Chapter 240: Too strong of a word
"I am afraid that won’t stop him from loving you,"
Ada’s words blared over and over at the back of her mind, ringing even louder every time.
Breathing turned a little difficult as Arabella tried to collect her thoughts.
When that failed, the only question she mustered was, "What did you say?"
For once, the maid did not leap to her feet, flush around the face or attempt to back pedal. On the contrary, she stood her ground and looked Arabella dead in the eyes, "It is the truth, Miss," the apologetic grimace on her gave the young woman the impression that her friend just announced the kitchens were out of her favorite food or something mild of that sort.
"Don’t say that!" eyebrows furrowed, Arabella immediately broke eye contact.
"Not saying it won’t make it any less true," Ada shook her head.
"I am willing to concede that he feels something for me, but love is too strong of a word here, don’t you think?" her efforts to come across as confident did not amount to much for her tone was all over the place and her shoulders kept on shrugging outside of her control.
"No, I don’t think it is and frankly, the sooner you face that fact, the better," Ada’s shoulders shrugged once, but unlike Arabella, for hers it was a voluntary action.
At a complete loss of words, the young woman soldered her gaze through the window and stuffed her mouth, one spoon full after another.
"I didn’t mean to upset you,"
And there it was... That pleading tone from Ada whenever she believed she said something wrong.
"I am not upset," said the red-faced woman with furrowed eyebrows and puffed cheeks.
She munched on every bite like the fate of the world depended on it, her gemstones never straying from the bright moon that smiled at her.
"Are you not?" Ada spoke in the most sheepish of tones, slightly tilting her head, "Do you love him as well?"
That time around, a breath wasn’t all that hitched in her throat. Indeed, the food she’d yet to swallow clung to her windpipes, blocking the air from reaching her lungs.
Arabella attempted to stifle the coughs but failed miserably.
So, her hand flung towards the glass of water to the side which she gobbled like there was no tomorrow as her eyes widened increasingly.
"Oh dear!" Ada ran to her side and landed frantic but gentle pats on her back, "I didn’t mean for this to happen. Perhaps we should speak of something else,"
When Arabella could breathe again, she gasped, fanning at her teary eyes and scarlet face.
"Yes," another gasp for air, "I believe that is a wise idea,"
As much as her chest hurt, it turned out to be the perfect out of that pickle.
It wasn’t exactly a topic she was ready to engage with as her own brain had yet to sort through all of the emotions tethered to Silas.
Did she love him? She certainly felt... Something.
But the effects of the Mirari kicking it to higher levels with each day that passed, there was no way to truly tell.
"Here! Have more water!" Ada poured her another glass from the pitcher.
"Thank you," Arabella took it without hesitation. After gulping the last drop of it, she added, "I am not trying to avoid the subject. It’s just that I haven’t had the time to sift through my own thoughts, especially since the Mirari still has a hold over me," the deep red shade around her face persisted.
"I completely understand," Ada nodded while softly stroking her back.
From then on, Arabella finished her dinner in silence with Ada reading some poems from the anthology only throwing quick glances at the young woman from time to time.
She noticed, but never pointed it out, fearing it’d ignite yet another knotty subject of discussion.
That rhythm continued until a knock landed on the door.
Allegra appeared as soon as Arabella uttered permission to enter.
"Right, you may take your leave. Your shift is over," said the vampiress towards Ada.
"That is alright. I can stay if-"
Ada was never allowed to finish her sentence, "I am here now. So, you may leave,"
Allegra had always been assertive. Not like Katherine, but she still knew how to get a point across.
She beamed. However, that evening especially, there was something else in her voice. A new hint the young woman had never caught before.
Although Arabella did not dwell on it for too long as even if the company of Allegra wasn’t the most pleasant, she believed a talk with her was necessary.
"It’s okay, Ada. We’ll see each other tomorrow morning," Arabella smiled and helped Ada load the dishes back onto the trolley.
Allegra did not comment on their actions, nor did she volunteer a helping hand.
"She’s quite lovely, isn’t she?" the vampiress chuckled as soon as the maid left the room.
"Yes, she is," Arabella nodded, sitting back down on the chair, "Allegra, may I ask you a question?" she wasted no more time and cut to the chase.
"Is it about Katherine and that other human maid? What was her name again? Edna, was it?" Allegra’s index finger rose to her cheek as a pensive look dawned on her.
"Yes, and yes to the second question as well," Arabella sat straight, facing Allegra.
"Well, in all honesty, there isn’t much I can tell you," she shook her head, "I heard yelling and a scuffle but by the time I got there, Katherine already had Edna by the throat,"
"You must’ve heard what the yelling was about at least," Arabella half asked, clutching at the skirt of her gown.
"It wasn’t that intelligible," the vampiress stood up and walked towards the window, "Katherine was blaming her for something but never said what it was. She kept repeating that it was all Edna’s fault and then tried to end her,"
"Well," Arabella took a deep breath, "We might have more answers when Madame Morgana inspects Katherine. Hopefully she won’t be long," she exhaled.
"Madame Morgana was summoned?" Allegra’s face was shut, locked in place for a moment that felt too long before a bright smile crept across, invading her features, "that is just amazing!"