Chapter 324 - Memories Of The Duchess- Part 1

Music recommendation: Middle Earth | Rivendell - Music & Ambience 

Time start for music: 12:51

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Looking at the people who were in the room, Belle could only tell that Adams' mansion was turning full within a few weeks. After her parent's death, it was just the servants who worked in the Adams mansion and Belle along with Lucas. Then came Barron, after which they had locked Baltimore which now she wondered how they had done it. Oh, yes, Lucas had hit Baltimore's head before dragging him up and placing him in the cell. Then it was Greed who had been trapped but freed. Now they had Lucas' hellhound. 

Though it was a mixture of creatures in the Adams' mansion, it somehow felt like family because the mansion was no more quiet. At least not with Barron who kept crashing into everything and anything like a little tornado of disaster. 

"Belle got you both gifts. It's there in those white bags," informed Lucas and Barron were the first one to dive and pull out the mufflers.

"I know Grim reapers don't feel cold, but I thought it would be something nice to wrap yourself with as it's Winter now," Belle explained looking at the rabbit who said nothing so far. Greed had picked up one of the bags who didn't open to see what it was but said, 

"Thanks," it was one of the blandest responses Belle had heard but she took it with a smile on her lips. 

Barron was yet to say something so Belle asked, "We can exchange the colours if you don't like it…" her voice was soft and sweet. 

The rabbit then finally looked up to say, "Thank you," and he walked up the stairs without another word. Belle looked at Lucas who shrugged his shoulders. 

"He has his mood swings like a child," said Lucas, "You should go get some rest. I will join you soon," he leaned forward to kiss the side of her temple to have her nod. The hellhound followed Lucas and so did Greed as if wanting to speak something. 

Belle finally walked up the stairs, her hand moving against the railings of the stairs that were made of wood. It felt good to be back home and she started to head her way towards her room before stopping and taking a turn. She walked through the deserted corridors. She blew air of spells in the wind to have the unlit torches on the wall to glow up and she walked to finally find Barron who stood at the far end of the corridor.

The fourth card of the Grims was usually someone who was jumping around, creating noise and to see him utter words of thanks and go up the stairs, Belle wondered if he was alright. The place where Barron stood, had a long glass that started from the ground to touch the ceiling which was held between two pillars. 

"This used to be my favourite spot when I was small," said Belle as she walked closer to Barron while also making sure that she was not invading his space if he needed one. She saw how the muffler sat next to him.

"You must have been a cute child if Lucas stayed back in the mansion for so long," stated Barron, his spirit still in there and he turned to look at the vampiress who made her way to him, "Aren't you tired? You should be resting." 

"I thought you need company," said Belle being frank. Barron didn't respond to it and he turned back to look at the fog that had formed itself at the top of the village which didn't allow one to view the village properly as they could see only bits and pieces of it. 

For many minutes, both Belle and Barron sat next to each other, staring out the world that was outside. The sky had started to snow again and because of the wind outside, they could see some of the snowflakes trying to stick to the glass to only slide down. 

"Long ago, I used to have a muffler with me. Something similar to this."

"Who was it from?" asked Belle.

"From a girl. A duchess," answered Barron, his eyes still looking outside, "She was very sick but she made me the muffler because I once lied that I was freezing cold because of the weather. Like many others, she didn't know that I was a Grim reaper." 

"Where was she from?"

"Wovile. Somewhere to the East, I think. I don't remember as it was many decades ago," Barron who had stretched both his legs forward pulled it close to his chest, "She was a sweet girl I guess, but I had the job to take her soul. Back in the days, the orders were much more strict than now. Orders were given out on which specific individual would be the one to catch the sickness."

"It was your job. You did what you had to do," said Belle, turning her eyes to look at Barron who didn't move. Her dear Mr. Fluffs who she had cared for since she was a young girl, now had been passed to the next person who loved Mr. Fluffs as she did. 

"The Hawverts are right you know and it is not right for us to stay here for so long. The longer we Grim reapers stay in here, the more humane we turn and we will turn to one of you who will never be able to step into the land of the dead because we will be turning to nothing but dust," Belle quietly heard Barron speak, "I think the dutchess must have been of your age, or maybe younger. Bedridden as the dead was a slow progressive one. I had visited her before and then I visited again because I had a lot of time before taking her soul."

Belle didn't know at what period of time Barron was there but curious she asked, "How did you stay around?" 

"I worked as an advisor. Wait, that would mean my first form wasn't this little boy!" exclaimed Barron. 

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