Different Appearances

Alexander walked into the De Vere household with a slightly irritated face. He didn't even wait for the marginally shocked Reginald to regain his senses and simply walked past him in a flurry.

The maids working around the house weren't in better shape either. The reason being, that this was the first time they had witnessed their master personally carry someone in his arms.

Unlike how they usually kept to their own business, this time, their eyes followed Alexander as he carried the covered motionless body up the stairs, promptly walking into his room and shutting the door with a loud bang. Reginald looked up at where Alexander previously stood with a worried expression before turning around and reprimanding the still dazed maids, and continuing on with his job.

Back inside his room, Alexander had already uncovered the body and was currently peering down at his bed where the person lay, with a perplexed and apprehensive expression on his face.

The body, in fact, belonged to Olivia who had for some reason collapsed into his arms. Although confused, Alexander had no time to waste pondering things as he immediately covered Olivia's body up, with his coat, before dashing out of the bureau without a word of goodbye. With the current condition that she was in, he could not afford for her to be seen by others, explaining his hurry back to his abode.

With a complex expression, Alexander sat on the edge of his bed, his dark crimson eyes never leaving her person. His hand inched towards her hair picking up a strand, except it wasn't the usual dark brown he was accustomed to. Instead, within his palm, he held a silky and shimmering strand of silver-white hair.

Even now, Alexander had absolutely no idea what had happened to Olivia. He had only turned away from her for a brief moment, discussing and analysing the corpse along with Silas. The next moment he curiously turned to look at her, wondering what the usually idle girl was up to, but to his astonishment what came into view was this.

Olivia looked to be dazed not even noticing his gaze where she usually would, until Alexander decided to briskly walk up to her. Once she turned around to face him, however, he quickly noted that it was not only her hair but the colour of her eyes that had also gone about a change.

Looking back at him were no longer the hazel brown eyes but a deep and dark purple. He didn't even have any time to ask her anything, before she fainted in his arms.

Now, here she peacefully lay, without a care in the world.

The door to the room opened, "Master Alexander, how may I assist you?"

Alexander glanced at him, "Come inside, quickly," He paused for a moment before also adding, "Lock the door behind you."

Reginald did as he was told before walking further into the room. As he stepped closer, he inadvertently glanced towards the bed before becoming stunned at the scene in front of him, not being able to move his eyes away in time.

Reginald could see that the person's features were identical to Miss Olivia, yet at the same time, they didn't resemble her at all. The person looked otherworldly, as if not belonging on this earth. Reginald was far too shell shocked, even going as far to look at his master with a confused expression.

However in the next second, Reginald quickly snapped out of his daze, clearing his thoughts and lowering his position again, "Would Master Alexander like for me to call for a doctor for Miss Olivia?"

Alexander furrowed his eyebrows, "No. A doctor isn't suitable enough to handle this. I need you to make sure that no one comes near this room without my permission, do you understand?" Although Alexander never allowed anyone in his room while he was absent, he did allow the maids to do their job and clean while he was present. But this was no longer convenient.

"As you wish," Reginald bowed.

"You are also forbidden from informing anyone about this. Do you understand?" Alexander's piercing gaze hit Reginald, the pressure making his face instantly pale.

Reginald mustered up all his power to nod his head before Alexander was satisfied enough and restrained himself, allowing for the butler to resume his breathing again.

Reginald glanced once more at Olivia before bowing towards his master and leaving the room quietly.

On her side, once Olivia fainted, she felt as if a blanket of darkness had encompassed her entire being. Although she knew she wasn't currently conscious, she still for some reason, was clear of mind. At that moment, she seemed to perceive herself as if she were a tiny speck, floating around in the void yet not being able to see what was around her. As time ticked by, Olivia felt a vague pull before gradually finding the strength to open her eyes.

The last thing she recalled was looking up at Master Alexander and seeing his bewildered expression on his face before her vision faded to black. Now that she was awake again, she looked around and noticed that she wasn't in her usual room.

Startled, she continued to look around the area closely and cautiously before recognising that this was his room. No wonder the bed she lay on was so soft and comfortable…

Olivia jumped out of her musings quickly before audibly gasping. She recalled her earlier thoughts… 'I'm currently in Alexander's room?'

"Awake?" A low voice called out, footsteps coming closer to her position.

Although Olivia's body felt terribly heavy and sluggish, she still managed to nod her head looking up at him with a slightly red and embarrassed expression. She had never slept in another man's room.

Alexander didn't know what the silly girl was thinking as he watched her face turn to red, simply continuing to gaze at her.

Olivia felt a bit uncomfortable under his stare so she carried on the conversation, "How many hours has it been?" She shifted her neck to glance outside the window, seeing the sun so high up in the sky, she worriedly looked back at Alexander asking, "I haven't missed lunch have I?"

After hearing her question, Alexander thought to himself 'Does this foolish girl only care about food?'

Nevertheless, Alexander's stoic face did not change, "It's been two days."

Olivia almost choked on her spit. She didn't think she had even missed out on a day let alone two. No wonder she felt like she had no energy.

Alexander continued to stare at the girl and her ever changing expressions. His eyes roamed around, looking at her now silky, dark brown hair, as it lay flat against the white feather pillow. The hair that he was always familiar with. Her eyes had also long resumed to its normal hazel brown glimmer.

