Capítulo 23: Husband vs Lover
~Natalis 1st, 1811~
It was a new month, and Dominic woke up early, stretching lazily as he rolled out of bed. His hair, a tousled mess from sleep, needed smoothing out. As he ran a hand through it, a small group of servants entered his lavish room, bowing politely. Some moved to tidy the bed, while others started cleaning the room. A few went to prepare his bath. Once the room was spotless, the servants bowed and exited quietly, grateful for the generous tip Dominic had given them.
Soon, a pair of male servants arrived to assist Dominic in the bathroom. They helped him out of his nightwear, revealing his godlike physique—sculpted muscles, a perfect symmetry of form, and skin that glistened under the bathroom lights. It was like watching a statue of a Glorious god come to life. Dominic stepped into the luxurious bathtub, sinking into the warm water as the servants began to wash him.
After his bath, the servants dressed him in fresh clothes and combed his long hair, making sure every strand was perfectly in place. Dominic tipped them once again, and they bowed before leaving. With his morning routine complete, Dominic slipped on his wedding ring and decided to take a walk around the estate.
Evangeline's home, a grand mansion reminiscent of a Glorious Palace like environment, was surrounded by a vast compound with two exquisite gardens and numerous gates. The main building was an architectural marvel, with towering columns, ornate carvings, and expansive windows that gleamed in the morning sun. The interiors were equally opulent, with chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, marble floors that echoed with each step, and walls adorned with tapestries and paintings that's why it's called the Serenity House because it lives up to it's name.
Dominic made his way to the smaller garden at the back of the house, where the smell of freshly brewed tea hung in the air. Following the scent, he found Richard sitting at a table near a bubbling fountain, sipping tea and enjoying the serene view. Dominic approached silently, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"It's him, enjoying his tea," Dominic thought with amusement. "I visited Azielle last night. She's getting worse. I found her smoking, which I specifically told her not to do. Leonard is doing a good job guarding her, though. He's always been loyal to Evangeline's family, especially her mother."
Flashback:
Dominic had visited Azielle at her mansion the previous night. She was lounging on the living room sofa, puffing away on a pipe.
"Ah, my son..." she greeted him, coughing slightly as Dominic sat opposite her, crossing his legs.
"It's been a while, ma'am," he replied with a slight smile.
Azielle stood up with the help of her walking stick, took the pipe out of her mouth, and playfully pulled at Dominic's cheek. "I told you to call me godmother... Look at you, handsome as always. I heard about your achievements. Well done, my boy!" she teased.
"How's my granddaughter?" she asked, a note of concern in her voice as she resumed smoking.
"She's doing well, but your health is deteriorating, and you still haven't quit smoking," Dominic said, gently helping her sit back on the sofa and taking the pipe from her. "You should pay more attention to your health and avoid these. Evangeline needs you."
Azielle nodded in agreement and poured tea for Dominic, who took a sip as she handed him the cup. "I know, son... As long as you're happy, Evangeline is happy, and I'm happy in my old heart," she said, tapping her chest and coughing. "I'm also waiting for my great-grandchildren from the two of you. I'll be visiting the house soon, and we'll check on the hotel together," she added with a mix of teasing and seriousness.
Dominic nearly spat out his tea at the mention of "great-grandchildren." Azielle chuckled at his reaction, fully aware of the strained relationship between him and Evangeline.
Back in the Garden:
Dominic walked towards Richard, his hands in his pockets, the breeze gently tousling his hair. He muttered to himself, "Evangeline's health is another matter. She's stopped taking her medication and has been quite irritable lately. And now Azielle wants children from us? That's going to take a while. I need to come up with a plan..."
Richard looked up, noticing Dominic's presence. He stood up, placing his tea cup down. "Dominic? What brings you here?" he asked, a hint of tension in his voice as he bowed his head respectfully.
"I heard about you while I was handling some matters," Dominic replied, removing one hand from his pocket to touch a flower gently. "You seem to be spending a lot of time with Evangeline, attracting attention wherever you go. And today, you're here enjoying tea. What a gentleman," he teased, noticing the slight irritation in Richard's expression.
"Well... that's because she wants me here, and I enjoy the tea recommended by her," Richard said, picking up his tea cup and taking a sip.
Dominic chuckled, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Of course she does, because that's your purpose, Richard," he said, catching a butterfly and crushing it in his hand, much to Richard's dismay.
Richard clenched the tea cup in his hand, his knuckles whitening as he tried to contain his anger. "What do you mean by that?" he demanded through gritted teeth as the cup broke and the pieces landed on the floor
Dominic's expression remained cold and unyielding. "Everything in this house and everyone who enters it is here for a reason. The new servants I assigned for Evangeline, the visitors, the changes... including you. If not, you would have been long gone."
Richard bristled at Dominic's words but maintained his composure refusing to be deceived by Dominic's beauty. He knew Dominic was a dangerous person, a devil, as Evangeline often described during the time she spent with him. She had warned Richard about how Dominic got under her skin, and now, here he was, facing Dominic in a similar situation.
"You're mistaken. I'm here because Evangeline hired me of her own will, not seeking approval from anyone else."
Dominic tilted his head slightly, studying Richard. "That's because I allowed you to stay before and after my marriage to her. You're here to help her with her insomnia, her mental health, to protect her... even if it means sleeping in her bed with the two of you bare naked on it. You're doing your job well," Dominic said, his voice laced with a mocking tone.
