Page 5 of A Curse of Hope and Shadows: Part I
“Does it burn you?” she asked.
“What?”
“The light? The way you recoiled just now—”
“I’m not a vampire.”
Adeline started to pick up the clothes discarded about the room, sorting them into piles to be washed or folded. “Do vampires exist, do you think?”
“What?”
“I was just thinking, that if curses are a real thing, perhaps vampires are too.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Hmm,” Adeline paused, packing the dirty laundry into a basket. “No, I don’t think that’s right. Many words have been used to describe me before, but not ridiculous.”
“There’s a first time for everything.”
“Indeed there is.” She picked up her basket. “I’m just going to take these down to the laundry room. I’ll be back momentarily.”
“Do what you want.”
Adeline did. She deposited the clothes for cleaning, located a store cupboard full of supplies, and set to work scrubbing the room. The Young Lord lay on his side the entire time, back to her. She twittered under her breath about the filth and how long it must have been since someone swept behind the dresser.
“Do you always talk this much?” he barked at one point.
“I can sing, if you prefer?”
He groaned, stuffing a pillow over his head.
By the time lunch rolled around, the room was spotless. Adeline grinned, happy with her work as she went to collect his tray. She left him to eat in peace while she had a light lunch of her own. It was served buffet-style in the servants’ quarters for those busy with other tasks, and as it was such a bright day, she decided to take hers to eat on the kitchen steps, stretching out her legs in the sun. It was soquiethere. Peaceful.
For a short moment, she let herself enjoy it.
She returned to his bedroom in the afternoon with a spring in her step, humming as she folded away the clothes.
“Why are you so damned cheerful?” the Young Lord hissed.
“Why are you so damned miserable?”
“I—” He stopped. “Are you honestly asking that question?”
“I honestly am.”
“You’ve seen my face.”
“I have.” She glanced around the room, seeking out a reflective surface. There was nothing, of course. Not a single mirror. “Have you?”
“What?”
“I’m just saying, you can’t even look at yourself, so I’m not sure that’s the reason you’re miserable. Personally, I find it very hard to be miserable on days like this. His Lordship has quite the gift.”
“What would you know about being miserable?”
It was this, more than anything else, that made Adeline want to snap. She bit the inside of her cheek instead, counting to three.A damn lot more than I know about being happy,she hissed inwardly.
Instead, she summoned her smile. “You would be surprised, Young Lord,” she said, slamming the drawer closed, a little more roughly than she meant to. “Now, is there anything else you require from me?”
