Louise A Vampire's Story (Completed/Editing)

Chapter Thirty Three

I hadn't known what to say, but in truth what could be said in that situation? Apologizing would do nothing, if anything it could make matters worse by comparison.

But in that moment of stilled silence she then stood up and said. "Why don't we explore a bit?" she said, her smile returning in full. "We both never been to a place like this before, and I've been told that there's actually a museum here. I'd love to know more of the history that makes up this country."

Before I could offer any words of response she took my hand and led me past many of those who were officers and to The Africa, Crimea and Italy Rooms. There was also the North and South attics, but up there were only paintings. And here, in these rooms seemed to hold more in regards to information.

Though part of me wished if I were to go up to the attics, I would sneak Anna with me, so she could see the vastly different styles of artworks.

But these three rooms, were more then just three, it was actually seven which took up the bulk of the first floor on the north side of the building. Many of which I had come to notice, several German officers. Making me warry. But Michèle didn't seem to pay them any heed. Too invested, engrossed into the history of the building, and the many rooms to really care.

However, I found that a number of rooms were in current use, and we could not enter, no matter how much Michèle wished. We needed to be careful.

I stopped momentarily, when for the briefest of moments, I thought I had seen someone whom I recognized. Béatrice Favre.

It was only for a split second, but I could have sworn it was her. She had gone missing not long after I finished my schooling, so seeing her here had to be impossible shouldn't it? Yet she seemed to be dressed in her own gown, of blacks and purples, and to me, it looked as though she was looking right at me with that same condescending smile she always had.

"Well that's a rather interesting to put on display." Michèle's voice drew me away from what I thought I had seen to look at her. "Why do you think they would put that up?"

"Put what..." the rest of my words trailed off as I looked to what she was wondering about. It was that of a blade, encased behind glass, mounted to the wall. The blade itself was thick, made of iron and rounded off at the end of the blade with three holes punched into it. And held the inscription of La main droite, c'est ,mon seigneur. La Vertu, L'Amour Le Mort.

The wording meaning, My Lord is the right hand. Virtue, Love, Death.

And underneath that inscription, or above it if you held it up right, was the symbol of a woman holding a scale. Instinctively I took a step back. I should have known something like this was here, but I had naively kept telling myself the likelihood of running across something like was small. Yet there it was.

A blade in which was used to execute those who were seen guilty. I looked at the blade as a sudden sense of unease began to grow inside of me. "I'll be right back," I say as I quickly turn to leave. "I... I need to get some air."

"Want me to come with you?"

"No," I tell her. "No, it's alright. I just need some time for myself. I'll... I'll be back soon. I promise." My pace then quickened as I rushed towards an exit. An exit when led me to the magnificent view of the Palace Gardens at night.

Though now with the snow covering the grounds it was rather hard too tell. But it didn't matter to me how cold it was since I couldn't even feel the cold. I was just grateful to be outside.

The moon was almost to it's fullest, the sight that was given to me, should have calmed me, but my unease refused to leave.

Descending the steps of the Palace I began to walk, there were already many footprints in the snow both many of the soldiers who were still around. So, I continued to walk until there was nothing but fresh white snow.