Alvena froze in shock as she stared at the fangs puncturing the arm that was used to shield her neck. She didn't dare turn around to see the figure standing two heads taller with his arm wrapped around her.

To be honest, I wasn't the least bit worry this entire time. Perhaps it's that steady heartbeat that I constantly hear in my head. It was as if something within me was already aware that Master's arrival would befall us.

So I simply watched from my position. Master didn't think twice about pulling out the poor vampire's fangs before throwing him at the burning carriage. A few younger vampires tried to retaliate, but thought better when the gold of the Dietrich crest shown from under Master's cape.

At that, some of the higher noble vampires picked themselves up from their seats and gave their finest greetings to High Lord Dietrich of Argid and Commander of the Army residing in the Border. Master's face was still as ever, only nodding ever so slightly at an older vampire with golden-rimmed irises.

I was so absorbed with Master and Alvena that I didn't even notice when the vampire under me was removed. In his place by my side was none other than the High Lord of Emberwind. Of course it would be him accompanying Master.

"Lucien."

"You're missing the curtsy, hon."

My eyes narrow at his remark. He is getting way too comfortable with a servant—it's almost unsightly.

After a few more minutes of exchanges, Master had almost all the vampires lowering their heads to him, the most extravagant carriage at his beckon, and a relatively new side of Rosehold at his feet.

"We ride home now," was all Master whispered to Alvena for me to abandon Lucien and help the tiny human up the carriage.

I waited for Master to get on which he did before I took my seat. Unexpectedly, Lucien joined in on the ride after chatting with the recently awoken human man and giving him a heavy pouch of something that made him extremely giddy.

Throughout the entire ride, there was silence. Alvena sat quietly beside the master who didn't even spare her a glance. I avoided his gaze and strangely appreciated Lucien's presence beside me. At least Master can have him to look at.

But this is to be expected. Noble vampires are all about the image. Personal problems are to be handled at home.

Thus, the minute we stepped into the house, the silence was no longer.

"What were you two thinking going to Rosehold?" Master asked with his back to us.

The maids took the cue to clear the throw and retreat back to their rooms. London and Adrian came soon after to escort Lucien to the guest room, leaving just me and Alvena with Master. When all ears were far enough, Master finally turned around.

"What were you two doing in Rosehold?" Master growled through his clenched teeth.

I have never seen Master so upset.

"Evelyn, I ordered you to watch and care for your Mistress. Not put her in danger." Master's voice was controlled, but still came out as a roar which shook the chandelier hanging above us.

"I'm incompetent," I confess.

Master towered above me and waited until I met his eyes. "You will inform me each time you take the Mistress out. Am I clear?"

I nod.

"As for your punishment, you wil-"

"It's not Evie's fault. I ordered her to go with me," Alvena interrupts.

Bad move, child. Bad move.

"That only tells me I should punish her more for obeying your orders and not mine."

We live in a hierarchical society. No one interrupts the high lord mid speech.

"You ordered her to attend to my needs. I needed to go to Rosehold. She obeyed. So ultimately, you're punishing her for obeying your own orders. That's not very noble."

Alvena must have lost her logic back in the neighbor town.

"And you entering a vampire den in Rosehold's Red-Light District is?" Master bit out contemptuously.

"I didn't know," Alvena replied humbly after giving it some consideration.

"If you have no other words to say, I advise you to not speak out of turn the next time we share a conversation. And, do not ever raise your voice against mine. Alvena, I am only this forgiving."

"I was only trying to make you happy!" Alvena yelled back with much energy, completely disregarding Master's earlier words.

"If that was your intention, I won't hesitate to tell you that you entirely failed." An unfamiliar coldness accompanied Master's words and removed the usual sweetness of his voice. "Remove your presence for the night."

I believe that last comment was meant to ease the situation for I sensed a bit of sorrow in his tone. However, it was too subtle for me to expect the little human to detect.

It was then that Alvena began to shake a little. The shake turned into a slight tremble before trickles of water ran down her cheeks. She walked to me and placed the covered painting into my hands before running up the stairs without another word.

Without her presence, Master focused his attention on me. He opened his mouth, but Lucien popped his head out right before I was given my punishment.

"Alek, let's not be upset over something as petty as this~" Lucien advised as he took a sip from a wine glass. "Don't tell me you're still mad that you were bitten."

That was obviously not the case and all three of us knew it, but whatever Lucien was doing, it was working. Master's stoic expression slowly broke down, gradually restoring his much more youthful look.

"I'm sorry, Master. I will rec-"

"Rest," Master finished my sentence before walking off to the living room.

I watched as he slowly turned and disappeared. Master is unbelievably kind for a high lord.

"If you're worried, there's no need to be," Lucien says and winks.

I look at him indifferently. "I am not worried."

"You're pretty scary. Earlier when you were ripping those vampires up, your heartbeat didn't change. When Alek was angry, your heartbeat still didn't change. Even now, it's beating so evenly," he says as he circles me.

"Are you scared of my even heartbeats?" I question.

