The Blood Contract-Chapter 110: I’ll bring it to you there

The day slowly dragged on inside the Draven mansion. Everything on the surface moved like any normal day. Lucian, in particular, behaved as if absolutely nothing unusual had transpired earlier.

He went about his routine with his usual cool efficiency. He spent some time engaged in a lengthy discussion with Adrian regarding matters tied to business logistics and updates about the state of things outside the estate. The two of them spoke in low tones, their conversation heavy with details and strategy.

When Adrian finally left, Darrell entered the office to go over Lucian’s meeting schedule and some follow-ups from the business front. Lucian was attentive and calm, never once breaking from his composed demeanor. His instructions were clear, and he handled every update with measured nods or clipped responses.

While on that, he put a call across to Bonnie, who gave him updates. The call lasted for a while and soon ended.

After the call, he buried himself in his office, where he spent a good amount of time going over documents—signing off proposals, reading through reports, and responding to encrypted emails. He seemed undisturbed, fully immersed in work, giving no hint of any emotional turmoil or unrest.

But as the sky outside began to dim and the staff began preparing for dinner, Lucian finally made a move that indicated not everything was as smooth beneath the surface as it seemed.

He sent for Marlowe.

The message was delivered swiftly to her, and she didn’t hesitate. Within minutes, she arrived at the door to his office, tapping gently before letting herself in.

Lucian was seated behind his desk, papers spread out before him, a fountain pen poised lazily between his fingers. His eyes lifted slowly from the document he’d been reviewing, and his gaze locked on her with an intensity that made her pause for a second at the door.

"You sent for me?" she asked, stepping further in. freeweɓnovel-cøm

Lucian leaned back slightly in his chair, nodding once. "I did."

She approached the desk, arms folded loosely in front of her.

"Are you done preparing the special drink for Serena?" he asked, his voice as smooth and even as ever.

The question threw her off a little.

She blinked. "Yes... well, it’s in the process. It should be ready by the time dinner is served."

There was no obvious reason for him to be inquiring about the drink. Lucian had never shown any interest in such details before. Which made his inquiry now feel oddly pointed.

Lucian nodded again, acknowledging her response, then added calmly, "Don’t give it to her before dinner. And don’t give it to her immediately after either."

Marlowe blinked again. "I don’t understand. When then?"

He tilted his head slightly. "After dinner, ask her to retire to her room. Then wait a few minutes. Only after that—take the drink to her there."

There was a beat of silence as Marlowe processed what he’d just said.

The instructions were...odd. Very specific. And uncharacteristically involved.

Her brows furrowed. "Why? Why does it have to be done that way?"

Lucian didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he just stared at her. His gaze sharpened, not hostile but unnervingly focused, like he was trying to bore a hole straight through her head with the weight of his stare. The room seemed to shrink around them for a few seconds, the only sound being the quiet tick of the clock on the wall.

Then finally, he replied.

"I have my reasons, Marlowe," he said. "And I’m not willing to share them."

His tone was quiet, but absolute.

Marlowe’s lips parted slightly, but she didn’t speak right away. She took a slow breath.

"Are you alright, Mr Draven?" she asked after a moment, her voice a touch gentler now.

Lucian quirked a brow, amusement dancing at the corners of his eyes. "Why do you ask that?"

"Because you’ve been acting... off," she said, careful with her words. "Slightly weird. Not like yourself."

That earned a soft chuckle from Lucian, almost fond. He placed the pen down on the table, lacing his fingers together as he regarded her.

"I’ve always been this way," he said, his voice dropping into something quieter. "You probably stopped noticing."

Marlowe’s mouth opened slightly to speak again, but she caught herself. It was clear she wasn’t going to get anything else from him.

With a quiet nod, she turned away.

"I’ll handle it," she said over her shoulder, and walked toward the door.

Lucian said nothing as she exited.

But as the door clicked shut behind her, Marlowe’s calm facade began to crack internally. Something about that conversation had disturbed her more than she wanted to admit.

There was a chill that clung to his words. A strange detachment. It wasn’t just that he was acting differently—it was something deeper, something darker.

