Under the vampire Lord's protection-Chapter 557: Almost

When the wind blew again, Silas’ face was replaced by that of a young woman Arabella had not yet encountered.

Upon opening her eyes, she immediately cowered against the wall, hitting her lacerated back and gasping for air when it stung.

"No, no, no! Be not afraid! It is me, Ada!" she whispered in a haste.

Her voice did not lie. It belonged, undeniably to Ada.

"What are you doing here?" Arabella looked around, hysterical, her eyes combing the otherwise empty training room around them, "Someone could see you with me!" her hands still wrapped around her friend’s.

"I know, I know, but I couldn’t stop myself from coming here to see you! Every time I see that old hag bag drag you across the hallways, it kills me. It kills my heart!" she cried, "Look at what they have done to you! You are not even given a proper bed!" her eyes fell upon the thin, dirty rag beneath Arabella’s body.

Zarah’s words about Arabella having to live below the living standards of the other pleasure girls blared back in her mind.

"It’s alright! It’s alright! Please, calm yourself! You must keep it together, otherwise we will all pay. I know it is hard but wipe your tears. We cannot allow anybody to see you like this, Ada!" Arabella squeezed Ada’s hands and begged.

"Yes, I know! You are right, of course," Ada rubbed her eyes.

"You’ve changed your appearance," she half asked.

"Yes, Morgana thought we’d have better chances at getting around under the flesh of people who have already earned more trust in the castle,"

"Well, more of a reason to make a seamless exit. If not, the people who own these faces will be in great trouble. You know how things go around here," Arabella looked her dead in the eyes, hands still clasped around Ada’s.

The nurse’s face fell, her hand gravitating then cupping Arabella’s cheek, "You’ve always thought of others before yourself. Even in such circumstances,"

"That does not really matter now," she nudged her towards the exit, "You need to leave before someone sees you here,"

"Alright! Alright!" Ada nodded profusely, "But, let me at least tell you that you were right about the king. There is indeed blood in the water,"

That calmed Arabella down almost immediately, "He was poisoned, wasn’t he?"

"Most definitely! We still don’t know if there are other witches in the castle, but madame Morgana suspects that foul hag that’s been tormenting you," Ada’s features contorted at those words.

"So, she is a witch. I wasn’t mistaken," Arabella’s eyes drifted, fixating nothing in particular.

"Not exactly, but she seems to be the descendant of a witch that copulated with a human man during the war, but that’s not important for the time being. Madame Morgana also suspects the prince to be behind it all as he stands to gain the most from the death of the king," after a short pause, Ada continued, "Waking him up seems like our best shot at stalling things until everything else falls into place,"

"Do you mean the war on Umbraria?" Arabella’s head tilted, "Because I know that isn’t a mere rumor. I am privy to it, because Cedric informed the High Generals of his decision to attack in my presence,"

"Yes well, we haven’t spoken to the boys since our arrival and Floriel has vanished after her last task, so I don’t really know what’s going to happen. The war declaration was confirmed yesterday when... Lauden was executed," those last words came a lot more sheepish.

At first, shock riddled Arabella’s eyes, but it quickly faded as the news settled, "Of course... That was to be expected. After all, he turned on my father once he no longer had any use for him," she nodded, "But did he unmask any of you before that happened?"

"He...," Ada bit down on her bottom lip, "He unmasked Allegra and went after her the night before yesterday,"

"Oh Lord!" Arabella’s hands flew to her mouth as her eyes widened.

"Worry not. I believe he realized he was betrayed before he turned her in,"

They weren’t allowed to share more as the door to the training room burst wide open for Zarah to make her entrance.

"Rise and shine, little whore!" her voice blared through space before her eyes fell on Ada, "Who do we have here? What might you be doing in this place, nurse? You are not to tend to this whore’s wounds for she is his highness’ property, and he wishes for those lacerations and bruises on her body to last as long as possible. So, who gave you the order to even near her?" Zarah walked carefully towards the two women, eyes squinted. Then something seemingly dawned on her upon staring at Ada’s figure, "Aren’t you the same nurse from this morning?"

That was bad... That was the worst thing that could have possibly happened to them.

"Yes, madame. Our paths have crossed this very morning," Ada spoke quickly while bowing.

"What might th-"

Zarah started, but the second door, the one leading to the dormitories swung open for Luiza’ figure to appear at the step, "Oh! There you are!" she practically jumped, eyes fixating Ada, "Pardon me, madame. I hadn’t realized you too had arrived," her expression quickly changed as she bowed before Zarah.

"What is going on here, Luiza?" the hag turned her full attention to the fourth person in the room, "Explain yourself," she demanded, crossing her arms together.

"To be completely honest, madame, I too do not understand what is happening with her, but seeing that Arwa’s condition hasn’t improved since yesterday, I took the liberty of calling upon a nurse. Please, allow her to examine Arwa,"

Arabella turned to Ada, but the nurse seemed just as confused and lost as she was.

"Is that so?" Zarah’s brow rose up her forehead, "Let us get to the bottom of this then. Follow me, nurse," she marched forward before stopping in her tracks and casting a glare down at Arabella, "As for you, slut, prepare yourself. You have been called to serve on this early and beautiful morning,"

After disappearing inside the dormitories with Ada trailing behind her, only Luiza remained for a few seconds, her eyes connecting with Arabella’s for a good moment until she pulled the door fully shut behind herself.