Curious

Sleeping has never been this peaceful for me until now. Last night, I slept. I didn't even realize I was asleep until the sun woke me up by the dazzling light that entered through the stained windows. Geber was the one who assisted me back to my bedroom, helped me bathe and dressed me up with fine clothes.

"Thank you," I told her.

She gave me the warmest smile that I have ever received.

"Don't mention it. I just love welcoming new members to this depressing family." She laughed at her own words.

To not make her feel that I wasn't enjoying her company or I felt shy, I smiled at her. After the bath and fitting into dresses, she did my hair and took me to the dining hall. Everyone was seated for breakfast. Gerber was beside me and the rest of the people were seated, chatting.

"Good morning, Sol, " Atlas greeted me.

I smiled at her, " Good morning."

When the presence of my master enveloped the hall room, everyone choked on their own saliva and was silenced. He didn't even say a word but they went into silence.

His eyes landed on me softly as he took a seat on his usual chair. He sat on the edge of a long, rectangular table. I gave him a smile with my lips pursed but it's still a smile.

"How was your sleep?" He tapped his index on my nose.

"It's good. It was my first time sleeping on a s-soft...mattress, " I dropped my gaze on the food.

" Oh, poor child," Gerber smiled at me, "Worry no more. Lord Minir assure you of that."

Lord Minir smirked, "You do flatter me, Miss Gerber."

"I always do, Lord Minir," she playfully answered back.

"Let's eat." Lord Minir's voice echoed and we dug into the feast we all worked hard for.

I slowly ate my food. Everyone was almost done while I was still chewing my third spoonful of pancake. I might be pretending to interact with everyone casually but I can feel the Master's gaze on me. He was staring at me as I ate. And the more he did it, the more I felt anxious.

"Do you want more milk?" He asked.

I shook my head, gently, and swallowed. He smirked, amused at how I responded to him.

"Miss Gerber, after she's done, take her to the library. Her mentor will there," my Master stated.

" Lord Minir," a man called him.

"Yes, John?"

"Count Vlad will be here later on along with Arthur."

" Thank you for the reminder. I must get ready." He stood up from his seat, leaned on closer to me, and kissed his two fingers . I was taken aback when he lifted his fingers and gently pressed it to my lips.

He smirked before he left me with the rest of the people in the house, shocked at what he just did. I know it was an indirect kiss. But what does it mean?

"D-Does h-he always do that to his p-past blood slaves?" I turned to ask Gerber.

Shocked at my question, she smiled at me uncomfortably, "Yes. Yes..."

I stared at her for a while.

"No...actually," she looked at the others.

" That was... new. He's being soft to you..." Atlas narrowed her eyes at me.

I shrunk on my seat when I heard all the murmurs around me. Gerber was kind enough to ask me to just finish my breakfast in the library. The library was dark. They don't let a lot of sunlight in. Just enough sun rays to give light to the wide, spacious room. Everywhere I went, it was dusty.

"It's the first time we're opening this again." Gerber smiled at me while wiping the dust off the table. She continued, "I think I'll have to clean this later on."

" I'll clean i-it. I know y-you have other things to d-do." She nodded at me.

" You're right. Then I guess, I'll run along now. Atlas will be here later to guide you along with your mentor. And oh, enjoy your breakfast!"

I couldn't help but smile as she ran outside the door and left. Since no one was here in the library, I carried my plate and walked all over the place. The library was dusty, full of cobwebs that reminded me of old and abandoned houses.

Ripped books can also be found on the corners. Rats are everywhere. Cockroaches and spiders are hiding under the pages of these leathery books. But beyond all this dust and age, I feel at ease.

I took a few books with me. Most of it are chronicles of the past, mathematics, astronomy and the like. I was so indulged with every page that it took me a while to realize that my mentor just entered the room.

I stood from my seat, and greeted him. Behind him was my Master, hiding his sinister smile.

"There she is," my Master acknowledged me. " Vlad, meet Sol. You will be mentoring her for the rest of the year."

"You didn't tell me that you have a kink to the low creatures of Eselu, Lord Minir," the vampire laughed mockingly.

I shrunk on my seat without glancing at my Master and my mentor.

"Watch your words around her, Vlad. I paid you to mentor her. ONLY."

Vlad smirked, " May I correct your statement, Lord Minir? You forced me to mentor her and blackmailed me to accept the payment or else..." He gestured to me with the garrote sign.

I pouted and looked at Lord Minir who was glaring at him. Vlad took a seat in front of me and smiled. He looked welcoming despite how he just insulted me seconds ago.

"I apologize for my mouth, Lady?"

I lifted my gaze up to my Master, anticipating his answer. He was confused at first when I waited for his permission but then, he eventually gave me a nod.

"Sol..." I whispered.

"Sol?" he repeated but this time, it looks like he wanted a clear answer.

"Solcetur Borromeo." I bowed my head down, dropping my eyes to the book.

"Okay, Sol. It is a pleasure meeting you. You are lucky now because our notorious Lord is here..." He playfully glanced at my Master who watched us with his eyes that resembled darts. He shrugged, "...was kind enough to hire a mentor for a blood slave. I don't know what changed though. Maybe he's getting kinder or softer or maybe, he's just hungry—"

" Enough chatting, Vlad." He walked out of the room with his coat resting on his left shoulder. With his back on us, he added, "Begin your job."

The first thing that Vlad taught me was to read. He was impressed to find a very, low creature knowing how to read words and is not illiterate as he expected. Later as we dived deep into our study, he gave me short quizzes and other history trivias that I already know.

"I own a school for vampire girls. And I must admit that I am impressed by your knowledge, Lady Sol. Most vampire girls that I teach every year can't even read. All they think about is blood and sex. Pathetic women," he said.

I can hear the disappointment through the tone of his voice.

"I will be back tomorrow and I will bring books that you might take interest in. Thank you, Lady Sol. It has been an honor."

I watched him leave the mansion. He talked to my Master for a moment before disappearing into the woods. That was nice. I admit that I never felt this easy before. It's glad to know that there are people who can still see hard works and knowledge instead of just a social status.

Afternoon came and everyone was busy cleaning the whole house. Gerber told me that they clean every saturday in order, and go worship the sunset at twilight. Most of them are witches while some are just common vampires, but not pure blooded like my Master.

I was admiring some books on the bookshelves just by the entrance of the mansion when a woman entered. I wasn't surprised when I saw her being accompanied by a few soldiers. She's probably a royal or someone important who is afraid to be killed by a stranger.

And I mean it. That is the only reason I can think of when someone is heavily guarded. As soon as she reached my position, she handed me her coat.

"Tell your Lord that his wife is here," she stated bravely.

Wife? He's married? Oh, right. It is normal for vampires to have their own pets and blood slaves even during marriage. I bet he was only being kind to me because his wife is coming home.

I rushed where my Master was and found him in the library, peeking at answers I wrote during the quizzes. Embarassed that he might think how dumb I was, I gulped the shame.

"M-Master, your wife is h-here," I announced to him.

He lifted his eyes up to me in confusion. And he replied,

" I don't have a wife, woman."