Chapter 51: New side
The Crimson General stood motionless at the center of the paved road that led to the castle, his imposing figure casting a long shadow beneath the blazing sun. His presence alone was enough to command absolute silence, and because their master was waiting, the entire castle waited alongside him. Not a single servant, guard, or sentinel dared utter a word. The heat was oppressive, the sun merciless, yet none dared complain. They stood in rigid attention, knowing full well that any sign of discomfort would be met with icy disapproval.
The tension was thick, as if the entire estate held its breath, waiting for something inevitable. The air shimmered with heat, and sweat trickled down the backs of the maids and guards alike, but no one moved to wipe it away. All eyes were on Thorne, the Crimson General, their master—a man of iron will and ruthless efficiency. He hadn’t spoken a word since taking his place in the center of the road, and in the silence, his unreadable gaze remained fixed on the distant castle gates.
Suddenly, the heavy creak of the gates opening reverberated through the air. Every head snapped toward the sound, and a single carriage, modest yet elegant, rolled through the entrance. The horses’ hooves clacked against the stone road, the only sound breaking the stillness of the moment.
The sentinels shifted slightly but remained on high alert, their gazes locked on the approaching carriage. It moved slowly, deliberately, as though the driver understood the significance of this moment. Inside that carriage was the person who had stirred the castle into a frenzy—Thorne’s husband, the one who had been absent for far too long.
The carriage came to a halt before the general, and for a brief second, there was nothing but silence. The entire castle seemed to pause as if frozen in time. Thorne’s expression remained as cold and impassive as ever, but those closest to him could sense the tension radiating from his form, a tension unlike anything they had seen before. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there—a deep, simmering anticipation.
The carriage door opened with a soft click, and everyone held their breath.
.The carriage door swung open, revealing him. The figure that stepped out was arresting, almost ethereal in his beauty. Dressed in flowing white silk that seemed to catch the light with every movement, the fabric draped perfectly over his form. His blouse was elegant yet simple, tucked neatly into high-waisted black trousers that accentuated his grace. The wide sleeves billowed softly in the breeze, giving him an almost regal aura. Around his slender neck was a choker—a subtle yet commanding touch that drew attention to the long column of his throat.
His hair—an endless cascade of rich, shimmering locks—flowed down his back, far longer than most of the castle’s inhabitants had ever seen. The way it gleamed in the sun gave him an otherworldly appearance, as if he had stepped out of a dream. His beauty was undeniable, striking in a way that made the sentinels shift uncomfortably. None of them, not even the hardened warriors, had expected Thorne’s husband to possess such a presence.
But it wasn’t just his appearance that caught everyone off guard. It was the aura around him—calm yet commanding, gentle yet unshakably strong. He was serene, but there was a gravity to his movements that suggested he was not someone to be taken lightly. The entire courtyard seemed to hold its breath, as if nature itself had paused to acknowledge him.