Richard scoffed, slightly intimidated by Dominic's words but unwilling to show it. "Everything she's doing, the way she's acting, it's because of the stress you're causing her, not that you would know."
Dominic's chuckle was low and menacing. "That's why you need to do your job as the loyal dog you are... It would be a problem for me if you didn't."
"Pardon?" Richard blinked, confusion crossing his features at Dominic's cryptic words.
Dominic moved closer, his gaze locking onto Richard's. "I said it would be a problem for me if she were to die and if you failed to do your job properly."He remembered the words of the physician and his sad concerned face.
Richard looked puzzled. "I don't understand..."
"Do not cross the line, when you're intimate with Evangeline " Dominic warned, his tone dangerous. "Make sure she doesn't get pregnant, especially not with your child.Don't put your child in my wife's belly That's my spot as her husband not yours. It would be inconvenient if my plans were disrupted because of you, and trust me, you wouldn't like the consequences."
Richard gulped but didn't flinch, though Dominic noticed his slight unease. "That's a good boy," Dominic mocked, patting Richard's head condescendingly as if he was a dog. Richard swatted Dominic's hand away, glaring at him.
Just then, Evangeline appeared, wearing a flowing green gown. She saw Dominic with Richard and was immediately annoyed. "What is that bastard doing with Richard?" she muttered under her breath. "If he dares upset Richard, I'll make him pay."
Richard clenched his fists, his temper flaring. "You should watch what you say to me if you don't want your perfect plan ruined. I don't care what it is. I'm the only one who can calm and control Evangeline. You don't have that ability," he said, glaring at Dominic.
Dominic laughed, his expression shifting from amusement to cold indifference. "Control her? Very good. We have the same goal, then. I like your spirit," he said sarcastically, clapping his hands mockingly.
"You know nothing about me, so I don't like being treated like I'm your property. I'm loyal only to Evangeline, and I always will be," Richard shot back angrily.
Dominic's smile faded, replaced by a steely gaze while he stopped clapping "Oh? Do you really believe I know nothing about you?" He stepped closer to Richard, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "Do you think I just let you into this house, into my wife's bedroom, without knowing who you are? You're under the illusion that you've gained the upper hand just because you've won my dear wife's affection," he said, shaking his head in disappointment and clicking his tongue.
"You should know your limits, Richard. Or should I say Henry Berbill? Love child of Bruno Berbill," Dominic added, smirking as he saw Richard's stunned reaction. He patted Richard's shoulder, his grip firm. "Remember, I call the shots, not you. I can decide your fate, your life, and your stay in my home. Yes, I'm a matrilocal husband, as people gossip and there's no lie in that, but I'm still the governor and the one in charge of this estate."
Dominic adjusted his strawberry-blonde hair with a hand, his eyes never leaving Richard, who stood there, speechless, his anger barely contained."Or you'll never know just when I might let out that secret you're hiding so well. So, I hope you understand the subtle difference—the reason why you're here isn't because Evangeline wants you; it's because your ability to handle her benefits me. Also, a piece of advice: avoid places like parties and events that are breeding grounds for gossip. I don't want anything staining Evangeline's reputation. It's not doing her any good. Just do your job. My trip is close soon after three days."
Evangeline, unable to stand Dominic's presence with Richard any longer, charged towards them, interrupting the conversation. "What are you doing? What did you tell him, you bastard!" she shouted, raising her hand to hit Dominic from behind. But Dominic, with a cold, calculated turn of his head, caught sight of her in his peripheral vision. With a swift and emotionless motion, he shoved Evangeline away with his elbow, showing no remorse whatsoever.
The force of the shove caused Evangeline to twist her ankle and lose her balance. She stumbled backward, falling against a concrete flower vase near the fountain. As she fell, her hand struck the edge of the vase, and she screamed in pain.
"Argh!" she cried out, clutching her injured arm as it throbbed. She tried her best to hold back her tears, determined not to show weakness in front of Dominic. Dominic noticed the pained expression on her face, saw the tears welling up in her eyes, but his own expression remained blank because he knew she won't cry it out, utterly devoid of any empathy or concern. His face was like a marble statue: cold, hard, and unfeeling, as if her suffering was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
"Evangeline!" Richard called out, rushing to her side and shoving Dominic away. Dominic simply looked at them with the same unfeeling gaze, as if he were observing a scene from a play that did not interest him in the slightest. Richard held Evangeline by the shoulders, his eyes filled with concern as he examined her throbbing arm. "You're hurt," he said softly, glaring at Dominic with fury. "What... have you done?"
Dominic turned to face them with the same cold, indifferent expression. Without a word, he twisted his wrist, making a cracking noise that seemed almost deliberate—a silent declaration of his strength and indifference. He showed no concern or remorse for his actions, his face a mask of icy detachment. His eyes, as lifeless as stone, bore into Richard's with a calm, almost unnerving steadiness, conveying that he felt no guilt, no regret, not even the slightest hint of human compassion.
Richard's face was a mixture of rage and disbelief. He knew Dominic could be ruthless, but this level of cold-heartedness was beyond what he had imagined. He gritted his teeth, his hands shaking with suppressed anger. "You should mind what you do to people, Dominic. Someday, that emotionless shell of yours will crack, and you'll have to face the consequences of what you've done."
Dominic merely glanced at him with the accusations, a slight smirk curling at the corners of his lips without them noticing it but his eyes remained empty, devoid of any real feeling. It was as if he existed in a world apart from the rest of them, where empathy and remorse had no place, and all that mattered was his own twisted sense of control and power.
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