Under the vampire Lord's protection-Chapter 117: A night walk

Arabella awoke hours before sunrise. Not that sleep came easy as even tossing and turning between her bed and sheets did her no good.

Whenever she’d dozed off, her own body would jerk her out of it as though foreseeing the nightmares that were in the works for that night, and after such a day, it only made sense.

The memory of the carriage carrying her father leaving just like it’d come wouldn’t set her free. The way it shrank the more distance the horses carved between them and the manor until not a trace of it remained, brought her both relief and pain in waves of equal sizes and power, clashing and crashing, resulting in a void that was tough to fill.

By then, her tears had run dry, leaving but swelling and redness as proof of all the crying the was done.

The young woman had dragged her chair with her just to lean over the windowsill and rest her head onto her arms, eyes drifting about, tailing every shadow that swayed or flickered at the time as the moon could only brighten so much.

After a good while, she straightened up then turned her focus towards the door, stared at it, internally debating herself whether leaving her room for a walk was a wise choice.

Eventually, the voice that told her it was, won the dispute. Arabella pushed her weight off the chair and headed out, making sure to be as quiet and careful as one could be.

Her feet led her to the gardens first. The bouquet of aromas it offered granted her some much-needed solace. Clarity came next as Arabella finally allowed herself to ponder the future.

Where to go from there? Her confrontation with her father did not solve much, if nothing at all, but facing him the way she did, telling him no for the very first time in her life instilled more grains of confidence deep within her.

Fascinating how the rose hedges appeared taller and thicker under the moonlight... Breathtaking yet somewhat intimidating.

Arabella walked among them, heeding their whispers when the chill breeze joggled the leaves and petals along.

It took a while before that same breeze started to gnaw at her skin, never allowing the hairs on her body to sleep.

She rubbed both hands against her arms to mute the shivers running up and down her spine.

Despite that, the young woman threaded through those hedge lines until her legs had had enough of it and finally delivered her back inside the manor.

The music room was her second choice, but when its open doors came into view, it seemed there were people already inside. No music was being played but light came through and chatter travelled all across the hallway.

So, Arabella turned around and made her way to the stairs that led towards the first floor. Although, the instant she laid eyes on Emeric Eleazar’s portrait, something told her to turn away again, that it wasn’t time to head up just yet.

Following her instincts, she took her foot off the first step and drew away, her third destination already in mind; the library.

However, the voice addressing her stopped her in her tracks, forcing her to spin around in order to meet their gaze, "What are you doing?" fists against her hips, Katherine stood behind the young woman, eyebrows furrowed.

"I am sorry, Katherine. I simply couldn’t sleep," she muttered, looking down while flicking her nails together.

"I can see that," Katherine stepped forward, "You should have rung me. I could’ve helped, you know," she seemed offended, "I would’ve brought you some of that tea again. It helps a lot," her expression softened at those words.

"Oh, I know," she said sheepishly, "I think I needed this... Time to just take everything in," the young woman pressed her own lips together, as though attempting to smile, "I am sorry, I am not really sure how to explain it,"

Katherine folded her arms across her chest and sighed, "I understand. I just wish you’d still have rung me. Wandering the manor alone like this isn’t very wise. I wouldn’t have stopped you if all you wanted was a walk,"

The apologetic look that the vampire had on her mingled with something Arabella failed to put a finger on. Was it pity, perhaps?

"I... Know," the words came out as whispers.

Every time their eyes connected, Arabella would fling hers down, giving the impression she was fighting tears.

"Where are you heading now?"

"I’d like to spend some time at the library if that’s alright?" the words struggled to leave her throat.

"Of course, it’s alright! I never said it wasn’t!" Katherine felt compelled to involve grand gestures in order to reassure the young woman, "Tell you what," she continued once she’d simmered down, "I’ll give you a moment and meanwhile I’ll go get us some hot tea. This one won’t help you sleep, but it’ll make you feel cozy. How does that sound?" Katherine smiled.

"That sounds wonderful," the ghost of a smile appeared on Arabella. One her features fought to keep on for just a little longer, "Thank you, it is so kind of you,"

"It is nothing," she said, "I’ll see you in the library then,"

With that, Arabella nodded and resumed her walk towards the library, leaving Katherine behind.

"You were supposed to be keeping an eye on her,"

Upon catching that frigid tone, Katherine gracefully spun and curtsied before Silas, "My apologies, Master. I got busy for a moment and missed her exiting the room,"

Silas did not look satisfied in the slightest, but then again, his glare was unchanged thus it was hard to tell.

"Forget the tea. You are free to resume whatever chore you had. I’ll handle it," his voice steady, he never once looked away from her.

"Understood," she bowed and took her leave as told.

When Silas entered the library, Arabella immediately came into view. The young woman seemed to have noticed his presence as well, since she sprung to a standing position, eyes wider. Well, as wide as her red, puffy eyes allowed it.