Under the vampire Lord's protection-Chapter 67: Traces of distrust

It was never Silas’ intention to eavesdrop on their conversation but couldn’t help it. Once he’d caught the first words, his senses were hooked and attention captured.

The vampire stood around the corner of one of the hallways, not the closest to Arabella’s door however, for Katherine would’ve noticed his presence.

Speaking of Katherine, her voice had blared last, proffering comforting lines, "Those laws and rules you used to live by there are not upheld here. You are very kind, I see that, but you do not have to worry about what will become of her. Edna won’t be harmed needlessly,"

Arabella’s breaths had turned shorter and shallower. It was clear that Katherine’s attempts at easing her mind and getting her to talk weren’t working as much as she’d wanted them to.

"I hear you and I understand," her voice meek as though forced through her throat, "It is just that I’ve lived all of my days there. Our ways were ingrained in me from a tender age,"

"Alright then, you don’t have to speak. I’ll do that," said Katherine, "I am not accusing her of anything, though even you must admit, at least, that she’s been suspicious. First, we spot her in the company of a witch and then I catch her chastising you in the corridors,"

In the company of a witch, she said.

Silas kept that at the forefront of his mind where thoughts writhed round and round while his feet strolled the manor.

A degree of verbal noxiousness was to be expected from Edna as jealousy and resentment could easily possess one’s tongue to spout the cruellest of words.

He’d heard some of it on Edna’s first interaction with Arabella. Back then, he’d simply sent her on her away, believing that resorting to harsher punishments was of no need.

After all, all she’d done was voice her grievances, but he’d never pegged her for the criminal type.

Silas could have never imagined that her feelings would lead her to go to such distant lengths. Perhaps it was the Mirari that dominated her being and governed her actions, but even so, if Edna had truly commissioned a witch to fulfil her selfish wants, Mirari or not, consequences were essential not only in the hopes it’d teach her a lesson, but also to set a precedent.

The unending debate on whether to summon Edna for questioning or not had been settled for him when the vampire sensed a presence shadowing his every move in the otherwise empty hallways.

Lurking around corners and trailing him everywhere he went.

Silas stopped dead in his tracks and called for her attention, "Haven’t I told you to stop following me, Edna," at first, there was but the soft sound of shifting and the racing of a heart, "Come out. I need to have a word with you. I will be in my room,"

Without another word, he walked again, making his way towards his room as he’d promised.

His stalker never left him alone, and on the contrary, upon hearing his words seemed emboldened and no longer cared for discretion.

With her he never had to ask twice as a knock reached his ears only seconds after he’d made it inside his room.

Edna waited for no permission and allowed herself in.

"Sit,"

Seeing her simpering pleased him very little. Silas felt the need to look away as soon as his eyes had landed on her.

Edna rushed to the lounge chair and waited, clutching the very edge as though ready to leap on command at any moment. The smile plastered across her features wouldn’t vanish even if she tried to hide her excitement.

"When was the last time you were in direct contact with a witch?"

her demeanor fell instantly as all of her delusions were shattered before his eyes. Her utter silence was as loud as her beating heart.

Her breath did not hitch in her throat for very long though. She slowly shook her head, donning a puzzled glare, "A witch? I... Do not understand,"

"I believe my question was simple enough,"

Edna cast her eyes down momentarily before they drifted towards the canvas he’d been working on those days.

Silas observed no notable change in her expression besides the grouchy air tainting her traits.

Eventually she spoke up, "Around three nights ago, the head maid sent a word out for a witch to come and fix a water issue down in the kitchens,"

"A water issue in the kitchens required the intervention of a witch," Silas had half stated, half asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes! I was not made aware of the details as it was not necessary, but the head maid will certainly corroborate my words,"

Edna did not ask for the reasons that made Silas question her in that sort. She made no attempts whatsoever at understanding what had happened.

Which caused an additional amount of distrust in her.

"When was the last time you’ve spoken to Arabella?" he asked.

"Who?" her voice faltered, breaking throughout that one syllable.

"I know you two have already met," his patience was running thinner and thinner.

"Oh... The new blood provider," she half asked, "She never introduced herself to me by word, but I believe the last time she and I crossed paths was two nights ago... In the hallways," she avoided his gaze at all costs.

Unlike her usual self, the maid seemed completely out of her element, struggling to maintain her stance. She’d even stuttered over some words which almost never happened with her, not even in his presence.

The enamored look Edna only ever offered him was absent, instead substituted with this twined glower as if her sense of scent had been haunted by a foul odor only she was capable of smelling.

"Will she corroborate these words as well?"

That question seemed to rattle her further as she provided no answer for a good moment then fumbled through a few attempts, "She would... Of course?"