Reborn, Its Time To Save My Family And.. My Enemy!
Chapter 216: Kill Her!

Chapter 216: Kill Her!

Oriana barely noticed when the next song began. Her hands were cold despite the warmth of the hall, and her eyes remained fixed on the far edge of the ballroom where Rhistel and Olivia had disappeared behind a sweeping crimson curtain.

"Quite the scene," a smooth voice drawled beside her.

She turned, startled. Evelyn’s brother stood there, now without a dance partner, holding a glass of dark wine between his fingers like it was a weapon.

"Lady Oriana," he said, bowing his head in a courteous gesture that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "A stunning bride-to-be, left alone at her own celebration. I must admit, I didn’t expect to see her on your future husband’s arm."

Oriana stiffened. "She is my sister. And Lord Rhistel is a gentleman. He was only helping her."

"Helping!?" he echoed with a light scoff, swirling the wine lazily. "If that’s what you’d like to call it. Strange, though! The way she leaned into him. The way he left you behind without a second glance. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say your sister has already stolen the groom."

Her throat tightened, but she didn’t respond.

He smiled thinly, watching her with interest. "If I had been in your place, Lady Oriana..." He leaned closer, voice low and deliberate, "I would’ve killed my sister the moment she threatened to outshine me. Betrayal, after all, starts with blind kindness."

Oriana’s breath caught.

He continued, voice like honey laced with venom. "But maybe that’s just how we do things in Cloindire. I’ve always believed that loyalty is earned in blood, not borrowed with smiles."

"You speak as if this is a war," Oriana said tightly, lifting her chin. "This is a wedding. My wedding."

"Ah," he said, his smile widening, "but the two are not so different, are they? After all, marriage is stemmed from love and every love strory is a war." He tapped the rim of his glass lightly. "Tell me, does it feel like you’re winning?"

She stared at him, her composure fraying under the weight of his gaze.

Then, just as quickly, he stepped back with a graceful bow. "Enjoy the evening, Lady Oriana. I’m sure your groom will remember you eventually."

With that, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving her standing there, cold and hollow.

Her fists slowly clenched at her sides.

The music had softened by the time Rhistel returned to the center of the ballroom, Olivia by his side. Her hand still rested lightly in the crook of his arm, though her steps were slower, someone watching closely would see the slight tension in her jaw, the faint tremble in her fingers.

Oriana approached them with a foolish smile on her face.

"Rhistel," she said warmly, stepping forward. "There you are. I was beginning to worry you’d been stolen away entirely."

Her voice was pleasant and smooth, without a hint of the anger churning beneath her skin.

Rhistel nodded to her, and his grip on Olivia’s arm loosened as he guided her gently forward.

"My apologies, Oriana," he said. "There was something urgent Olivia needed to tell me."

Oriana turned to her sister and smiled sweetly. "I hope everything is alright now."

Olivia returned the smile, careful and polite. "Yes. Thank you. I only wanted to know about Damien."

Oriana’s gaze flickered briefly between them! They did not even waste their breath in making a proper excuse.

"Oh! I wanted to meet him too. I hope he will return soon." Oriana nodded. Then she looked at Rhistel with a soft tilt of her head. "Since we are both here, my lord. Would you accompany me for introductions? There are still a few noble families I haven’t met properly."

Rhistel hesitated for the briefest second, then nodded. "Of course. That would be wise."

"Good." Oriana’s arm slipped smoothly through his. She turned to Olivia. "You should rest a little, sister. You still look a touch pale."

Olivia could feel that oriana was angry. And she would not blame her. She took a step back and gave an earnest smile. After the party, she would explain her as much as she could.

"I will," she replied softly. "Thank you."

Rhistel gave Olivia a brief glance before Oriana pulled him away with poised grace. her head high and her face adorned a flawless smile.

"A lord must be flawless. If you pay more attention on my sister, she would be in the cneter of gossips. I am more worried about her than myself, my lord. She is still unwed." As they wove through the gathering, she leaned into him just enough to make a statement,her voice cal with a hint of worry for her sister.

"Damien is like a brother to me. We have fought many battles together. And Olivia is his future wife. For me, she is like my sister." his voice left oriana in confusion. Was she thinking too much.

"That relives me from my worries!" She smiled. "Tell me about the vassal families then," she said. "Every single guest present here must hold an authority. Who should i trust and who should i be wary of, my lord?"

Rhistel arched a brow. "Are you not worried that they would mock you again?"

"I am! That is why i want to know them well," she said smoothly. "After all, I’ll be Lady of this estate soon. It would be improper not to recognize our allies and our threats."

He studied her carefully, noting the cool confidence in her eyes. "Very well. I’ll introduce you properly. But do not trust the words they utter. And come to me if you feel any threat, Oriana. I will always protect you." she was stunned for a second but then she smiled. He would protect her. He did not love Olivia but me. But just then he turned to search for Olivia and looked relieved when he found her sitting with kids, her steps faltered and she swallowed. every word she heard from Evelyn’s brother echoed in her head:

"If I had been in your place... I would’ve killed my sister."

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