TEMPTER [Zarry]

Chapter 3

"Mama " the toddler cried as he stood there with his hands extended in front of him.

Before anyone could react or do anything.  The little toddler looked at Louis for a second before running or more like his version of running which was unbalanced but stomping fast walk towards the maid started.

But he didn't get very far , just 5 steps in he lost his balance and fell forward. His little hands came forward to save his face from face planting on the floor. But his knees were not so lucky as they met the floor with a soft thud. If there was any noise present in the room before , it was sucked out at that moment.

The whole room was quiet as space as the child looked up with his eyes overflowing with tears but expression surprised. As if he couldn't understand what just happened. His lower lip trembled ,ready to cry again this made the maid move .

She immediately ran forward and scooped the child up . Hugging his close and patting his back .
"You are okay ,baby. You are safe. Don't cry. " She rocked side to side while warily glancing at Zayn without lifting her head too much.

"Mama " the toddler whispered before his small hand wrapped around the maid's neck. " Mama cry." Small sobs started to wreck the small body and it somehow brought Zayn back into Focus.

He could hear the voices of soldiers that were not so far from the mansion.  " No one saw anything today and no one knows anything. You didn't work for Viscount Darcy , you are from a different nation.  You will be given 10 minutes to pack your belongings. You will do the work given to you until any further orders. I hope you'll do as I say if you have any wish to live. "

Zayn said as turned towards the servants kneeling on the floor. He pivoted on his heels as the toddler had stopped crying. The maid bowed low , the toddlers face not visible. Somehow it made Zayn anxious.  The smell of sour milk was still there and now Zayn knew it was coming from the toddler. He also had an energy around him that was hard to understand.

"Louis, all of them are to be kept in the west palace servant quarters." Zayn said as he moved towards the door the toddler entered from. Louis gave a curt nod before moving towards the servants.

Something inside Zayn tugged him to turn back. As if he was forgetting something, he turned back and his eyes met with two green eyes pocking up from the maid's shoulder. The toddler was looking at him and not with fear but more like curiosity.

Zayn felt the same tugging sensation again before he walked out in the hallway. There were pieces of ceramic Vase scattered on the floor long with lilies, the carpet wet with water. There was a table with its door open . The child was hiding inside for sure.

Zayn closed his eyes as he heard the sounds of more soldiers entering the living room. He was near Ruby when he opened them. He quickly untied her , staring at the mansion one last time as if he could still feel those green eyes on him as he returned to the palace .

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Zayn swirled his drink in the glass before taking a sip . He couldn't concentrate on anything apart from those eyes. He looked at the papers in front of him. It's been hours since he came back. Everyone must be back at the palace.

Was the child a vampire ? Maybe something else but magical ? His energy didn't feel different when far away but up close it was complicated. Like tangled strings. Hard to resolve. But he looked normal. And he was a maids son. How can he be anything else but human ?

All these thoughts bounced around Zayn's head. If he ever finds something or someone so complicated or stressful, his first action is to kill the source . Just how he did a few hours ago but the thought of killing the child someone didn't suit well with him.

There was a knock on door before Louis walked in. It was way past midnight, he looked tired but he bowed his head and stood straight " I have arranged and settled them all in the west palace. Extra soldiers are surrounding the area so no one can escape. I also gave instructions to head maid regarding their work . "

"Good. " Zayn took a sip again waiting for Louis to continue.

" I'm sorry for not noticing the child earlier.  I made sure to check all the rooms but I just didn't expect a child to be there. "

" I hope you'll be more through next time.I saw the records myself , there were no children listed in the servant list . Did you notice anything suspicious?" This was another one of the worries. According to servant records there was no child in Viscount Darcy's mansion.

" No, my Grace. The child clung on his mother all the time. He fell asleep on the way back. No one spoke anything due to fear . "

Zayn looked at the empty glass in his hands. " You can go. Bring the mother  to the interogation room first thing in the morning after breakfast. I'll ask her myself. "

" Rest well , My majesty." Louis bowed again , walking out of the room.

Zayn closed his work. It was not as if could concentrate on it. He walked out of the office and towards his sleeping chambers.

He didn't expect to sleep . Sleep was something that he could rarely experience but for some reasons as soon as he laid down on the bed today , he felt himself drifting off into abyss and darkness with those big green eyes still staring at him. As if they could see everything. His soul, the truths and lies , his scars and memories.

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Ah...they met but did they ?

Don't worry the next chapter will be their first official meeting.

See you soon .