Luzella walked up to him, her voice filled with doubt and uncertainty, firing off questions "It's you? What brings you here? How did you know I live in this orphanage? How do you know my name? Why do you want to meet me?"
Alaric's gaze swept the room, his piercing eyes lingering on the curious onlookers, who seemed to shrink under his intense scrutiny. His voice, low and commanding, cut through the air as he turned back to Luzella. "Little girl, do you want me to talk here," he gestured to their surroundings, his movements precise, "or would you rather come with me outside to talk?" His words were laced with an air of authority, his tone firm but controlled, making it clear that he wasn't asking for suggestions, but rather expecting compliance. The intensity of his gaze seemed to bore into Luzella, as if daring her to make a decision.
Luzella nodded, seeming to comply with his authoritative tone, and turned to walk with him towards the exit. Alaric fell into step beside her, his long strides matched by her shorter, quicker ones as they walked out of the orphanage into the outside world, the silence between them thick with unspoken questions and expectations.
Alaric's voice was curt as he gestured towards his car, "Get inside." Luzella's feet seemed to root themselves to the spot as she hesitated, looking up at him with a confused expression. "W-Why?" she asked, her voice soft and uncertain. "Can't we talk here?" she added, her tone hinting at a growing unease.
Alaric closed the distance between them, his tall frame looming over Luzella as he stood before her. His voice was low and firm as he replied, "No, little girl." The words seemed to hang in the air, leaving Luzella with no room for argument, his proximity sending a flutter through her chest.
Luzella took a step back, her eyes locked on Alaric's, and said firmly, "No, you can talk to me here." Her voice was steady, but her posture conveyed a sense of determination.
Alaric's gaze intensified as he narrowed his eyes, his voice taking on a stern tone as he said, "I like disciplined kids, little girl." The words hung in the air, implying that Luzella's defiance wasn't going unnoticed.
With a soft sigh of fear, Luzella finally relented, stepping into the luxurious Rolls-Royce Phantom. She slid across the plush leather seats, settling into the spacious rear compartment. Alaric followed her gaze, his eyes never leaving hers as he sat beside her. The driver, discreetly shielded by a partition, awaited their instructions, poised to navigate the vehicle through the city streets.
The Phantom's interior enveloped them in luxury, with polished wood trim, fine leather and subtle ambient lighting that cast a warm glow. The tinted windows filtered the outside light, creating an intimate atmosphere within the car. As the vehicle smoothly pulled away from the orphanage gates, Luzella felt a sense of isolation, the world outside receding as she focused on the quiet intensity of Alaric's presence beside her.
"Where are you taking me?" Luzella asked him. Alaric looked at her and nonchalantly said, "To my home."
Luzella's eyes widened in surprise, and she turned to face Alaric more directly, her voice taking on a note of alarm. "Your home?" she repeated, as if the words themselves were somehow unsettling.
Alaric's nonchalant demeanor only seemed to heighten her unease, and she waited expectantly for him to elaborate, but he offered nothing more, his gaze returning to hers with an unreadable expression. So, Luzella asked him "Why?" her voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
Alaric's expression remained calm, his gaze never wavering from hers as he replied, "I think it's time to talk about your future, little girl. My home will be a safe place for us to discuss certain... arrangements." His tone was casual, but Luzella detected a hint of underlying purpose, leaving her wondering what exactly he had planned.
Luzella's eyes widened in alarm as she tumbled out her words in a rush "Ar... Arrangements? Wh... What do you mean by arrangements?" Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her growing unease.
Alaric's gaze settled on her, his voice low and menacing as he replied, "Why rush, little girl? Let's wait until we reach my home." The shadows around him seemed to deepen, his eyes glinting with an unnerving intensity.
Luzella's fidgeting fingers betrayed her unease as she glanced at Alaric's profile, the fading light casting shadows that made him appear even more formidable. Her mind racing, the silence between them grew thick with tension.
Alaric's eyes, piercing and observant, didn't miss Luzella's anxious gestures, and a faint smirk played on his lips. The smirk was a subtle acknowledgment of her unease, a hint that he was aware of her growing fear and thought to himself 'Fear's finally showing in her eyes.'
The car wound its way up a private driveway, Alaric's sprawling mansion emerging from the darkness. The hour-long drive had been silent, Luzella's anxiety growing as Alaric's gaze occasionally flicked her way.
Alaric's home is a grand, castle-like mansion with a white facade and a gray roof, exuding an air of luxury and mystery. The building's architecture is reminiscent of a European castle, with multiple turrets and towers that add to its imposing presence. The structure is surrounded by a lush, well-manicured lawn and dense trees, creating a sense of seclusion and isolation. A winding path leads to the mansion, suggesting a sense of grandeur and importance. The serene lake in the background adds to the tranquil atmosphere, while the misty sky above creates an air of mystique and intrigue, like Alaric who seems to be shrouded in mystery.
