A heart of the vampire

Chapter 7

Serena sat at the large wooden table, the aroma of the stew wafting through the air, making her stomach growl in anticipation. Despite the strangeness of the situation, the warm and homely smells of the kitchen soothed her unease. The maid placed a steaming bowl in front of her, and Serena took the first bite. She was surprised by how exceptionally good the meal tasted—rich, hearty, and filled with comforting flavors that reminded her of simpler times.

"This is delicious," Serena said, offering the maid a grateful smile. "It's the best thing I've eaten in... well, longer than I can remember."

The maid smiled modestly, wiping her hands on her apron. "I'm glad you like it, Miss Serena. You'll need your strength, I reckon, with everything that's going on here."

Serena paused for a moment, spoon mid-air. "You seem to know more about what's happening here than I do."

The maid hesitated, but then she shrugged slightly. "My family has served Mr. Lucian for centuries," she explained, moving around the kitchen as she spoke. "We've always had a certain loyalty to him, despite what he is. He's not an easy man, and he's certainly no saint, but he's always been... fair, in his own way. If you're devoted, he shows you respect. That's something my ancestors appreciated, and so do I."

Serena set her spoon down, curiosity piqued. "You've known him for centuries?" she asked, confused.

"Oh no, not me personally, dear," the maid chuckled. "But my family's been in service to him for generations. We've passed down stories about him, along with the knowledge of how to handle certain... unusual situations that come with working for a vampire."

Serena's mind reeled at the thought of an entire lineage of people serving Lucian, keeping his secrets and navigating the complexities of life with someone like him. The maid's nonchalance only added to the mystery surrounding Lucian's world. She wanted to ask more but wasn't sure how much the woman was willing to reveal.

"So, you just decided to accept the job when his messenger arrived?" Serena asked, trying to understand how someone could step into such a peculiar situation so willingly.

The maid nodded, her expression calm. "Yes, Miss Serena. My family has always had strong ties to him. When the time came, and his messenger arrived at my door, it seemed natural to continue the tradition. We know the risks, but we also know that he values loyalty above all."

Serena absorbed this information, feeling a strange mixture of relief and unease. It was comforting to know that Lucian wasn't completely isolated in his cold, dark world, but it also made her wonder how deeply she was about to become entangled in his life.

"Besides," the maid continued with a sly smile, "Mr. Lucian mentioned something about the garden yesterday. I believe someone else might be showing up soon."

Serena raised her eyebrows in surprise. "The garden?" she asked. "What do you mean?"The maid shrugged, her tone casual but with a hint of mystery. "He didn't say much, but I've been around long enough to know when he's expecting... something. Perhaps a visitor or a new addition to the household. It's hard to say."

Serena's thoughts churned. The mention of the garden made her uneasy, though she couldn't quite pinpoint why. Something about Lucian was always unsettling, as though he were constantly three steps ahead of her, calculating, waiting for the right moment to make his next move.