Damned by Him

Thank you so much,@MyGiveAFKFairyDied for the Golden Ticket.

Thank you so much, @ Sarebie for the Golden Ticket and Gift.

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The mansion was unusually quiet when Xandros returned from the palace.

The afternoon sun had already begun its descent, casting long golden streaks across the stone courtyard as the carriage rolled to a halt before the grand entrance. The horses snorted softly, their breath rising in faint clouds as the coachman brought them to a complete stop.

Xandros stepped down from the carriage, his expression as composed as ever, though the moment his boots touched the ground, his thoughts had already turned toward one person.

Rosaline.

He had spent the entire journey back telling himself that he was merely returning because his work at the palace was finished.

Yet the truth was considerably less convenient.

He wanted to see her.

Perhaps she would still be angry.

Perhaps she would refuse to speak to him again.

Perhaps—

"My Lord."

The butler’s respectful voice interrupted his thoughts.

Xandros looked toward him.

The old servant stood at the entrance with two maids behind him, all three bowing respectfully.

Xandros gave a slight nod.

"Has Lady Rosaline eaten?"

The butler straightened.

"Her Ladyship had breakfast this morning, my Lord."

"And afterward?"

The butler hesitated.

"She has not come downstairs since."

Xandros’ brows drew together.

"Since breakfast?"

"Yes, my Lord."

For a moment, Xandros said nothing.

His gaze shifted toward the staircase leading into several chambers.

Rosaline wasn’t the sort of woman who remained locked inside her chamber for an entire afternoon.

Even when she was upset.

Even when she was sad.

Even when she wished to be alone.

She would eventually wander downstairs, seek Lily, or find some other distraction.

She had never simply disappeared into her room for hours.

Something was wrong.

"Did she ask for anything?"

"No, my Lord."

"Did anyone see her?"

The butler shook his head.

"Not since she retired to her chamber."

A strange uneasiness settled within Xandros’ chest.

It was subtle.

Almost imperceptible.

But it was there.

He didn’t bother asking another question.

He turned and walked inside.

"My Lord?"

The butler watched him.

Xandros didn’t answer.

His steps carried him rapidly toward the staircase.

The moment he reached the first landing, something caught his attention.

A sound.

Faint.

Almost indistinguishable beneath the silence of the mansion.

Water.

Xandros stopped.

His head turned slightly.

Then he heard it again.

A disturbance.

A faint splash.

Then another.

His expression changed.

"Rosaline."

The name left his lips like a breath.

He moved.

The corridor seemed to disappear around him.

Silver light erupted beneath his feet.

In the blink of an eye, Xandros crossed the hallway with supernatural speed, the force of his movement sending a sharp streak of silver lightning through the dim corridor.

The door to Rosaline’s chamber flew open.

"Rosaline!"

No answer.

His eyes immediately searched the room.

The bed was empty.

Then—

Another violent splash came from the bathing room.

Xandros’ heart stopped.

He crossed the chamber in an instant.

The bathing-room door stood slightly ajar.

He pushed it open.

And froze.

Rosaline was beneath the water.

Her silver-white hair floated around her face like pale strands of moonlight, her body frighteningly still beneath the surface. One hand remained stretched toward the edge of the bath, her fingertips barely breaking through the water.

Xandros’ pupils contracted.

For the first time in years, genuine fear tore through his composure.

"Rosaline!"

Silver lightning exploded around him.

The room flashed.

And in the final moment before Rosaline’s consciousness disappeared completely, the last thing her fading eyes saw was that strange silver light cutting through the water.

She saw it, then darkness.

Xandros reached the bath.

His hand plunged beneath the water and seized her waist.

In a single movement, he lifted her from the bath.

Water cascaded from her drenched gown and silver hair, splashing across the marble floor.

Her head fell limply against his arm.

"Rosaline."

Nothing.

He touched her cheek.

Cold.

Far too cold.

Xandros’ jaw tightened.

He wrapped one arm securely around her before silver energy gathered around his body.

The lightning did not strike violently this time.

Instead, it moved delicately.

Thin strands of silver light travelled across Rosaline’s drenched clothes and hair, drawing the water away from her body until droplets rose from the fabric like tiny beads of glass.

Within moments, the worst of the moisture had disappeared.

Xandros carried her into the bedroom.

His movements were quick but careful as he placed her upon the bed.

"Rosaline."

Still nothing.

He pressed two fingers against her neck.

A pulse.

Weak.

But there.

His expression tightened with relief, though the fear in his eyes did not disappear.

She wasn’t breathing properly.

Xandros immediately leaned over her.

He placed one hand beneath her jaw and tilted her head back before beginning chest compressions, his movements precise and controlled despite the urgency tightening every muscle in his body.

"Come on."

Another compression.

"Rosaline."

Another.

"Open your eyes."

Nothing.

Xandros continued.

Then suddenly...Rosaline’s body convulsed.

She coughed violently.

Water spilled from her mouth as she turned her head to the side, her body trembling while she struggled to draw breath.

Xandros immediately supported her.

"That’s it."

He kept one hand firmly against her back.

" breathe."

Rosaline coughed again.

More water escaped her lips.

For one fleeting moment, Xandros thought she might wake.

But her body went limp again.

Her eyes remained closed.

"Rosaline?"

No response.

His hand moved to her face.

He brushed several damp strands of silver hair away from her cheek.

She was breathing.

But she wasn’t waking.

A frightening silence settled over the chamber.

Xandros stared at her pale face.

The slight anticipation he had felt earlier about her jealousy was gone.

So was the amusement.

So was every thought of whether she had seen him at the Royal House.

There was only one thing in his mind now.

She could have died.

His fingers curled tightly against the blanket.

Then he closed his eyes.

The vampire’s mental power spread through the mansion.

The command was silent, yet unmistakable.

Somewhere downstairs, the butler suddenly stopped.

Xandros’ voice sounded directly inside his mind.

"Come upstairs."

The butler’s eyes widened.

Immediately.

The command carried a weight that made hesitation impossible.

Xandros opened his eyes again.

His gaze remained fixed upon Rosaline.

And for the first time since returning from the palace...He no longer cared about the argument between them.

He no longer cared about the woman Rosaline had seen.

He only cared that the woman lying motionless before him was still breathing.