Scarlet Rose

Chapter 13 - Rivalry Begins

From Dr Margareth Stone's room, the kitchen door that gave the fastest access to the garden was clearly visible. After returning to her room, Margareth was standing by the window, observing the beauty of the various plants in the garden, when a movement near the door caught her attention. Looking straight at the door leading to the garden, she noticed lady Katherine O'Sullivan running outside and heading out into the garden, specifically the gazebo in the middle of it. She also saw that Katherine was wiping away tears, and the expression on her face meant nothing good.

Margareth expected Miss O'Sullivan to be shocked after finding out about what her brother and father were doing "after midnight", but such a reaction was too disturbing to her. She decided to talk to lady Katherine, so left her room, went downstairs to the kitchen and through the back door into the garden.

When Margareth reached the gazebo, she sat down next to weeping Katherine, with face almost completely covered by her hands.

- Lady O'Sullivan? What happened?- she asked with great concern clearly audible in her voice.- I understand that your father's and brother's additional profession may be a shock, but such a reaction...- Margareth wanted to go on.

- It's not just that. Actually, that's the least of my concerns.- Katherine interjected, finally lowering hands to reveal her tearful face.- I just found out that my mother did not died from the disease as I was told before, but the wild turned vampires attacked her... My mother was turned into one of them, lost humanity and my father was forced to kill her.- she confessed with visible difficulty.

Margareth's eyes widened after hearing the story, and she understood Katherine's reaction immediately.

- My lady...- she began, wondering what words to use to comfort her in a best way possible.- I understand your reaction now. I think that being in your place, my lady, I would react the same.- Margareth continued, looking at her all the time.- I suppose your father and brother told you this already, but killing your mother was the only way to save her soul. Think of it this way... How would your mother feel if, after killing your father, brother or you, she suddenly had a flash of humanity and saw what she had done? Your mother certainly wouldn't be able to forgive herself, knowing that she could hurt even more people.- she sighed, pausing her speech briefly.- Your mother, my lady, was very unlucky to be one of the people who lose their humanity after turning into a vampire. Unfortunately, this cannot be predicted in any way, and such a person after transformation is very dangerous, therefore, they must be killed so that they do not endanger others.- Margareth added at the end.

- I know, and I understand that, but…- Katherine tried to interject, but broke off, probably not sure what to say.

- It is understandable to be angry with your father, and you do not have to forgive him generously right away, my lady.- Margareth spoke up again.- Think carefully about everything, prepare your heart to accept it all, and then forgiveness will come by itself.- she added, giving her a slight smile.

- Thank you, Margareth. I feel so much better now.- Katherine admitted, looking at her gratefully, then she started wiping her face with a handkerchief.

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Later, Michael and Patrick were notified by Margareth that Katherine wanted to think things through before deciding to talk to them again. Therefore, they came back to lord Edwards' mansion, informed him, and the other hunters that were present, about the Antoine being among the turned vampires that attacked Katherine's carriage.

- It's great. Let's hope Antoine still hangs around Cardiff and we wil finally be able to get rid of him once and for all.- one of the hunters replied.

- It would be good if we could finally get our hands on him. Antoine's death could quite disorganize the entire population of the turned vampires. He is their leader, and without a leader the herd will become an easier target.- admitted another.

- Yes, I agree with you gentlemen.- said lord Edwards, then looked back at Michael O'Sullivan and his son.- What about lady Katherine? Why didn't you bring her here if she's been found at the Williams mansion, safe and sound?- he asked, clearly worried.

- Well, there is a slight complication. During the attack of wild turned vampires on the carriage, Katherine was bitten, and not by just anyone, but by Antoine himself.- Michael answered, explaining slowly.- Count Shiro Akira, wanting to save my daughter from transformation, gave her his blood, and as we know, he is a pure blooded vampire. You probably know what it means, Liam. Right?- he asked, looking at his friend.

- Ah, so that's the problem.- lord Edwards clearly knew exactly what was going on. The expression on his face clearly showed that he was very concerned about this situation.

- So you see.- lord O'Sullivan concluded.- Of course, count Akira is looking for a way to free Katherine from this "blood curse", for there is a legend saying that there is some way to do it. However, he hasn't found out any particulars yet.- he added after a moment.

- There's nothing we can do about it, besides, with two old pure blooded vampires, Katherine should be safe, right? Especially when there are herds of turned vampires around Cardiff. It also gives us the opportunity to focus better on catching Antoine.- Patrick said, glancing at lord Edwards.

