Chapter 10 - The Thankless Receiver Of the Thank You Note

Raymond woke up to the Silent knock on the door. Scowling, he sat up. "That guy... If he asks for more money, I swear I'm going to drain his blood instead." He rushed to the door and threw it open. "What!"

A little maid stood outside, shaking in fear.

"Who are you?" Raymond glanced at her with his eyes narrowed. She looked familiar, but he could not figure out where he had seen her. "Little girl, I don't have time to waste in the morning. The next time you come knocking I will make sure to get you fired by your silly master," he said and closed the door.

"Wait, sir!" the little maid shouted.

Peering out through the gap, Raymond waited for her to speak.

"I came here to return this." She gruffly pushed a small paper bag inside, bowed, and ran away like the wind.

"Weird human," he tossed the well-packed parcel to the side and went on with his day. Since he was assigned to a new duchy, his duties have increased exponentially and so has his appetite. Drinking the few last sips of his precious blood wine, he sighed. "Life is very hard,"

By evening the stupid guy Fred ran over with a huge grin on his face. "Hey, are you excited to drink exotic blood,"

"Hmm," Raymond expectantly glanced at his bag.

"waah, why aren't you looking at my face? My friend, where is your sincerity," he mocked sitting down opposite to him.

"Just give me the blood bottle,"

"I don't have it," Fred shrugged nonchalantly.

"Huh? You... you don't have it?!" Raymond stood up and stalked closer. "You promised me blood, then I shall take it from you,"

"Ah Raymond, you are so mean. I will get the blood to you by evening." Fred smirked confidently.

Raymond glared at him and sat back in his chair. "Seriously, why are all your family members so outrageous? Even your grandfather was like this. How can you not fear me?"

"What is there to fear Raymond, you are a huge cutie," Fred laughed out loud and ran out before Raymond could hit him.

Watching him run off, Raymond softly smirks. "Seriously, what human isn't scared of me?" his thought wandered off to the silver-haired maiden, "will she be scared when she finds out my identity? I bet that white kitten will tremble and faint," he chuckled dryly.

He leaned back in his chair and glanced around his room. Suddenly the brown parcel caught his eyes. He tore it open to find his red robe and a letter inside. He sat up and chuckled. "Think of the devil,"

He sniffed the robe a little. It smelt of the soft fragrance of rose and daffodils. He tossed it carelessly and carefully picked the seal on the letter. "I bet she wrote her heart-felt feelings. Silly human,"

Taking the last sip of his wine, he excitedly read the scribbles out loud. "mister bat shit bastard, if you tell even a soul that you saw my embarrassing self or I will make sure to cut you in your sleep, yours truly the girl who hates you,"

"ha-ha," he tossed the letter on his table and laughed until his stomach ached. "Bat shit bastard, ha-ha, How did she come up with this phrase....." then he reread the last line. "So you hate me, huh? Little kitten, why do you have to provoke me so,"

He glanced out at the bow and smirked mysteriously.

Not knowing she had offended a top-notch predator, Eloise happily held her mother's hand. She had finally woken up that evening. "Here Mom, eat slowly," she fed her spoon full of mildly flavored soup. "Is it hot?"

Her mum shook her head with a sad smile, "It's perfect dear, but.... but,"

"Shh, let's not talk about that when having your meal," she fed her another spoonful of well-cooked vegetables.

Her mother teared up, holding her hand gently. "Eloise, my Eloise, what have I done? They are all gone,"

Eloise sat up and hugged her mother. "Not all, I found clues that the gold might be smuggled onto our ship. I will definitely find it Mum. So don't cry,"

"Not the gold, our wares!"

"Are they that precious? Odette said that there were only tea sets and saucers," Eloise looked at her confusedly.

"Yes!! Those were hand-crafted by your father. He loved every one of those pieces so much!" she cried, hugging her tightly. "It was the last part of him.... now... now it's all gone underwater,"

Eloise patted her trembling back. "Mum, you have me, right? Aren't I proof of mum and dad's love?" she cutely whispered.

Madam Ayles froze. She cupped her face and peered into her eyes. "Yes, yes, you do have your father's eyes. As blue as the sky and as fresh as the sea," she whispered nostalgically.

"Mum, I know you miss Dad but I can't have you crumble like this. I know family issues have been taxing on you, so rely on me."

"But you were so sickly, my dear. How can I bear to put you through so much stress?" she gently caressed her pale cheeks.

"Well, I'm healthy as a horse now. So trust me and rely on me. I can be your rock to lean on," Eloise confidently whispered.