ALLURE OF THE NIGHT (C)

Chapters 441-450

The celebration continued in the Moriarty mansion's ballroom, where everyone was in the mood of merriment as they danced, talked with each other, ate and drank.

Eve danced with Viscount Eduard and noted her father-in-law was as tall as Vincent. At the same time, Vincent danced with her aunt Lady Aubrey on the dance floor.

"I didn't pegged you to be light footed... Vincent," Lady Aubrey said as she swayed with the pureblooded vampire.

"Thank you for the compliment, Aunt Aubrey," Vincent's eyes sparkled, and he added, "You seem to be quick on your toes yourself."

"When I was a governess, it was required to know how to dance so that we could instruct the young girls and boys," Lady Aubrey mentioned.

"A talented woman like my wife," Vincent responded to the elderly woman's words, which brought a smile to Lady Aubrey's lips.

"Thank you, Vincent," Lady Aubrey thanked him.

"I should be the one to thank you. For raising and looking after Eve for all these years. For loving and taking care of her, and keeping her safe that gave the opportunity for us to meet again."

"Again?" Lady Aubrey asked in slight surprise, "I didn't know you two met each other before Eve started to work. Seems like it was destiny that brought you two together then."

The older woman didn't have children of her own, and many years ago when she had found Eve that night, she had taken the little orphaned mermaid under her shelter as her own. She had taught the girl everything she knew so that the mermaid wouldn't live in fear but would feel that she belonged in the land when society had labelled the mermaid to be an outcast.

In the past, seeing Eve and the Duke's closeness, Lady Aubrey had thought that the Duke would ask Eve's hand in marriage. It was because she was sure that the young man loved Eve, but for some reason, things didn't work out as she had expected. Instead, it was Vincent Moriarty, who was Eve's former employer, who stole her heart and accepted her the way she was.

She said, "She is now yours to take care of."

"I will. You have nothing to worry about. My love, protection and care from here will belong to her. She comes before anyone," the older woman nodded upon Vincent's assuring words.

Eve, who was dancing with Vincent's father, saw her aunt and Vincent talking to each other, and she wondered what they were talking about.

"Genevieve," Viscount Eduard called her, and she quickly turned to meet the older vampire's eyes. "I am grateful for what you have done for my family so far. For Allie and Vincent. I know it hasn't been easy, but you have made Katherina's dream come true."

Eve stared at the Viscount and heard him speak only for her to hear, but she knew that one of Vincent's ears was listening to her, "When Vincent and Marceline were little and before Katherina passed away... she collected gifts for the future. Something she wanted to give when the right time came. I don't know if she had a feeling that she wouldn't be able to give you. Now that she isn't here with us, I have handed it to Vincent."

"Ah, thank you for the gift, Viscount Eduard," Eve thanked him, and the Viscount smiled at her, his eyes full of wisdom and calmness.

Viscount Eduard then said, "Viscount Eduard sounds like a stranger. You can call me father."

Eve was stunned, and her lips moved but no word came out for a second. She then nodded before smiling, "Thank you, father."

She heard her father-in-law said, "Since your arrival in his life, he has turned calmer. If I am not wrong, even the count of dead bodies has gone down," he said the last sentence in a whisper.