Chapter 1
When Lord Cedric returned to the mansion, the rain still poured down steadily. Before entering, he folded his black umbrella, shaking off the excess water before casually handing it over to the nearest servant. He glanced up at the darkened second floor and asked, "Is she asleep?" The servant sighed and shook his head. "Lady Arabella hasn't left her room. She hasn't eaten, and when we tried talking to her, she didn't respond..." Taking off his damp coat and draping it over a chair, Lord Cedric nodded slightly, then headed upstairs. He pressed his thumb against the sensor, and with a satisfying click, the lock released. Pushing the door open, he was greeted by a sweet, cloying fragrance that was unmistakably Lady Arabella's scent. The plush rabbit-fur carpet cushioned his steps as it stretched toward the arched, floor-to-ceiling windows, beneath which a chaise lounge sat elegantly. Stopping just before the entrance, Lord Cedric leaned against the wall, quietly observing the servant who knelt next to Lady Arabella. Dressed in an ivory camisole, Lady Arabella sat there illuminated solely by the moonlight pouring through the window, casting her silhouette in soft focus—a body both alluring and untouched, like a sacred goddess. The camisole he had helped her change into that morning still clung to her. A fire ignited in his chest as he redirected his gaze down to the trash can overflowing with snack wrappers, his resolve setting as he straightened and approached Lady Arabella. "Isn't eating all this junk food going to ruin your chances of dancing?" he teased. Stepping behind her, he wrapped a single arm around her slender waist and, glancing beneath the sheer fabric, felt her flat stomach. His hand traveled upward, finding her gently rounded curves, which he kneaded softly. The chill from his fingers brought a shiver through her body as he made physical contact. She frowned and squirmed a little, but to no avail. Instead, she nudged him with her elbow, saying, "Lord Cedric, if you keep me from dancing, what's the point of maintaining my figure?" The night before, as they prepared for bed, Lady Arabella had rolled onto his shoulder, cupping her face in her palms with bright eyes. "Old Master Magus asked me this afternoon if I would like to go on tour with his dance troupe next month." Lord Cedric's gaze fell as his glasses slipped down his nose, his normally cold demeanor softening slightly. "You really want to go, don't you?" She nodded eagerly, hands clasped. "I'll do anything for you." "Is that so..." He placed the folder he was holding back on the nightstand, removed his glasses, resting them on top of a parchment, and finally leaned down to plant a kiss on the tip of her nose. "Then what will you do to convince me?" Lady Arabella furrowed her brow, sizing him up as he raised an eyebrow and watched her internal struggle with an amused expression. After three seconds of silent standoff, it was Lady Arabella who yielded first, the one with fewer cards in hand. Throwing back the covers like a fish slipping from a net, she wriggled into the warmth, her unwilling eyes peeking out as one soft hand snaked beneath his waist, grasping him and giving a few tentative tugs before beginning a rhythmic motion. "No…" Lord Cedric lifted her hand from beneath the covers, half-closing his eyes and shaking his head. "That's not enough to persuade me." With newfound determination, Lady Arabella tightened her hold around him, her entire body weaving deeper beneath the sheets, warm and enticing, stirring a low groan from deep within him. He pulled the covers away and looked down, watching her as she buried herself against him, teasing and enticing him further, before suddenly pressing down and claiming her.
