Chapter 144

Six days had passed since Eve had returned home after visiting the council in Darthmore. As days passed, it felt as if what happened in the dungeon was only a bad memory that would one day turn distant.

Thankfully, no one in Meadow had heard about her being dragged to the dungeon, and peace filled the minds of her as well as the people she lived with. The long holidays also gave her time to think about the discovery she had made during the hearing session with the council members.

“Eve.”

Breaking away from her thoughts, she turned to Aunt Aubrey, who came to her room to check upon her. “You didn’t leave your room much today and I thought to come see you myself,” said the older woman.

“Sorry, I just got lost in my thoughts. I cannot believe one week is almost up and I will be back to work tomorrow,” said Eve, while Aunt Aubrey sat beside her near the window.

“Is that worry I hear in your words? Did you have your fill of being a governess?” Aunt Aubrey teased her, and her eyes traced Eve’s face, where the swelling had disappeared, and there was only a small mark that would require a week more before it would disappear.

Eve smiled, “I feel like the world I have been used to looking at has changed.”

Aunt Aubrey nodded understandingly and said, “That’s realisation, my dear. The world has always been like this. Most don’t see or see like depending on the thickness of the veil in front of them, while to some the veil is nonexistent. Don’t let it discourage your spirit. You are my brave child.”

It wasn’t that Eve didn’t know how bad the world was. After all, she saw her mother mercilessly being murdered, but she didn’t expect her life to be threatened this way.

“Flowers arrived for you this morning. It’s from the Duke,” informed Lady Aubrey and added, “I thought he would come visit you.”

[Music Recommendation: Jane Fairfax plays Mozart- Amber Anderson]

“He’s a Duke now and not a regular council member. It is the thought that counts, right?” Asked Eve, and Lady Aubrey shook her head. “No?”

“I didn’t say anything,” murmured the older woman.

Hearing the sound of the carriage wheels stopping in front of their house, both the women leaned towards the window. Lady Aubrey asked, “Is it him?”

“I don’t think that’s Noah’s carriage,” replied Eve.

“Is it Mr. Moriarty’s carriage then?” Questioned Lady Aubrey.

The coachman who walked to the other side of the carriage opened the door, and the two women continued peeking, waiting to see who it was.

The coachman appeared to stand in the same position of bowing next to the carriage door.nLady Aubrey said, “Maybe the carriage broke in front of our house. Let us see,” getting up, she left the room, and Eve followed her down the stairs.

Outside the house and where the carriage had stopped, the coachman raised his head to explain, but the young vampiress scolded him,

“Who stops the carriage on this side, making me walk all around for no reason when you could have just parked the other way round.”

Rosetta looked displeased by her aunt’s coachman and glared at the lowly being who thought he could make her walk a few more steps.

“Milady, the path to come was blocked. It is why I came this way–“the coachman tried to explain, as it wasn’t his fault.

“Silence! I will pull your tongue and feed you insects to correct the mistake you have made,” glared the vampiress before adding, “Do you think I won’t complain about your impudence with me? Now bring the stool.”

“Yes, milady,” the coachman quickly placed the small stool in front of the carriage door, and Rosetta placed her foot on the stool and finally placed both her feet on the ground.

“When I return, I want you to fix this. Get the carriage on this side.”

“Yes, milady,” the coachman obliged and wondered when this young vampiress would go back to the place where she came from.

Rosetta glared at the coachman with narrowed eyes, and the coachman shrunk, worried that she could read his thoughts. The vampiress dusted her skirt and walked around the carriage before reaching the gate of Dawson’s residence. By then, Lady Aubrey and Eve had already opened the door and stood at the front.

“Eve!” The scowl on Rosetta’s face quickly replaced with excitement upon seeing Eve’s face. She hugged Eve before giving airy kisses on both sides of Eve’s face. “How have you been doing? I didn’t see you at Skellington and was worried.”

“Did you visit Moriarty’s mansion?” Asked Eve.

Hearing the name of Moriarty, Rosetta frowned and replied, “Why would I do that? I can perfectly see who comes and goes from the gallery of my room.”

That was one way to say that she was stalking Eve, Lady Aubrey thought in her mind. Rosetta turned to the older woman and offered a hostile bow, unlike the closeness she shared with Eve. The vampiress said,

“Lady Aubrey. The recipe for the salted butter and bread was wrong. It seems like it is a secret dish here,” she gave a knowing look, while the other two women were a little confused about the secret behind preparing salted butter and bread.

Lady Aubrey being the kind woman she was, said, “I can teach you when you are ready, Miss Rosetta.”

“I look forward to it,” Rosetta replied in the tone and way only a young miss from a wealthy family would. “What did you do to your head?” her eyebrows furrowed on seeing the mark on Eve’s forehead.

“I fell on a stone a few days ago,” answered Eve and Rosetta nodded as if she understood everything.

The three women stood outside the house, and Rosetta couldn’t help but take a peek inside the house before being caught by Lady Aubrey, who asked, “Would you like to come in? Eugene prepared a new recipe for biscuits.”

Rosetta’s hands clenched before releasing it. She said, “No, I am good standing here.” Silence filled between them, and she asked Eve, “Did you take leave from work? I was hoping to see you, but days have passed.” The young vampiress looked sad.

“Mr. Moriarty said I should take a week off, and I thought a few days’ holiday would do me good,” replied Eve without lying to her friend. Lady Aubrey excused herself and stepped back inside the house.

“If only I knew…! We could go out together and eat and shop. I would have taken you to soiree with me, though I must tell you that it is quite boring,” explained Rosetta, returning to the habit of talking about her as she didn’t know what to say. “Aunt Camille made me wear this very tight dress; if I were a human, I would have passed out,” she laughed. “How many holidays do you have left?” She asked with great interest.

“Today is the last, and tomorrow I have to go back to work,” hearing Eve’s words, Rosetta clapped both her hands and said,

“We have today for ourselves then! Isn’t that lovely?” Rosetta was excited and said, “I have been wanting to visit that little inn we met. But no one agreed to accompany me, and my aunt frowned, saying your comp…” the vampiress paused before nervously laughing and said, “Let’s scratch that. Will you come with me?”

Rosetta looked hopeful. Eve’s body had healed and it wasn’t like she was doing anything important. When she gave a nod, the vampiress looked elated.

“Let me get my things and we can go,” said Eve, and Rosetta quickly nodded like a excited little puppy to go out. When Eve disappeared inside the house, Rosetta leaned forward, and her eyes looked inside the house. She didn’t want to step foot in the place as if it contained a plague and would infect her.

Someone cleared their throat behind her. On hearing the person clear their throat again, Rosetta turned annoyed. She turned on her heel, ready to shout at whoever was disturbing her peace when she saw it was none other than Eve’s coachman.

When the coachman bowed, it only irritated Rosetta more and she didn’t know why. Noticing him staring back at her, Rosetta demanded, “What are you doing standing here?” Her chin tipped up.

Eugene parted his lips and said,

“The door. You are blocking it.” Rosetta’s face turned red in embarrassment, and she stepped away from the door while glaring at the human.

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