- Well, you're right Patrick.- he replied, looking at the young lord O'Sullivan.- But still, at least I'd like to visit lady Katherine to see her, talk, make some arrangements.- he decided.

- I'm sure neither count Akira nor count Williams will mind your visit. The more that you are my daughter's fiance.- older lord O'Sullivan spoke up again.- Maybe even your visit will cheer her up a bit. She got to know so much, also learned the truth about her mother's death... Besides, it will give you both the opportunity to get to know each other a little better. I think maybe that is why God brought such an event.- he added.

- Maybe you're right, Michael.- Liam admitted smiling slightly at his friend.

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In the late afternoon lord Liam Edwards saddled his horse to visit Williams clan mansion and arrived at the property the following afternoon. He stopped in front of a gate, which a servant began to open immediately. Liam noticed right away that the man was a turned vampire, but acted completely different from others of his kind. Lord Edwards had heard of turned vampires who did not lose their humanity and rebelled against their herd, usually ending up escaping and landing up in pure blooded vampires' mansions, where they served them and in return got protection from the other turned vampires, who considered them traitors.

- Hello, my lord. Please give me your name and the reason for your visit to the Williams clan residence.- the servant asked politely.

- I am lord Liam Edwards, from Cardiff.- he introduced himself after stepping off the horse.- I have heard from lord Michael O'Sullivan that his daughter, and my fiance, stays in this mansion. I wish to visit her.- Liam explained the exact reason.

- James, take lord Edwards' horse to the stable.- the servant turned to another man who had just appeared in the courtyard, and then to Liam again.- Please follow me, lord Edwards.- the servant said, walking towards the main door.

Liam followed the man, was then allowed inside the mansion and led down the hall to the living room.

- Please sit down and wait here, lord Edwards. I will announce your arrival to count Akira and count Williams.- the servant informed him, then headed down another corridor towards the rooms there.

One of the female servants, also a turned vampire, brought Liam tea in a teapot, a cup with a spoon, and sugar into the living room. Liam waited less than five minutes, when the two men entered the living room - one Asian, most likely count Akira, and one with facial features typical of the English man, that must've been count Williams.

- Hello, lord Edwards. I'm count Wayne Williams, it's a pleasure to meet you.- he was greeted first by count Williams.

- Welcome. I'm count Shiro Akira, Wayne's cousin.- the Asian man introduced himself next.- So you are lady Katherine O'Sullivan's fiance, are you?- he asked with an unchanging expression, his face looking like carved out of stone.

- That's right. Lord Michael O'Sullivan and his son recently visited your mansion and informed me of the situation. I know that lady Katherine cannot leave the property right now, so I'd like to see her at least.- Liam replied.

- I don't think this would be a problem. Right, cousin?- Wayne asked, glancing at Shiro, who merely nodded affirmatively. Then count Williams sent one of the female servants upstairs to notify Lady Katherine of the guest's visit, and to bring her upstairs, the same servant who brought lord Edwards the tea while he was waiting. Meanwhile, count Akira and count Williams said goodbye to lord Edwards and went to their rooms so as not to disturb their meeting.

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Katherine, following the maid, came down the stairs, surprised at the visit. When she entered the living room and saw lord Edwards with her own eyes, had no idea what to do or say, so she bowed elegantly, looking at him a little intimidated especially since lord Edwards seemed to be very enchanted by her. But Katherine had to admit that he was handsome, certainly much younger than her father, but also at least five years older than her brother Patrick. Lord Edwards had black hair and eyes, fair skin, was the height of her brother, which is slightly taller than her, he had broad shoulders and generally well-built body.

- I'm lord Liam Edwards, your fiance. I'm 36 years old and I am a landowner, I also manage several sawmills.- he bowed back to Kath, took her hand gently and placed a subtle kiss on it.- Lady Katherine, how good to see you at last.- lord Edwards admitted with evident relief.- My heart rejoices to see that you are all right. It is a pity that you cannot leave this mansion, as I would gladly take you to my house in Cardiff as soon as possible, but I understand your situation. That is why I wanted to visit you at least, my lady.- he continued his statement.- I do not want to waste the time that has been given to us. We should use it to get to know each other thoroughly. I'm sure you will find our marriage more bearable then, my lady.- lord Edwards added, sending her a gentle smile.

