The Bride Of The Devil-Chapter 55: Trapped In The Mind pt3

Ivan sat by her bedside. His hand rested gently on her arm, patting her softly. Lydia hadn’t moved. Her face was pale, her eyes still closed. She looked peaceful, but he knew it wasn’t peace. It was silence. The kind of silence that comes from pain.

"I don’t know what you went through," Ivan whispered, his voice breaking. "But you have to fight it. Please... come back to me. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry I hurt you."

His hands were trembling as he touched her. The warmth of her body was there, but she felt far away. Somewhere else. Like her soul was trapped.

---

Her mind was still in that memory. That dark, horrible memory. She was back at the door. She could see everything clearly. Her younger self standing just outside the study, her ear pressed to the door. Her father was inside, talking to a man whose face was half-covered with scars. His voice was cold and angry.

"I’ll not do what you ask of me," her father said, firm and brave. "I’m not the only one in Zolotaria who has ships. I’m sure there are others willing to help."

The scarred man didn’t flinch. His hand reached for the vase on the table.

That was when young Lydia pushed open the door.

"Papa," she said, trying to sound casual, her voice shaking. "I was looking for you."

The man slowly lowered his hand. The vase slipped and shattered to the floor. Dmitry turned quickly and walked towards her.

"Careful, Lydia. Don’t step on the shards." freeweɓnøvel~com

The scarred man smirked, bitter and amused.

"I expect your compliance, Lord Andreyevna. We start tomorrow."

"I said no," Dmitry replied.

"I don’t care about your opinion. You will do what I asked."

Before he could continue, young Lydia stepped forward. "Why should my father listen to your orders? Who do you think you are, threatening him like this?"

"Lydia," Dmitry warned. "That’s enough."

Sophia rushed in, alarmed by the sound of the broken vase.

Dmitry looked at the man. "It’s best you leave now."

He turned to Sophia. "Take Lydia to her room."

The scarred man chuckled as he walked past them.

"Such a brave girl you are, Lydia," he said. "I see you take after your father. That sharp tongue of yours... You should learn to shut it. You wouldn’t want me to hurt your beloved family because of it."

Lydia’s heart pounded, but she still said, "You can’t do anything. My father has guards. You can’t hurt us. The Czar will protect us."

The man only laughed, dark and wicked, before leaving.

---

She sat on her bed that night, staring at the stars through the window. Her hands were shaking. She had never been so scared. She had spoken without thinking. She had challenged a man who made her father’s voice tremble.

A knock came at the door. It was her mother.

"Mama... is Papa angry at me?"

Sophia smiled sadly. "No, he’s just worried. Get some rest, alright? We have a big day tomorrow."

Lydia nodded. But sleep wouldn’t come. Her eyes stayed wide open.

She got up quietly and walked around the house. It was silent. Only the light in her father’s study was still on.

She moved closer. The door was slightly open.

Inside, her parents were talking. Their voices low and tired.

"We’ll leave everything to Alexander," her father said. "We have to leave Zolotaria by dawn. Maybe Ravelle... That’s the only way."

"We can’t just run."

"We have no choice. I can’t do what they ask of me."

Lydia rushed in. "Why do we have to leave? Is it my fault?"

Dmitry came to her quickly and hugged her tightly.

"You did nothing wrong, my little bird. Nothing. It’s all my fault. Don’t worry about it."

Sophia joined the hug, tears in her eyes.

---

Dmitry tucked her in that night. He kissed her forehead and smiled.

"Go to sleep, Lydia. Everything will be okay."

She asked again, "Is it really going to be okay?"

He nodded.

But he lied.

---

By dawn, they were at the docks. It was cold and quiet. Too quiet.

Dmitry looked around. "Where are the crew members?"

Sophia said, "Maybe it’s too early. Let’s get the luggage in."

A servant went in first with some of the bags.

He never came back.

Dmitry frowned. "Let me go check."

Before he could move, strange men surrounded them. Rough, cold hands dragged them onto the ship. Lydia screamed. Her mother held her close.

The scarred man was sitting inside, waiting.

He smiled. "I expected you."

Dmitry fell to his knees. "Please. I’ll do it. I’ll do whatever you want. Just let them go."

The man laughed. "Really? Now you beg? After all that pride?"

He picked up a vase and smashed it on Dmitry’s head.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Blood splashed everywhere. Lydia’s eyes refused to close. She saw everything.

Her mother screamed and held her tightly. "Don’t look, Lydia. Please. Close your eyes."

But she couldn’t. Her eyes wouldn’t close.

The man stepped towards them.

He pulled Lydia from her mother’s arms. Sophia screamed, begging.

"Please! She’s just a child! Please don’t hurt her!"

He ignored her.

Lydia was frozen. Her body trembled. She couldn’t speak.

The man laughed. "Now your sharp tongue is silent. Good. Now watch as I take everything from you."

He walked back to Sophia. She was sobbing, shaking.

"Lydia, please... close your eyes," Sophia whispered.

But Lydia’s eyes stayed open.

She watched him slit her mother’s throat.

Blood poured down. Lydia couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t scream. She was frozen.

The man leaned close.

"I’ll come back for you. You don’t have to worry. The only reason you’re still alive is because we need you. But when you’re no longer useful... I’ll return."

Then he vanished.

She sat there, eleven years old, alone. Her parents’ blood soaked her dress. Her hands. Her face.

She sobbed, small and broken.

---

Lydia woke up.

Her eyes shot open. Her body was drenched in sweat. Her chest was rising and falling fast.

She was no longer on that ship. She was in a bed.

Ivan held her tightly, his arms wrapped around her, whispering to calm her.

"You’re safe. It’s okay. You’re here now. You’re safe."

But she kept crying.

She didn’t know what she was saying.

"It’s my fault... it’s my fault... it’s all my fault..."

Ivan held her tighter.

He didn’t say anything else.

There was nothing left to say.

He just held her.

Because that was all he could do.

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