Chapter 2
His long fingers traced along the outside of her thigh, traveling down to her lower abdomen, lingering at the edge, yet making no decisive move. “Arabella, Arabella, not enough yet,” he said, his lower body still, as he lowered his head to place a gentle kiss on her eyelid, his tongue brushing against her trembling lashes. “I never taught you to give up halfway.” Lady Arabella gritted her teeth, frustrated and flustered, pushing Lord Cedric away with little effort. Yet, absurdly, he fell back onto the bed as if she had exerted powerful force, fixing his gaze on her, as though he was the predator. Waiting, enticing her to fall into his trap. The room was still illuminated, and Lady Arabella felt exposed under his intense scrutiny. Six rushing to the headboard, she stretched across Lord Cedric to reach for the light switch. Just as her fingertips brushed the switch, Lord Cedric suddenly gripped her waist, pulling her towards him with swift aggression. Caught by surprise, she found herself sitting squarely on his lap. “Ugh…” In that moment of penetration, a rush of pain and pleasure shot straight to her brain, sending electric pulses throughout her body, prompting a sound to escape her lips. “Lord Cedric, you jerk.” His hands on her waist remained firm, guiding her rhythm from slow to fast. Their bodies had long since grown familiar with each other; in the haze of passion, all Lady Arabella could focus on was the light still shining above them and Lord Cedric’s burning gaze fixed on her. “No, don’t look, turn off the light…” Her delicate protests shattered on the air, but Lord Cedric was displeased with her lack of enthusiasm. He shifted positions, pulling her tighter against him, plunging deeper without mercy. Lady Arabella had never initiated intimacy with him before, and now that she had shared the experience, he seemed determined to disregard her command. It was as if he wanted all the lights turned on, just to see her surrender, adrift in the ocean of desire he had crafted. He wanted her to see only him, for all her gasps and cries to belong solely to him. He lifted her legs, folding them across his chest, taking full advantage of her. “Arabella, Arabella, you started this.” Lord Cedric’s touches were rough, yet his voice remained soft, spinning Lady Arabella into a dizzying sensation. She vaguely felt his tongue tracing her earlobe, unable to comprehend the murmured words, merely succumbing to breathless moans, nearly choking on the overwhelming wave of sensation. Lady Arabella thought that by fully indulging Lord Cedric, their upcoming tour would be secured. She never fathomed waking up the next morning to harsh reality. As dawn broke, Lord Cedric awoke promptly, stirring the light sleeper, Lady Arabella, from her slumber. Blearily, she sat upright in bed. Lord Cedric brushed aside the hair falling over her face and planted a kiss on her forehead. “It’s still early. You can sleep a little longer.” Lady Arabella shook her head, holding onto the Portly Fellow as she attempted to get out of bed. “Old Master Magus said we need to report to her by nine. If we’re late, it’s for nothing.” Lord Cedric paused, his hand lingering for a moment before he let it fall to his side, casually picking up the negligee hanging from the bedpost, helping her into it. “If it’s for nothing, then so be it.” “What do you mean?” An unsettling feeling surged within her, and Lady Arabella grasped Lord Cedric's wrist. “Didn’t you say last night…” “Last night…” Lord Cedric revealed a gentle, harmless smile. “I did say I would consider it, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to let you go.” He lifted her chin with his finger, gently studying her face as though she were a fine artwork. “Next month, I’ll be traveling to America for work, and under these circumstances…” As Lord Cedric leaned in closer, Lady Arabella instinctively turned her face to evade him, but he swiftly captured her lips instead. “How could I bear to let you, a Servant, go off touring by yourself?”
Chapter 3
“Why do you always have to be like this?” Lord Cedric paused as he loosened his tie, glancing up at Lady Arabella, who curled up in an armchair. The moonlight illuminated her porcelain skin, making her appear almost ethereal, as if a gentle breeze could sweep her away. “You were the one who introduced me to dance, who took me to meet Old Master Magus,” Lady Arabella said, her bare feet pressing against the wooden floor as she rose and turned to face Lord Cedric. “And yet, you’re also the one who keeps me trapped here, the one who refuses the olive branch extended by Old Master Magus.” Lord Cedric, accustomed to these confrontations, maintained his composure, draping the loosened tie over the back of the chair. “I’m doing this for your own good.” “For my own good?” Lady Arabella scoffed, her gaze fixed on the permanently shut windows and the sprawling Eleanor Grove outside. “Do you even realize, Lord Cedric?” She turned away, a mocking smile on her lips that gradually morphed into something darker, anger flickering in her eyes. “Sometimes, I truly wish I had perished in that kidnapping.” The sudden shift in Lord Cedric's expression brought a sick thrill of satisfaction to Lady Arabella. She smirked, striding past him without a backward glance. Feeling a weight lift after confirming that Lord Cedric wouldn’t follow her, Lady Arabella took a deep breath. She stepped into the elevator and descended to the lower level, turning down a corridor into the Crypt. The video collection should have been tidied up, she noted. The disc she had carelessly left out a few days ago was now nowhere to be found. The films were neatly categorized; most