On reaching the Moriarty mansion, Eve walked straight to the piano room. Keeping her things aside, she pulled out the book from the rack that she would be teaching Allie today.
When the young vampiress appeared at the door, seeing Eve, her eyes widened, and she quickly ran to where Eve was before crashing against her legs and putting her arms around Eve.
"And I am very excited to see you too," Eve chuckled, noticing how Allie didn't pull away from her for five seconds.
"I missed you," whispered Allie and hearing the words, Eve's heart warmed.
"I missed you too, Miss Allie," Eve gently stroked the little girl's head. "Forgive me for missing our classes together for a week."
Realising she was standing too close to Eve, Allie took a step back with bright cheeks and said, "Brother said you were sick. Did you eat something bad in the ball? Are you doing better now?"
Eve enjoyed listening to Allie speak as she sounded nothing less than a kitten. But then, over the time they had spent with each other, they had grown comfortable and closer to each other, enough for the little one to trust and speak to her finally.
"I am doing much better now," Eve assured the little girl while feeling slightly guilty on noticing the worried look on Allie's face. "Why don't you tell me what you did during the week I wasn't here, and we can see where to pick up with your studies."
Allie quickly nodded, but before she sat at the table, she quickly went to the door and closed it so they wouldn't be disturbed by anyone.
Hours passed quicker in the Moriarty mansion and it was peaceful. When she was done with her work for the day, she picked up her things before bolting out of the piano room.
But right around the corner of one of the corridors stood Lady Marceline and Lady Annalise, discussing the soiree they had attended this noon and had returned only a few minutes ago.
Eve offered a bow to the vampiress, and though Marceline acknowledged Eve's presence, Lady Annalise turned her face in the other direction before walking away.
"I am so glad that I was able to meet you before you left the mansion. There was something I wanted to talk to you about. If you don't mind," Marceline showed Eve the way as if it was not wanting anyone to listen to them speak.
Eve nodded, wondering what the vampiress wanted to talk about. She found it hard to believe that Lady Marceline had gone through the same trauma as Vincent because she appeared more than pleasant.
When they reached a corridor which led to the inner garden of the mansion, somewhere Eve had never come to see. Marceline said, "I hope you are adjusting fine with Allie's studies. It's because I know it is hard to pick up things after a week's break from work."
"We picked up fine, Lady Marceline. Miss Allie is a hard working girl, and enthusiastic when it comes to learning. Thank you for your concern," Eve replied, noticing the vampiress offer her a kind smile.
"That is good to hear. I was worried that you would find it hard, especially after suffering a fever that had you sick for a week?" Marceline's eyes met Eve's, who nodded and returned the smile. The vampiress continued, "When I was young, we had a little difficulty with the governess's and my studies were never on the right track. I now think, how lucky Allie is to have you as her governess."
Though the two young women almost walked next to each other, if one looked closely, they would be able to notice how the vampiress's footsteps moved faster than Eve, as if wanting to be ahead of her.
A soft smile appeared on Eve's lips, and she offered, "I don't think it is ever too late to learn anything. You are always welcome to join Miss Allie and me in the piano room."
If Marceline had not already perfected the art of smiling, her smile now would have appeared to be tight, as she found it laughable to sit and learn with her younger sister by this measly human.
Marceline led Eve to one side of the inner garden, before they sat on one of the benches surrounded by bushes and beautiful-looking flowers. One of the servants appeared with a tray, and the vampiress politely asked,
"Would you like to have some tea?"
"I think I am fine," replied Eve with the thought that she still had to travel and didn't want to get down from the carriage as her stomach felt full.
"I insist," Marceline waved her hand for the servant to come near and serve them the tea. Offering each of them one cup, the servant walked backwards and went to stand near the other side so that he could pick up the used glasses when the women would finish drinking it.
Marceline took a sip from the cup, the smile on her face blooming further, and she turned to look at Eve, as the human was yet to take a sip. Feeling slightly pressured, Eve took a sip, and her eyebrows rose in surprise. She said,
"This is really good."
Marceline looked as if Eve was stating something obvious that everyone already knew. She then said,
"The Moriarty's always pick the finest things and the best. It is how our family has thrived, being pureblooded vampires, but that is something that you already know," the vampiress softly chuckled. "It is unfortunate that we didn't have enough to sit and discuss how you found the ball I hosted."
"You were an excellent host, Lady Marceline. Every guest who attended praised you," saying this, Eve brought the teacup to her lips and sipped it just when Marceline said,
"I wanted to ask if there is something going on between you and my brother Vinc--"
Marceline's words were cut short as Eve spat the tea on the vampiress's dress due to the question. The vampiress found it hard to keep a straight face along with a smile that faltered.
"I am so sorry, what?"
