Bab 26: Eliza Return
~This is a fictional world, setting is Early 19-Early20th century and fantasy no real events or places are mentioned in this book~
**The Venison Mansion**
It was Eliza's arrival. As she stepped out of her vehicle, the servants bowed their heads to welcome her. Eliza looked upwards and smiled.
"I'm back home. I've missed everyone," she said, holding the pendant of her necklace with her gloved hand—a gift from Dominic during their relationship. "Including you, darling," she added softly, referring to Dominic.
Eliza stood at 5'9", with brown hair that framed her striking features. She wore a striped gown and a hat adorned with a bouquet of flowers, which complemented her beauty. She was a year younger than Dominic.
Her father, Ralph, came forward to greet his daughter. As they walked inside the house, Ralph led her to the living room, where he sat her down and poured her a cup of tea.
"I missed you, dear. Welcome back home," he said, handing her the cup. Eliza sat opposite him and took a sip.
"The pleasure is mine, Father. How's everyone? And how is the gallery?" she asked, sipping her tea again.
"Everyone's doing well. Now that you're back, you can assist me in the gallery," Ralph said, pouring tea into his own cup and taking a sip.
"Of course, Father. It'll be nice to see my old friends and companions again," Eliza replied. She removed her hat and placed it beside her, then looked towards the window. "Any news about Dominic? I've missed him and hoped to see him again," she asked, twirling her cup playfully.
Ralph sighed, shaking his head at the mention of Dominic. "Eliza... Dominic is married now. He's the governor of this country and holds the equivalent status of a duke because of the family he married into," Ralph said, sipping from his cup.
Eliza clenched her fingers at the news, jealousy simmering in her eyes. "A duke? Married to whom?" she asked. She recalled Dominic cutting ties with her and remembered how his letters hinted at a marriage. She had thought he was joking because of how he teases a lot of things, not taking it seriously until he stopped replying to her letters.
"To the Sarogath family—the owners of the gallery we're managing. He married Evangeline, a relative of the king. Her mother, as you know, was the former governess," Ralph replied with a sigh.
"So, it is her—the woman who had an affair with her bodyguard," Eliza muttered to herself with a slight smirk. She had heard rumors about Evangeline and had even sent a spy to Verdaselles to learn more about Dominic's life. She had stopped when she learned of his imprisonment and execution for an attempted kidnapping, but she had never imagined the woman's husband was Dominic. "Interesting. A perfect chance to win him back. I want to see this Evangeline myself and see if she's as beautiful as she is in the newspaper," she thought, sipping her tea. She stood up and picked up her hat. "I'm tired. I need to rest, Father," she said, bowing her head.
Ralph gestured for her to leave, understanding she was tired. Eliza headed to her bedroom and changed into a light, cleavage-baring dress. She sat on the bed, chuckling as she licked her finger. "I hope you're happy to see me, Dominic," she whispered, holding her pendant and recalling the day Dominic gave it to her. As she caressed her thigh, memories flooded back.
**Flashback: Year 1804 - The Bruswards House - Dominic's Bedroom**
Dominic lay on the bed with Eliza, their naked bodies partially covered by the bedsheets after their love making moment. He was gently stroking her hair as she slept in his arms. Suddenly, Eliza woke up and kissed him deeply on the lips.
"Rose," Dominic murmured, using her nickname. He held her close by the waist, caressing her back.
"Yes, Dominic?" she replied, leaning into him, stroking his hair, and admiring its softness as it tangled around her fingers.
"Did you enjoy it?" he whispered in a tired, seductive tone, referring to their intimacy. His voice was low and husky, each word carrying a hint of satisfaction and lingering passion. His eyes searched hers for an answer, revealing his desire and his love for her.
"Always..." she replied, sitting on his thigh and facing him. "I look forward to seeing you take over the Bruswards house as the young master. I'll be glad to be there by your side," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Dominic reached into his drawer and pulled out a necklace. He carefully placed it around her neck, the pendant hanging between her breasts. It was a faint red crystal, shaped like a human heart, with decorative supports and a small arrow passing through it.
"This is for you," he said as she held the pendant. "I got it for you at the store. It's a limited edition."
"It's beautiful. Thank you," she whispered, kissing his neck."Let's go for dinner we're late "She climbed off the bed and Dominic stood up wearing his robe ,he picked up her rose gold dress from the bed and helped her put it on tying the strings at the back he moved her hair aside and kissed her back and rubbed her spot he had kissed with his thumb .
Back to present
"And now you're married to a spoiled princess! Royal or not, I don't care," she muttered, stomping her foot on the floor angrily. Her eyes flashed with a mixture of frustration and determination.
"I need to see Edward first... it's been a while," she said, rubbing her stomach absentmindedly. A sly smile formed on her lips as she thought of her old friend. Edward always knew how to get under Dominic's skin, and right now, she needed an ally—someone who could help her navigate this unexpected turn of events and perhaps stir the pot a little.
Note: Eliza was pregnant with Edward's child before the baby died when it turned a year old, which was a betrayal to Dominic, who loved her.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Joeclaire
Joeclaire in Verdaselles, the legal age for personal freedom is 15, allowing individuals to engage in activities such as renting a house and making independent decisions. At 17 and above, a person is officially considered an adult, with all the rights and responsibilities that come with it.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone