17 Seeking protection

Author's note: this chapter is from Seraphina's point of view

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I was happy to see that Lazarus rushed out of the dining room. What is his problem? Is he not feeling well? More than once he looked like he is in agony, but after yesterday, there is no way that I will give him any ideas, so I kept to myself.

As much as I tried to ignore Lazarus, his gaze was burning my skin and I had a feeling that the only thing keeping him away from me was Aldus's presence. It was unsettling.

Suddenly, I became aware that I am relying on Aldus's protection. No. I am counting on it like it's a given and without him, I will feel… vulnerable and exposed.

"Do you need to go?"

Aldus smiled with amusement twirling in his steel-grey eyes. "Will you miss me?"

"Yes.", I admitted right away.

Did he forget that I have no clue who I was and that he is the only connection to who I am? Sure, there is staff in the villa, which I silently call handy-robots because they are performing their tasks swiftly and silently, they always lower their heads when they see me, and speak only when spoken to.

I need people in my life, and as much as Aldus might be an unfathomable monster, he is the only person I can talk to. What will I do if he disappears?

"You said that it's dangerous.", I reminded him.

His eyes reduced to slits how much he smiled, and he patted my head. "It's dangerous for you. Not for me."

I lowered my gaze in defeat. I don't know how powerful Aldus is or what business he needs to deal with, but I am painfully aware that I am useless. I firmed my resolve to study. It can't hurt, and maybe I manage to learn something useful and help him out, or at least I could be capable enough so that I am not left behind. One day.

Aldus probably noticed my low mood and he tried to encourage me.

"You will be safe here."

Aldus's words pulled me out of my thoughts. I know he means it, but I don't feel safe without him around.

"You be safe there and come home. I will be waiting.", I said, and I realized that I sound pathetic. I am fortunate that he accepted me as a daughter, so his expectations of me to behave are low while his tolerance is high. Why am I acting like a baby?

He nodded in response.

I was embarrassed by my clingy behavior, so I didn't linger. Besides, I finished my breakfast fifteen minutes ago, but I didn't want to leave before Lazarus, fearing that he might come after me. Now he is gone, and I can go to my room swiftly. Only when he is out of the property, I will be able to breathe.

I went down the hallway, counting steps until I reach my room when I heard shuffling from the side-hallway that leads to the East wing of the villa.

I told myself to keep on going, but my curiosity took over and I had to see what is going on. My steps halted and I changed my direction.

My eyes widened when I saw Lazarus practically dragging our maid with him. His arm was around her waist and she was walking, but the fear in her expression was a giveaway that she was not willing to do whatever he had on his mind.

I frowned as anger bubbled inside me. How dares he?!

"Mr. Lupo!"

He froze at the sound of my voice.

"What do you think you are doing!?"

Lazarus turned toward me in slow motion and his expression told me that he is not happy with my interference. However, his reaction only confirmed that I'm doing the right thing. Did he plan to force himself on the poor woman? I was livid.

"Let go of her. Right now!", I roared.

I had no idea from where my courage came but I was sure that I will have a sore throat for a few days.

It seems that it worked because the maid wiggled out of his hold, moved away from him, and hid behind me.

I was still high on adrenaline as I glared at Lazarus who visibly struggled between rage and obedience.

"Mr. Lupo…", I said in a firm tone. "I don't know how you act in your house, but this is the Mezzanotte property and as our guest, you need to follow our rules. We don't get handsy with our employees and we don't force them to do anything they are not paid for. Is that clear?"

He stared at me with disbelief in his eyes like I'm growing a second head.

"Is. That. Clear?", I said through my teeth.

It was barely noticeable, but I saw that he nodded.

I was happy with this small victory, and I didn't want to test my luck further.

"Good. You are leaving soon, and I hope that you can refrain from causing trouble until then."

He didn't respond and I didn't move as he slowly walked away from me without breaking eye contact.

That was intense.

Only when he was out of sight, I exhaled the breath I was holding.

"Are you OK?", I asked the maid which was visibly shivering behind me.

"Yes, young Miss. Thank you, young Miss.", she said in a shaky voice.

I placed my hand on her shoulder and she relaxed.

"Don't mention it. He should leave in about one hour. Try to stay out of sight until then."

The maid nodded vigorously and scurried in the opposite direction from where Lazarus went.

Now that the thing was over, I realized what I have done, and my legs refused to move.

Why on Earth did I raise my voice on that man? But what were my options? To pretend I didn't see anything? I would not be able to sleep peacefully with the knowledge that he did something despicable and I looked away. Or was I supposed to call Aldus? Who knows where he is, and I didn't want to appear like a weakling. Aldus told me that I am the princess here and that Lazarus won't dare to hurt me.

After an unknown measure of time, I managed to lift my foot off the floor, and I moved toward my room. My every next step was faster than the previous one.

I practically ran into my room, closed the door, locked it, and huffed for air. The adrenalin wore off and I was shaking.

My hair stood on ends when I heard shuffling coming from my closet. Is Lazarus there? I felt the blood draining from my face. I am doomed! Am I going to faint?

"Excuse me, young Miss…", the maid called, and I realized it's the same one I saw in the hallway a few minutes ago. Her head peeked from the closet and she continued talking: "I was thinking of ironing your dresses, if it's not inconvenient. Or if ironing is not fine, I can clean your bathroom or anything else…" Her voice trailed away, and she looked at me hopefully.

Her petite face was framed in dark brown hair that was lifted into a loose bun and she clutched nervously her black dress that is part of her maid's uniform.

I realized that she is scared of Lazarus and seeking refuge. I found it ridiculous that she thinks I can protect her. Doesn't she see that I am shaking? But I liked the idea that someone is relying on me. Somehow, it boosted my courage. I wondered if this is how Aldus feels when I rely on him.

I did my best to compose myself. "What is your name?"

"Maria."

"Thank you, Maria. That is very thoughtful. Please, carefully inspect all my dresses and iron the ones that need it. You can do it in my closet, no need to use the laundry room."

Her face broke into a smile and she visibly relaxed. "Thank you, young Miss."

I sat in front of my computer and continued my research on secret codes. It will distract me from thinking about the incident in the hallway, and I need to come up with a code of my own so that I can take notes that are for my eyes only. And then I can start researching other topics.

Occasionally I would hear shuffling from my walk-in closet, and I knew that Maria is keeping busy by ironing invisible creases on my garments. I felt less alone.

I wondered... what kind of creatures are shapeshifters? I saw Lazarus move very fast and he is strong. I know from the movies that they get bitten, and during the full moon, they go crazy. But that is probably the Hollywood version of the real thing. I should do more research on that topic. Ah, there is so much to learn!

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