57 Murder- Part 1 (1/2)

Heidi woke up to the chirping of the birds outside the window. Bringing her hand up to cover the yawn which broke out of her mouth. Pushing the blanket away from her body, she sat up groggily. The fever she had yesterday had finally disappeared and she felt much better now. Walking towards the balcony doors, she pushed it open with both her hands, letting the rays of sun in to the room which brightened up the entire room.

Like her fever, the dark clouds had disappeared to let the endless sky stretch up to the horizon, touching the forest. Continuing to walk to place her hand on the railing of the balcony, she heard the little bird chirp its heart out as it sang its morning song. Not wanting to startle the little bird, she stood there quietly looking it. Since her mother, Helen had passed away there had been no one to take care of her. Her feverish nights were always lonely and she had to cope with it all by herself while also handling the household chores. Heidi couldn't remember everything about last night due to the fever but that didn't mean she hadn't felt the lord holding her in his arms. She was sure it wasn't a dream yet she had her doubts on what exactly happened and how much was her imagination.

It wasn't Warren but Nicholas who had come to look after his return to the mansion. Clutching her hands over the railing she lowered her gaze at the thought of lord Nicholas. The bird that sang suddenly fluttered away from the tree.

Hearing the sound of a carriage and the hooves of the horses, she saw the lord and the butler step out of the mansion. Lord Nicholas was in a fresh set of clothes, his hair done neatly unlike the previous night which was disheveled.Wondering where the lord was going, she continued to look at the lord speaking to his butler. When the coachman opened the carriage door for him, as if knowing she was there he stopped in his tracks to turn back and look at her standing at the balcony.

With only one look, she could feel her heart skipping and beating rhythmically against her chest. They stared at one another, both their gazes locked time stopping still for a fleeting moment. Turning away, he said something to the butler which the butler nodded giving him a bow as he stepped into the carriage.

When the time of breakfast arrived, Heidi decided to have her meal in the hall than stay couped in her room. Warren who had arrived before the lord left, accompanied her at the table even though he didn't eat anything, telling he wasn't particularly hungry. Nonetheless, he sat with her until she finished her meal. Making sure she was doing better and apologizing for not being able to come earlier.

”I am not sure what a human is and isn't supposed to eat during and after a fever. But I visited the doctor before coming on my way here. He gave me a list of what do to and you will be eating the prescribed meals for few days until we know you are better,” Warren informed her.

Heidi didn't know if she had to thank him when she wasn't thankful at all. She didn't know why he had turned suddenly so diligent since she had come back from Woville. His intentions were kind but doing things to a perfection was never a good thing. For now, she was asked to stay inside the mansion and not go anywhere out. At first she thought he was joking but she had forgotten momentarily that Warren never joked. He wasn't the lord to speak sarcastically.

She had thought to give Lettice a visit but it would have to wait. Thankfully Warren stayed with her, helping her with her studies which usually Stanley took care of. Warren was lenient than the head butler, taking his time to make sure she understood. Before noon, both of them took a walk around the mansion. With all the paintings that hung on the walls, Warren introduced each one of them to her.

”They look really realistic,” she murmured, running her hand over one of the painting.

”Even though these are centuries old, the paint is still intact. It was done by one of the famous painter during their time, a half vampire. Gifted, isn't he?” he asked her to see her agree with a nod.

”It is a gift. To capture a person in a single frame of canvas.