Eudora's POV
The morning light was faint, spilling gently through the cracks of the tall curtains. The air in the room was cool and still, touched only by the soft hum of silence. Beneath the sheets, the warmth of the bed lingered against my skin, a comfort I had not known in so long. It felt strange to rest on softness after nights spent upon cold stone floors. My body sank deeper for a moment, unwilling to move, while the dim glow slowly urged my eyes open.
A soft knock came at the door, three slow deliberate taps that broke the quiet.
"Wake up, sleepyhead~" came Lilith's smooth, teasing voice.
My heart gave a small leap. Her tone was playful, light as a feather. For a moment, I thought I was still dreaming.
"Lilith…?" My voice came out rough, hoarse from sleep.
The door slowly creaked open and there she was standing in the doorway, framed by the soft golden light from the hall. Lilith leaned against the doorframe with her usual grace, a small smile resting on her lips. "You've quite a long day ahead of you," she said with a gentle hum, "and our Master dislikes laziness, you know."
I pushed myself upright, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "Oh… I see…" The words came out weak, barely louder than a whisper.
With a faint chuckle, she crossed the room, the sound of her boots soft against the carpet. She pulled the heavy curtains apart, letting the pale sunlight spill freely into the room. The sudden brightness washed over everything, the floorboards gleamed faintly, and dust danced lazily in the air, I raised a hand to shield my eyes, squinting against the light. The light felt almost unfamiliar, as though I hadn't seen a morning this clear in years.
She opened the window next. The wind drifted in gently, carrying the scent of the gardens below, as well as fresh leaves, damp earth, and something faintly sweet. It brushed against my skin and filled me with a quiet sense of peace, a warmth that reminded me of mornings from the past, long before all of this.
"Breakfast is ready," she said softly, turning to face me. Her gaze lingered on me for a moment before she added, "I see you're still wearing the clothes I gave you yesterday."
Looking down at myself, I flushed slightly. "Ah… I must've fallen asleep without changing," I murmured.
Lilith smiled, her tone kind. "It matters not. Take your time to prepare yourself," she said, pointing toward the corner of the room. "There's a wardrobe right over there so choose whatever pleases you. I shall be waiting, so do not rush."
She turned, her hair brushing over her shoulder as she left. The door closed quietly behind her, leaving me alone once more.
For a while, I simply sat there, staring at the door she had just closed. After a moment, I gathered myself and stood up, stretching my arms with a quiet yawn. My steps carried me to the wardrobe she mentioned. A faint gasp escaped my lips when I pulled its doors open. Inside were more clothes than I had ever owned in my life, fine fabrics in soft shades, neatly folded and arranged with care. My hand hovered for a moment before brushing against the fabric of a simple white dress.
The Master even provided clothes… But why would he do that for a slave like me. A few rags would have been enough...
Despite my thoughts, I still took the dress carefully and laid it over the bed. My old garments, torn and rough, were placed into a basket nearby. The new dress slipped easily over my skin. It was light and comfortable, ending just above my knees, with sleeves that hung loosely around my arms. It was simple, yet there was something pure about its simplicity, something that made me feel almost… Human again.
Beside the bed were a pair of low-heeled boots. They were a little too large, but I managed to fit into them well enough. I turned and caught my reflection in the mirror.
For a moment, I simply stared. The person staring back looked proper and clean. The dullness in my eyes had lessened, and my hair fell gently over my shoulders. It almost frightened me, to see such change in so short a time.
He gave me this room. These clothes. Food. Shelter. And all I had to offer him was my blood.
My eyes drifted down to my wrist. The wound from last night was gone, my skin was smooth, there was no trace of pain. So it was true that his saliva can boost healing. My fingers brushed the spot gently. A strange mix of fear and gratitude swelled in my chest.
Is there anything else I can do for him?
The thought startled me, and I shook it off quickly. I took a deep breath before turning away from the mirror and stepping out of the room.
The hallway outside was long and dim, lit only by candles that lined the walls. Their flickering glow cast restless shadows that stretched and swayed across the stone floor. I tried to remember the path Lilith had taken yesterday, but the corridors twisted and turned endlessly. The silence was heavy, broken only by the soft creak of my boots.
I glanced around the dim hallway, a faint frown tugging at my lips. Why is it so dark in the first place, why are the curtains still drawn when morning had already come? The shadows made the air feel heavy, and every candle flickered as though afraid to breathe.