Still being stared at him, Olivia finally felt that something was off. He never usually looked this much at her, at most a fleeting glance or the odd frown, yet right now the only thing being reflected in those dark, unfathomable eyes of his, was herself.

Olivia was not silly enough to think that he had suddenly fallen in love with her over the last two days while she was unconscious, so she felt that something else was amiss.

She cleared her throat before hesitantly asking, "Is something wrong?"

The vampire continued to look at her, not moving his eyes even once.

Once he heard her question he narrowed his eyes, "I don't tend to have a habit of tolerating those who lie."

"When did I lie?" Olivia blurted out.

Alexander examined her face, looking for anything, but couldn't find a thing.

"Why did you suddenly faint?"

Olivia's heartbeat started to involuntarily race as she recalled what she had experienced. Until now, she couldn't tell whether what she saw was merely a figment of her imagination or reality.

"I can already hear your heart racing. Something to hide?" Alexander pointed out, his lips curling upwards.

Olivia widened her eyes not thinking that he could hear even her heartbeat especially with how far away he stood. She hurriedly tried to calm herself down. In any case, she truly couldn't lie to him even if she wanted to but she was somewhat worried.

What she went through was not something any average person could experience. If anything she would say that it was akin to magic… if so, what if he took her to be a witch?

Olivia suddenly felt extremely cold and slightly paled as she looked up at Alexander who was currently waiting for her answer. She slowly swallowed her saliva before deciding to divulge everything. If anything, she had already come all this way and he was the only one that knew about her body composition, what more another secret?

"In the room I… saw something," Olivia tentatively started off, not daring to meet his eyes and opting to stare at any inanimate object in the room.

"Continue."

Olivia took a deep breath before proceeding again, "It happened when I was observing the corpse, all of a sudden I woke up in another area, different from the room we first entered," She continued to recount her encounter, not leaving out any details.

Once she was finished, she looked up at the vampire who had not yet said a word.

"What do you think?" Olivia asked timidly, clutching on to the bed sheets with a tight grip, after having not had any response from him.

"And this happened only when you had been observing the corpse?" Alexander questioned, willing to believe her words.

Olivia nodded her head. Alexander started to form a theory in his mind but he didn't voice it out.

"Both lunch and dinner will be served in here. Tomorrow we'll be going back to coroners' office."

Olivia hurriedly nodded her head again. She wanted to go back too, just to see whether the same thing would happen again.

Alexander walked out having finished their conversation, leaving Olivia to ponder over her own thoughts.

After having talked with Olivia and straightening everything out, Alexander felt calmer and leisurely walked down the stairs.

"Brother you seem to be in your room longer than usual these days. Care to share?" A young looking girl sweetly smiled at Alexander while eyeing his bedroom door upstairs.

If Olivia were to see her, she would remember that she was the girl that usual sat down next to Alexander's older brother on the dining table, his sister.

"Dear Rosina, its best you don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong," Alexander subtly warned, returning a small smile.

"I was just joking, no need to make it so serious," Rosina pouted, before walking off towards the garden.

He watched her leave and turned around, stepping into the study. Inside, his older brother sat there, a small table stood next to his side with stacks of papers on top. A Giver stood quietly behind him, looking as pale as always.

Alexander promptly took a seat opposite his brother.

"And to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I just thought I'd have a nice chat with you, brother Julian. Is that not allowed?" Alexander taunted.

"I don't have time to play your childish games Alexander," Julian replied, unperturbed.

"I hear the King has been acting rather suspicious as of late. Is your control slipping through your fingers?"

Julian sighed, putting down the papers in his hand. He raised his arm to grab the teenage male Giver behind him, placing him upon his lap. He lifted the Giver's thin and wan arm before extending his brightly white and clean fangs and sinking them into his wrist without warning.

The Giver didn't make a sound, his face flushed red contrasting to his usual pale appearance. If Olivia were to see the scene, she would be both confused and shocked as to why the Giver seemed to be enjoying such treatment. The young male looked both happy and satisfied even though his blood was currently being drained bit by bit.

Once Julian was done, he wiped the residue blood off the corner of his mouth with his thumb, creating a truly enticing picture. The young teenager having lost some blood, leaned against Julian's chest. His eyes still looking dazed and seemingly euphoric. His wrist now sported two deep holes, blood slightly seeping out.

Julian lifted the now slack wrist, licking the blood that was trickling down the Giver's arm before pulling it towards Alexander who had nonchalantly watched the whole show, "Do you want some?"

Alexander didn't reply, merely looking towards the door to see Reginald walk in, "Do you need anything Master Alexander?"

"Get me my cup and pour the regular," He ordered before facing his brother again.

"Tsk, you still haven't changed? Don't tell me you don't even drink from that girl that always follows you around?" Julian questioned, continuing to allow the Giver to lean against him.

"My, my. Both you and sister seem increasingly interested in my affairs lately. Has the Seat of Elders not got you busy enough?"

Julian frowned in irritation before deciding to ignore his brother's childish taunts.

He turned towards Alexander with an ever serious expression, "What have you heard about the King and the royal family so far?"