Luzella's eyes widened as she gazed up at the sprawling mansion, its grandeur and majesty leaving her breathless. The imposing structure seemed to loom over her, its turrets and towers reaching toward the sky. For a moment, her anxiety was replaced by wonder, and she felt tiny and insignificant in the face of such magnificence.
As she followed Alaric into the mansion, Luzella's eyes sparkled with wonder, drinking in the grandeur of the high ceilings, marble floors, and crystal chandeliers. Her heels clicked softly on the polished stone as she trailed behind him, her gaze darting from one stunning detail to the next. Despite her growing unease, she couldn't help but be captivated by the mansion's breathtaking beauty.
Her wonder was quickly replaced by apprehension, Luzella's voice was laced with a mix of fear and defiance as she asked, "Why did you bring me here? What do you want to discuss with me?" The grandeur of the mansion seemed to close in around her, making her feel trapped and vulnerable.
Alaric settled into the plush couch, his movements deliberate. He gestured to the couch beside him, his eyes never leaving Luzella's face as he said, "Sit." The single word was a command, laced with an air of expectation.
Luzella's eyes flashed with resentment as she sat down on the couch opposite Alaric, her posture stiff and her gaze defiant. The soft cushions enveloped her, but her tension remained palpable, her anger and frustration simmering just below the surface.
Alaric's voice was casual, almost conversational, but the words themselves sent a jolt through Luzella. "From today onwards, you're living here," he said, his eyes locked on hers with an unnerving intensity. "In this mansion, with me." The words hung in the air, heavy with implication, and Luzella felt a shiver run down her spine.
Luzella's face reddened with rage as she realised and she sprang to her feet, her voice rising in protest. "What nonsense are you talking about? Why should I live here?" she demanded, her anger and confusion boiling over. Her eyes blazed with fury as she glared at Alaric. "Who are you, actually? And why should I have to listen to you?" she asked, her words laced with desperation and indignation.
Alaric raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with amusement as he echoed her question, "Who am I?" He thought for a moment, a small, mocking smile playing on his lips, before replying, "Maybe someone the world needs." His voice was laced with sarcasm, as if the answer was obvious, and he seemed to be enjoying the absurdity of having to explain himself.
Alaric's voice was firm and unyielding as he issued his command. "You're living here. Reasons are unnecessary. I told you you're staying, and that's it. No more discussions." His eyes seemed to bore into hers, daring her to defy him.
"If you don't want anyone to worry about you, inform your orphanage." he continued, his tone cold and detached. "And this is your last opportunity. Or else, even if they search the entire world, you'll never be seen again." The words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the gravity of her situation and the power dynamics at play.
Luzella's eyes widened, a mix of fear and defiance flashing across her face as she struggled to process the weight of Alaric's words. The air was thick with tension, and the silence that followed was oppressive, cut through only by the sound of her own ragged breathing.
"But, Why?" Luzella asked, her voice laced with desperation as tears welled up in her eyes.
Alaric's eyes, which had been locked onto hers until now, shifted away and his fingers clenched into a tight fist, as he replied in a low, mysterious tone, "You'll know soon."
Without giving Luzella a chance to respond, Alaric summoned his butler with a curt tone, "Halley Bert."
The abruptness of his action made leaving Luzella feeling dismissed and frustrated.
Alaric's voice was firm as he instructed his butler, "Halley, she will be living here from now on. Prepare her room on the third floor."
Alaric's instruction to Halley Bert was direct and authoritative, leaving no room for debate. His words were clear. Luzella would be residing in the manor, and Halley Bert was to prepare a room for her on the third floor. The tone was commanding, expecting immediate compliance.
"Yes, Mr.Lumin" Halley Bert replied, his voice neutral, though a flicker of surprise danced in his eyes before he masked it with a bow. "Shall I have the blue suite prepared on the third floor?"
Alaric nodded in agreement, and Butler Halley bowed slightly in response.
Alaric didn't look at Luzella as he instructed, his voice firm and commanding. "You're going to live here from now on. Call your orphanage and inform them. Don't dare play any tricks that will ruin your life," he paused and added "And theirs. It's better if you listen to me." His words hung in the air, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
He then turned to Halley, his gaze steady and expectant. "Take her phone after she's informed them." he said, his eyes locking onto Butler Halley's with an unspoken intensity as he added deliberately, "She's in your care." The sentence was laced with a meaning that only they could understand.