Chapter 8

• The loud honk echoed through the mansion grounds again, sharp and persistent, slicing through the peaceful evening air.
• Downstairs, Dihanna flinched subtly at the sound. Her brows furrowed as her wine glass paused mid-air. “Who in the world is making that noise? And at this hour?”
• She set the glass down with a soft clink and called out, “Eddie.”
• The elderly butler appeared with his usual calm demeanor, bowing slightly. “Yes, Madam?”
• Dihanna didn’t bother looking at him. Her tone was clipped, irritated. “Find out who is disturbing the peace. We have guests in the guest quarters, and I won’t tolerate this kind of noise.”
• There was a slight pause before Eddie responded, “Madam… it’s Lady Moiraine. She requested the truck herself. She’s… moving some of her things. Said she’ll be relocating to one of the family’s private villas.”
• Silence.
• Dihanna’s jaw tightened, the only betrayal of the storm she was holding in. Moving out?
• She forced a small, polite smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes. “I see. Thank you, Eddie. You may go.”
• As the butler left, her smile faded. Her eyes, however, gleamed with something darker.
• So the little white-haired brat wanted to grow wings now?
• “I can’t let her leave this house.”
• The thought burned in Dihanna’s mind as she stared at the lingering lights beyond the window.
• How am I supposed to keep her in check, track her movements, or install surveillance if I don’t even know which villa she’s heading to?
• She was still lost in thought when the sound of footsteps echoed down the stairs. Moiraine’s voice, cool and firm, interrupted her mental spiral.
• “Dihanna.”
• Snapped out of her haze, Dihanna turned quickly, schooling her expression into neutrality.
• “You’ve been making a lot of decisions lately without even discussing them with me.” Her tone was light, almost casual. “Is everything alright?”
• Moiraine offered a small smile, the kind that didn’t reach her eyes. “Everything’s perfectly fine, sister. I just thought a change of scenery would be good for me.”
• Dihanna tried to sway her. “But none of the villas have been prepared. We haven’t sent anyone to clean, let alone ensure security. It’s dangerous to just move like that.”
• “I already have someone handling all that,” Moiraine replied smoothly.
• Still not giving up, Dihanna stepped forward with a suggestion. “Then let me at least send one of my personal maids with you. She knows how things are done and can assist you properly.”
• Moiraine’s smirk was razor-sharp. “That won’t be necessary.”
• Right on cue, Julia appeared, carrying a box with some of Moiraine’s personal belongings. She gave a respectful bow but didn’t shrink back from Dihanna’s scrutinizing stare.
• Dihanna's eyes narrowed. “Her? She’s not capable enough to manage a villa—”
• “Are you saying your Madam’s eye for talent is faulty?” Moiraine asked, her tone still sweet but her gaze sharp.
• Cornered, Dihanna let out a strained laugh. “Of course not. I was just… concerned.”
• Without another word, she followed them to the front door, putting on her mask of grace again. Moiraine’s personal driver was already waiting beside a sleek black car, trunk open for the boxes.
• As they drove off into the night, Moiraine leaned back in her seat, her eyes still fixed on the mansion in the rearview mirror.
• Home.
• It no longer felt like it.
• Her conversation with Butler Eddie earlier that day echoed in her mind. He’d raised them both—he was more than just staff—but trust was a fragile thing. She had dropped a subtle warning, letting him know she no longer felt safe under Dihanna’s roof and that if anything unusual happened, he should report it directly to her.
• Whether he would… remained to be seen.
• The villa was quiet, cloaked in the hush of twilight. The moon hung low over the hills, bathing the tall glass windows in a pale, serene glow. All the boxes had been unloaded, stacked neatly in the corners of the large living room, awaiting attention.
• Julia was already rolling up her sleeves, ready to unpack and start organizing. But just as she reached for the nearest box, a voice rang out from the top of the stairs.
• “Oh come on, Julia,” Moiraine said, leaning casually on the railing. “It’s just the three of us here. No guests. No staff. We can arrange things later.”
• Her voice carried a rare ease—soft, unburdened.
• David, her driver and personal bodyguard, walked in from the entrance hallway, holding several food packs in hand.
• “Where’s the takeout I ordered earlier?” Moiraine called, already walking down.
• “Right here, Boss,” David replied, raising the bags.
• He handed each of them their packs. “Alright,” she continued, “you guys are both staying on this floor. David—your room’s to the right, Julia, yours is to the left. They’re both set up.”
• David gave a short nod, while Julia murmured a quiet “Thank you” with a warm smile.
• With that, Moiraine collected her food, heading up the staircase to her room. Her long white hair caught the light briefly before disappearing down the hallway.
• Back on the ground floor, David and Julia exchanged a small look—there was something unspoken in the air.
• Things were going ton be different, each of them heading to their room.