Everyone was standing outside, for today is the day that Laura will leave the mansion for good going back to her hometown in Hallowpass.
It's a beautiful day to travel.
The servants already brought Laura's bags downstairs and placed them into the carriage. Since she doesn't have much clothing with her, they only need one carriage for the journey.
Laura went to Sir Nicholas's side. "Thank you for taking good care of me during my stay here, Father," she said, feeling grateful for his hospitality.
Sir Nicholas's smiled. "It's nice having you with us here in our house for a while. I hope you can visit us again together with your father someday," he said wistfully. He wants to apologize to his friend Simon in person because the arranged marriage between their children didn't work as planned.
"Okay, I will tell my father to visit here again in the future," Laura said.
Then she looked at Cooper. "Take care of your family, you are so blessed already," she said with a smile.
Cooper can't still get over his disappointment over Laura, discarding their wedding plans without informing him first. "Well...what can I do? Except to wish you a safe journey," he responded with shrug.
"Thank you!" Laura sighed and move on to Neeza and hugged the maid for a few seconds. "You take care of yourself," she told the maid.
"Same to you. Enjoy your trip, Miss Laura!" Neeza said misty-eyed.
Laura walked towards the carriage, then turned around and waved at them. "Bye everyone!" she said, teary-eyed.
Sir Nicholas and Neeza waved goodbye while Cooper remained rooted on the spot staring at his former fiancee with pain in his eyes.
Laura entered the carriage followed by Graven.
The driver stirred the horses towards the gate, the carriage moved forward, exiting the gate and leaving the mansion behind.
Inside the moving carriage.
Laura looked at Graven sadly.
He went to her side on the seat and embraced her. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah...I'm just feeling a bit sad, that's all," she replied. "Then... I'm also worried about Rebecca and my family back home," she added.
"Shhh...stop worrying about Rebecca. Don't worry about her. I will rescue her as soon I'll have information about the vampire couple's place," he said.
"I'm just worried that when you go to that remote place to rescue Rebecca, you will never be able to come back alive," she said apprehensively.
"Worry not my love, I will surely come back alive and bring back Rebecca to safety with me," he said confidently.
"I hope so..." she said burying her head on his chest, glad that he was offering her solace and comfort.
They enjoyed each other's company inside the carriage.
Hours went by.
The night is fast approaching on the horizon.
They managed to find an inn located near the road. Graven rented three rooms for the night. One for the two drivers, one for him, and one for Laura upstairs. As for his men who are outside hiding in the dark, they will take shelter somewhere.
After they had eaten their dinner together with the drivers, they all retired to their rooms to rest for the night.
Laura was lying in the bed, staring at the ceiling of the room, not sleepy yet. She's not in the mood to read a book.
She stared at the door, wondering if Graven will come to her room tonight. Will he?
She's kind of craving his presence like a drug, she's getting used to his wonderful presence. Sighing, she closed her eyes ready to sleep.
One hour later.
Graven suddenly appeared inside Laura's room.
Laura opened her eyes after sensing his presence inside the room. "You've come!" she smiled brightly.
Graven grinned. "Yaay! A beautiful lady is waiting for me tonight! I'm so lucky!" he said and sat on the bed facing her.
"I'm indeed waiting for you," she admitted.
"Did you like this room that I had chosen for you? This room has a king-size bed, has its bathroom and it's a bit spacious compared to the other rooms," he said.
"Yeah, I noticed the bed, it's a tad bigger for only one occupant," she responded.
"I chose this room for you with a king-size bed because I'm going to sleep here beside you tonight. I make sure the bed can accommodate the two of us together," he said, beaming brightly.
"Ah, I see..." Laura giggled and pinched his side playfully, finding his reason a bit humorous.
He lay down on the bed, wrapping his arms around her body lovingly.
She snuggled closer to him, seeking his warmth, loving his sweet embrace.
They fell silent, just listening to the beating of their hearts.
Laura is falling more deeply in love with Graven, every time they touch she feels happy and contented.
After some time, she looked into his eyes. "I have something important to tell you..."
