WALPURGIA ✔️

Chapter 10 - Every cloud has a silver lining

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Ethan lifted himself from the wall, hard eyes. His ink scent hit me with a new force - I still had to get used to that.

"Sieur and I hoped you wouldn't notice. Things are already so hard between you two." "I'm sure I wouldn't have noticed until our departure, weren't it to this new form." How hadn't I seen the connections between them?

I tried not to let my worry show. Had I changed things too drastically?

Ethan nudged me. "Sieur and I had a bet how you would react. He was right, you are rather calm about it." "Inside of me boils a volcano." "I guess we'll be splitting then", Ethan beamed at me. "I hope you aren't too angry at us now too." "I'm not", I sighed. These two loved to bet on fate anyways.

"It's just ... was the old Gerald aware of this?" "Of course. The moment he employed her. But we chose to ignore it, since her skills were needed for the household." "You mean for you two. You two couldn't keep the house standing for a day without a woman."

"Truthfully accused and won", Ethan offered me his arm and led me to the dining room where our daily tasks would be discussed.

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"Rafael, if any guests come around, you will act as Gerald's representative. Luc will help you, naturally. Boys, you will not pull any pranks on them, just serve them and act on your best behaviour while we have somebody over. If Victorie and Phillipe need anything, you will fulfil their wishes. I want the house to be aired, cleaned and decorated appropriately for the upcoming colder months. No flowers, those are too expensive. We should put the money in the heating department, meaning wood, coal and gas, if needed."

Before I could round up, a hard slap made me turn my head. It didn't hurt though, perks of being a vampire I guess.

"Finish up already, child." Margeaux floated on her broom, Elise crooking her head at me. Some demons and vampires paled, backed away slightly. The witches grimaced.

The smell of coal filled the room. Mother shadow really smelled bitter, reminding me of medicine.

"... Madame Blair will receive new fabrics tomorrow. I want Emma and Helene to pick up some new ones, we direly need them for new bedsheets. Try to get them for a good price though, negotiate if it is necessary. No need to saddle the horses, unless the vampires need to go hunting or need to deliver any letters. If Gerald's father or mother need something from him, Luc will take care of it. Anne will supervise your usual duties and has the right to send you back if it's lacking."

All the servants sighed in union and Ethan smiled behind his hand.

Margeaux got impatient again, tapping her broom against the floor.

"If there are any questions, I'm available today until 8 in the evening."

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"You had other thoughts while you wove that spell. Clearly." "Did Gerald tell you?", I snipped but the chair didn't bend to my will. No pulling back on its own, no tea that came flying.

"..."

The ... emptiness inside of me was dreadful.

"It's alright", for the first time, her tone was understanding as nothing happened.

She addressed my question from before now. "Do you really think your husband would tell me his business?" I shook my head. "Elise's nervousness made even me shaky. My daughter's thumbs were bothering her greatly. I don't need more clues to guess what happened."