For Better, For Worse: The Serpent's Contract Wife

Chapter 91: No One Truly Knows The Serpent

"You didn’t know," Noelle said as a smile curled on her lips. "I never thought I’d see Rosier’s last work in your hands. That ring is more than just a ring; it’s a legacy."

There were a lot of things I was starting to realize I didn’t know. That kind of revelation-type shit, where I look back at everything and discover that it was never just from my perspective or how I assumed it was.

I stroked the ring on my finger, the emerald-cut diamond ring glistening in the light. This piece of diamond suddenly held more meaning than anything I have ever owned. Everything Zade had given me had some enigma behind them the whole time.

Why?

Shouldn’t it have been just a toss of wealth to satisfy my taste? Why does it feel deeper than that?

"I have heard a few things," I began as my curiosity got the better of me. I thought I knew what I needed about Zade Salvero, but I guess not.

"About what?" Noelle asked, taking a sip from her wine.

"About how Zade came to power. They said he was very young when he did. That he..." I paused. "...never had a childhood."

Noelle’s eyes saddened, her smile tight. "Yes, he was just twelve years old after the tragic deaths of Zayden and Carmen."

When she caught my expression, she added, "Oh yes, Zade was named after his father." She set her glass on the table. "He’s so much like him, too. In many ways, you could say his spirit lives on in him."

I don’t know much, but the article I read said it was a tragic fire that claimed both their parents and grandparents. There was no further information about it, just the picture of the building that held an elite event.

I had to do my own research because I couldn’t bring myself to ask the boys, just as I disliked it whenever anyone asked about my mom.

I chose to respect that.

"That’s about the whole thing I know about Zade," I confessed.

"I see. And you wish to hear it from someone who has known his family. Of course, this could have been easier if you had asked his brothers."

I flicked my eyes to her.

"But I have a feeling you are going for a different approach. Instead of from the eyes of blood but from the eyes of a known stranger."

"Something like that."

She pointed at me. "Now that is very smart. I knew it wasn’t just about beauty with you."

I’m honestly not that smart.

I just asked her on a whim, but in her own head, she assumed I chose to seek her out for answers. I might as well just play along.

"So... are you gonna tell me? Or do I have to wonder?"

A gentle laugh left her lips. "Well, there isn’t so much of a secret there. The brothers know that, too, as well as everyone."

"Know what?"

"No one has ever truly known Zade."

I stiffened at her words, my eyebrow furrowed because she wasn’t making sense.

"What I’m trying to say is... You think you know Zade because he smiles all the time and laughs, but..." She shook her head slowly. "That’s just it, Anastasia. It’s difficult to comprehend someone like him. I have known him since he was just a boy, that is all I know... the boy and not the man."

I gulped. So no one truly knew him? Even his own brothers?

I found that hard to believe; in fact, I’m starting to regret engaging in this conversation.

"You don’t believe me," she said with a small smile on her lips.

"I-It doesn’t make any sense."

"Agreed. They call him the Serpent now, don’t they? There’s a reason why that name sticks. Because no one has ever been able to figure him out. A boy who took the empire at the age of twelve and did things no one could imagine. He was too good at it."

I picked up my glass and drank from it, my mouth puffing a bit before I swallowed down hard.

As Noelle went on, I recalled Shane’s words, even though he never spoke anything close to hers; everything he said to me that night still hinted at this same thing.

~

"You’re probably wondering why Zade killed your sister if they had something like this between them. The answer is simple, Mrs. Salvero. That’s the kind of man Zade is. Ruthless. Even that isn’t an exception to the woman he loves."

"Maybe he killed her because she betrayed him... or maybe he simply grew bored... Who knows?" He let out a chuckle. "The Serpent has always been impossible to predict. Then again, maybe he’s just as unhinged as the Undercity whispers."

~

My pulse raced as Shane’s words echoed in my head.

"Sometimes it’s best if we never truly know someone. The mystery is worth that dose of dopamine."

I looked to Noelle, who had her eyes on her husband as she said those words.

I drew in a sharp breath, descending my gaze to my half-eaten meal. freewёbnoνel.com

"E-Excuse me..." I pushed to my feet.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I um... just need some air."

Thankfully, the others were so caught up in talks that they didn’t notice me leave.

The night was cold, so I wrapped my arms around myself, determined to escape the noise from the dining room.

It was so quiet out here, and I could hear the nocturnal creatures at their wakes. I must have stumbled upon an area where the building was close to the fields.

I was able to find solace here, and I made sure I imprint this place in my mind so that I can come back to it. There was a glass door that led outside, and from a distance I caught sight of what looked like a greenhouse.

I attempt to take a stroll, but I freeze midway when, right at the corner of my eye, I catch a large shadow.