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The Winter Vow

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Chapter 14

Marquis's mansion, nine years ago-

Marie knocks on Veyna's bedroom door. Then, she waits patiently for any response.

One minute.

Two minutes.

Three minutes.

There is still no response from her master. She knocks again this time a bit harder than before.

"My lady?" Marie called softly, waiting for a response.

Then, a sudden crash. The sharp sound of shattering glass echoed from inside the room.

Alarmed, Marie pushed the door open without hesitation, only to find Veyna collapsed on the floor, half-entangled in her blanket.

In front of her lay broken shards of glass, probably a cup. Marie rushes to her side, kneeling down.

"Are you alright, my lady?" she asked, gently pulling Veyna up.

Veyna’s voice is barely above a whisper, raspy and fragile. "Marie… I was about to open the door."

Her emerald eyes are swollen, her silver hair falling messily over her pale face.

Did she cry herself to sleep again? Marie thought, her heart aching at the sight.

She carefully guided Veyna back onto the bed, tucking her in.

"You don’t have to, my lady," she murmured, her tone both firm and kind.

Veyna looked up at her, eyes vacant yet striking. With her ethereal beauty, silver hair, porcelain skin. She resembled a mythical fairy lost in an unfamiliar world.

Her master, Lady Veyna, had lost her parents a few months ago. The former Marquis and Marchioness had perished in a tragic carriage accident, their vehicle veering off a cliff.

She’s only fifteen… and yet, she has already suffered so much. First her brother and now her parents.

Marie gazed at her with quiet warmth.

"Would you like some breakfast, my lady? I’ve already informed the butler that you won’t be attending the academy today."

Veyna blinked. "Really?"

Marie nodded. "You can rest today."

A faint smile flickered across Veyna’s lips. Small, but enough to ease Marie’s worries.

---

Marie walked down the long hallway, carrying the soiled blanket and bedsheets in her arms. As she turned a corner, a familiar figure passed by, tall, composed, exuding quiet authority.

The current Marquis. Veyna’s uncle. The man who had inherited his late brother’s title just a month ago.

It looks like he’s heading to my lady’s room, Marie noted.

She paid him little mind and continued on her way to the washroom.

Later, Marie comeback bringing Veyna's breakfast.

"HOW DARE YOU TALK BACK TO ME!?"

Marie froze in place. Marquis voice?

Then, she hears cries from Veyna along with a hitting sound. Marie's heart beats louder and faster. She moves slowly to the door who is slightly opened. She took a peek and immediately covers her mouth in shock at the scene before her.

Marie's hands tremble in fear and worries. She steps back slowly, her hands stay on her mouth.

How could he do that... to his own niece?

An hour passed, the Marquis already left, leaving Veyna alone in her room.

Marie came back holding an ointment and a tray of foods. Her hands is still trembling from what she saw earlier.

She hesitated before pushing the door open. Her eyes immediately landed on Veyna, who is sitting on the balcony, gazing up at the brilliant sky.

She steps closer, concern tightening her chest.

"My lady… why are you sitting there?"

No response.

Marie set the tray down, rubbing her fingers anxiously.

"My lady…" she called again, softer this time.

Veyna shifts slightly.

"It's warm here," she murmured. "The sun… is warm."

Marie glances up at the sky. The summer heat is relentless, the air thick and sweltering. Yet, as she looks at Veyna, she suddenly remembered, her illness.

A affliction that made her skin as cold as ice, her breath carrying the crispness of winter’s breeze.

Is she cold?

"I… brought you food," Marie said softly.

"I'm not hungry, Marie," Veyna replied, her voice distant.

"You need to eat, or…"

"What?" Veyna turns her head slightly, her emerald eyes dull. "I'll starve to death?"

Marie froze, her throat tightening. The words cut deeper than she expected.

Her vision blurs as tears welled up, but she bites her lip, holding them back.

She stood there, motionless, unsure of what to do. Due to her position as a mere maid, she can't force or even talk back to her master. The master she once knew, the bright, cheerful girl full of warmth is gone.

And that realization hurt more than anything.

Days after that, Marie is walking around the front garden in the night to clear her mind. The moon shines so bright tonight. The white full moon reminds Marie with Veyna's silver hair.

She shifts her gaze straight to Veyna's room's balcony just to see a female figure with silver hair that blows gently by the wind is standing on the reiling of the balcony.

Marie's eyes widened at the realization. Without second thought, she rushes inside to mention, her destination is only one, Veyna's bedroom.

Within a short time, she arrived and she immediately barged into her room,running straight to the balcony.

She is right. It wasn't a hallucination. Veyna is standing on the railling. Her mind filled with many bad thoughts.

Ignoring those thoughts, Marie grabs Veyna and pulls her down the railing. She wraps her arms tightly around Veyna's cold body.

She breaks down with tears.

"My lady... please. Dont do such thing.."

Veyna remains motionless in her arms.

"Please... my lady."

"You need to live...", said Marie with trembling voice and tears run down her cheeks.

---Three years passed,

Veyna is now 18 years old.

"Marie, isn't this dress gorgeous?", asked Veyna while posing herself at a mirror. She has grown so much and she is an adult now. Prettier and colder.

She had caused many troubles that her reputation is at a rock bottom now.

"It is, my lady," Marie gave a genuine answer.

"Thank you, Marie", Veyna gives her the smile she always put on her face. A cold, fake and meaningless smile.

My lady... if only i have more power that is enough to pull you out of this living hell, you wont have to become a person you re now...

Only if...

I can make you happy.

Marie keeps her head down as the thoughts linger in her mind.

I want to say that you re perfect no matter how other people see you...

I know, i know you re hurt and broken...

You can cry if you feel sad, go mad if you feel angry as long as you live...

I hope you ll find the love you deserve, my sweet and lovely lady...

Marie lifts her head. Veyna deserves to hear those reassuring words.