Chapter 341: Haunted mansion_Part 1
"...you will like it, you’ll see," Belle said to Evenly after the lady asked her about the shopping arcade they were going to. "I believe it is one of the best places in Aragonia, and every lady goes there to get readymade dresses and jewelry," Belle assured her, only for Evenly to ask,
"Haven’t you been there before?"
Belle’s smile faltered at that question. She had never been there before, even though it was a place her mother and sister liked to visit to buy accessories. Whenever she offered to come along, she would instead be sent off on another errand. That was why she was now excited to finally see what all the talk about the place was about.
Evenly noticed her hesitation and immediately put two and two together. She understood that Belle had never been to this place they were going. She had always wondered how her friend could be so good at cooking and doing things nobles weren’t supposed to know how to do. Now, she could see why and understand her more.
"Oh, I see," Evenly mused quietly.
Belle didn’t try to make her believe otherwise about whatever conclusion she had come to in her mind, as she no longer cared what anyone thought about the Dawsons.
For a while, the only sound was the rhythmic clatter of the horses’ hooves striking the stone road and the soft creak of the carriage as it swayed. Evenly drew a long sigh, leaning slightly toward the open window as the breeze lifted a strand of her red hair. She breathed in the fresh air deeply before saying,
"Aragonia is a beautiful place with smooth roads. I don’t know why peace can’t just reign in both lands. I have always wondered what it’s like to live among humans alone. It’s unfortunate I only get to see it now, when I am a vampire and a woman out of marriage. Had I seen it before I got married, I would have convinced my father we move and start over here." She gave a soft chuckle, though her eyes remained on the passing streets through the window.
Belle adjusted her hold on her son as he stood on her lap, wrapping his arms tightly around her neck. His small head nestled in the crook of her shoulder, while she listened to Evenly. She tilted her head slightly, answering, "Aragonia is not as good as it looks. But then, I often wonder why the humans in Nightbrook chose to remain there instead of living in a land with their own kind."
She had always considered Aragonia the most wonderful land since it was where she had grown up. But over the years she had come to see that every land had its dark side.
Evenly pursed her lips thoughtfully before replying, "Well, from what I know, every human there was born and raised knowing Nightbrook as home. The nobles cannot leave because they would be poor outside of Nightbrook, and the same goes for the commoners who have built their town and homes there. My father once told me his ancestor was originally a blood slave, but he rose to military power through his skill. That’s how our family secured its place."
"Oh." Belle nodded slowly, her gaze dropping to Angel’s tiny hand gripping her sleeve. Then she added gently, "Just because you are no longer married doesn’t mean you can’t dream of living elsewhere. You deserve better than Mr. Clifton. Don’t let that relationship stop you from finding another. There are human lands that don’t mind vampires, you could start afresh there. I can talk to my husband to help look into—"
Evenly’s small laugh interrupted her. She shook her head, the corner of her lips tugging into a bittersweet smile. "I do appreciate it, Belle, but I no longer believe I have a chance to move on with another person. And even if I had the chance, I don’t want it. Falling in love is easy, but once you fall out of it through betrayal, it is hard to fall again. I just wish I had at least a baby of my own, then I would be content with everything."
The wheels of the carriage rolled over a rough patch of stone, causing it to jolt. Belle tightened her arms around Angel as thought about the feeling of heartbreak that was caused from betrayal crossed her mind.
She understood the feeling clearly. And yet, for some reason, she still believed one could always move on, just as she had moved on so quickly from Jamie...
Her thoughts came to a sudden halt at the sound of his name in her mind. Jamie Marchant.
The bitter anger that rose inside her chest took her by surprise. It pressed sharply against her ribs, choking her, and a tightness spread in her throat until it felt as though the air itself refused to move.
Her arms instinctively clutched Angel closer, but even his little baby noises tickling her ear wasn’t enough to push away the flood of resentment.
How could she hate him this much?
How could she despise him so deeply when all he had done was break her trust?
The rush of emotions was so overwhelming she had to cover it quickly. Forcing a change of subject, she said, "Tell me, where were you given your room?" She asked Evenly, both to mask the rising storm in her heart and because she hadn’t yet figured out herself which room her friend was staying in.
She had planned to switch her own room now that she had made her position clear to her parents. It would be best to choose one closer to Rav and Evenly so that if Angel needed her in the night, she would be near.
When Evenly told her where they had been given rooms, Belle grimaced. "That part of the house hasn’t been used in a long time. I’m sorry you have to stay there."
Evenly waved a dismissive hand just as the carriage jolted again. "I thought it bad at first, but considering how loudly Angel cries, I believe it is actually the best room. At least his wailing doesn’t alert the rest of the household. I never knew a baby’s cries could be so loud," she added with an amused chuckle.
"He does cry really loud. I’m sorry for any inconvenience, and for what happened yesterday," Belle said apologetically, knowing that Evenly was supposed to have her own life and focus on it. Yet, because of them, she had been drawn into the role of a nanny for their baby, even risking her life by letting Angel take her blood.
"Please don’t apologize," Evenly said quickly. "It’s my pleasure to stand as his mother here. I love looking after your son and seeing all his charming sides."
If only Belle knew how much caring for Angel soothed Evenly’s mind, she wouldn’t be apologizing. There was something strange and miraculous about his presence, it could heal a wounded heart. His smiles alone could brighten one’s day, unless when he began to cry, and that too was understandable because he got hungry quite often and wanted his mother to nurse.
He was an adorable little boy, with the most innocent, big doe-like eyes that could melt one’s soul. It was strange how he could heal her own heart but couldn’t heal a certain someone who was sitting in front with the coachman. His presence only made the man look more pained and hollowed, and she had tried to make sure he had no reason to hold him since last night after he told her about his family. Her heart ached for him for some reasons.