Under the vampire Lord's protection Chapter 610: Initiative

Has it truly transformed so much? Clearly, it has.

The aroma filling her chamber was now totally unfamiliar. It seemed like ages had flown by, erasing every single hint that she had once lived in that place.

That room felt even chillier than the other parts of the manor... So inhospitable to its former resident.

The blue tint on the walls matched the style seen throughout the house. Arabella had never once chosen the colors for her own space...

That color jarred against the deep brown furniture Reubon had placed there, and the white sheets looked dull next to those on her beds in Umbraria.

"I kept it spotless," the elder maid's voice quivered as she twisted her fingers, "In case you ever came back, I figured you'd want a tidy room waiting for you," her lips struggled to form a smile, trembling as fiercely as her speech.

"Thank you for that, Helen," the young lady pivoted, revealing her misty eyes.

"I hoped to see you once more before I died, but... deep down, I thought you'd never return here, and I couldn't fault you for it," Helen averted her eyes, steering clear of Arabella's gaze.

"The largest part of me never wished to abandon you, yet I saw no alternative," she affirmed with a grave nod.

"Of course, I get it!" Helen hurried over and clasped Arabella's hands, "Oh...," her weary gaze examined every bit of Arabella, "Your mother would be immensely proud,"

Arabella's lips trembled, her throat clenching around the words she had prepared. In the end, silence fell between them, as both women simply savored the sight of each other's faces.

Silas arrived to interrupt that tender instant, causing Helen to bow out, but just as the maid approached the door, Arabella called out once more, halting her abruptly.

"Helena!"

"Yes, dear?"

"Thank you for standing by me all those years," After a brief pause, she continued, "Know that my gratitude toward you will last forever,"

"No need for that, my dear. Seeing you well and content is the greatest gift you could offer me,"

With those words, Helena departed, leaving the pair by themselves.

Silas prowled around the room, scrutinizing each nook closely. Finished, he finally faced his wife again but remained silent.

She lingered there briefly before voicing the query eating at her core, "So, what do you think of my room?"

The vampire scanned the space once more, as if doubting whether to voice his thoughts.

"Please, tell me freely. I won't misunderstand," she offered a shy smile.

With a deep exhale from his chest, he approached and halted before her, "I... noticed it lacks any personal flair. Nothing evokes you. Not even your fragrance,"

"That's because I had zero input in how it was set up," she laughed lightly, grasping his hands and swinging them gently, "I can't even detect my own scent anymore,"

"I'm sorry to learn that,"

"I'm sorry to share it," she laughed once more, "Have the others gotten comfortable in their rooms?"

"I know Arthur was escorted to his quarters, and I suppose the rest have too, since I wasn't focused on them,"

"What about our prepared room? Does it suit you?" She pressed her body against his, attuned to his steady heartbeat.

"It's plenty cozy. Yes,"

The framed paintings on the walls gazed at her. They had always seemed soulless to her, or so she believed...

Still images of grand estates. Her father's picks, naturally. One had to ponder what thoughts drove him to that motif.

Yet in that moment, something about them felt different. As though brighter hues now filled them. Their vividness had inexplicably improved.

So peculiar...

"What do you intend for the remainder of the day?" his voice vibrated through her chest.

"I'll check on Arthur and Ada first, then talk to grandfather about the funeral arrangements," she tilted her head up to him, "Maybe I can assist somehow,"

"Why not take a break? I'll chat with your grandfather and handle whatever needs doing,"

The young lady hesitated, gazing into the glow of his eyes. The mirror of her own reflection shining back from those stunning gems.

"Thank you," her lips curved into a radiant smile.

"Do you want me here right now?"

"No, I think all's well, and I'm feeling good," she nodded.

Silas cradled her cheeks, then bent to press a kiss to her forehead before exiting the room.

Her shoe heels clicked against the known floor all the way to Arthur's room. Not one thing had shifted there since she left. No vase displaced...

A strange blend of warm and icy shivers raced through her nerves, defying her mind's attempts to make sense of it.

Her knuckles rapped on Arthur's door twice, met with silence.

After waiting moments, she turned the knob and peered in to see the room empty.

"Arthur?"

Arabella headed to the adjoining washroom and knocked anew, but again, no reply came.

"Lord Arthur isn't in his room, my Lady,"

The young woman spun to see a maid standing there, holding neat sheets.

"Where could he be, Alexandra?" she smiled.

Alexandra faltered, glancing aside, "He... He's gone to Lord Reubon and Lady Eleanor's chambers,"

A gasp caught in her throat, "Why would anyone bring him there? I don't believe he's prepared to enter their room yet!" Arabella rushed past the maid.

"But no one guided him there, my Lady," those words froze her at the door, "He went on his own accord,"