Chapter 4: The Arrival
Lirian's belongings arrived at the Sylcrest estate.
A small number of servants looked silent and nervous, carrying trunks into the grand hall.
Among the items was a large, golden cage housing Pedro.
Pedro squawked, flapping his wings. "Freedom! Freedom!"
Lirian stood at the top of the staircase, watching everything.
Gabriel appeared beside her with an apple in his mouth.
"Your bird seems... spirited," he remarked dryly.
"He's a symbol of what I long for," Lirian replied, crossing her arms.
Gabriel smirked. "We'll see how long that spirit lasts here."
As the servants arranged her belongings, Lirian noticed their glances and hurried steps.
It was as if they feared the very walls had ears.
One servant, a young girl with wide eyes, approached cautiously. "My lady, where would you like Pedro's cage?"
"By the window, please," Lirian instructed, offering a rare smile. "He likes the view."
The girl nodded, rushing off to fulfill the request.
Gabriel followed the servants. "They act like they're walking on glass."
"Perhaps they are," Lirian replied sharply. "Fear can do that."
"Fear or respect?" Gabriel mused.
"Is there a difference here?" she challenged.
"Not really."
"Escape! Escape!" Pedro shouted.
Gabriel shook his head. "That bird is going to drive me mad."
"Good," Lirian scoffed. "Now you know how I feel."
As the last of her things were settled, an awkward silence surrounded the room.
Lirian broke it first, turning to Gabriel.
"Why such strict rules? What are you afraid of?"
"Afraid?" Gabriel's eyes narrowed. "I'm afraid of nothing, least of all you."
"Then why act like a tyrant?" she pressed.
"Control is necessary," he replied simply. "Especially with a wife like you."
"A wife like me?" Lirian folded her arms. "What exactly does that mean?"
"Defiant. Unpredictable," Gabriel listed. "And, unfortunately, intriguing."
Lirian blinked, caught off guard. "Intriguing? I didn't expect that."
"Neither did I," he admitted. "But here we are."
The tension between them cracked like a nut in pieces.
Suddenly, Pedro interrupted, mimicking Gabriel's earlier words. "My wife, my property!"
"Seems Pedro has taken a liking to your speeches."
Gabriel's lips twitched. "A clever bird."
"Smarter than most," Lirian agreed.
Their silent exchange was broken by the return of the young servant. "My lady, is there anything else you require?"
"That will be all, thank you," Lirian said kindly.
The servant curtsied, retreating quickly.
Gabriel watched her go. "They're afraid of you too, you know."
"Good," Lirian replied, repeating her earlier words. "Now you know how I feel."
"Touching, but I don't care."
As the evening deepened, the estate settled into an uneasy calm.
Lirian and Gabriel stood side by side, watching the servants work.
"Do you really want a divorce?" Gabriel asked suddenly.
Lirian hesitated. "What I want is freedom, but I doubt you'll grant that."
"I might surprise you," he said thoughtfully.
"Surprise me, then," she challenged.
Gabriel paused, considering her words. "Perhaps I will."
Pedro squawked once more, as if sensing the change. "Hope! Hope!"
Lirian turned to Gabriel. "He might be onto something."
"Maybe he is."
The new morning light came through the windows as Lirian made her way to the grand hall. Pedro fluttered behind her, muttering, "Trouble! Trouble!"
Gabriel stood by the fireplace, tensed.
Last night, she stayed up late, trying to memorize anything about her marriage.
Gabriel was unpredictable. He would often torture her emotionally for no reason, and her petty character was no different.
In this world, magic existed, but Lirian was known not to have any mana to produce it, and that's why she was kicked out of the academy for failing.
There were four magic types: Wind, Fire, Earth, and Water.
Gabriel was known to master them all, but he often was seen suppressing himself.
The crown prince, Raphael Lindgron, was the second to be known who managed to wield all four.
He was the male lead of the story and later married the heroine, Daria, who was a commoner and had healing magic.
Daria was portrayed as an angel who kept getting bullied by Lirian, the complete opposite personality.
Besides having the rare beauty, Lirian wasn't lucky with the men.
They would often reject her, thanks to the reputation her father had shared about her.
Sharing wouldn't even be the word.
Lucius was inviting people to watch him torment his own daughter.
So, Lirian was jealous of Daria.
Her own husband was in a love triangle for her heart, and when greed took him completely, he lost his life.
"Eh! Not me! I will get my divorce and find a husband who will love me here."
Gabriel turned as she entered.
"You're up early," Lirian commented, trying to gauge his mood.
"Couldn't sleep," he replied lazily. "Too much on my mind."
She arched an eyebrow. "Anything you care to share?"
Gabriel hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "There are... dangers you might not be aware of."
"Dangers? What are the dangers?"
He glanced away, his jaw tightened. "Just know that this arrangement is for your own good."
Lirian crossed her arms. "You keep saying that, but you don't bother to explain."
"Some things are better left unsaid," Gabriel replied with an evasive tone.
"I deserve to know if it concerns me."
"Trust me... not all threats are as they seem."
Pedro squawked loudly, interrupting. "Secrets! Secrets!"
Lirian gave the bird a glance. "Even he knows you're hiding something."
"I'm doing what I can to ensure your safety."
"My safety? From what?"
Instead of answering, Gabriel turned away, staring into the fire. "Just stay close, and don't trust everyone you meet."
"Including you?"
Gabriel turned around. "Why are you so different? Just a couple of days earlier you seemed more aggressive and arrogant, but now you're just strange."
"How would you feel if you were forced to marry someone you didn't want?"
"Be happy that I saved you from your father. Your brothers told me all about him, but all I hear is whining and not a single 'Thank you, Duke Gabriel, for saving me.'"
"Gaslighting!" Pedro shouted.
And a small fire burned Gabriel's hand.
"How did this bird kno—" he shook his head. "Never mind. We're attending a ball tomorrow. Don't embarrass me or you will sleep with the pigs."