The grand hall of Damian’s estate was an imposing space, its vaulted ceilings adorned with glittering chandeliers casting warm light over polished marble floors. A sense of unease rippled through the air as the household staff filed in, their murmurs echoing off the cavernous walls. Maids, butlers, and guards alike stood stiffly, unsure why they had been summoned so suddenly.
At the front of the room, Catherine, the head maid and slave, stood tall, her stern expression betraying no emotion. She was accustomed to Damian’s erratic behavior, but even she couldn’t deny the tension mounting in her chest.
The heavy oak doors swung open with a resounding creak, and the room fell silent. Damian strode in with his usual commanding presence, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a hint of the intricate tattoos that sprawled across his chest. Behind him trailed Aurora, her head held high, draped in a crimson gown that clung to her curves. The gown’s bold color was a statement in itself, one that didn’t go unnoticed by the watchful eyes in the room.
Catherine’s sharp gaze landed on Aurora, narrowing slightly. What is she doing here?
Damian stopped in the center of the hall, his dark eyes sweeping over the crowd with an air of authority that silenced even the faintest whisper. He held up a hand, and the staff stood at attention.
“I have called you all here to make an announcement,” Damian began, his deep voice cutting through the silence like a blade. “As you all know, this household operates under my rules and my decisions. And today, I’ve made a decision that will change the dynamics of this estate.”
He paused, letting his words sink in. A ripple of curiosity and unease passed through the room. Catherine’s jaw tightened as she braced herself for what was to come.
“I have chosen a new mistress,” Damian declared, his gaze locking onto Aurora, who stepped forward at his cue.
Gasps and murmurs erupted from the crowd, and Catherine’s composure cracked for a fleeting moment. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides as she struggled to mask her shock.
Damian raised his hand again, silencing the room. “This is Aurora,” he continued, his voice steady and authoritative. “She has proven herself worthy of my attention, and from this moment on, she will hold a position of privilege in this household. You will treat her with the same respect and obedience that you show me.”
Aurora swallowed hard, feeling the weight of countless eyes on her. She stood tall, refusing to show the nerves churning within her.
Damian turned to her, a small, almost imperceptible smirk tugging at his lips. “Come here,” he said softly, but his voice carried to every corner of the hall.
Aurora obeyed, stepping closer to him until they stood inches apart. Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked up at him, her defiance masked by an air of submission.
Then, without warning, Damian cupped her face and pressed his lips to hers.
The kiss was firm and deliberate, a public claim that left no room for doubt. Gasps filled the room once more, and Catherine’s face twisted with fury, though she quickly schooled her features into a mask of cold indifference.
When Damian pulled back, he didn’t release Aurora. His hand lingered on her cheek, his thumb brushing her skin as he turned back to the crowd.
“Let this serve as a reminder,” he said, his tone laced with warning. “Aurora is under my protection. Any disrespect toward her will be dealt with harshly.”
Aurora glanced at the crowd, noting the mix of emotions etched on their faces-shock, envy, resentment, and, in some cases, grudging acceptance. But it was Catherine’s expression that caught her attention. The older woman’s icy gaze burned with barely restrained anger, her lips pressed into a thin line.
The head maid stepped forward, bowing her head slightly. “As you command, Master Damian,” she said, her voice calm but strained. “We will ensure that your mistress is treated with the respect she deserves.”
Damian’s eyes flicked to Catherine, a flicker of amusement dancing in his gaze. “See that you do,” he said, his tone pointed.
Catherine stepped back, her mind racing. She had worked too hard and sacrificed too much to allow some young, naive girl to usurp her position of influence. But she knew better than to challenge Damian directly. For now, she would bide her time.
Damian dismissed the staff with a wave of his hand, and they began to disperse, their whispers filling the hall once more. Catherine lingered, her sharp eyes following Aurora as she stood beside Damian, her posture confident despite the storm brewing around her.
When the room was nearly empty, Damian leaned down to Aurora, his voice low enough for only her to hear. “You handled that well.”
Aurora glanced up at him, her expression neutral. “I told you I could,” she replied softly.
Damian chuckled, a sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “Good. Because this is only the beginning.”
As the last of the staff filed out of the hall, Catherine turned and left without a word, her mind already plotting her next move.
Aurora watched her go, knowing that Catherine wouldn’t let this slight go unanswered. But she also knew she couldn’t afford to let fear consume her. She had fought too hard to get here, and she wasn’t about to back down now.
Damian placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her out of the hall. “You’ve made an impression, Aurora,” he said, a hint of approval in his voice.
“Let’s hope it’s the right one,” she replied, her gaze fixed ahead.
“Time will tell,” Damian said with a smirk.
As they walked away, Aurora couldn’t shake the feeling that the battle for her place in this household had only just begun.