The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 103. A Nightmare

Chapter 103: 103. A Nightmare

Mauve felt steam poof out of her head as she watched the piece of paper float through the air and land on the bed. She moved her gaze from the paper to the door.

Erick was strutting to the door, she fought the urge to toss the book she was reading at the back of his head. She giggled, however, at what his reaction would be if she did that.

He suddenly turned backward, having heard her laugh. She stopped and glared at him. He slowly turned around and opened the door. Mill was standing on the other side with a tray of food.

"Erick," Mill said. She didn’t look surprised to see him, she called his name out of acknowledgment.

"Mill," he said and walked past her without a second glance.

"Mauve," Mill called and closed the door behind her.

"Mill," I replied. "Good to see you."

"Same here. How do you feel?" She asked as she got close to where Mauve was.

"I am fine. It is a scratch. I am not going to fall sick from a hand injury, Mill." Mauve said with a faint smile.

"I know, I actually meant your stomach." Mill said.

"Oh, I am fine." Mauve pouted and looked away. She put the book aside as she paid attention to the contents on the tray.

Mauve yawned at the sight of the food. She was hungry. This wasn’t surprising as she had barely been able to eat half of her portion during the second meal. For some reason, she didn’t have that much of an appetite.

She dug into the food without hesitation as soon as Mill placed it in front of her. Mauve raised her head from her food to see Mill smiling at her.

"It is pretty good, thank you."

She frowned, usually Mill would leave as soon as she brought Mauve food and would return minutes later. Mill didn’t look like she had any plans to leave. It wasn’t as if she was complaining but it just felt weird to have Mill stand in the corner watching her eat.

She opened her mouth to comment about it when Mill took a step back and walked towards the wardrobe. Mill threw it open and suddenly appeared busy.

"What do you think about this?" Mill asked.

Mauve frowned and raised her head. It was bedtime, she didn’t care what she put on and even if it wasn’t she was still stuck in her room, so it didn’t really matter what she wore.

"I am fine with any night dress, Mill." She chuckled.

"Okay," Mill replied, pulling out the dress she had picked.

She leaned against the headboard, full as a house rat on the verge of bursting. She put aside the tray just as Mill asked, "Are you ready to have your bath now?"

She shook her head immediately. She couldn’t even if she wanted to and it was best if she didn’t. "I am too full," she managed to say.

She chuckled, "I will call up the water. You should be ready by the time it’s here."

Mauve nodded but wasn’t sure about that. Mill walked towards the bed and pulled on the string then she took the nightdress, folded it, and placed it on the bed. Mauve found it a little odd considering she was going to put it on in a few minutes.

She then walked around, arranging a few things that were out of place. Walked to the dresser and gathered the writing materials together.

"Would you be needing this again?" She asked.

"I don’t think so," Mauve said but actually meant she didn’t know. That was when she realized she had not read the letter to see what Erick had written.

She picked up the folded sheet that lay beside her and a knock was heard on the door. Mauve frowned and watched Mill make her way to the door and open it.

Her brother Mack stood on the other side with a tub in hand. "Took you forever," she muttered.

"Be glad I am here now. I could have taken another couple of minutes."

"Just drop it."

He walked into the room and made eye contact with Mauve but quickly threw his face away. Mauve clenched the sheets unsure of whether to acknowledge his presence or not.

She ended up choosing not to say anything and Mack left as soon as the tub left his hands. Mill wasted no time in closing the door behind him as he walked out.

"How about now?" She asked. "Ready to have that bath?"

Mauve quickly placed the paper on her bedside table. She could read it after she was done bathing even though she was dying to see what he had written but she could see Mill was in a hurry. She didn’t want to waste any more of Mill’s time. She could always read the letter later.

She got out of bed and walked towards the bed. The bath took some time as Mill chose to thoroughly wash her hair. Mauve stood to her feet feeling extra squeaky.

Mill wrapped her wet hair in a towel as she helped her get dressed. Then she led her to the dresser. Mauve felt her heart skip a beat, there was no reason for her to feel anxious, it was just Mill.

"Are you okay, Mauve?" Mill asked immediately.

"Yes," she smiled faintly.

Mill didn’t look convinced but she didn’t argue. She pulled out the chair and Mauve took a seat. As soon as she started to brush Mauve’s hair, the connecting door flew open and Mauve tied the robe.

"Sire," Mill called out, bowing as she caught sight of Jael.

"Mill," he softly called.

"What are you doing here?" Mauve asked with a bright smile.

"I finished early," he said and walked towards her.

He was shirtless, she was not surprised and Mill didn’t look like this was an unusual occurrence either.

"Are you done here, Mill?" He asked her.

"Almost," she replied. "I just need to tie up her hair as soon as I am done brushing it."

"Leave it," he ordered. "Don’t bother tying it up. Just brush and leave it."

"Okay, Sire." Mill said and returned her attention to Mauve’s hair.

Mauve could feel Mill’s finger shake against her hair. She couldn’t blame the vampire, she too would be self-conscious if Jael was to watch her like that.

"All done," Mill announced and took a step back. "Is there anything else you want me to do?" She asked nobody in particular as she kept her gaze on the floor.

"No," Mauve said. "Thank you."

Mill bowed again and started toward the bed. She picked up the tray. "I will be back for the ink bottle and the dirty bathing water," she announced before fleeing the room.

As soon as the door closed, Jael pushed himself off the wall and walked toward her. Mauve swallowed, trying to push down the lump that had suddenly appeared in her throat.

He walked to where she sat and touched her face. "How are you?"

Mauve felt herself melt in his touch but it was his eyes that got her. They were staring intensely at her and she squirmed in her seat.

"I am fine," she said without hesitation.

"Hmm, okay."

"Did Erick write the letter for you?" He asked.

Mauve nodded rapidly.

"Do you approve of what he wrote?"

Mauve frowned, "I don’t know, I haven’t read it yet."

"Why?"

"Well, I haven’t had the chance to, Mill showed up as soon as he was done but I am sure it is great."

"If you don’t like it, I can get him to rewrite it."

Mauve eyes widened and a huge part of her hoped the letter wasn’t good but he wouldn’t be the only one who would be miserable, he would make sure she was twice as miserable as he was.

She shook her head. "I am sure it is good." The thought of spending another three hours with Erick made her stomach churn.

He picked up her bandage palm and traced it with his finger.

"Mill changed it." She heard herself say.

"Did it hurt?" He asked.

She shook her head.

A soft knock drew her attention to the door.

"Mill is back," Jael announced.

She could guess, Mill was never aggressive with her knock and they had a rhythm to it, sort of.

"Come in," she called out.

Mill walked in and behind her was Mack who immediately threw his head forward as soon as he realized Jael was in the room too.

"Mack," Jael simply said.

The siblings picked up the things they needed and walked out of the room as if they were being chased. Times like this made her remember that Jael was the vampire King.

Mauve eyes were still on the door, so she didn’t realize what was happening until it was too late. She squealed as he lifted her off the chair.

"Do you want to read the letter with me?" He asked as he laid her on the bed.

She nodded.

(...)

"Mauve! Mauve!" A loud voice called. "Wake up Mauve. It’s a dream. Wake up."