were comedies and animated features, with a small section of foreign adult films that Lord Cedric probably wouldn’t know how to find. Not a single horror or thriller in sight, likely to prevent her from further distress. On the day she turned eighteen, Lady Arabella had been kidnapped. Her father, Sir Geoffrey, was a wealthy tycoon, and as his only daughter, she naturally attracted the attention of various ruthless criminals. The ordeal lasted three long days, yet in Lady Arabella’s memories, there existed no concrete recollections of that horrific event. The healer had once said, “It’s normal. Patients with PTSD often bury their painful memories. But don’t worry, I’ll help you recover slowly.” During her subsequent treatments, she learned that Lord Cedric was the one who had rescued her. The Bandit had locked her in a cage, chaining it high above the ground, leaving her swaying perilously, as if one gust could send her plummeting. It struck fear into the hearts of the onlooking servants. It was during this critical moment that Lord Cedric stood up, calmly addressing the Constabulary. “If you have any demands, just say the word. I will provide anything to ensure Lady Arabella’s safe return.” Just as his words echoed, Lady Arabella regained consciousness, panic consuming her as she screamed in terror at the sight around her. Lord Cedric, forgetting his own safety, climbed the precarious iron ladder beside her, leaning out to calm her down amid her cries. The Fire Brigade arrived within five minutes, swiftly using a ladder to reach the cage, even employing hydraulic cutters to break the lock and free her. Just as relief washed over the assembled servants, the iron ladder beneath Lord Cedric gave way with a snap, causing him to fall several feet to the ground while helplessly colliding with a hardened surface, and both he and Lady Arabella were rushed to the hospital. Yet, all of this remained a blank in Lady Arabella’s mind. Lord Cedric had been personally chosen by Sir Geoffrey as his successor.
Chapter 4
He was left at the gates of The Orphanage the day he graduated from Healer training. It was on one fateful day at the age of sixteen that he saved Sir Geoffrey from being struck by a car, changing the course of his existence as a Servant Healer. The year Lord Cedric moved into The Leif Estate, Lady Arabella was just twelve. During the twelve long years without him, she often asked, “Dad, why don’t I have a Lewis Lewis? I want my own Lewis Lewis.” So when Lord Cedric finally arrived at the Leif family estate, Lady Arabella showed no resistance. Upon hearing that she could have her very own Lewis Lewis, she excitedly stood on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around Lord Cedric’s arm, playfully asking, “Will Lewis Lewis be really nice to Arabella?” At that moment, Lord Cedric was still wary of the unfamiliar world around him, but upon seeing Sir Geoffrey's meaningful glance, he plastered a reluctant smile onto his face and replied, “Of course.” His answer was half-hearted, and his actions were far from enthusiastic, but at least Lady Arabella had never felt wronged in his presence; otherwise, she wouldn’t have chosen to follow him. After Sir Geoffrey passed away… The kidnapping and sudden loss forced Lady Arabella to take a long time to regain her footing. Once her health improved, she returned to school. With Lord Cedric’s assistance, she barely scraped by and got accepted into the best university in The City of Tawn. But the beautiful university life she had imagined didn’t come to pass. On the day she received her acceptance letter, Lord Cedric informed her, “Arabella, the kidnappers who took you could strike again at any moment. I can’t let you stay at school alone, and they won’t allow me to assign guards to you. So, I’ve arranged for you to be a commuter student.” Lady Arabella didn’t object because, although she had forgotten much about her kidnapping, she knew that whenever she tried to delve deeper into her memories during her recovery, her mind would react painfully, leaving her unable to think clearly. Thus, she agreed to Lord Cedric’s arrangement, convinced that she didn’t want to experience such a horrifying event again. This was merely the first step Lord Cedric took to keep her under his control. Her classes weren’t demanding, and since Lord Cedric noticed her doing nothing at home, he proposed taking her to dance lessons. Lady Arabella had taken dance classes when she was younger and even won awards, but the pressure from school had forced her to abandon it. So, when she heard Lord Cedric’s suggestion, she made no objections and left the arrangements to him. Every step seemed like her choice, but reflecting on it calmly, did she ever have other options? No. Even if she voiced dissent, Lord Cedric would always present seemingly rational arguments that brought her back to his path. Not finding the movie she wanted, Lady Arabella turned to start searching from the beginning, only to bump her hip against a DVD resting on the edge of the desk, sending it crashing to the ground. She bent down to pick up the disc and turned it over—“Peter Pan.” Suddenly, memories flooded back—this was the first movie she watched when she moved into this mansion. Lord Cedric had mysteriously covered her eyes as he led her out of the car. It was only when they walked into the garden that he removed the blindfold and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Welcome to our Neverland.” Neverland. He had told her: “Arabella, here you’ll never have worries, never need to grow up. I will always be by your side.” But now, all Lady Arabella yearned for was to escape this island of isolation.
