Chapter 33

The awkwardness Eve felt, she doubted anyone could fathom how she felt right now. Every step she took forward was stiff, and it was because she knew he was walking behind her. The timing couldn’t get any worse, she thought in her mind.

“You walk worse than the grandmother I once knew,” came the remark from behind, and Eve gritted her teeth. When she quickened the pace of her steps, he said, “I think it would be better if you run.”

Eve turned around to speak to him and said, “Mr. Moriarty, I think I would like to add another point in my job details.”

“All the details have already been filled and signed. The next form for it opens next year,” replied Vincent, and he didn’t wait for her. Instead, he continued to walk towards the entrance of the mansion. “You know I forgot about yesterday’s incident, but someone seems to have difficulty in letting it go and had to remind me about it.”

Eve wondered if there was a way she would be able to win an argument with this man. Not because she didn’t have all the facts, but Vincent didn’t play to the rules and followed his own rules.

“I don’t know what you are even talking about,” Eve decided to play his game, and one corner of Vincent’s lips pulled up.

Eve continued to walk, where Vincent was two steps ahead of her. He turned to look at her and asked, “Oh? Do you rather prefer that I remind you what I am talking about? About the round and soft—”

“Don’t,” came the curt word from Eve while walking in the hallways.

“What round?” Lady Marceline’s question came as she walked in the hallways to meet them near the entrance.

Eve offered a bow to Marceline, and a smile spread on the young woman’s lips. Marceline looked between Eve and her brother.

“I was talking about the round shaped moon and the softness of its light,” said Vincent, and the curious look in Marceline’s eyes faded, quickly losing interest in the subject. “Whom are you waiting for, dear sister?”

“You, of course,” replied Marceline with a bright smile.

“You don’t have to do that. There’s Alfie to wait on me, unless you have decided to be my butler for the day.”

“I am waiting for the seamstress, she was supposed to be here by now,” Marceline raised her nose high.

Vincent walked away without bothering to exchange another word, and Eve internally breathed a sigh of relief.

“I hope my brother isn’t giving you a hard time, Miss Barlow. I know how frustrating he sometimes can be,” said Marceline, shifting her gaze from Vincent’s back to Eve. “Are you alright? You appear pale today.”

Eve nodded, “It’s just the weat—Achoo!” She brought her handkerchief to her nose and gently pressed it.

Marceline frowned and said, “It seems like you caught a cold. I understand it isn’t severe, but maybe it would be better to not teach Allie today so that she doesn’t catch what you have. You know how young children are often weak as they are still growing.”

Though vampires had higher immunity than humans, the illness didn’t spare the creatures of the night.

Eve wasn’t too sick that the little girl would catch it, but Marceline was intent on her words. A soft sigh escaped from Eve’s lips, and she asked the young woman,

“Will it be alright if you can pass a note to her from me.”

Even though she and Allie had spent less than a week together, Eve knew that the little girl would like to read something rather than sit quietly.

Marceline nodded, “Of course. Shall we go to the drawing room? You can write the note there, and also have tea that might help you feel better.”

Eve shook her head, “That is very kind of you, but—”

“Just a cup of tea. It will give you enough time to catch your breath, before you head back home. Come,” insisted Marceline.

And just like that, Eve ended up in Marceline’s company in the drawing-room, with a cup of tea in her hand. She wouldn’t have been wary if Allie hadn’t revealed to her about the previous governess’s plight.

Eve couldn’t help but question who had killed the last governess. She now sat with a good distance between them so that she wouldn’t drop anything near the lady.

She stared at the surface of the teacup when she heard Marceline speak, “Is the tea not to your liking, Miss Barlow?”

Eve’s thoughts broke, and she replied, “It is perfect, thank you, Lady Marceline.”

Was it her? Asked Eve. Was she the one who killed the governess? Lady Marceline didn’t appear to be someone who could cause harm to someone.

“Our tea is famous throughout Skellington, and has been proven to soothe the body from fatigue, I hope you feel better soon,” said Marceline. “It must have been hard for you to travel here by the local carriage, isn’t it?” the young woman’s fingers delicately held the teacup as she took a sip from it.

“Actually, I came here in my own carriage today,” replied Eve, and a look of surprise appeared on Marceline’s face.

“Your carriage?” Asked the young woman, and Eve nodded. “How wonderful,” replied Marceline, with a thoughtful expression on her face.

While Eve continued to drink the tea in silence, Marceline’s eyes watched the human from her head to foot. Shoes that were worn out and were an eyesore to her sight. The only reason she was even entertaining this low life was partly that she was bored, and partly she wanted to know what was so special about this lowly person that had got Vincent to choose her as a governess.

A maid entered the room, bowing her head, and she informed Marceline, “Milady, the seamstress has arrived.”

“Tell her I will be there in a few minutes as I am busy right now,” responded Marceline, as she had found something more interesting than the seamstress.

“Also, Miss…” the maid started and stopped when Marceline turned and glared, something that Eve couldn’t see because of the way they were seated. The maid said in a meek voice, “Lady Stella has arrived at the mansion.”

Marceline was about to make the woman wait, but then the gears in her head moved, and she said, “Bring her here. I am sure she would like a cup of tea too.”

“Yes, milady,” the maid bowed her head and left the room.

Eve didn’t want to be in the way of Lady Marceline and her guest. She quickly gulped down her tea, ready to dash out of this place. But Marceline, who caught this, continued the conversation with her,

“Miss Barlow, next month we are going to have a ball in the mansion. Allie and I would love for you to attend it. We host a couple of such balls every year, I am sure you would feel fortunate to be able to attend it. Most of the people do,” added Marceline.

A ball that would hold a room full of vampires so that she could turn into a possible snack and then the main course meal for them?

“I don’t think Lady Annalise would like it if I attend it,” Eve found a good reason to stay away from them.

“You do not have to worry about mother. I am the one inviting you as my guest,” Marceline assured her with a smile.