Chapter 25: Master
Windsor’s Intricate Planning
Despite her reservations, Isabella couldn’t just walk away. A single
word from Alexander could lead to
the demolition of Harborlight
Sanctuary.
“Stay if you must, but don’t try
anything foolish, or else…”
Alexander’s voice was tinged with mockery.
“Or else what?” Isabella retorted, her
frustration evident. She knew better
than to openly challenge Alexander
in his own home.
Observing Isabella’s flushed face, Alexander next commented, “Don’t worry, the mansion has plenty of guest rooms. We couldn’t fill them
1/6
Setting
12
Chapter 25: Master Windsor’s In…
even if we tried to dismember you.”
Isabella frowned at his poor attempt at humor. Alexander called for a servant to prepare a guest room for Isabella, instructing them to first show her to her accommodations.
The servant hesitated, revealing an unfortunate timing issue, “Mr. Alexander, it’s quite unfortunate, but Master Windsor suddenly decided to renovate the mansion. Currently, there’s only one guest room
available; the rest are not suitable for use…”
Alexander’s expression darkened immediately. A renovation? Why hadn’t he been informed? Or was this a deliberate setup by Master Windsor?
His gaze shifted towards Master Windsor’s room, now darkened, considering another inquiry would
2/6
Chapter 25: Master Windsor’s In…
likely provoke a scolding.
Isabella shared in the awkwardness, having agreed only to pretend as
Alexander’s girlfriend, not to share a room with him.
“Mr. Alexander, perhaps you could graciously occupy the gazebo outside tonight…”
Her suggestion was met with a palpable chill from Alexander.
Clearly, if anyone was to sleep in the gazebo, it should be her, not him.
After a moment of tense silence, Alexander gritted his teeth and conceded, “If it’s just one room, so be it. Grandfather would surely suspect something if we stayed separately.”
They proceeded to the guest room, only to find it stripped of all but a single bed and basic bedding.
Unknown to them, Master Windsor
3/6
Setting
1227
Chapter 25: Master Windsor’s In….
had ordered the removal of the
other furnishings, now stored in an adjacent room.
The servant couldn’t help but reflect
on Master Windsor’s deep and complex intentions.
After dismissing the servant, Alexander tossed the bedding to Isabella, his message clear: the bed was his; she could sleep wherever she wished.
Isabella was internally outraged by Alexander’s presumption and lack of chivalry but kept her complaints to herself, given the circumstances.
She spread the bedding on the clean floor, and as she settled down, she
noticed Alexander had already made
himself comfortable on the bed.
“We’re not switching places in the night!”
4/6
1
Chapter 25: Master Windsor’s In…
They spoke in unison, showing a rare moment of agreement on at
least this one issue.
As dawn unfurled its light, Isabella
stirred awake to discover the bed
beside her abandoned.
The guest room, ever prepared,
offered fresh toiletries which Isabella
employed with ease, soon finding her way to the main hall.
Master Windsor and Alexander were
ensconced in the morning’s
tranquility, tea in hand, with an array of delicately arranged pastries nearby.
“Ah, Isabella, join us. I dare say last night was quite the saga, wasn’t it?” Master Windsor’s invitation floated
through the air, tinged with a jocularity that seemed slightly out of place coming from him.
5/6
Chapter 25: Master Windsor’s In….
Isabella’s advance halted, frozen by
the incongruity of his remark.