Chapter 5
As footsteps approached slowly, Lady Arabella hurriedly stuffed the copy of *Peter Pan* back onto the shelf of the Portly Fellow, pretending to browse the selection of films lined up in front of her. The door opened to reveal Lord Cedric, now dressed in relaxed loungewear. As he walked over, she caught a whiff of the refreshing scent of his body wash. It was rare for something in this whole sprawling estate to be chosen by her—only this particular bottle of body wash. “What do you want to watch? I’ll help you find something,” he offered. Lady Arabella knew this was Lord Cedric’s typical gesture of humility, akin to Beatrice's charm. But it was merely a momentary concession; it didn't reflect any genuine acknowledgment of wrongdoing—Lord Cedric was not someone easily swayed. This show of weakness was just a sweet prelude before the hunt; it wouldn't alter the nature of the hunt itself. So... “No need, Lord Cedric is busy running so many affairs. How could I bother you with this?” She couldn’t afford to show an ounce of doubt or retreat. Lord Cedric looked down at her strained expression, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. He reached out, grasping her wrist and pressing his chest against her slender back. “Is that how you really feel?” He teased, brushing his lips against her ear and speaking in a low, magnetic tone, “It seems like I owe you something. We had fun last night, didn’t we?” He dared to bring that up. With a swift kick backward, Lady Arabella aimed for his leg, but Lord Cedric didn’t even flinch, standing firmly in place, which only left her feeling as though she was ineffectively scratching an itch. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him smile, which ignited her annoyance. She pushed him away, exclaiming, “You don’t even understand why I’m upset. I don’t think communication is necessary anymore.” With that, she stepped sideways, intending to leave the Crypt. “Wait.” Her wrist was firmly held. After struggling briefly, Lady Arabella felt Lord Cedric rise and gently press her shoulder against the shelf. “There’s always a need for communication. Speak; I’m listening,” he insisted. She cast her eyes down at the hand resting on her shoulder, her tone mocking. “I’d like to discuss respect with you.” At once, Lord Cedric released his grip. Regaining her freedom, Lady Arabella took a step away, creating some distance between them, so she could meet his gaze without feeling entirely overwhelmed. “You were right this morning; you didn’t promise me anything, and it’s all my own wishful thinking, but…” Lady Arabella furrowed her brow and met his eyes, “why don’t you respect my choices? Do I need your approval for everything I do?” Lord Cedric’s expression grew dismissive. “I don’t disrespect you. I fully support your learning from the Old Master Magus and experiencing the world. But this matter can only be discussed next time because I’m not with you…” “What are you afraid of?” Cutting him off, she held his gaze firmly. This wasn’t the first time he had said something like this, but it was the first time she interrupted him. “Afraid you’ll get kidnapped? Then why do you hire so many bodyguards?” Lady Arabella bit her lip, struggling to keep her voice steady, “I’ve been trapped here for five years; everything about my life is under your surveillance—how is that any different from being kidnapped?” A crack appeared in Lord Cedric’s calm demeanor. He opened his mouth, but his words faltered. “I haven’t imprisoned you.” “Without your approval, I can’t step out of this front door.” Lord Cedric said nothing, but the silence spoke volumes. Lady Arabella’s gaze slid past her shoulder to the closed door. “I’ve been thinking all day—would it have been better if I had died during that kidnapping?”
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