Chaol was conscientiously staring at the glass of red wine on his fingers. He was sitting near the fireplace, all alone in silence. The only thing he could hear was the burning crisp of the wood as the embers gently surround the air. He unbuttons the neck portion of his white buttoned shirt and leaned against the soft cushion behind him. 2 AM was Chaol's new favorite hour. The silence became his solace after everyone in his household falls into a deep slumber. The quiet and serene sound of the flames and the chirping of crickets was soothing in his ears. It was only at this hour when he is able to think straight. No loud Yvonne. No lectures from Lana. No pressure from Owl, and most of all— no seducing for Asty. He brings the glass towards his lips and takes a light sip. He gazed onto it, while swirling the liquid inside as he circulates the glass in the air with his fingers. He observ

Chaol let's out an exhilarating laugh, while slamming his palms on the table.  "HAHAHAHAHA! That's preposterous, Lana!" The maid raised a brow at him and crossed her arms sassily. "You don't agree with me?" "Of course I wouldn't. That's the best joke I've heard from you in years. Keep up the good job."  Chaol slowly lifted himself to stand. He gently pats the woman's shoulders and cunningly smiled. "I'll be going to bed now. Remember your duties. Don't let him slip." Lana nodded. "Of course, My Lord. I will check on him immediately." "Very well, give me your updates when I wake up." 

Asty was stealing glances at the count who was casually making a cup of coffee with nothing on his body but a light, blue robe. She would shut her eyes tightly whenever the count would swivel his body to move. She didn't want to him to catch her staring at his unclothed body. She averted her eyes because the count's body was glorious. Her eyes couldn't stop fawning over how he looked extremely attractive with his coal-black hair— wet but parted to the sides. It also seemed that the count had visited a parlor and got an undercut, which perfectly suited him. She wanted to ask him about something, but her mind would always get the wrong idea and twist the words that she had already scripted in her mind. Chaol finally finishes making his coffee and casually sat on the kitchen counters, staring at her. Asty felt those blue piercing look strike her again. She honestly did not know what is wrong with the count, as he al

Asthenosthene remained awake the whole night.  With her knees compressed to her chest, her mind wrestled upon Chaol's final words before they left the living room. 'They caught him and scorched him.' Her stomach churned as she kept her palms to her stomach from disgorging what she had eaten for dinner. She could feel her fingers trembling in fear, and no matter how she tried to calm herself- she just couldn't.  The thought was unfathomable.  That gardener. Who was he? There was a knock on Asty's door. She gasped in surprise  "I'm c

"Here is your cup of hot chocolate."  Lana places the cup on the table to which Asty was facing. She smiled at her and chuckled. "Thank you very much, Lana!" "Of course." she took a seat beside her and then looked through the window. "It's going to be chilly tonight." "Mhmm."  It was finally the start of winter. From the inside, they could see the snow falling gently onto the soft ground, creating a massive coat of ice. The trees were covered in snow, and not even a single leaf hanging from its branches. The windows were starting to freeze, creating an intricate shape of frosted snowflakes on the clear panes.  They breathed in. They could feel the coldness of the air inside the