Chapter 69: Serious Talk
Emilia’s POV
Once I found myself brought to the airport, I soon found myself in an unfamiliar location, a vast basement that felt more similar to an underground mansion.
Lucian Red was the one responsible for my captivity, and I couldn’t be naïve about it. I was well aware of his infatuation with my daughter, noticing his frequent visits to the café where she would spend her time. I couldn’t help but connect his presence to her emotional turmoil when we departed Dinan and her detached state while we were in Greece.
As a concerned parent, I discreetly monitored the café’s CCTV, ensuring my daughter’s safety from afar. Yet, I chose not to reveal my knowledge of Lucian to her deliberately. I intended to let her come to me and share her feelings and impressions about him on her own accord.
Certainly, I didn’t underestimate Lucian’s reputation, power, and capabilities. Knowing the secret of my daughter’s true identity, I was fully aware of the potential danger he posed to her. Nevertheless, I was reluctant to be tyrannical and forbid her from experiencing love. I understood all too well the struggle of forbidden love and how arduous it is to resist. Thus, I allowed her the freedom to choose, despite the immense difficulty it brought on me.
Lucian claimed to possess extensive knowledge of various matters, including Cercei’s lineage and Remus’ misdeeds, which included the murder of his own mother. However, where I stood in the midst of his intricate revenge remained a mystery to me.
During one of his regular visits, I couldn’t help but comment, “This detention is worse than Remus’ mansion.” He diligently made it a routine to meet with me each day.
In response, Lucian calmly corrected, “This isn’t a cell; you’re in a highly advanced room equipped with everything you need.”
In an attempt to explore the possibility of leaving, I inquired, “Can I go out?”
Unsurprisingly, he swiftly refused, leaving no room for hope. But that didn’t deter me from my efforts to manipulate the situation. “My daughter must be utterly worried about me,” I tried to persuade him, observing a slight shift in his stoic and stern demeanour to a more conscious and uneasy one. He sighed, realising my tactic, and must have come to the conclusion that I was aware of his connection with my daughter.
Exasperated, he asked in a defeated tone, “What do you want?”
“And no electronics,” he added sternly.
“Fine,” I replied, pretending to ponder my desires.
“I want a full body massage and sushi,” I stated, raising an amused eyebrow at the young Alpha before me. He glanced at his men, who nodded in silent agreement and promptly left to fulfil my whims.
With a hint of sarcasm, he returned and remarked, “Your wish is my command.”
“Hurry up, I’m starving!” I called after him, receiving nothing but an ignoring silence in response, causing me to chuckle softly to myself.
It may sound utterly mad, considering that Lucian was the one who kidnapped me, but I must admit, there’s something about him that tells me he’s not entirely evil.
I never intended to spy on my daughter, but I couldn’t help but be aware of their secret meeting, how she would sneak out of the house every night, only for Lucian to await her across the road. Watching them from my window brought back memories of my own past with Henrì; we were once just as enamoured.
Lucian cares deeply for my daughter; that much is evident. I also know he suffered when she left him, not to mention the pain of losing his mother not long after. He’s consumed by a thirst for revenge, fueled by his seething wrath, and undoubtedly, he’s broken. Yet, he’s not beyond repair. I hold onto the hope that there’s still a chance for redemption in him. He wouldn’t have made an effort to cure me if he were as heartless as they say. In fact, I find myself grateful that he saved me from Russo’s clutches.
I shudder to think what might have occurred to me if Russo had successfully recaptured me and brought me back to Remus. The mere thought fills me with disgust, for I love no man other than my late husband. Moreover, I could never harbour as much hatred for anyone as I do for Remus. He stole everything from me, raping, abusing, and enslaving me. The only silver lining in that darkness is our daughter, Cercei. No matter the hardships I endured, my love for her knows no bounds.
As it stands, I find comfort in knowing that she is safe, having been rescued by the Malroux pack just in the nick of time. Though I turned my back on my pack, I know they will always embrace my daughter with open hearts.
Cercei, darling, fear not for my well-being. Your little fling here is just using me to scare Remus.
In an unexpected turn of events, my door room suddenly swung open, revealing a servant pushing a cart laden with a sumptuous sushi banquet. My jaw dropped as I recognized the person behind the cart.NôvelDrama.Org: owner of this content.
“Maria,” I exclaimed, utterly taken aback. A warm smile graced her face as she spotted me, and the guard closed the door behind her. I rushed to embrace her, unable to contain my surprise.
“Oh, child,” I murmured, my hand gently caressing her head.
“I missed you, Auntie Emilia,” she said, her eyes welling with tears.
“We missed you too, especially Cercei,” I replied, my voice tinged with emotion. It felt surreal to see her here, free from the prison of the mansion.
“How is she?” Maria inquired.
“She missed you dearly, feeling worried and lonely,” I confided, prompting a soft chuckle from the resilient girl before me. I’ve always held a deep affection for Maria; she’s Cercei’s closest friend from the mansion, and her strength and fierceness never cease to amaze me.
My heart swelled with relief and concern as I listened to Maria’s explanation. It seemed she and Madam Cecè had been taken and brought to this place, just like me. The revelation that Madam Cecè was also here left me gasping in shock.
Maria went on to unveil the reason behind Lucian’s quest for revenge, and it sent chills down my spine. Monsieur was responsible for the ambush that took Lucian’s mother’s life, and in his thirst for vengeance, Lucian had coerced Madam Cecè to disclose the information he sought. This was how he came to know about Cercei’s roots and the secrets that haunted our lives.
Madam Cecè’s knowledge about Remus ran deep, having worked in the mansion for a considerable time, even serving Remus’ parents. However, despite her long tenure, her loyalty never belonged to them. Like the rest of us, she endured mistreatment, disrespect, and abuse under their oppressive rule.
The question that lingered in my mind escaped my lips, “Did Lucian lock you two here?”
“No,” Maria responded. “After he obtained the answers he sought, he offered us the freedom to go wherever we pleased. Moreover, he pledged to shield us from Monsieur’s wrath.”
My curiosity still lingered, and I inquired, “Then why did you choose to stay here?”
Maria’s answer touched my heart. “I have nowhere else to go, and I wanted to be close to you and Cercei again. You understand the complexities of our difficult situations, don’t you, Auntie?” Her grin conveyed her understanding, and I nodded in agreement, a smile breaking through.
Without hesitation, I invited her to join me, saying, “Sit and eat with me, child.”
We settled down together and enjoyed the food.