Under the vampire Lord's protection-Chapter 144: What isn’t

After a failed attempt at sneaking out of her room without attracting Katherine’s attention, Arabella reached the conclusion that it was best to wait until morning.

That way, there would be no chance that she’d eavesdrop on her when the young woman would bring her concerns about Katherine to Silas.

He was the only person Arabella thought to trust on the matter.

By the time the usual grinding of the trolley halted by her door, the horseback riding clothes were already on her back. In fact, everything was ready for her to leave save for breakfast which hadn’t arrived until that point.

"Good morning, Miss," after acquiring permission, Ada pushed the trolley inside with a bright smile on her.

"Morning, Ada and thank you as always," she twiddled her fingers while staring at the dishes on the tray.

"Is everything alright with you, Miss? You seem a little on edge this morning," Ada tilted her head.

"Yes, of course, but...," Arabella neared the trolley and began to move dishes onto the table with Ada, "Would you happen to know where Master Silas is?"

"Not really. I haven’t encountered him at all this morning," Ada did not ask, but the question was written all over her features.

"I see. That’s alright. I suppose I will have to find him then,"

Arabella sat down to take her breakfast in utter quietude under Ada’s perplexed gaze. While the young woman sensed the maid’s eyes were on her, there wasn’t much she was willing to volunteer on the matter as it concerned her in no way, shape or form.

It wasn’t her place to discuss Katherine’s condition with anyone else. Silas was a special case since he was essentially their employer and thus would need to be kept informed should situations such as those arise.

"Pardon me, Miss, but do you feel a sudden urge to... See the Master?" very sheepish in her manners, Ada had finally broken the silence between them.

"What?" mid bite, Arabella halted all motion, "The urge?"

"Yes, I mean, the sudden urge to go and seek him out wherever he is, because you know, if that is the case then I must at least advise you that it isn’t a good-"

"No, it isn’t that at all, Ada," Arabella had heard enough of that, lamenting her own failure to anticipate that it would be where Ada’s mind would travel, "I have not succumbed to the effects of the Mirari. At least, I don’t think I have," she shook her head slowly.

"Oh, in that case, I apologize for making my own assumptions on the matter," Ada chuckled awkwardly, "I feel I’ve gotten a little too comfortable around you,"

"And I love that! There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, Ada," her eyes had slightly widened, "I want you to feel comfortable around me. I wouldn’t want it any other way. So, please, always voice your concerns to me,"

"Thank you," Ada had barely whispered those words.

Yet another wave of silence washed over during which Arabella merely stared from the food to the white roses facing her from their vase, a blank expression on. Ada thought to break it a second time, only that time around, something more lighthearted came to mind for that purpose.

"I’ve tried to memorize the song from that book, you know," she smiled.

"Oh, that sounds wonderful! How did you find it? Was it hard?" Arabella’s eyes had snapped onto Ada, with a newfound interest sparkling in her eyes.

"Not in the slightest, Miss! On the contrary, the read was quite easy, and its words came running back to me after so long,"

"Well, that’s some amazing news then!" Arabella did try, but her smile wavered.

Seeing her lukewarm reaction, a new question popped in Ada’s mind, "Would you like me to go seek Master Silas with you before heading to the riding arena?"

"Yes, that would be ideal," with the tamest of looks, the young woman nodded in response.

And that was exactly what they did after taking the breakfast dishes back to the kitchens. Their first stop was Silas’ room where they found no luck. Their second stop, following Ada’s suggestion, was to ask about his whereabouts from a butler that was often seen in his company.

Mister Carlton informed the women that Silas had exited the map room around ten minutes prior to that moment for a short break, and that they were likely to find him on one of the balconies facing the gardens since that was where his walks usually ended.

Silas did, indeed, stand by the railing of a balcony, gazing upon the vast gardens, "What is it?" the vampire enquired without a glance behind himself.

"I truly am sorry to disturb you this early in the morning, but I absolutely needed to see you," Arabella held her hands in each other while expecting his response.

At those words he finally turned around, prompting both Ada and Arabella to curtsy before him.

"You were supposed to be in the riding arena by now," he uttered dryly.

"I am aware of that, however what I have to say is quite important,"

Silas’ diamonds flickered onto Ada, "leave now. You will be summoned again later,"

Without another word, Ada bowed and hurried back inside the manor.

"Come closer," Silas ordered.

When Arabella obeyed, he took her chin between his fingers and studied her eyes very thoroughly.

She remained quiet for a good moment, breathing in and out as calmly as her heart allowed which wasn’t an enviable amount of calm in the slightest.

But assuming to understand the reason behind his action, her voice broke the muteness surrounding them.

"It is not that, Master," she practically whispered.

"What isn’t?" he kept her close.

"It isn’t the Mirari," Arabella broke eye contact.

Not that there was any notable shift in his expression, but withstanding his gaze had become difficult all of the sudden.

Silas took his time to release her chin and when he did so, he finally asked, "Well, what is it then?"