24 Naive child- Part 2 (2/2)

”I am not a joker here to entertain you, Lord Nicholas,” she sighed internally, turning away her gaze from him.

”I hope you don't mind me calling you by your first name, after all we are going to be family now, Heidi,” she didn't know why he was asking her when he was already calling her by her name, ”So...I heart that you came here to fill in someone else' place. Is that so?” he asked her with a charming smile and she felt her lips tighten.

She wasn't sure if she was meant to reveal the truth. And if he did know, up to what extent was he aware of the situation? Had someone told him about her coming in place of her sister?

”Don't worry I won't tell it to anyone,” he coaxed her with a gentle voice.

”I was sent in my sister's place,” she answered.

”And why is that so? There can only be two answers to it. One, because he wants a good future for you, or two because he is loves your sister more than you and he would rather send you to deal with the vampires than her. So which one is it?” he asked hitting the bull's eye.

”It's neither of it,” Heidi replied calmly, ”My sister has grown up with fear for the-vampires. And my father thought it would be better to have me go in her place.”

”That seems believable,” he murmured which the girl failed to catch.

Truth was that Lord Nicholas hadn't heard about the replacement from anyone, it was merely a hunch which he wanted to clear. Not that it mattered which sister from the Curtis family came here after all what mattered to him was the seats in the council and the negotiations that came after the truce was completed.

He looked at her standing with her face turned towards the open space, eyes set straight as her hair moved back and forth like waves of sea. He saw her catch a piece of hair and tuck behind her ear for it to only blow again. As though feeling his gaze on her she turned to see him in silence.

”Are you also helping the council to catch the witches?” she asked.

”Something like that.”

”The day we first met. I saw some of them drag a man. Was he a vampire?” she took one step back to stand behind the wide pillar to avoid the wind.

”My. I should ask Reuben to get you a spot in the research department in the council. You will do well with your enthusiasm, in place where your business doesn't lie.” Even with the smile on the Lord's face, Heidi was sure it wasn't a compliment. ”He was a half vampire. You must already know that humans aren't fond of vampires. I received word of whisper from someone that half vampires are under danger in the North Empire in certain places. There are some humans who have joined together to eliminate half vampires and vampires slowly without anyone's notice. Of course it isn't easy to catch hold of a vampire and therefore they are going after the half vampires. It was for the very same reason why I visited your town. It is no safe place for a vampire family. The Lord can try all he wants but there are always people who will try to rebel it and I take part in discarding those kind of people. Does that answer your question?”

Heidi nodded her head. Had the humans not noticed that it was the Lord who they were chasing? And she then realized he was wearing a hooded cloak that night which covered his face. Lord Nicholas stood up from where he was and he did nothing to prevent his brown hair from turning into a disheveled mess.

”Let's get inside before it starts raining,” he said placing both his hands in his trouser pockets.

”But the sky looks clear,” Heidi said following him.

”Bonelake is well known for its unusual rain.”

That night as predicted, she was woken up by a loud thunder and heavy rain. The sky lightened up every time lightning struck the sky followed by the thunderous sound of clouds. Too tired to stay awake she had gone back to sleep in the comfortable bed.