Chapter 371: In the works
Arabella’s cheeks flared red once more as Morgana patted her on the head, "So lovely you are," she smiled.
"Thank you," Arabella murmured.
"I am not just saying it to be nice," Morgana wrapped a ribbon around Katherine’s hair strands before placing them in her bag, "Picking the partner that will stand by you for the rest of your life is quite the difficult task and he outdid himself," her eyes flickered towards Silas momentarily.
At those words, the expression on the young woman’s face dimmed significantly, but Morgana did not let it slide upon noticing it, "Oh don’t be so grim! I see that look in your eyes," her tone then softened, "You never know. You might outlive all of us,"
If nothing sounded truly grim before that instant, the air in the room sure tanked in temperature when she shared that thought.
Katherine shifted in her seat awkwardly. Silas wouldn’t meet anyone’s eyes and Arabella didn’t know where to look.
Only Persephone seemed to keep the light smile on her.
"Stop scaring her like that, Morgana," the Lady chuckled.
Once done, Morgana straightened up and announced her departure. Everyone stood from their chairs to see her off.
As the witch said goodbye to Arabella, her eyes fell on her chest where the pendant used to be before drifting towards Silas’ belt from where the jewelry dangled, "I can cast a spell on your brooch since that is the piece that you will be keeping on yourself at all times from now on," she suggested.
Arabella turned to Silas who gave her a nod of approval and so, she handed the brooch to Morgana.
Eyes shut, the witch quietly flipped it and played around with it in her palm before passing it back to Arabella.
"Done!" she declared, "I put the same spell on it as your pendant,"
Arabella blurted another "Thank you" before Morgana turned around to leave.
As Katherine walked her out, the three remaining souls in the room sat back down.
"It never occurred to me to mention my friendship with Morgana in front of you as I never thought it relevant," Persephone was the first to break the silence between them.
"That is alright," Arabella nodded, looking not so thrilled.
Her hand fondled the brooch pinned to her dress as her eyes stared at the marble flooring.
"What is it?" Silas brought her out of her daze.
"No, I was merely thinking that... Things fell perfectly into place," she started, "I had forgotten about the spell on my pendant, but now that I think about the matter, the men that had abducted me knew about it and ordered me not to make a peep,"
"And if Edna worked for your father as we suspected then the question remains... How would she have known about it? According to your own words, Edna was nowhere near this room the first time Morgana came to see you," Persephone had her fingers on her chin pensively.
"There must be someone else under this roof that’s in cahoots with Reubon," Silas declared dryly.
A shiver ran across Arabella’s skin, raising every hair on her body, "But who...?"
"Whoever killed Edna when she got caught," he added.
"I suppose I assumed she was killed by either Grace or Allegra for what she did to Katherine, and I chose to look the other way, but now...,"
The color drained from Arabella’s face until her once red cheeks turned pale. The mention of Allegra rattled her already buzzing mind.
It couldn’t be, could it? After all, they lived far longer with Allegra than she did. They knew her better than she ever could.
But then again, they knew Edna better as well...
"In any case, we will know more once Morgana comes back to us with some results," Silas crossed his arms over his chest.
"Yes, well, I’ve had to report Edna’s death to syndicate. The only reason they are not breathing down our necks for the time being is the auction," Persephone sighed.
"Report it?" the words escaped Arabella.
"Why yes!" the Lady looked at her as though she’d grown a second head, "All humans that live under a night walker’s care are declared and accounted for. It isn’t done just out of the goodness of their hearts either. It is mainly to ensure sustainability in order to keep the current peace afloat,"
"Right!" she squeaked, "I had forgotten about that. Pardon me,"
"There is no need to fret but speaking of the auction, I dare hope most of the preparations are ready," she half asked.
"Yes," said Silas, "The music for the night has been handled, and the decorations will be taken care of by the fairies as a gift,"
"The tributes’ quarters are also ready to host the new crop,"
At those words, Persephone turned back to Arabella with a smile, "You are truly on top of things. I am not disappointed, but that reminds me," her eyebrows furrowed a tad, "You said you had something to propose about the maids and entertainers,"
"Yes! I wish to present two maids that want to become entertainers before you,"
"At this rate we will end up with no daytime staff," the Lady chuckled.
"Well, no," Arabella’s features turned firmer, "I also have another proposition about the tributes if you do not mind," her heart raced quicker in her chest in anticipation for the answer.
"Oh well, then go ahead. I am all ears,"
Persephone heard everything Arabella had to say until the end. When they finally went their separate ways, the Lady seemed quite happy with the young woman’s ideas.
And so, Arabella carried hope with her as she entered their room.
Her feet stopped momentarily in front of a new pedestal that wasn’t there that same morning.
"I’ve had it settled during the day. I thought it would be more befitting for your mother’s sculpture to sit on her own pillar,"
"Thank you," she whispered, her eyes dreamy and bright as she beheld Eleanor’s face.
"You may decorate the room to your liking. I will find another place for my work and-"
"No!" her eyes locked with his, "I don’t want to change a thing. I am perfectly happy with the way it looks right this moment,"