The Battle Line

BRIELLE’S POV

Brielle reached for the large book at her nightstand, which she had been reading for a few days to keep herself occupied in this deserted mansion.

Smiling as she flipped over to where she had left off, Brielle plopped up on the bed, eager to get lost in the fictional romantic narrative.

She had just taken her bath and dressed in one of the garments Lord Darius had explicitly chosen for her, and she had planned to keep herself occupied until he returned from wherever he had gone earlier today.

She did this daily—Eat, bathe, sleep, and read books. The schedule was the same every time.

She was considerably feeling much better now, but Lord Darius still treated her as if she were some frail being, and he kept her at arm's length, refusing to have intercourse with her even when she had shyly requested it some days back.

Recalling that fateful day, a blush crept up her cheeks, but she wasn’t ashamed. If anything, she was glad she’d spoken up.

At least he’d know that she still