CHAPTER 4
Aelys
When I open my eyes the next morning, my gaze falls on Mattheo's sleeping body. He's lying on his stomach, his head turned away from me. The sheets fall to his waist and I let my eyes wander over his back.
I guessed he was muscular when I first saw him and I was right. I feel my cheeks flush and I rush out of bed. I go to the bathroom and lock the door behind me.
I turn on the shower and undress. I let the warm water touch my skin and let out a contented sigh. My mind wanders to the Academy, we'll go tomorrow and I'm excited to see Nancy again. It's been ages since I've seen her and I really miss her.
I rinse the soap off and wrap a towel around my body. My eyes widen when I realize I didn't bring any clothes with me. I was so eager to escape Mattheo that I forgot.
“Good God,” I whisper.
I sigh deeply and unlock the door, then leave the bathroom to go into the closet. I hear the rustling of sheets coming from the bed and my heart rate increases. He's awake and about to get up.
Was he going to insult me today too? I hope he'll leave me alone for at least a while, but I'm not kidding myself.
I start looking through the drawers, looking for underwear and an outfit. I find a set of green underwear that I know will be comfortable, then I grab a pair of gray pants and a black tank top. It's not too revealing around the cleavage, so I decide it'll do.
I have no idea if Mattheo is planning to do anything with me or if he'll leave me alone today. Which means that I'll probably hang out with Arthur if he wants to, stay in the room or even go out into the garden to read a book. I haven't finished The Red Letter.
I turn to go back to the bathroom but let out a gasp of surprise when I almost walk into Mattheo. He was standing behind me, looking at me with an unreadable expression.
I feel myself blush. I'm only wearing a towel and his gaze makes me nervous. His words from last night are running through my head.
I'm really in deep shit.
Two long minutes pass before he goes to his side of the closet, rummaging through his clothes.
I exhale silently and run to the bathroom, locking the door before pressing my forehead against the wood.
I take a deep breath, trying to relax a little.
Then I start getting dressed. Once I'm done, I brush my hair and brush my teeth.
I don't wear makeup, because I don't want to.
I will probably be staying at the Manor after all, so it doesn't matter.
I'm starting to feel hungry because I haven't eaten since the day before.
I leave the bathroom, glance left, where my eyes fall on the silhouette of Mattheo sitting at his desk.
He seems to be writing a letter. I walk to the door and leave the room, heading for the kitchen.
No one is there, so I make myself some tea and grab a pastry made by the elves.
I close my eyes in satisfaction. It's delicious and I feel better after taking a few more bites.
I was really hungry.
Once I'm done, I put my mug in the sink and head back to our room.
It's a nice day outside, so I decide to grab my book and head out into the garden to finish it in the sunshine.
Mattheo is still at his desk, completely ignoring me, which suits me perfectly.
I grab the book and head back to the door, but I'm stopped by his deep voice.
“And where are you going so early in the morning?”
I freeze and swallow, my hand on the doorknob.
“To the garden. I want to read…”
He hums thoughtfully, and I quickly leave the room, not wanting to start another argument.
My feet lead me to a large tree at the back of the manor.
A small fountain on its left and flowers surround the area.
It's truly beautiful! I sit with my back against the tree and open my book, immersing myself in the story.
I hear footsteps approaching me and I look up to meet a boy who looks about my age, whom I've never seen before. He has curly brown hair similar to Mattheo's and blue eyes that sparkle in the sunlight. He's really attractive, and I feel myself blushing slightly. He has a small smile on his lips.
“I don't think I've seen you here before, darling.”
“Because this is my first time here. I arrived two days ago. My name is Aelys, Aelys Hewloc,” I smile shyly.
“Tom. Tom Rigast.”
My brow furrows. Rigast? Is he related to Mattheo? He laughs softly, visibly amused by my confusion.
“I am indeed related to Mattheo. He is my brother.”
My eyes widen and my mouth drops open in shock.
The Dark Mage has two sons?
And did he just read my fucking mind?
He bursts out laughing before sitting down next to me. I take a closer look at him, admiring his beauty. He doesn't have scars like Mattheo, but now that I know they're brothers, I can see their resemblance. Maybe fraternal twins?
“I didn't mean to be rude by reading your mind,” he apologizes. “So what are you doing at Leroi Manor, darling?” He asks with a smirk once he catches me staring at him intently while taking my book from my hands and inspecting it. He snickers once he reads the title before handing it back to me.
