Chapter 280: To speak or otherwise
The first rays of the sun came through the library windows to tickle Arabella’s face.
By the time her eyes fluttered open, Edgar was long gone.
She winced and grimaced while attempting to straighten her stance at the harsh table that served her as a pillow.
The young woman stretched a bit and barely got to stand when the doors opened, allowing Silas’ figure through.
The sleep residue that transpired across her face vanished at once for a serious expression to replace it.
Arabella walked around the table and met him half way.
"Why aren’t you in your room?" he asked first.
"I couldn’t sleep and thought I’d do a bit of reading," she then shook her head, "How is Katherine doing? Is she stable at all?" her hand gripped her mother’s pendant tightly.
"She hasn’t closed her eyes at all since the previous morning," he stated dryly.
"Oh! Dear Lord!" she cried.
"You still need to take your breakfast," the vampire settled a gentle hand on her shoulder, "Let us go,"
Along the hallways and as her might tugged at the knots clogging the necessary paths to her organs, Ada’s words about Edna returned in a flash.
To speak up or to keep her peace about it, that was the question gnawing at her.
"Perhaps you could invite that brat today," Silas half asked out of the blue.
Her eyes snapped up at him, "Remus?" mouth agape, little sparkles were born in her gaze.
"None other," he confirmed, his diamonds soldered ahead, "His visit might serve as a distraction if you wish,"
"I’d love to invite him, but...," she trailed off.
Assuming he’d leaped to the right conclusion, Silas quickly continued, "There is no use in wallowing about it. I can’t allow you to see Katherine at all today as she’s been moved from the dungeons,"
"Where to?" she halted in place.
"I know better than to tell you where she is and I forbid you from seeking her out," he spoke a tad too firmly for his own taste. Seeing the devastating frown on her did not help quell his increasing sense of guilt, "I am not drawing this line to control you. Katherine is extremely unpredictable at the moment. I can’t trust her around anyone like you," his tone softened significantly.
"Understood," she mumbled, her eyes on the floor.
"Draft that invitation and send it on its way. His presence will keep your mind busy,"
And with those words, Silas left her by the door to her room.
Upon entering, Arabella immediately noted Ada’s presence by the already dressed breakfast table.
"Morning!" her friend leaped to her feet.
"And to you as well,"
Neither of them smiled as the weight of the recent events and discoveries hung between them.
"Did you speak with Master Silas about what we..., you know," Ada bit down on her bottom lip.
"I couldn’t bring myself to," Arabella’s brows then furrowed, "Who brought breakfast this morning?" she pointed at the table.
"It was sweet little Abigail," a faint smile finally appeared on Ada, "She is now in charge of bringing breakfast both to me and you,"
"Oh! The girls must be so happy for you!" Arabella took her hands.
"Yes," Ada nodded, "All of them are happy for me except for one. Can you guess which one it is?" she titled her head.
"Edna?" the young woman grimaced.
"Who else can it be?"
Both chuckled, but silence returned fast, further tightening the invisible strain around their figures.
"Well, have you spoken with Master Silas at all since yesterday?"
"Yes. He found me at the library," Arabella nodded.
"I figured you’d be there just like I knew he’d come fetch you,"
"He forbade me from seeing Katherine," she sat down, sulking, "But he suggested I invite Remus for the day,"
"He did?" Ada’s eyes widened a tad.
"It surprised me as well," she placed her hand over her chest, "I never thought he’d ever make such a suggestion. He was never keen on having him around,"
"I suppose desperate times call for desperate means," Ada chuckled, "He means well,"
"I know," Arabella marked a pause while sitting at the table, "Did Edna say anything to you?"
"Well, if she had anything to say, she definitely did not dare," Ada’s eyes went through the open window, "Not that she needed to speak... I could see it in her eyes... That venom,"
"But really, what’s her story? Why is she so...," the words failed her.
"Funny," Ada scoffed, "I am just now realizing that none of us truly know anything of substance about her as a person," elbow on the table, she rested her cheek in her hand, "All I know is that she is the daughter of a qualified butler and a head maid. They worked their way to the top of the chain. Still as servants but it was the top, nonetheless,"
"It pains me," Arabella poured herself of glass of orange juice, "I am sure she has many qualities to show,"
"Oh! Your heart is simply too big,"
"What about you? Have you thought about what I suggested yesterday?" upon noting the confused look on Ada, Arabella elaborated, "Will you be looking into herbology and healing?"
"Perhaps, yes, but I have not fully decided on it yet,"
The rest of their morning was quiet. Ada read some more poems while Arabella drafted the invitation for Remus before sending it on its way, hoping Cynric would allow him to visit.
As surprising as Silas’ suggestion was, he was right. Spending the day with Remus would be the perfect distraction. The change that smoothed the bumps.
Not that it’d have stopped her from thinking about Katherine. She lived in her mind and wouldn’t leave without the confirmation that everything with her would be alright.
Although, with Madame Morgana gone, there was little to no hope that things would get fixed before her arrival.
And so, there wasn’t much else to do. The young woman was left with no other resort but to clutch at her pendant and pray and hope for the best outcome.