Two days had passed, since the commotion related to Marceline that had taken place in the Moriartys mansion, and though things had quietened, the vampiress who had lost her leg had not stepped out of her room. Maids were not allowed to step in, and only the butler brought her meals to her room.
It was morning after having breakfast, Eve was back in the piano room with Allie, helping the little one study. She watched the small vampiress eagerly learn, while she was now writing in her book.
"Miss Eve, is this right?" Allie looked up at Eve.
Eve looked at what the small vampiress had written and gave a nod of approval, "That is correct, Allie. Very good," and the little girl beamed in happiness.
"If I get everything done by tomorrow, we'll be going to Lily's inn?" The little vampiress asked as she peered through her lashes.
"Just as we discussed," Eve stated. Allie once again dipped the quill in the ink, and when she brought it to her book, she paused.
"Miss Eve…"
"Yes, Allie?" Eve asked the little one, noticing Allie bite her lip.
"Did sister Marceline really lose her leg?" Allie asked in worry, and Eve didn't know what to say and she nodded. "Will she be alright?"
Eve placed her hand on Allie's shoulder and smiled, "I hope so. Let us both pray for her to get better," mentally, she added in her mind.
Allie nodded at Eve's words, quickly praying with her fingers linked, before she continued with her studies.
Last night, Viscount Eduard and his wife had gone to visit Marceline to let the young vampiress know that her wish to go to the South side mansion had been agreed upon. But they hadn't stayed in the room for more than five minutes.
Eve hoped that Marceline would turn to a new leaf in the House of Purgatory, but she doubted and wondered if her heart would ever come to like the vampiress the same as she had done when they first met.
Someone knocked on the door, and Alfie stepped inside the room, "Milady, your aunt has arrived. I have had her sit in the drawing room."
Hearing Lady Aubrey was finally here since she had last seen her, a smile appeared on her lips, and her eyes lit up. She turned to Allie and said, "I will be back in a few minutes, and in the meantime, keep studying, okay?"
Allie nodded and watched Eve leave with the butler before she returned her eyes to the book in front of her.
Eve's feet were quick as she walked through the corridors, with the back hem of her dress brushing the stairs as she climbed down. When she reached the drawing room, she pushed the door and found Lady Aubrey sitting on one of the chairs.
"Eve," Lady Aubrey smiled wide, and she stood up. Walking halfway, the two women hugged each other. "How are you? Even though you wrote letters to me, it feels like it has been years since I last saw you."
Eve felt the warmth coming from Lady Aubrey, and the smile on her lips continued to stay, happy to see the woman in front of her. When they pulled away, she replied,
"I am doing better, Aunt Aubrey. How was your journey? I hope everything was smooth?" Eve inquired as they walked to the long couch and took a seat while holding hands.
"It was smooth, just like any other day," Lady Aubrey responded and brought her hand to place it on Eve's cheek before dropping it on her lap. "It is good to know that you are doing better. Where is Eugene? Is he working?"
Eve turned to look at the closed drawing-room door and returned to receive Lady Aubrey's raised eyebrows. The older woman asked, "Is he alright?"
Eve told everything that had transpired until now since the time they had last met and things that she couldn't write in the letter. Lady Aubrey's lips were set in a thin line, feeling anger.
"Eugene is now resting in the servant's quarters," Eve let her know.
"I see… I knew it from the moment I met her. She isn't like us or like Vincent," Lady Aubrey shook her head. "Take me to Eugene, Eve. I would like to see him."
They stood up from the couch and were about to walk towards the door when Lady Aurora stepped in as if she had only arrived at the Moriartys mansion, inviting herself in.
"Well well well, look who we have here," Lady Aurora remarked in a taunting tone, watching Lady Aubrey from the head to the hem of her dress. "What are you doing here?" the vampiress asked, narrowing her eyes at the two humans.
Lady Aubrey offered a slight bow and said, "Good afternoon, Marchioness. I am here to visit Eve and Eugene."
"Is that so? I thought you were going to occupy another servant's room in this mansion," Lady Aurora stated with a prideful smile.
