ALLURE OF THE NIGHT (C)

Chapters 381-390

In one of the Moriarty mansion's guest rooms, Rosetta sat with a bowl behind the wooden divider. The sound of retching could be heard from where Eugene stood next to the trolley of food that was half eaten by the vampiress.

A small frown marred Eugene's face, and he asked in concern, "Milady, are you alright? Would you perhaps want me to bring in the physician who must be in the mansion?"

"No, no!" Rosetta quickly replied, while she scrunched her face because of the bitter taste in her throat and mouth. He had seen her like this once, and she didn't want him to see her like this again. As if to clear the possible doubt, she said, "I didn't sleep enough since the last two days and I have been feeling unwell since...many hou--" she was interrupted by the need to throw up again. "It has nothing to do with alcohol, but the food..."

"I understand... I am sorry to hear that, Lady Rosetta. Maybe you should drink some water and you will feel much better after that," Eugene advised her.

"Okay..." came the tired voice of Rosetta, and she placed the bowl on the ground before stepping away from the wooden divider, while wiping her lips with her handkerchief. She took the glass of water he offered her, drank it one sip at a time and handed it back. "Thank you," said the vampiress, who couldn't look Eugene in the eye.

"It would be best for you to rest and get better, and worry about other things later," Eugene advised her.

Without protesting, Rosetta removed her shoes and climbed into the bed in the same dress that she had been in for the last few hours. Once she slipped inside the blanket, Eugene informed her,

"I will bring you food later once your stomach settles in," ready to leave the room.

"I can eat the rest of the food," came the weak voice from Rosetta, who looked visibly tired. When she saw Eugene stare her way, she added, "I won't waste it."

Eugene stared back at her, and he gave her a nod, "Okay, but you don't need to force yourself if you don't feel like eating now." He pushed the trolley near the table.

"Eugene?"

"Yes, milady?"

Rosetta pursed her lips before requesting, "Will you stay with me? I mean now... just until I fall asleep."

"I can do that," Eugene surprised her with his answer, and a weak smile made to her lips.

"You can use the chair from the table and sit here. Next to the bed..." Rosetta's hopeful voice trailed.

"I don't think it would be right to do that. I am a servant, and you are the Marquee and Marchioness's daughter," Eugene reminded her.

"The door is closed. You can lock it so that no one enters and sees you. Besides... I think we are equal, or will be equal because I am going to be a very poor person," Rosetta responded to him. "Please?"

"You are a troublesome woman, Lady Rosetta," Eugene replied with a straight face, and Rosetta's already wilted self turned almost crumpled. She watched him leave, walking towards the door, but he didn't leave like she imagined he would. Instead, his hand reached for the doorknob, and he locked it.

And though he had agreed to accompany her, Rosetta was slightly bruised by his previous words, and she said, "It is okay if you don't want to sit next to me... I will understand," and she pulled the blanket closer to her face, while her eyes teared.

"Not only are you troublesome, but also a child," Eugene remarked, and this time Rosetta's eyes widened. The last thing she wanted to hear was that the person she loved thought her to be a spoiled little child.

Rosetta let go of the blanket she had been gripping and sat upright on the bed.

With Rosetta's body and mind weak, she complained, "I am not a spoiled child, Eugene. I have been a responsible woman. If you don't want to stay, you can le--"