The Devil Tips His Hat To Me

Chapter VII

Missi couldn't sleep the whole night. She tossed and turned until morning painted the sky. Her body clock is obviously in disarray judging by how she feels sleepy when the sun's all beaming down. Nonetheless she got up, and walked straight towards the glass door leading to the balcony. Missi pushed at the thick crimson curtain and looked outside with squinted eyes.

'Yeah, it's morning.' She thought as she let the curtain fall shut.

Missi changed into another dress hanging in the wardrobe. All the dresses are almost similar to each other. Black and gothic with the same cut and form.

She sighed when the dress fit her form comfortably.

When she was finished admiring the dress- she likes gothic stuff a bit- Missi exited her room, quite expecting Scopulus at her door and yes, he's there lurking at the side of the door almost looking like he's a normal gargoyle. Not moving whatsoever.

"Milady." He greeted so formally with a flourish of his hand as he bows.

"Yeah, um. Hello." Nice, Missi tried to smile after her awkward greeting, but it only came out as a grimace. Her eyes still lethargic from the lack of sleep.

"So where's Duke?"

"The master sleeps-"

"Of course."

"The reason why I'm here to accompany you throughout the day, if it's fine."

Missi's droopy eyes suddenly shot open.

"Oh, you don't have to." She shook her head, panicking. She still has a search planned to do in this castle, and god forbid it if she'll be caught red-handed. "Besides, I think you'll be having too much in your plate if you included me in your duties." Missi attempted to smile again but ended up laughing nervously as Scopulus stares at her. In fact, he stares at her suspiciously. Does he know? Missi wishes she's just too paranoid for that to be true.

"Thank you, milady, for your kind consideration." He bows slightly. "Perhaps I may interest you with a cup of tea and, of course, breakfast?"

"Yes, please." Missi answered too happily for her liking.

___________

Missi ate her breakfast with the grace of a whale. Gulping down every last bit until her cheeks puffed and filled with pancake. She swallowed it, only resulting her to cough coarsely. Although that didn't stop her from standing up and rushing out the dining area.

She feels quite giddy at the fact that she has the castle during daytime and she can do as she pleases without the possibility of stumbling upon the vampire.

'Alright, it's time to find that certain something.' She mused, walking along the carpeted floor.

The curtains are, disappointingly, shut close keeping every drop of sunlight out of the threshold.

The whole morning, Missi searched for the cane. In dusty rooms, in cellars- just in case- and she even checked drawers and cabinets- even decorations if somehow they hid it behind or underneath it. However, as she sees it, maybe the cane was hidden in Duke's chamber because that makes sense.

As morning changed into afternoon, Missi quickly became drained. She yawned uncontrollably from the lack of sleep. She stayed up all night, and the effect is evident in her eyes.

She trudged in a random living room, possibly a living room for the guests. Nonetheless, it's empty and Missi made herself comfortable by tying the curtains to the side, letting the light enter and warm up the cold place even for just a little bit. She figures, walking back to her room would be just taxing.

Missi situates herself at the long settee placed in front of the fireplace as her legs grew wearier if she walks further more. She sighed in relief when she sat upon the soft cushion. Missi didn't waste any more time, she lies on her side and shuts her eyes. She hears the singing of the birds invade the silent room while the sunlight bathe her with its warm and golden rays. She breathed in comfort and allowed the chirping of the birds to lull her to sleep.

_________

Duke woke up from his sleep and felt something odd. He sat up and scanned his room looking for something that made it feel that way.

He came up with nothing.

Duke breathed deeply and stood up from his bed. Smoothing his dark hair back in the process.

He walked towards his door but then halted when his hand was about to land for the knob.

He can feel someone breathing just outside. A continuous slow intake of breath as if someone is...

Without further thought, Duke opened the door quietly and was surprised to see what's in his living room.

The curtains were drawn up to let in moonlight, painting the room in black and pale white. However, what surprised him the most was the girl in black sleeping peacefully on the settee, appearing almost like an angel torn from heaven amidst the shadow of his room.