CHAPTER 14: YELENA’S CONFROTATION.

The next day, just when Dorian and Maria were about to head out to their mining ground, they were halted by a presence they had not expected to run into.

"Dorian, come back here. I would like to have a word with you."

Dorian halted, his hand hovering in front of the doorknob.

He knew all too well who that voice belonged to. So much so, it stressed him visibly, fighting hard to maintain his composure.

Maria, on the other hand, had a different reaction.

With a steady motion, she turned around to look at the baron and then bowed her head slightly in respect.

"Good morning, Lord James."

Even from high up, James could still catch the young lady’s beauty. Her silver hair glistened under the shade of the chandelier.

"Good morning, my dear. I am so sorry my foolish son is dragging you all around town to dig with him. You have my humblest apology."

’Of course, he thinks that; rumors from town must have gotten to him.’

Reluctantly, Dorian finally decided to turn around and look his father in the eye.

Not a single hint of hesitation was brewing in his gaze any longer. Instead, it was a mix of arrogance and pride.

He knew if he showed any sign of weakness going further, his father was sure to take advantage of that.

"Good morning to you, what brings you here so early in the morning? I am certain it is not just to see me."

As soon as he completed that sentence, he caught sight of his sister hiding at the corner next to James. Her black hair was sticking out, exposing her failed attempt to hide herself.

’Is she behind this?’

A valid question, one that would have to wait for an answer.

After staring his son down for a while, the old man grunted, pinching the bridge of his nose.

One could tell he was exhausted having to deal with his son’s nuisance again.

"Dorian, join me in the guest room. I would like to have a word with you."

It was a rather straightforward request, and his father didn’t wait for a response before he walked away.

That said, Dorian was sure that wasn’t all there was to it.

He looked at Maria.

"Wait here for me. This might take a while," he said to her, a serious look etched on his features.

However, Maria wasn’t an idiot; she knew that much just from the tension between father and son. While she wasn’t worried it would escalate to anything, something else was digging at the back of her mind as she kept glancing towards the staircase.

Eventually, she folded her arms and rested her back on the door slightly.

"Sure, I’ll be waiting."

"Good girl."

He teased her with a smile before walking away.

Every step echoed, and its sound became softer with the distance. Or at least that was what Maria thought.

Another pair of footsteps rose as Dorian’s dipped.

Which only meant one thing: someone was walking up to her.

The timing was impeccable. It was obvious the person waited for Dorian to leave before approaching. In other words, it was planned.

If only slightly, Maria managed to turn her gaze to the side, where she found the person who had approached her.

It was none other than Dorian’s sister, Yelena.

She too had the side of her arm rested on the wall, her eyes solely fixed on Maria. Like a lion stalking its prey and learning its movements.

Though if one looked deeper into her gaze, it was far deeper than that of a hunter. A logical figure would be to base it on a wife or mother.

Unmoved yet uncomfortable by Yelena’s presence, Maria couldn’t help but want to stay far away.

So, she bowed her head slightly and then walked away.

She didn’t know where to go, but anywhere would be better than in the same room with her master’s younger sister.

Unfortunately, things were not that simple. Not as she expected, at least.

No matter where Maria went, Yelena was there with her.

The garden, living room, bathroom, and even the kitchen.

Yelena made sure she never lost track of her, not even once.

What made it even creepier was the fact she never tried to communicate either. It seemed she was more keen on stalking than trying to speak to the poor knight.

But as suspected, it was only a matter of time before Maria was unable to take it anymore.

She suddenly stopped at the center of the passageway, her eyes locked onto Yelena.

As calmly as she could make her voice, Maria asked,

"Lady Yelena, is there something you want from me? Why are you following me?"

With a question came a judgmental stare from the young lady.

She covered her hand with her mouth and then pointed at Maria’s perfectly shaped bosoms.

"I don’t get it," Yelena voiced out, her eyes dark with suspicion. "What does my brother see in you? Is it because you have such a huge personality?"

Her remark hit the spot as she intended.

Maria’s face grew red, quickly guarding her chest with her hands.

"Why are you pointing at me? And I don’t understand a thing right now, did I do something to Lord Dorian?"

"You tell me!" Yelena pointed more aggressively now, her other hand on her waist. "Why did my brother hire you as a knight? I understand he is turning a new leaf and all, but you of all people? You abandoned my brother when he needed you; why would you stand by his side now?"

Maria, taken aback by Yelena’s comment, could only look to the side, saddened and also a bit angered by her comment.

"I think the question you meant to ask, my lady, is why did your brother forget about me?"

"Uhn? What are you talking about? I know I was young back then, but I was certain my brother was heartbroken by your betrayal to abandon him, so much so he forced himself to forget about you. So what are you talking about?"

"It’s nothing."

Maria hardened her gaze, her next words flowing with confidence.

"If you have an issue with my role as Lord Dorian’s knight, then you should speak to him about it. I have nothing to do with his decision."

There was silence for a while. Until Yelena sighed.

"Listen, I am not doing this to oppose my brother if this is what he wants. I like seeing him like this, not drinking and gambling. I won’t take that from him." Yelena now shot a death stare at Maria. "But, if you so much as hurt him in the process of all this, I promise you, I will kill you."

Looking at Yelena, it would be easy for anyone to tag her as adorable and beautiful, not capable of harming even a fly.

But in Maria’s eyes, she could smell the stench of death all over her. Her words were factual, with not a hint of bluff behind them.

"You have nothing to worry about," Maria replied. "Please excuse me."

Then she walked away.