Chapter 273: His Confession
Lara descended the grand staircase moments later, her steps light but measured. She had changed into a flowing lavender summer dress trimmed with silver thread, her hair pinned with soft curls cascading down one shoulder. The morning light streaming through the tall arched windows caught the shimmer of the fabric and made her look almost ethereal.
Alaric looked up and fell momentarily silent. She had always been beautiful, but today, there was a quiet power to her presence, as if the burdens of the night before had crystallized into grace.
"I’m ready," she said softly, smoothing the skirt of her dress.
Alaric offered his arm. "Shall we?"
Lara looked around and found Gideon descending the stairs. Then she hooked her hand on the crook of Alaric’s arm, ignoring Mira’s thin-lipped stare from the hallway. As they passed the gathered family, her brothers offered a chorus of teasing farewells, but none dared follow them out.
Gideon gave her a subtle nod, then, followed the two out of the manor.
Outside, the morning had fully bloomed. The scent of blooming lilacs, jasmine, and roses hung in the air, mingling with the sharper tang of iron and leather from the waiting carriage. Birds in V formation flitted across the sky, their wings flashing white against the blue.
As they climbed into the carriage, Alaric turned toward her, his voice low. "You seemed troubled earlier. Is something wrong?"
Lara hesitated, her fingers curling around the edge of her seat. "Something strange happened last night," she said. "That servant... the one who led me to the garden. I never caught her name. I don’t understand why she said my brother was in danger but was not." Lara paused and turned to her left to look at Alaric. "I felt that I was intentionally led into that garden."
Alaric’s expression darkened. "You think she meant to lead you there deliberately?"
She nodded.