, and only made Gris more anxious than she was before.

I believe that you might attempt to lure him and turn your back against me. Surely, it will be a waste of your talent youve gained as a wh*re.

Stephan told her and paused for a moment before continuing.

What Im trying to say is Sir Byrenhag is not a man that can be moved by pleasure. Why, Im not even sure he can have s*x.

Gris slowly breathed through the disgusting smell of the smoke and ruminated her options. While she was placed in a position where she could get killed at any moment, he was expressing his mistrust to her. He wasnt a man she could trust in the first place. Not to mention that each time they met he appeared more and more intoxicated and she couldnt hide her shock from his ill-mannered ways.

Did she have to bother informing Stephan about Vianut finding the horseman? Wasnt it better to leave him blinded and let him die in the hands of Vianut while she ran away from the mansion?

He deserved to die.

She wanted to ignore all sensibilities and follow her heart. But if she failed to leave without getting caught, she was as good as dead.

Moreover, despite Vianut being as authoritative as he can be, it wouldnt be easy for him to kill his uncle. He wont be able to do that while Stephans mother, also Vianuts grandmother, was still alive.

With Gris already in dire danger, she at least had to do something. Step by step, she decided to escape from the throes of death she had to carefully plan for a way to escape the mansion. Gritting her teeth Gris faced Stephan.

Duke Vianut found the horseman.