Chapter 10
Elara's POV
I didn't realize how much I missed this.
The feeling of dirt between my fingers, the smell of soil, the quiet peace of doing something simple without anyone watching me, judging me, or controlling every move I made.
I was kneeling in the garden, my hands covered in mud as I carefully pressed soil around a small plant. A soft smile stayed on my lips without me even noticing. For the first time since I came here… I felt calm.
"Grow properly, okay?" I murmured softly, brushing a leaf with my fingers.
People would consider it stupid, talking with the plants like they are my friends but I don't care what anyone thinks. They will never hurt me back with hateful words.
A small laugh escaped me as I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand—only making it worse by smearing dirt across my skin.
I must look like a mess but, I won't mind it at least I am happy.
Time passed without me noticing, and only when my knees started to hurt slightly did I finally stand up, stretching a little before heading back inside.
The moment I stepped into the mansion..
I froze.
There is mud on the floor. My footprints like a trail
"Oh shit…" I whispered under my breath, my eyes widening slightly.
The clean, polished marble floor of the hall was now stained because of me. Dark patches of dirt stood out like a crime I couldn't hide. Panic hit instantly
Without wasting another second, I rushed upstairs, quickly changing out of my dirty clothes before grabbing a cloth and coming back down.
"I need to clean this before anyone sees…"
I knelt down and started scrubbing the floor, my movements fast and slightly frantic. The stain wasn't going away easily, and the more I tried, the more I realized how bad it actually looked.
"Mrs. Devereux… please—no…"
The old maid's voice made me pause.
I turned slightly to see her standing there, looking completely tensed.
"It's okay," I said quickly. "I made the mess, I'll clean it."
"But if Mr. Devereux sees this—"
"He won't," I replied, though I wasn't even sure why I said it so confidently.
And then we heard footsteps, heavy. Without looking I knew it was Sebastian. My hands froze
The old maid's face went pale instantly as she turned toward the entrance.
My grip tightened around the cloth as I slowly lifted my head.
He stood there. Watching me darkly.
His expression unreadable, his presence immediately filling the entire space like it always did.
The old maid rushed forward nervously.
"Mr. Devereux, I told her not to do this kind of work, I didn't know she would—"
"It's true."My voice came out before I could stop myself.
I stood up quickly, turning to face him properly, even though my heart had already started racing.
"She told me not to do it. I didn't listen."
He was silent then his eyes moved from the floor to me slowly
The slightly messy hair. The faint dirt still on my arm. The cloth in my hand.
For a second, I felt exposed.Like he was seeing more than he should.
"I was bored," I added quickly, trying to explain. "I didn't mean to make a mess. I'll clean everything properly."
He didn't respond immediately. He just ...looked at me and for some reason, that made it worse.
"I like doing these things," I continued, my voice softer now. "Cooking, cleaning, gardening… I used to do all this before."
He was silent
Then I gathered a little courage.
"So… I was thinking…"
My fingers tightened slightly around the cloth.
"I want to take care of the house."
That got his attention.
"what does that mean?" he asked, his voice calm but sharp.
"I mean… I want to manage things here. The staff, the kitchen, everything inside the house." I swallowed lightly before continuing. "I don't want to just sit around doing nothing."
The hall went silent.Even the maids had stopped moving. All looked at him waiting for his answer.
His gaze stayed on me for a long second, like he was measuring something… deciding something.
"You want responsibility," he said finally.
"Yes." He didn't say anything for a second
Then...
"You can manage the house," he said.
My breath caught slightly.
"But," he added, his tone turning colder, more firm, "you stay out of anything related to security."
I blinked.
"Security?"
"My men. My systems. My decisions," he clarified. "You don't interfere."
"I won't," I said quickly.
That wasn't even something I wanted to get involved in.
A small relief settled in my chest. He agreed and I didn't have to ask many times he just agreed.
"Thank you," I said, very excited this time.
Something shifted in his expression. Not much but it was enough for me to notice.
I bent down again, picking up the cloth to continue cleaning, but before I could move
His hand caught my wrist.
I froze. My breath hitched slightly as his fingers wrapped around me not harsh, not hurting but firm enough to stop me completely.
"You're not doing this," he said.
"I made the mess," I replied immediately. "I should clean it."
"That's not your job. That's why maids are here "
His words were simple.
But the way he said it....Made my heart skip slightly.
"I just.."
"Stop."
My voice died instantly.
He stepped closer. Too much closer that my
breath became uneven as I looked up at him, suddenly aware of how near he was. I could feel the heat of his body, the faint scent of something dark and sharp surrounding him.
"You don't need to prove anything here," he said quietly.
I don't know how he know that. It was clear for me that everyone here hates me including his men and maids. And if I made this place a mess they will hate me more and that is the reason why I went to clean it up before anyone notices
My fingers loosened around the cloth slowly. For a second, neither of us moved. His grip didn't leave my wrist. And I couldn't pull away. Something strange settled between us. I am sure it was not fear it is something else which I can't understand
Then, just as suddenly he let go of my wirst
The space between us returned But it didn't feel the same anymore.
"Have someone clean it," he said, stepping back.
As he turned and walked away, I stood there, still holding the cloth, still trying to understand what just happened.
And one thought kept repeating in my mind
This man…He confuses me..I am sure he is not a monster which everyone think he is.
That night, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, I realized something that made my chest feel strangely tight.
He didn't let me clean the floor. He understood me without me telling him my problem which my parents failed. All in my life I never wished anything but for my parents to understand me and they never did
This man whom I am married only for 3 days could read my mind simply. Maybe I should give him and us a chance