The General Who Took My Lantern and Broke My Heart Chapter 07

The General Who Took My Lantern and Broke My Heart Chapter 07

By the time Bram finished dealing with the chapel rebuild, two days had passed.

Thorne and Cressida’s engagement had also been set in motion. Everything was nearly settled, and Bram could finally breathe again.

He sat down, took a sip of tea, and noticed the plate of honey-lavender cakes at the corner of the table.

“Was dinner sent to Aveline?”

The houseman lowered his head. “Yes, sir. But she didn’t take it in.”

Bram frowned but said nothing.

He knew she was angry.

Anyone would be angry after being dragged through town like that. But what was he supposed to do? Thorne had made the ruling in front of half the town. Bram could not openly challenge the rite keeper without making everything worse.

And if he was honest, he had not completely disagreed with the decision.

He admitted it. He had been selfish.

At first, he had gotten close to Aveline because of Cressida. He wanted Cressida to marry the man she loved, but Thorne kept holding back because of his childhood bond with Aveline.

So Bram claimed Aveline’s lantern. He married her and cleared the way for Thorne.

But after two years of living with Aveline, Bram had begun to understand something. What he felt for Cressida was not really love. It was habit.

He was used to worrying about her. Used to planning for her. Used to being needed by her.

Aveline was different.

When he taught her to read, she would tilt her head and ask what a word meant. When he came home late, she would be waiting in the hall with a warm drink on the table. When he got hurt, she would treat the wound with red eyes and trembling hands.

At some point, he had started looking at her more and more.

That was why he had not objected when Thorne made the call.

Because Bram was not sure.

He was not sure whether Aveline still had feelings for Thorne. He was not sure whether she would rush out during the engagement and ruin everything. He was not sure whether she would destroy Cressida’s future over a man she had once loved.

Keeping her locked away was the safest choice.

Once Cressida and Thorne were engaged, everything would be settled. Then Bram would bring Aveline out.

By then, Thorne would belong to someone else. Whatever Aveline still felt for him would have to die.

Bram would treat her well after that. He would love her properly. He would make her see only him. He would make up for every wrong she had suffered these past few days.

They still had time.

The next evening, Cressida and Thorne’s betrothal was formally announced.

Bram stayed through the supper, accepted the congratulations, and saw the last guest off before heading to the back of the estate.

The old family chapel was still locked.

He took out the key and opened it himself.

“Aveline, I’m here to take you—”

His voice stopped.

The chapel was empty.

Then he saw the floor.

Snakes. Centipedes. Scorpions. Dead and crawling things scattered everywhere.

Bram’s face changed at once.

“Aveline?”

No one answered.

He strode inside, his eyes sweeping every corner.

Nothing.

The blanket was still folded on the cot. The food in the lunchbox had not been touched.

“Get in here!”

His men rushed in. Someone muttered, “How the hell did all these things get into the chapel?”

Bram stood in the middle of the wreckage, his face darkening completely.

His hand tightened around the key until his knuckles turned white.

“Find out.”

His voice was low, forced through clenched teeth.

“Find out how these things got in here.”

His men left at once.

Bram steadied himself, then turned and strode toward Aveline’s room.