"Okay, go ahead, tell me about it..." he said.
Laura cleared the lump in her throat. She needs to tell him the truth. "Hmm... honestly... I'm no longer waiting for Luke," she said sporting a serious expression on her face.
Graven's eyes widened. "Huh? But why?" he asked, stunned by her statement.
"I just don't want to wait for him anymore because I already love someone," she confessed.
He looked into her eyes, seeking the truth. "And who is this lucky guy whom you fell in love with?" he asked, the beating of his heart is deafening.
"I fell in love with you. I want to be with you forever!" she declared with a radiant smile flashing in her eyes.
Graven was stunned!
He was speechless. His heart just died!
Part of him is happy that Laura finally developed feelings for him, but another part of him is feeling guilty because of his twin brother Luke. Happiness, apprehension, and guilt beset his heart right now.
Laura has been studying his face the whole time and saw the conflicting emotion flickering in his eyes. She pouted. "You are not happy?" she asked in a dispirited voice.
Graven planted a quick kiss on her lips. "Of course I'm happy!" he said, beaming.
Laura doubted if he's telling the truth or not. She knew very well the reason why Graven can't be totally happy with her declaration of love and affection. It only means one thing... he was torn between her and his brother Luke.
It's indeed hard to be in his shoes, it's not a pleasant situation to be in.
Laura released a deep sigh. "It's hard for you to decide, right? You can't betray your brother?" she asked him, trying to assess his feelings.
Graven was lost for words. He's very happy after she opened her heart and soul to him. Laura loves him and he loves her, it was supposed to be a happy occasion for the two of them. But why he's having a hard time feeling happy now?
A nagging question was burning in his mind. What he's going to do with Laura? What he's going to say to his twin brother Luke if he's finally resurrected? Can he betray his brother and go all the way with Laura? He might gain Laura's love but he might also lose his brother's trust and loyalty. For sure, Luke will get mad at him that he corrupted his beloved woman while he was recuperating inside his coffin.
He was experiencing an awful feeling right now... he can't understand himself!
Laura looked at him. "Hey...are you okay?" she asked him.
Graven smiled and kissed her lips quickly. "Thank you for loving me," he said softly.
Laura buried her face on his chest. "It's okay, I understand. We could never be together in this lifetime because of Luke, right?" she questioned him, wanting to know his decision right now.
Graven released a deep sigh. He no longer bothered to hide his conflicting emotions from Laura. "Yes... I am thinking about my brother right now. How would he feel if he finds out about us?" he finally said.
"I will tell Luke myself that I no longer love him, that...I love you more and I'm willing to be with you forever!" Laura confessed her devotion to him.
Graven feels happy and proud of Laura's love and affection. It makes him truly blessed tonight. As for the problem between his twin brother and Laura, he still has plenty of time to think and find a remedy to their situation.
He will cross the bridge when he's finally there...
As for the moment, he just wants to be happy with Laura tonight. Now that she finally confessed her feelings to him, he feels overwhelming happiness flooding his heart. It's a good feeling to be loved by someone that he loved dearly.
Laura completed him. He wished, he could keep her forever by his side. He wishes that when Luke finally returns to the land of the living he can learn to give up and forget Laura. But it's just wishful thinking on his part. Deep inside, he knows that Luke will never give up Laura.
Graven planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Always remember that I love you so much! Let's just sleep..." he said.
"Okay," Laura smiled and snuggled closer to him.
Graven embraced her tightly in a possessive way. He's afraid of losing her because she wasn't his in the first place. His brother Luke love Laura first.
If he didn't pursue Laura, they won't have this forbidden relationship right now and he won't be feeling guilty at all. He gives in to his weaknesses blindly because he can't resist Laura's charm. He was truly smitten and captivated by her. He found her beauty and personality addicting, he can't get enough of her! That's why even if he knows it's wrong, he still keeps coming back to her like a moth to a flame.
The couple was resting comfortably on each other's arms, yet they were both bothered by the complexity of their situation, and sleep late that night.
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