Lost in thought, I turned a corner, and nearly collided with someone.
My body froze. Blinking twice, I lifted my gaze and my breath caught the moment I saw him. "Ah- Master!"
William stood before me, tall and composed, his eyes calm but sharp. I stumbled back slightly. "Forgive me, I wasn't looking where I was going," I stammered.
He raised a hand, shaking his head. "It's fine. No harm done." His voice was low, steady, with that same faint chill it carried last night.
He glanced down. "Is your wrist healing well?"
"Yes… thanks to you," I replied quietly, lowering my gaze.
He nodded once. "Good." A pause lingered between us before he asked, "Were you headed somewhere?"
"The dining room," I admitted, clutching my hands together. "But I'm afraid I've lost my way."
A small smile ghosted across his lips. "Then follow me."
He turned, his coat trailing softly behind him as we walked through the halls. The silence between us was almost unbearable. My mind kept replaying last night, his cold hands, the sharp sting on my skin, and the strange warmth that followed.
"Master," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
He turned his head slightly. "Yes?"
"Thank you… for everything. The room, the clothes, and the food. I'm grateful."
He shrugged lightly. "It's nothing."
His tone made it sound simple, but somehow it meant so much more to me. I nodded, not knowing what else to say. The rest of the walk was quiet, save for the echo of our steps.
At last, the dining room came into view. It was grand and open, with high ceilings and wide windows that let in the morning light. The long table was set neatly with silver and porcelain. Lilith sat near the end, already waiting.
When she saw me, she brightened immediately. "There you are!"
William remained in the shadows to avoid the sunlight. His gaze flicked toward Lilith. "I thought I told you to look after her," he said, his tone calm but firm.
Lilith laughed softly. "Ah, forgive me, it must've slipped my mind."
He frowned, though his expression softened a moment later. "Be more mindful next time."
With that, he turned toward the darker corner of the room. "Human," he said quietly, "Every evening at eight, you know what you have to do."
Before I could answer, his figure blurred into the shadows and vanished.
Lilith exhaled, her lips curling into a grin. "He's always so dramatic," she muttered before linking her arm with mine. "Come, let's eat."
We sat at the table together. Before me was a plate of warm bread, soft cheese, and roasted vegetables seasoned lightly with herbs. A bowl of thick stew steamed beside it. The aroma filled the air, rich and comforting.
It was the first proper meal I'd had in years. My throat tightened as I took the first bite, and the taste nearly brought tears to my eyes.
Meanwhile, Lilith talked endlessly about stories of her daily tasks, of the castle's silence, and little pranks she used to play on the butler. I found myself smiling quietly, the sound of her laughter easing the tension that had built inside me since my arrival.
"Lilith," I said after a while, glancing up at her. "You're quite… lively, aren't you?"
She laughed lightly. "Well, someone has to be. This castle's far too quiet. There's only me, Master, the butler Victor who is also a vampire like master, and old Miss Agatha, the cook. She's human though, and nearly seventy. You're the first one close to my age who's come here. I was beginning to think I'd die of boredom."
Her words made me pause. I looked around the grand room, the vast empty chairs, the echoes of our voices, the sunlight spilling on the empty end of the table. The castle was beautiful, yet so lonely.
"I'm glad you're here too," I said softly. "Last night… I was terrified. If you hadn't been there, I think I might've lost my mind."
Lilith's smile turned gentle. "Then I'm glad I stayed," she said simply. "You'll grow used to it soon enough. It's not so bad here, once you understand everyone's place."
I nodded slowly. "Lilith, may I ask something?"
"Of course."
"When I walked down the halls this morning… why were the curtains all drawn, even though it was day?"
She tilted her head, her tone calm as ever. "Because Master often wanders even during day time. He rarely sleeps soundly, and when he cannot rest, he roams the halls. It's easier to keep the windows covered than risk the sunlight reaching him."
A soft chuckle escaped her lips. "That's why he always seems so scary, and perhaps a bit grumpy. He carries that menacing air at all times, yet in truth… he simply lacks sleep."
Understanding dawned on me. So that was why I'd met him in the corridor earlier.
Lilith sighed softly, folding her hands. "He's not cruel, you know. Just… lost. You'll see it, in time."
Her words hung in the air, quiet but heavy, as the wind outside whispered faintly through the windowpanes.