Music Recommendation: Heavens, what an afternoon- John Lunn

A few hours ago...

Lady Aurora and Rosetta sat next to each other on the drawing room's couch in the Wright's mansion, where the Marchioness looked pleased, while her eyes tried to look through her daughter. She remarked,

"I am pleased to hear that you have finally come to your senses on how important our alliance with the Moriartys is, then I am more than happy, Rosetta. But if there's something else cooking in your head, it would be best for you to stop it."

The young vampiress shook her head, "Not at all, mother. I would never want to disappoint you." Rosetta had always tried to please her mother, but it never seemed enough. "I realised that it will be hard for me to live a life of poverty and I would rather prefer to live in that mansion."

Lady Aurora placed her hand on Rosetta's shoulder, "That is good. Very good. How are things between Vincent and you?"

Thankfully well, Rosetta thought in her mind. But noticing how her mother gauged her expressions, she realised she was supposed to lie flawlessly. If her mother discovered that she had revealed their family's financial condition to Vincent and Eve, she doubted a mere scolding would be all she would be receiving.

Rosetta imagined Vincent to be Eugene and answered her mother, "I have tried to approach him, mother. I truly have," she furrowed her eyebrows, "But I feel like I am still failing. He did offer me..." She couldn't use the word balm!

Lady Aurora raised her eyebrows, "Offered you what?"

"Blood tea, when I was feeling faint," Rosetta quickly replied.

"Seems like Vincent Moriarty has finally understood that there's no way for him to escape. If he's offered you blood tea, it means he's trying or testing the waters with you," Lady Aurora raised the teacup to her lips and took a sip.

"He is?" Rosetta asked in surprise.

Lady Aurora pressed her lips before responding, "Of course, why go through the trouble of showing his concern to you? At least we know the person cares about the reputation of his family, enough to care for you."

So she was right, Rosetta thought in her mind. Eugene cared enough to send her the balm. Not to mention, she had tried hard not to complain or cry about her bruised hands.

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Rosetta had hope. A small smile appeared on her lips, and her mother chastised her,

"Don't think just because of that simple action everything will go well, Rose," Lady Aurora's eyes were sharp, and she gracefully leaned forward and placed the teacup on the small table in front of them. "You need to learn to dress better than this. Push your bosom so that it looks full. But it isn't all about appearance. It is how you talk, how you walk, even the way you glance at the person, that will leave the person stunned."

"T--that, I don't think it will work, mother,," Rosetta stuttered. She doubted that would work with Eugene when his eyes were focused on completing his work in the mansion.

Lady Aurora's eyes snapped at her daughter and glared, "Don't underestimate those little things. How do you think I even married your father? A woman should know how to play her cards well to her advantage, after all, we live in a patriarchal world." She then instructed her daughter, "Today when you see him, ask him about his day, if there is something you could do for him. Bring him a drink and something to eat. That will be a good start."

Rosetta nodded, "Okay, mother. I will try it." She would try it on Eugene once she returned to the Moriartys mansion.

"How are things with your... 'friend'? The lowly human," Lady Aurora asked in a casual tone, but Rosetta knew her mother was inquiring only to know more about what was happening in the Moriarty mansion.

"She uh, she has been upset about it. We haven't spoken much since yesterday," Rosetta lied.

"Didn't seem like you both aren't in talking terms after what she said during breakfast," Lady Aurora stared at her daughter.

"Eve is very direct with her thoughts and has a kind heart, mother. I think, even though she's giving up on Vincent, she's trying to be supportive," Rosetta tried to make her mother see Eve's good qualities, but the Marchioness softly huffed.

"My naive and sweet daughter. It would be foolish for you to think that way. You never know when she will try to backstab you, after all, we are taking her love away from her," Lady Aurora softly chuckled on how silly her daughter's thoughts would be. Her daughter would be a sacrificial sheep, if she wasn't there to guide her.

Rosetta shook her head, "I don't think she is like that, mother. Eve is--"

"Alright. If you are saying it, and give her something that she will appreciate during the day of the soiree," Lady Aurora offered a small smile to her daughter, subtly letting Rosetta know that she wasn't interested to hear about the lowly human, when they could speak about other things.

After spending a few more minutes in the Wright's mansion, Rosetta returned to the Moriarty mansion. Seeing how everyone in the mansion was busy, including her mother's maid, who every once in a while went near the piano room, the young vampiress took this opportunity. She walked to the kitchen, ordering milk and snacks.

"Where would you like to have them, milady?" Asked the kitchen's cook, and at the same time, he raised his hand, signalling a nearby maid to come and take the tray, and follow the lady.

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Rosetta raised her hand, "I shall take it myself." She was a grown and responsible woman who could carry the tray herself. Also, she didn't want the maid coming between her and Eugene.