"Aunt Aubrey is staying in one of the guest rooms, Marchioness," Eve stated, which had both Lady Aubrey and the Marchioness turn to look at her. "As you know, our house is under some repairs and we will be going back once it's done."
Lady Aurora turned, annoyed by this information. Here she was, living in her deceased sister-in-law's mansion, while this lowly woman was going to live in the Moriarty mansion? She commented,
"Let us hope that the reconstruction doesn't take a year."
Eve politely replied, "We hope so too, Marchioness. Aunt Aubrey taught us not to depend and leech on others, and we would never want to use the Moriarty family's kindness."
Eve's words stung Lady Aurora, and she quietly glared at the lowly governess. She said, "Have your aunt dressed too, if she's attending the wedding. We are people from high society, so don't tarnish our image with cheap clothes that you would wear in your town."
Eve only offered a bow, and Lady Aurora stared at her. The Marchioness then turned around and left, looking for Lady Annalise, who had probably sensed the incoming headache approaching her as she was nowhere to be seen.
Not paying heed to the Marchioness, they started to walk from the drawing room, and Lady Aubrey whispered to Eve, "You don't have to worry about my dress for the wedding, Eve. I have just the right one that I have been saving," and she faintly smiled.
When they reached the servant's quarters, Eve knocked on the door, and Eugene opened it. Apart from him, in his room was Timotei, and an unaware Rosetta about her mother's presence in the mansion. Lady Aubrey didn't wait for Eugene to talk, and she pulled him for a hug, wrapping her arms around him.
"Don't you ever dare try to leave us!" Lady Aubrey scolded him while hugging him tighter. "I was so worried when Eve told me what happened."
"Forgive me for not taking care of myself, Lady Aubrey," Eugene apologised and felt the woman release her arms around him.
"I only have you and Eve with me. I would be very sad if something were to happen to either of you," Lady Aubrey blinked back the tears that had appeared in her eyes. "It is good to see that you both are fine."
"It is good to see you too, Lady Aubrey," Eugene smiled.
Lady Aubrey's eyes then fell on Rosetta, who stood there awkwardly. The older woman said with a serious face, "And you." The vampiress's back straightened, and her face turned worried. Eugene moved, letting Lady Aubrey walk towards Rosetta.
Rosetta fidgeted.
Lady Aubrey surprised the vampiress by hugging her, "Thank you, Rosetta. If it weren't for your help, we wouldn't have Eugene with us today. I will forever be indebted for what you did for us."
Eve smiled, noticing Rosetta blush at Lady Aubrey's words, as she had never been thanked like this before. The vampiress stuttered, "I—I didn't do anything. I didn't want him to d—die either."
"You have a big heart, dear," Lady Aubrey patted Rosetta's back, and Eve could tell that Rosetta would cry any second if Aunt Aubrey continued to praise the young woman.
Lady Aubrey stepped away from the vampiress, giving the vampiress some air to breathe as she seemed like she was in need of it. The older woman's eyes then fell on the black cat. The two of them stared at each other, and Eve decided to introduce the black cat,
"Aunt Aubrey, this is—"
Lady Aubrey said, "Timotei?"
Eve hadn't written about the cat in her letters, which surprised her, and she asked, "You know him?"
Lady Aubrey nodded, "There used to be this black cat that would often lurk around the house. A rat was once chasing him and he kept muttering something when I caught his name. Had to pull him down the branch because he seemed scared, but he ran away." She then said in a thoughtful voice, "I thought it was strange for a cat to be speaking, but he seemed harmless. I didn't see him after that."
Timotei cleared his throat, "It was a poisonous rat," trying to salvage his fierce reputation.
Remembering, Eve quickly informed Rosetta, "Your mother has arrived at the mansion and might soon look for you."
"So soon?" The vampiress's eyes widened. She looked back and forth, as if her heart wanted to spend more time with Eugene, but her mind knew she had to go to her mother. She bowed and exited the room so that her mother wouldn't catch her with Eugene!