I frown, confused as to why no one seems to be aware of my reasons for being here. Especially him or Mattheo, since they are the Dark Mage's sons. I'm even more confused as to why Mattheo has to take his place after his death if he has a brother.
“Is Mattheo older than you?”
“Yes, one year” he confirms.
Well, that answers my question about the Dark Mage's successor.
“I didn't know the Master had children.”
He chuckles silently and leans back against the tree.
“Yeah, my father doesn't really brag about us. Especially me. Mattheo is his heir, I wasn't meant to be born.”
Sadness washes over me and I offer him a small smile. His blue eyes meet mine and he leans his head back against the tree.
“So, you're going to tell me what a beautiful girl like you is doing in a mansion full of disciples and the great Darkvis himself?”
I blush at his words and look away from him. He laughs, amused by my reaction.
“Our fathers arranged a marriage between your brother and me,” I said almost in a whisper.
I look up at him, seeing his eyes widen. He opens his mouth to say something but closes it without letting out a word. I laugh and shake my head.
“I'm sorry,” he finally says in a hoarse voice.
“Don't be. My father is loyal to yours, I'm being offered the chance to prove my own loyalty. That's a good thing.”
He frowns and tilts his head to the side. “Did he give you the Trace?”
“Not yet. I'll have it once I've completed whatever task he gives me.”
He nods before turning his head towards the Manor, looking into the distance. He seems lost in thought.
We sit there in comfortable silence for a few minutes. I can't help but admire him discreetly. He's quite handsome and he's really nice. Nicer than Mattheo! I wonder how he would treat me if he were the one I were to marry instead of his brother.
I am brought out of my thoughts by his voice.
“How did my brother take the news of your marriage?”
I swallow hard, looking down at my hands that are resting on my knees. “Not good. He doesn't oppose your father's orders, but he's not happy about them at all.”
“Did he hurt you? ” He asks, concern shining in his blue eyes.
I smile softly, touched by his concern, shaking my head.
“No. He said some cruel things, but he didn't hurt me.”
He breathes a sigh of relief, nodding his head. “Do you know why they want you to get married?”
“They want me to give them an heir,” I sigh. “Mattheo is your father's, but he needs one too.”
His hand takes mine and he intertwines our fingers, squeezing lightly. I feel myself blush again. I've never interacted with boys before coming here. Well, with anyone other than my dad and Nancy, actually.
“I'm sorry you have to marry my brother. Don't get me wrong, I care about him, but he's an asshole. I've never seen him treat women well,” he sighs.
“As long as he doesn't hurt me, I'll be fine. All I have to do is give him an heir and not disturb him,” I shrug.
He looks like he wants to say something, but he looks away. Our heads snap up at the sound of footsteps, and he immediately lets go of my hand once he sees it's Mattheo coming towards us.
My heart rate quickens with fear. I really hope he didn't see us holding hands. After his reaction last night to Arthur's kiss on my cheek, I don't know what he'd think if he knew I'd held his brother's hand. Probably the same thing he thought about the blond guy: that I'd been unfaithful to him.
His chocolate brown eyes flicker to Tom, then to me, before focusing on his brother. His arms are crossed over his chest, and I find myself staring at his muscles.
“I see you've met my future wife,” he groans, disdainfully.
My gaze shifts to Tom, who is staring at his brother. His face is cold and his eyes dark. I'm surprised by his reaction, he just told me he cares about Mattheo and yet he looks as if he's about to rip his head off.
My eyes flick to Mattheo and I see his eyes darken as well when he clenches his jaw. Are they having a conversation in their heads? I swallow, feeling like an intruder. Yet, I'm too scared to move.
“Aelys. Go back to our room.”
I glance at Tom but he's still staring at his brother.
“Right fucking now.”
My head turns towards Mattheo and I nod quickly, standing up with my book in hand. I lower my head, not daring to say anything, and I rush away from them. I haven't said goodbye to Tom, but I know I'll see him again since he probably lives here too.
I go to our room and sit on the couch in front of the bookshelf. I take a deep breath, feeling better now that I'm no longer around the boys and the tension they radiated. My fingers run nervously through my hair and I tuck a strand behind my ear.
My mind is racing because I don't know what to expect once Mattheo returns. Will he yell at me for talking to Tom? My stomach twists at the thought of him hurting me for this. Would he raise his hand to me?
I take a few minutes to breathe, calming my nerves before opening my book again. I need a distraction before the storm erupts.