"On the contrary," he finally stops walking and stands in front of me. "I'm intrigued."

I look up to see Lucien's face, hoping that his expression would clear up his strange choice of words. His face was the same as usual, except when his lips curved up into a smile, two extra fangs appeared as well.

"Okay," I reply. "I will rest now."

Despite excusing myself from Lucien, I did not head straight to my room. Instead, I paid a visit to Master's study. Since Alvena risked her life to get this back by tonight, I thought it best that it at least made it to Master. After placing the protected canvas on his desk, I went to clean myself off.

And to my surprise after I stepped out of the shower, Alvena was sitting in my room, all cleaned up and nice.

"Evie, thanks for everything," she says as I sit next to her on my bed.

"I only followed orders."

"Sure Evie." She gave me a soft smile and wrapped her arms around me. "Whatever you say."

She was very warm for someone her size. But again, before I got to truly live the moment, I sensed something by the door. Another unexpected visitor.

"Alvena, it's late. I'll walk you back," I say as I beckon her by my side. She skipped in her nightgown and obediently stood by me as I creaked open the door.

And as foreseen, Master waited patently outside. "Allow me."

The human instinctively hid behind me, like a duckling behind a mother. I hope she knows that I'd give her away any day if Master so orders me to. However, until then, I wish not see her cry.

"Master, I'm afraid Alvena is trying to follow your order in removing her presence from your sight. You're making it increasingly difficult for her to abide."

I heard a tiny giggle coming from behind me and that sing-song tune immediately lifted Master's serious look.

"I don't think she'd care to follow my orders either way." No response. "Alvena, I wish to speak with you."

I stood still. Alvena didn't bother to move either, only opening her mouth to say as few words as possible. "You may speak here. I can hear you."

A peculiar expression appeared on Master's face for a second before he regained composure.

"Alone," he says.

"I'm nothing more than a Disabled. Continue to speak as if I were furniture." I continue to look forward.

"Evelyn." Master stares at me sternly. "You are not furniture. I thought I made it clear enough for you to know by now."

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy, but Alvena's sudden heartwarming laughter interferes. "Master, Evelyn is just being sarcastic. You're too literal."

Giving it some thought, Master lets out a slight chuckle and my face lights up a little too. Only then, did Alvena dare tilt a little from behind me and look at Master.

Seeing her bright eyes, Master couldn't help surrendering a smile—a smile that I've never seen him show before, a rare sight yet so fitting of the moment. Alvena was taken aback too and responded by flushing a deep red and hid behind me once more.

Master didn't seem to appreciate my obtrusive presence and deeming it safe, I stepped aside so that he could see the tiny girl behind me.

"Alvena," he whispered, his usual warmth exuberayting from his velvet voice. "After some reflection, my personal reasons do not justify the way I acted. I hope you don't find it too difficult to forgive me."

I watched Master stare into his mistress's eyes, using his vampiric looks and allure to persuade her. He is not playing fair.

"I'll forgive you if you like your gift," Alvena responded.

For a high lord to ask for forgiveness...it's somewhat an honor. A response like that can be viewed as an offense. She does not know our ways.

"Alvena, you should apologiz-

Master shook his head in my direction and I immediately hold my tongue. Alvena didn't seem to mind my interruption, but still eagerly awaited Master's answer.

"It is the best gift I have ever received from a human," he paused to think and then continued, "and one of the best gifts I have received in a very long time."

That compliment made her extremely proud and Master's gentle eyes were fixated on her radiant smile.

"Thank you, Master," Alvena curtsied, much to his sudden dissatisfaction.

"Nikolaj," he corrects much to Alvena's surprise. Her eyes widened at the realization and then blushed even more, much to Master's sudden amusement.

As unknowing of our customs she is, she must've learned somewhere that vampires only allow select people call them by their unique names. That is, Aleksandar is inherited in the Dietrich family, whereas Nikolaj is Master's true name.

High nobles allowing others to call them by their true name requires a certain level of intimacy. That is, a vampire would only allow an acknowledged partner call them by their name. If Lucien called Master by his middle name, it'll be of the highest sin.

"It was my uncle who arranged for our pact. However, it has now become my intention to see it through as more." Master's fangs protruded from his lips and didn't bother to retract them. He held out his hand which Alvena quietly took and escorted her back to her room.

When he closed the door behind them, I walked across and positioned myself in the station I abandoned from two weeks ago.

But within a few minutes, Master opened the door.

"You are tired, Evelyn. Rest."

My Master is thoughtful.

"I am not tired, Master," I say, standing straight as always.

"Rest," he says softly.

"I can rest while standing, Master."

"Evelyn, we need some privacy."

Walking back to my own room, I felt very free. It was almost as if that feeling weighing me down in the past two weeks suddenly lifted.

As I learned from Lucien later, I'm experiencing "relief." But I cannot feel relief without first being a victim of anxiety says he. And much to my horror but Lucien's hilarity, I should be expecting a lot more of this "anxiety."

***