The Veil of Darkness
Chapter 53: Only One Bedroom

Chapter 53: Only One Bedroom

"Mother, you don’t have to worry about me," Annalise spoke to her mother as she took the latter’s hands in her own and continued, "The Lords are nothing like the rumors that we have heard about them. They all are actually kind and warm-hearted. They respect me and most importantly, they treat me like the lady of the house."

Madam glanced at Aunt Claire and Sera to confirm and found both the women nodding their heads in confirmation. "Is that so? If that’s the case, then I’m relieved. I have been worrying about your married life ever since you left, to know that your husbands are treating you properly, I’m really satisfied. I just want you to be happy."

Annalise smiled warmly at her mother before she threw herself into the familiar embrace that had been her real home for the past two decades - her mother’s arms.

"I wonder what they are talking about with father, it’s been over an hour since they all entered the study." Annalise wondered out loud as she pulled away from her mother’s embrace and turned her head to look in the direction of her father’s study.

"Why? Are you worried that your father will bully your husbands?" Her mother teased her and caused Annalise’s cheek to turn warm as she tried her best to pretend otherwise. "There’s nothing like that. Why would I worry for them?"

"Alright, alright. If you say so." Madam saw her daughter’s embarrassed face and decided to not tease her anymore but even then she couldn’t help herself from adding, "But dear, let me warn you, your husbands are too handsome. You will need to keep them hidden from the prying eyes."

"Mother..." Annalise only felt her cheeks heating more because of her mother’s constant teasing.

"Fine, I won’t talk anymore. I should go and take a look at the kitchen. It’s almost lunchtime." Madam said as she stood up to leave the pavilion where they were sitting and chatting.

"Mother, let me accompany you." Annalise hurriedly stood up to follow her mother to the kitchen.

"There’s no need for that. You should rest or you can take a look around the mansion as it has been a while." Her mother was quick to decline as she added some other suggestions.

Annalise watched as her mother left the pavilion and she was left behind with Sera, Aunt Claire, and other servants who were attending to her.

"My Lady, what are you going to do now?" Sera asked as she poured more tea into Annalise’s cup.

Annalise once again spared a glance in the direction of her father’s study as she sipped the tea. "Let’s go and take a look around the mansion. I don’t know when I’ll be able to return here after this."

"Yes, My Lady."

Sera, Aunt Claire, and the others followed Annalise as they all headed inside the mansion. The first place that she wanted to visit was none other than her bedroom.

Annalise opened the door of her bedroom and entered the familiar place. The room was fully furnished with a few new changes in it, something that had never been done before without asking for her permission first.

"What’s going on?" She asked the servants of the mansion who had followed her and were waiting outside the bedroom.

"My Lady, we made the changes so it will be more appropriate for the Lords to stay here. Everything will be changed back to its previous state after this."

"The Lords? They will stay here?" Annalise stared at the maids in confusion, a look of pure shock filling her expression as she waited for someone to answer.

"As your husbands, this is the most appropriate place for them to rest. But if My Lady wants, we can arrange other rooms for the Lords." Came the humble reply.

Annalise opened her mouth to tell them to do exactly that and prepare separate rooms for the Dark Lords but then she changed her mind and decided against it. Undoubtedly, it was her mother’s idea of arranging her bedroom for the Lords. If she now refused to follow along, it would definitely make her mother question her relationship with the Lords.

"Forget it." She finally muttered as she hurriedly took another look around the room before stepping out of the room.

- - -

The Grand Duke and the Dark Lords finally stepped out of the study when it was time for lunch.

The first family meal was filled with casual talk as Annalise mostly stayed silent and listened to her parents chatting with her husbands. The only other person who was also quiet most of the time was Damian and she constantly felt his gaze on her throughout the lunch.

"Mother, father..." It was Damian who spoke as he stood up from his seat once they all were done with their meals. "If you all don’t mind, I will like to take a small break. I’m feeling a little bit under the weather."

"What’s wrong? Should we call a Royal physician to take a look at you?" Madam was the first one to react and being the mother she was, her first thought was to make sure that her son-in-law was okay.

"Thank you for worrying about my health, mother. But I’m alright. I just want to rest a little bit." Damian hurriedly responded and somehow managed to convince his mother-in-law.

"Alright, you can go and take a rest. Annalise will take you to the room." Madam spoke as she signaled Annalise to take Damian to her bedroom.

Annalise almost opened her mouth to protest but caught herself at the very last moment. Putting on a smile on her lips, she nodded her head in acceptance of the task and headed in the direction of her bedroom as she led Damian.

The two of them were silent on their way to the bedroom, not a single word or glance was exchanged between them. But everything changed the very moment Annalise stepped inside the bedroom.