"Milady, please allow me to bring this for you. The Marchioness and Lady Annalise wouldn't be pleased if they found out that you carried it," the maid informed her.

"Then it would be best for all of you in here to not mention that I was here. You did not see me. Is that clear?" Rosetta stared at the servants in the kitchen, who quickly bowed at her words.

A second later, Rosetta realised she shouldn't order them around and had to treat them like her equals. Something she had never done except with Eugene. Her upbringing and what she was trying to achieve clashed with each other. Maybe she could be... friends with them.

Rosetta nodded before saying, "We should all get along well and be friends."

The servants stared at the young vampiress, some in surprise and some in shock over her words. Rosetta then picked up the tray in one hand, which would have almost toppled if it weren't for the maid near her, who quickly grabbed the tray and balanced it. The maid cleared her throat and carefully said, while trying not to offend the lady,

"Milady, it will be easier to hold the tray and balance with both hands."

Rosetta nodded, "See me later in my room, there is something I would like to talk about." The maid turned worried, wondering if the lady wanted to scold and punish her for trying to 'teach' her when she didn't need to be taught, as it was irrelevant for a lady of her status. But the vampiress only wanted to get more tips on how to be able to help Eugene, as it seemed like Eve was busy with Allie and Vincent, and she didn't want to burden her friend.

Soon Rosetta left the kitchen, ready to serve a hard-working Eugene with some afternoon refreshments.

Carefully carrying the tray, Rosetta reached the corridor where Eugene was supposedly working. Her feet were quick so that the milk wouldn't be cold when Eugene would drink it.

"It seems like Eugene is the only one working here," Rosetta murmured as she walked in the lonely corridor without making too much noise on the carpeted floor. Most of the doors to the rooms in here were closed, and upon noticing the farthest one, which had its door open, she paused for a moment. "Where do I keep this tray?" She looked left and right before placing it on the ground.

Making sure no one was around and looking at her, Rosetta's hands reached for her bosom and she adjusted her bosom. She wondered if her mother's advice would work.

Bending downwards, her hands reached for the tray. Picking it up, she came to stand in front of the room with a nervous smile. Her eyes fell on Eugene's back, who stood on a stool, cleaning the cold glass lanterns attached to the room's wall.

Rosetta stood in the same place for a minute, staring and admiring him. She liked that he worked so hard, with all his concentration, even though there was no one to monitor him, where he could have chosen to rest. Her chest puffed in pride, knowing she was in love with a sincere man. Her lips parted to speak, "Eugene."

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Eugene turned around, feeling a little surprised to see Rosetta there. He offered her a bow from the stool that he stood on.

"Good afternoon, Lady Rosetta," Eugene greeted her, and while he curiously stared at the tray she held in her hands, Rosetta stared back at him. She then greeted him,

"Good afternoon, Eugene."

"How are your hands?" He asked, and Rosetta nodded.

"They are much better. Thank you for sending the balm to me. I very much appreciate it," Rosetta thanked him with a starstruck look.

"You worked hard today. Cleaning the water on the floor even though you could have let it be and had someone else do it. One should appreciate the other, when they deserve and have earned it," Eugene replied.

Until this morning, maybe even after the young vampiress had finished cleaning her side of the floor along with him, Eugene had viewed her as just the Marquee and Marchioness's spoiled daughter. And maybe after it, he would have dismissed it. But the fact that she had taken responsibility for cleaning the mess she made, made him view her differently. Not much, but a little.

Rosetta was ready to sit on the clouds upon Eugene's praises for her, turning to the side to hide her blush while also starting to imagine their future.

On the other hand, Eugene noticed the glass of milk and the cookies, wondering if she had brought them here for herself.

"Are you not being chaperoned by your mother's maid?" Eugene asked her because he didn't know when the maid would find out about Rosetta spending time cleaning the mansion.

Rosetta placed the tray at the nearest surface, and she shook her head, "Blythe is busy with work and she's busy keeping a watchful eye on Eve. To inform my mother if Vincent and Eve spend time with each other."

She then asked him, "Can I help you?... Please?"

Eugene stared at her, but seeing her eagerness. He said, "There's a cloth there, you can use it to dust the table there."

Rosetta nodded and said, "Thank you! I will make sure not to break anything there. I brought you some milk and cookies. You might want to have it when it is still warm." She wondered if Eugene noticed that she had pushed her bosom, and then she added, "You must be tired from cleaning and I thought a little milk would help," she smiled at him.

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Eugene noticed that Rosetta didn't hold expressions compared to the other vampiresses. He said, "I came here five minutes ago."

"You can drink it later, only if you want to. It is for giving me the balm this morning," Rosetta added the last words so that she didn't sound imposing and held her hands in front of her, and she hoped not to upset Eugene.