As she made her way back down the hall, her mind spun with questions she couldn’t quite name.

She considered, briefly, going to Serena. Asking her directly if something had happened between her and Lucian that might explain all of this. But almost as soon as the idea came, she dismissed it.

Serena needed rest.

Whatever this was, she would get to the bottom of it in time.

***

Having slept for a few hours, Serena stirred awake in her room, feeling surprisingly refreshed. The once-overwhelming exhaustion that had pulled her into sleep now receded, leaving her mind clearer and her limbs lighter. For a few seconds, she lay there, letting her eyes adjust to the muted lighting of the room, soaking in the stillness that blanketed everything.

She checked the time. It was just an hour before dinner. She stretched languidly, feeling the tension release from her spine, then rose from the bed. With her thoughts settled and her body rejuvenated, she walked into the bathroom and took a warm shower. The steam filled the room, enveloping her in a cocoon of comfort, helping her mentally brace for the rest of the evening.

Clean and wrapped in a robe, she returned to the bedroom and settled onto the edge of the bed, pulling her phone into her lap. She tapped into her socials, scrolling through news updates, photos, and mindless entertainment. It was a welcome distraction—a way to reconnect, however briefly, with a world beyond the walls of the mansion. The light from the screen glowed on her face, casting soft reflections across the walls.

But while her fingers flicked through updates and images, her eyes veered involuntarily toward the bracelet encircling her wrist. The sight of it made her heart skip a beat.

The stupid thing was sure going to act up again tonight.

Her stomach tightened for a moment, but she took a deep breath and urged herself to calm down. She reminded herself that she had already taken a step. She had asked Marlowe to prepare the drink for her, and Marlowe had never once failed her. Everything would be alright.

Dinner time soon approached. As the minute hand on the clock edged forward, Serena rose from her seat and placed her phone aside. She didn’t wait for anyone to summon her. Instead, she made her way out of the room on her own, deciding she would meet the evening with a measure of calm and grace.

She descended the stairs and walked down the corridor to the dining room, where the familiar sounds of light conversation and the aroma of different dishes hit her.

She stepped into the room and greeted everyone with a warm smile. Her gaze swept across the table, lingering for a moment on each person. Darrell. Adrian. Marlowe.

And Lucian.

He was seated at his usual spot, poised and composed, and when she greeted him—perhaps more out of politeness than expectation—something surprising happened.

He responded.

Not with one of his sharp remarks or cold stares. But like a normal human being.

A quiet acknowledgment. Nothing dramatic. But enough to raise more than one pair of eyebrows.

Serena blinked in surprise but didn’t linger on it. Instead, she shifted her gaze to Marlowe and moved closer to her. In a quiet voice, she asked, "Did you get my message?"

Marlowe turned to her with a smile, nodding. "Yes, I did. It’s ready."

Relief passed through Serena, and she gave the woman a soft nod of appreciation before taking her seat at the table.

Dinner began without delay. Plates were passed around, and conversation found its rhythm. Adrian, Darrell, and Marlowe were deep in a lighthearted discussion about wines—debating flavors, regions, and personal favorites.

Serena, while not fully immersed, added her voice here and there. Just a comment or two. A question. A laugh at something Adrian said. It was enough to feel involved, but not exposed. Her appetite had returned enough for her to eat steadily, savoring the food and the normalcy.

Lucian didn’t say much. His presence was quiet but felt. He sat composed, eating without distraction, though Serena caught him looking at her once or twice.

She didn’t let it shake her.

Once the meal was over, and the plates were being cleared away by the staff, Serena turned her attention to Marlowe again, her expression expectant. The bracelet had not activated yet, but she wouldn’t mind having the drink before that happened.

Marlowe didn’t miss the look.

She smiled and said gently, "You can return to your room now. I’ll bring it to you there."

Serena gave a nod and stood from her seat. "Alright. Thank you."

Without sparing Lucian a look, she turned and left the dining room, her footsteps echoing softly against the floor as she made her way out.

Marlowe’s attention, however, shifted to Lucian, and she found him watching Serena’s retreating back with a look of quiet satisfaction.

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