Chapter 143: Secret Room

As night approached, Ophelia prepared herself for what lay ahead, only to be surprised by a grand closet full of elaborate gowns and sparkling jewelry, all seemingly meant for her. The space had been meticulously arranged by Nikolai for a married couple, and she blushed deeply at the thought. Returning to the bedroom, she found Nikolai was nowhere in sight. An uneasy feeling settled in her stomach, a sense that something was amiss. Ophelia took a deep breath and approached the door cautiously. But as her fingers touched the handle, a sudden, sharp pain and a disorienting blur of images sent her stumbling backward. "What in the world was that?" she muttered, wincing as the pain intensified and she rubbed her forehead. The image reappeared, clearer this time—a memory, perhaps? In the dim light of his room, young Nikolai sat alone. He was dressed in a delicate white nightgown, his long hair braided into two neat plaits. Fear was evident on his face; he trembled uncontrollably and sho