- Thank you for your concern and I am pleased to meet you as well, it's an honor, lord Edwards.- Katherine finally said as they both took their place on the couch in the living room.

- I hope we will be able to abandon this formal language in time, but there's no rush. We certainly have a lot of time.- Liam replied, still smiling.- Lady Katherine, I must say that you are more beautiful than your father described it. I am certainly a happy man to have such a lovely fiance.- he admitted, not taking his sparkling eyes off her for a second.

- Ah, lord Edwars, you embarrass me.- Katherine admitted, slightly flustered by the way he looked at her.- However, I am grateful for every compliment. You appear to be a nice man too, and handsome, without a doubt. It's just that I'm seeing you for the first time, lord Edwards, so...- she paused, looking down.

- I understand, and I'm not angry. I wouldn't be able to when it comes to you, lady Katherine.- Liam admitted, taking her hand in his.- I'm sorry for my boldness, but I'd like to give you something.- he added, and with his free hand, lord Edwards took a small, beautiful decorated box from his coat pocket. When he opened it, Katherine saw a lovely gold ring with a stone in the middle that had the same color as her eyes - navy blue. In addition, there were pearls around the stone, which made the ring's eye look like a flower with white petals and a navy blue center.

- Knowing the color of your eyes from your father's letters, my lady, I had this engagement ring made.- lord Edwards explained.- Since now we can't be together, I hope this ring will remind you of me.- he added, then slipped the ring onto Katherine's finger, who continued to stare at it in amazement.

- It is really beautiful.- she admitted, finally looking up at him.- It's very touching that you chose a stone in the color of my eyes, lord Edwards.- Katherine added and gave him a grateful smile, and his face beamed.

- I am so glad you like it, my lady. I would like to spend more time with you, but unfortunately I have to get back to Cardiff. But I promise to visit you again in a few days and then I will try to spend more time here.- lord Edwards replied.

Katherine just nodded affirmatively and rose along with him from the couch, notifying the maid that the visitor was about to leave and that he would like to say goodbye to count Akira and count Williams as well.

Lord Edwards said goodbye to Katherine and left her in the living room with Margareth, who had just come downstairs. In the hallway, lord Edwards said goodbye to Shiro and Wayne, thanking them for saving Katherine and asking to find a way to free his fiance from the "blood curse" as soon as possible. Then he went out into the courtyard where a servant was already standing, after bringing his horse.

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After lord Edwards left, Shiro returned to the office even though Wayne had urged him to come with him to the living room to talk to lady Katherine and Margareth. Count Akira did not want to hear conversations about lady O'Sullivan's fiance, for they would certainly be talking about him and his visit. Shiro felt jealous again, as when he saw Wayne comforting Katherine. He mentally scolded himself for feeling such emotions, but there was no way to get rid of them. It bode very badly, he shouldn't be like that. Shiro kept telling himself that it was known from the very beginning that he wasn't even allowed to be infatuated with this girl. Not only did she have a fiance, but was also a human. Yet despite everything, his own heart betrayed him, beating faster at the mere thought of her. He began to realize that his feelings for Katherine are deeper than they ever should be.

In addition, Shiro felt furious at the thought of lord Edwards' request to "find a way to free Katherine as soon as possible". He had seen on this man's face and felt the joy in his aura after he met lady O'Sullivan, which meant she had to accept him. Knowing this, count Akira had no motivation to look for a way to free lady Katherine, for he was sure that she would leave him forever after being free, and at the thought Shiro felt that familiar, dull pain in his heart again. It was clearly physically felt, not merely as a metaphor. He leaned against the desk with one hand, putting down the book he was looking at, and the other hand put it to his chest, where the heart was supposed to be.

- What's that supposed to mean? Why do I feel this way?- Shiro asked himself, because the symptoms were really disturbing. Fortunately, as he calmed down his thoughts and took a few deep breaths, the pain eased so that he hardly felt it anymore, but didn't completely disappear.

- Shiro?- he suddenly heard the door open behind him, and the familiar voice of his cousin.- It's supper time, come to the dining room.- said Wayne, looking at him with concern on his face.- Are you okay?- he asked.

- Yes, everything is okay.- Shiro assured him as he headed for the door, and then they both went out into the corridor.

- For sure? Because you look like you are... suffering.- said Wayne, looking at him closely.

- Yes, for sure. I'm just worried that I still can't find anything in those damn books.- Shiro replied evasively.- Let's hurry, I'm hungry.- he added, pulling his cousin toward the dining room.