The rest of the day went along without any hitches. Arabella was left to her own devices since she'd come back from the gardens.
The young woman ran a warm bath and lounged in the tub to unwind, gently massaging her muscles to unbind the knots that the day had left behind.
Through the great window facing the tub, the stars in the night shone bright, remarkably embedded against the midnight blue coat varnishing the sky.
Arabella wondered whether her mother counted among those precious beads that hung far away out there in the vastness of the cosmos, watching over her every decision and action… Would she have been proud or let down by Arabella's choice to flee home?
"Arabella?" Katherine's voice shattered the bounds of her daze, calling her name from behind the door of her room.
"Come in!" Arabella hastened to stand and picked a towel large enough to cover all of her important bits.
Katherine was in the bathroom in no time, a soft smile on her, "You look radiant!" the vampire's eyes went up and down Arabella's figure.
The shade of red around Arabella's cheeks deepened as a nervous laugh escaped her, "Thank you, Katherine. What can I do for you tonight? Am I being summoned?" she attempted to put distance between herself and the cause of her blushing face.
"Not exactly," Katherine guided Arabella in front of the mirror and picked up the hairbrush lying near, "The Lady wanted us to pay Mr Kallum's shop a visit for a fitting session. Everything has to be perfect for the ball, you know," she pressed the soft brush against Arabella's head, grooming her hair from its roots down to the very tips, slowly repeating the process over and over as she spoke.
"Of course," Arabella remained still for Katherine, who seemed to enjoy brushing her hair, to proceed with the task.
"Your hair is so soft. I could literally brush them for hours to no end," Katherine followed the movement of the brush with misty eyes and a faint smile on her lips.
It seemed Katherine wouldn't allow Arabella's burning face to reclaim its natural shade.
"Right, let us get you ready," as though snapping out of a reverie, Katherine placed the hairbrush back down and clasped her hands together.
It took half an hour for Arabella to be presentable and by pinning the family crest upon her cloak as a final touch, the young woman was set to go.
Head down, she trailed behind Katherine throughout the hallways, nearly bumping into her back when the vampire made a sudden stop.
"Master," she curtsied before Silas.
Arabella immediately copied her action without ever raising her gaze, afraid he'd take more of his frustration out on her if she dared meet his eyes.
"As always, be on your guard," he remarked.
"As always, Master," Katherine bowed slightly before turning to Arabella and signaling at her to resume walking.
It was the second time Arabella had gotten permission to leave the property, and also the second to encounter Silas by the entrance right as they were about to leave.
She couldn't help but wonder whether it was a coincidence or a deliberate act on his part.
Silas had started to walk away the moment the two women went past his figure, his first stop, the lounge room where he was sure to find Lady Persephone.
"Yes?" the Lady Inquired as soon as his behind had settled upon the seat next to hers.
Silas cut through banter he thought unnecessary and went straight to the point, "From today onwards, dance practice will proceed without Arabella,"
In reply, Persephone gave out the fairest of chuckles, "I see you finally learned her name,"
"It is said and done then," he declared, eyes on the window giving on the entrance where Katherine and Arabella climbed into their designated carriage.
"Not without a proper explanation, it isn't," the Lady shut the book she'd been reading at once.
"I simply do not appreciate my property being fondled by others," he said.
The coachman's voice reached their ears before the cloppering of hooves followed suit, the sound diminishing as it drew further away from the manor.
"I am well aware of the perception and reputation that follows blood providers across Umbraria, but I thought I taught you better," the Lady sighed, watching him clench his fists, "Besides, this one came to us of her own free will,"
"She didn't have much of a choice either, did she?"
Despite his stiff posture, Silas spoke as calmly as his usual self while the Lady inhaled deeply, growing visibly frustrated with every sentence he'd uttered.
Though the annoyance seemed to whither as quickly as it'd appeared on her once she'd exhaled, "Silly me, I know you a little too well to believe such words could ever truly come from you," a little smirk pushed through, dominating her features, "What is the true reason of your demand?"
"I believe I have given you one," he doubled down.
After a short moment of silence during which the Lady motionlessly stared at him. The book between her hands came free and was settled upon the table near her. She then proceeded to sit back into her chair, the smirk never leaving her for a second.
"Silas," Persephone began, "At the risk of repeating myself, she is human and absolutely nothing can be done to change that reality. Not even the finest miracle conjurer in the world could accomplish such a feat," she shook her head very slowly, eyes cemented on his face, "You'd do well to let that sink in. Find yourself another muse,"