WALPURGIA ✔️

Chapter 4 - Terrifying thoughts

  ☽ 

 

"Madame, this goes before your dress", Charlotte sighed at my attempts to get myself dressed.

This morning had been fairly busy – as it turned out our guests were quite early morning birds. When Baldwin wanted to have our servants checked on them, it was reported to us they had gone out on a walk. Baldwin took the chance to slip back in bed, wanting for me to join him for a bit more sleep.

I, on the other hand, had started cleaning up our bedroom. My vampire flung his clothes anywhere when he changed his attire, and strangely even some letters were scattered among this mess. 

My eyes caught a few names as I briefly looked over them: Robert Riviere, a book binder? The king Louis-Phillipe, Louis Pasteur? Victor Hugo! It all made me think.

"What celebrations or events are coming up that need to be prepared?" "If I remember correctly the Duke of Rivière will visit us in the winter time, I think it was in the beginning of December. He was sent by his Sire from England to report on their happenings and such." 

On Queen Victoria, was my best guess. "Then, we don't have to worry about that. We won't stay until December", I folded his linen shirt neatly, my fingers lingering on the hem.

"What role do you play in this era?" "I work for the king, who will be overthrown in eight years, I'm a member at the Rede, I'm also supplier between England and France." 

"You've got your hands full", his eyes left a trace up and down my back. "Only with my supplier job. Sadly, this king is a joke." Before I could ask why, I was in his strong arms and was carried into bed.

  ☽ 

 

Charlotte tugged the dress out my grasp and did everything for me, telling me how to stand and when to lift my arms. I tried not to let out any noises as she tied the dress in the back – uncomfortably tight – and made sure my chest was covered. 

She circled me as if I was her prey, reminding me of the times Baldwin and I had trained in our times in my mother's birth town, and after a content nod, she moved onto my hair.

"Have Lady and Lord Blanc eaten breakfast yet?", I earned an astonished look from the demon at that. "Madame? ...", Charlotte's and my eyes met in the mirror of the posh dresser. Why Baldwin had one, I still had to ask. Maybe for his sisters? I knew Amelie greatly tended after her appearance. 

"Without you or Sieur the people won't eat. You are the hostess." "Are they back from their walk? Have the cooks started to prepare breakfast?" "Not yet. Not yet, again. They need your word to start. The maids need to know how to set the table, what flowers should be used for decoration", I stopped her growing list before I would get a headache again. 

"Alright then, don't make a too complicated hair-do so I can go straight to work."

I hushed around the kitchen, dining room and Baldwin to get everything ready. "Luc, have Gerald's letters be carried to the post office and have somebody pick up stationaries on their way back", the amount of paper he wasted was ridiculous. 

"Should I send two people? The post office and Monsieur Jacques's shop are both in the opposite direction." "Two people then. Thank you very much", he bowed with a big smile and left me alone in the dining hall again. Charlotte quietly checked my job, and as she said nothing I took it as a sign of approval.

Just in time.

"Constance!", Victorie swung her arms around me. "You are awake! How are you feeling? Is the baby ...?" "I still didn't feel it", I placed my hands on my stomach and sighed. Baldwin appeared through the double doors from the hallway, joining my side. He instantly played along, patting  my back.