Ensnaring his Dark Moon-Chapter 141: An unfamiliar face

"When the Princesses came to the Castle for the Prince’s marriage proposal, I found the woman whom I painted according to Aunt Mary’s description. The ballroom was quiet that day and since it is situated in an isolated place, I did not see any guards nearby so I interrogated her there," She had controlled the woman’s mind but for some reason, the woman made her uncomfortable. Every word she uttered, every breath she took was causing discomfort in her body, "But right when I was about to ask her about Arlan, you appeared out of nowhere with the guards."

Esme glanced at the woman who was looking at her with little to no remorse on her face. The moment she entered the King’s room, Duchess Flora’s blue eyes had stunned her. The woman did not have them before. But it was not the time to discuss her eyes. She wanted to know what exactly this woman wanted.

"You told the guards that you heard some noises around but how could you? There was not even a shadow there when I entered the ballroom with that woman then how could you hear anything? You miraculously appeared just in time and saved that woman from me but even at that time, I did not doubt you. I thought it was a timely coincidence," Later, her body felt so weak that she had ended up in Aleister’s room, "But now that I think about it, that woman whom I was interrogating that day was not the Princess’s handmaiden. It was her," she pointed her finger towards Aunt Greta who was standing with the support of her stick, her back was half bent.

Later when Aleister captured that Princess’s handmaiden, Esme had controlled her mind on her but nothing came out of it. And she did not feel uncomfortable at all, unlike before. The girl was pretty, humble, and meek unlike how she acted arrogantly with her in the ballroom. That’s why she asked Aleister to set her free.

"Later when we were having tea together, Aunt Greta brought black salt and performed some ritual on me to ward off the evil. But did she not realize how evil her aura is?" Esme glanced at the old woman, "No matter how much you hid it, I felt discomfort every time you are around me. I felt like my chest was stuffed with something but the feeling disappeared like an illusion so I assumed maybe I am sick, I didn’t sleep or eat well because I was trying to trust the kindness you were showing me," she glanced at Duchess Flora.

"Do you know when I gave attention to my suspicions?"

"I am waiting. Tell me," Duchess Flora said nonchalantly but one could see the spark of curiosity burning in her eyes. More than being bothered, she looked interested in it.

Esme did not care what the woman felt, "It was during the time when we were having dinner together a few days ago. Arlan told me that he kept seeing a woman in his dreams after he lost his memories and powers. The woman said she will eat his soul. During dinner, Arlan called you ’pretty lady’, he said that he saw you somewhere. But later, he concluded that he saw your paintings. But there are no paintings of women in the Castle. The only place that holds paintings has the paintings of the King and his ancestors. Even if you have your paintings in your room, when exactly did Arlan go to your room?"

Duchess Flora remained quiet as she seemed to be contemplating over Esme’s words, "There is more," she said after some time.

Esme smiled, "When Liz was dragged to the courtroom, you screamed in fear and you wanted to leave the place. But there was a time when you gave your pieces of jewelry to Liz as presents, you treated her very well. Being the kind and caring person that you are, how did you not stop there to see what was wrong with your favorite maid? You did not seem to be the least bit concerned about it."

Duchess Flora burst into laughter, "Esme... Esme..." she glanced at Esme with a dreamy look on her face, "In fact, you are the one who is my favorite. Look at you. So cunning and manipulative. I like it."

"Stop looking at her with that disgusting gaze lest you want your eyes to be dug out," Aleister’s threatening voice sounded in the room.

Adrian stepped forward and stood in front of Esme, shielding her with his own body.

Esme sighed. She was irked at times when they treated her as a fragile glass doll. But then again, Duchess Flora seemed weirder every time she looked at her.

Duchess Flora turned to look at Aleister. "Did you know as well?"

"Your Grace, are you fond of role reversals? Don’t you think you are the one who should be interrogated?"

’’You want to interrogate me? It depends on whether you have the ability.’’

Aleister moved his hands the moment the woman started speaking but her movements were too fast. She disappeared from the place in an instant. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

A golden ray shot out of Aleister’s finger transforming into a net trap as it landed on the old woman who was standing rooted to her spot in shock.

’’My Lord... My Lord,’’ Aunt Greta screamed as a feeling of dread rose in her chest.

Esme looked around the room but there were no signs of Duchess Flora. Could she teleport too, like Aleister? She could not help but think.

While she was lost in her thoughts, Aunt Greta’s screams snapped her out of her daze. My Lord? Why was she addressing Duchess Flora as ’My Lord’?

But in the next moment, she got to witness the answer with her own eyes.

"I am here," Duchess Flora whispered beside her ear.

Esme stiffened as she turned her head to the side. But even though the voice beside her ear was familiar, the face wasn’t.