ALLURE OF THE NIGHT (C)

Chapters 81-90

She looked at her reflection in the mirror, that now had a more refined appearance. Her soft lips were painted to a light cherry colour as if she had taken a bite from the fruit. Her golden blonde hair was combed and tied with pins in an elegant hairstyle that she couldn't stop looking at. The piece of her hair at the back was let free from the rest of her pinned hair and tied with a ribbon to curl it.

Eve touched the ends of the ribbon and murmured, "How come I have never seen you wear your hair this way, Aunt Aubrey?"

"Call it laziness or lack of interest in dressing up," replied Aunt Aubrey, who stood behind Eve, tying the lace of the corset that the young woman wore. "I tried it only once on myself, after I saw this woman who attended the same soiree as I did and she wore it beautifully. She was quite a looker, who had not only men but also women's heads turn for various reasons."

Eve slipped into the dull pastel blue gown, and Aunt Aubrey helped her tie the shawl-like lace on her back, leaving a trail right above the ground. "It looks so pretty."

"It looks beautiful on you, Eve. Looks like the seamstress offered you something that would go well with your existing appearance," said Lady Aubrey, who stood behind Eve.Â

Eve couldn't agree less with it. There was a fineness when it came to the gown, which was smooth under her touch. She hadn't transformed into someone else, as she still looked like herself. But the only difference was that previously she was in a shadow, and now, suddenly, the light had fallen on her.Â

"Your neck looks bare, and so do your ears. Eugene!" Aunt Aubrey called the man, who quickly climbed the stairs and reached the room. "Go get the wooden box that is in the third drawer of my room. Careful while you bring it."

"Yes, Lady Aubrey," Eugene bowed at her order while glancing at Eve and his eyes turned dewy on how pretty the small girl had grown. Once he returned with the box, he handed it to the older woman and asked, "Will you be alright by yourself, Miss Eve?"Â

Eve nodded and smiled at Eugene, meeting his eyes through the mirror, "There are humans as well as vampires attending the ball. It should be alright."

She then turned around and watched Aunt Aubrey open her jewellery box. The older woman pulled a small chain that held a small topaz pendant hanging in it. Once Aunt Aubrey put it around Eve's neck, she took a look at Eve and said with a nod, "Now it looks much better."

Aunt Aubrey's hands went to hold Eve's hand and she advised, "Have a good time and try to blend in." Eve nodded, hoping she would be able to do that. "Get the carriage in front of the house, Eugene," ordered Lady Aubrey.

Eve wore the shoes she bought from Hollow Valley, and once she was ready, she took a peek at her reflection in the small, round mirror that only showed a portion of herself at a time.Â

When Eve reached the town of Skellington in the carriage, as she neared the Moriarty mansion, she noticed several carriages were already stationed inside in a line. The sky had turned dark, but the lights from the lamp posts on the streets and around the mansion were enough to help one see things. And right now, wealthy men and women stepped out of their carriages, making their way inside the Moriarty mansion.Â

Eugene pulled the reins of the two horses and got down from his seat. He went to the carriage door, pulled it open and announced, "We have arrived at the Moriarty mansion, Lady Eve."

"It sounds strange and distant when you call me Lady Eve, Eugene," Eve lightly scolded him, who leaned forward from her seat and looked at Eugene.Â

"Oh, that," Eugene looked left and right before he said, "I am just playing the part of being your personal coachman, and you belong to an esteemed house of Dawson and Barlow," he smiled before helping Eve step down from the carriage.Â