The horse came to a halt, stopping right in front of the castle. Damien climbed down, then stretched his hand towards Bella. She took it, came down, and dashed straight into the building, taking the corridor directly to her room.
And here I thought she must be tired, Damien mumbled as he watched her scurry inside like a rabbit, his lips shifting into a slight smile.
Lady Joline stood on the stairway, observing the scene before her. Her face appeared nonchalant, but her emotions were brewing beneath it all, her earlier excitement turning into dust.
Her expression brightened into a smile the moment Damien turned his eyes on her, and she slowly made her way down the stairs towards him.
"Milord," she said, giving a slight bow. "I was waiting for your arrival."
Damien looked at her with unmistakable boredom. For the first time, she felt her heart skip a beat. There were days when he was cold, but days when he looked bored—there were none, she had thought the would have a closer relationship now that lady Vivian was gone.
"You should stay indoors more," he said. "There's a high tendency for humans to die of something as simple as a cold."his cold voice pierced her even more than the cold did.
He turned, making his way inside. Niles immediately came forward, taking his coat. "Welcome home, Your Highness," he greeted, unusually bright.
"You seem quite… emm…" Damien drawled, searching for the right word. "Merry," he said at last. "What are we celebrating?"
"Breathing space, Milord," Niles supplied, making his way towards the dining area, with Damien following behind.
"hmm..Breathing space," Damien repeated contemplatively. It's been stuffy in here for quite awhile, he agreed, taking his chair. "So, where did you hide the body this time?" he drew out.
"Body? Niles paused for a brief moment before he resumed his actions on the table,If you are asking about Lady Vivian's body, it's in her father's estate," Niles relayed gently, …sparking a sharp, intrigued look in Damien's eyes.
"Niles," Damien choked out dramatically, placing his hand on his chest, a look of disbelief on his face.
"Oh, that's cruel! Killing the poor lady and burying her body in her father's estate… I'm impressed. How remarkable indeed."
Niles looked at his master before shaking his head ,not in disbelief, but with resigned acceptance.
"Milord, I never said she wasn't breathing. Lady Vivian is still very much alive and healthy, just a bit heartbroken. She left on her own accord, in fact I'm sure you will be seeing her during the morning court and she left you a letter, probably a farewell message a pity it's to the wrong person." he remark emotionlessly handing it over to him.
"Oh…" Damien murmured, clearly disappointed, picking the letter he put it into his side pocket.
"She has finally given up her dream and aspirations to the throne—or perhaps is too heartbroken to the core," Damien comment s, cutting through the streak of that was on the table.
"Milord, I think the lady was quite fed up with the disrespect. She probably felt her efforts were all taken for granted," Niles stated. Though he didn't fancy the lady snooping around his business, she had taken care of the castle wholeheartedly.
"Then she's smarter than I thought. It's time to shake the court up a little bit, put an end to my brother's legacy, and as for the west banquet, I will be attending," he announced.
"Everything is prepared already, Milord. I suppose the new bloodfeeder will begin her duties today?" Niles inquired.
"Hmm," Damien hummed in reply, chewing his half-cooked steak. Picking up a napkin, he dabbed it on his lips. "Yes, get her ready. I will be taking the drink in my chambers."
Yes milord Niles bowed before diappearing to carry out his duties.
Bella's eyes flew open at the sound of a brief knock on her door. The door was pushed open, and a tiny maid made her way inside. Bella's eyes sized her up; though she looked small, there was a stern look on her face.
"Milady, I was sent to get you ready for your duties," the pint-sized maid informed her.
She made her way to the bath to draw the water.
Bella forced herself off the bed she had collapsed onto the moment she returned. Her body still ached badly from the fall she had taken in the graveyard. She made her way to the bathroom, where the busy maid was mixing the bathwater.
"Please let the water be warmer than usual. I have a sore back," she murmured, her voice tinged with fatigue.
"Okay, milady," the maid replied.
"When you said 'duties' earlier, did you mean bloodfeeder duties?" Bella questioned.
"Yes, milady. The royal butler assigned me to prepare your bloodfeeder duties. You would be serving His Highness in his chambers, and I am your assigned maid who will be helping you.
I am Miranda, your lady," she said, giving a slight bow.
"We don't have much time, and it's sinful to keep His Majesty waiting," she added, moving to help Bella out of her clothes.
"Don't worry, I can manage, and I would like to bathe myself," Bella said firmly.
"It doesn't work that way.
There are rules we follow, and we cannot break them," Miranda said, gently but firmly removing Bella's clothes.
When it came to her tiny chemises, she let the girl undress herself, briefly turning away to give her some privacy.
Bella dove straight into the bathtub, a sigh leaving her lips as the warm water embraced her, soothing her aching body.
Miranda quickly began her duties, helping the lady scrub her back.
She helped Bella into a white nightgown from her wardrobe before drying her hair.
Bella struggled to keep her eyes open under her gentle care as Miranda ran a brush through her chestnut waves.
"Milady, I am done," she announced. "I will escort you to his chamber now."
Bella opened her eyes and used the back of her hand to block a yawn. "I'm sorry, I slept off," she apologized to Miranda, who was straightening her dress.
Looking at herself in the mirror, her chestnut brown hair looked lush, cascading in waves down her back.
"Let's go, milady,"
Miranda said, leading the way. Bella followed, her eyes wandering as she realized the castle was far bigger than she had imagined. She climbed stair after stair, passing through corridors lined with portraits that seemed to watch her as she kept pace with Miranda.
"I will take it from here," Niles's voice pierced the corridor. Bella turned, startled, to find the tall, pure-blooded vampire standing straight. His face was clean-shaven, making him look young, though she doubted he looked his actual age. Miranda bowed before quietly leaving them alone.
His eyes sized her up assessingly, a satisfied look crossing his face, while Bella burned under his attention, her heart skipping nervously.
"This way, Lady Bella," he said, gesturing with his hand before moving forward. Bella followed, trying to match his pace. He stopped in front of a huge, heavy door, pushing it open and making way for her before following.
"Milord, your drink is ready," a voice announced.
Bella's heart skipped at his words.
"Leave us alone, Niles," a husky voice ordered from inside the dark chamber.
"I have waited quite a long time for my drink, fish," Damien said. Bella felt her heart skip another beat as the door closed, sealing her fate.
"You don't plan on standing there all night, do you?"