Under the vampire Lord's protection-Chapter 83: In touche

All through the manor, the walls vibrated with chatter. From where he ambled the hallways, Lauden also caught the clinking of dishes and glass carried out from the ground floor kitchens.

The difference between the light and gentle steps emanating from the gathering room and the quick stomping of staff downstairs was quite stark.

The vampire had centuries of adapting to the sharpness of his senses, and yet, he’d have tuned it all out if it wasn’t for that one person he sought throughout the entire building.

And sure enough, the moment Lauden locked eyes on her, the rest instantly became background noise.

"Edna? Is that right?"

She froze in place upon hearing her name. Though the maid did not seem particularly frightened but more so annoyed.

The eyebrow rising further up her forehead with every step he took towards her confirmed it.

"How may I serve you?"

Those words sounded so heavy on her tongue as though someone was prying them out.

"I am not sure if serve is the right word to describe it," he smiled, maintaining eye contact.

To Lauden’s surprise, she never looked away or fidgeted with anything for comfort in his proximity.

Whereas every human he crossed paths with couldn’t look him in the eyes, Edna’s bore into his as if competing for a prize she swore to win.

"Well, what is it then? My superior might scold me for taking too long to return,"

The meaning behind it was clear; she wanted him to speak fast and not waste her time.

Lauden did not know what to expect when he was sent to accost her, but her confidence left him stunned and... A bit offended.

Although, without further ado, the vampire dove straight into the thick of it, "I saw the way you were glaring at her," a cold smirk drew itself across his lips.

"Excuse me?" her eyebrows furrowed a little.

"She’s a pretty little thing, isn’t she? But you know," he made a short pause during which he crossed his arms, "You’re not the only one she’s wronged,"

Edna’s eyes squinted further, still glued onto him, "Who are you?"

"Oh pardon! Where have my manners gone?" Lauden let out a chuckle, "I am Lauden, known as the right-hand man of Lord Dragomir. I dare assume you’ve heard of him," he half asked.

"And I dare assume you are not acting of your own volition then," she too crossed her arms, "What is it the Lord needs from me?"

"I must say, you are quite sharp for a mere maid,"

For the first time since the beginning of their exchange, Lauden noted a spike in her heart rate.

It was then he realized his words were affecting her more than she let on.

"May I ask, for how long have you been a maid?" he pressed.

"Why?" her tone oozed with caution.

"Sorry, I meant to say," he lowered his voice to a breathy, sultrier one as he closed the distance between them, "When were you demoted? You used to be more than a maid, didn’t you?"

Edna practically leapt backwards, looking more wary than ever. Although she said nothing, the little tremble that rumbled through her fingers along with her widened eyes spoke enough instead.

"In fact, I am ready to wager, this change happened around... Or a little less than two weeks ago, would I be wrong for that?" he whispered, dragging his words in a taunting manner.

Just like they’d appeared, the signs of unease decorating Edna faded gradually, allowing her more confident outlook back on display.

"I see you’ve done your research," she sighed.

"Not exactly," he started, "The symptoms of the Mirrari can hardly be concealed or confused for something other than what it is," his irises wriggled around as they studied hers.

"What’s it to you?" Edna tensed up even more.

"As I said before, you’re not the only one she’s been causing trouble for,"

The smile on him was perfect, almost too perfect, she thought. And with that in mind, Edna made a quick turn and had started to walk away, "Whatever it is you are selling, I am not interested in buying it,"

She fought to keep her hand from clutching at her stomach while traversing the hallway at a speed Edna believed would arouse no suspicion.

"You were shelved and forgotten the moment she appeared,"

Like lightning, his words struck her in place.

"Why? Is she any better than you?" he continued, "After all you’ve done. All the work you’ve carried to completion with utmost devotion. She just waltzes in and reaps everything for herself. Now, that’s not very fair, is it?"

She said nothing and merely dissected every syllable he threw her way. Not for the truth, but for every ounce of falsehood they held.

In the end, Edna couldn’t find much wrong in them, if anything at all.

"You’ve asked; what’s it to me. Well, let me tell you; our interests do align and very much so," he pressed, slowly following in her steps.

"Speak fast then. I don’t have all the time in the world,"

By then, every semblance of courtesy and politeness she had feigned before was completely dropped. As it seemed, the difference in their nature and ranks never mattered to her to begin with.

Lauden did not mind her attitude one bit. On the contrary, he flashed her a chilling grin, one that would have null doubt iced the blood of any other human, but not Edna’s, "We can both agree that she does not belong here,"

The maid still faced the opposite way from him, standing still and waiting for the rest of his... Proposal to come.

"Here, take this," he walked around in front of her and handed her a blank piece of parchment, "Keep it on your person at all times and especially out of sight. This is how we’ll remain in touche,"

"Edna?" Ada’s voice made the blond flip around on her heels.

By the time she sought Lauden again, he had already vanished.