It had been a week after the awkward conversation with Lord Evan in my chambers. After that all I did was avoided him as much as possible. I knew he was always craving for my blood but that didn't mean I would give up myself to him. Stephen informed me that Olivia couldn't come because her work was pending and the Butler was not ready to come.

I always wondered whether there wasn't a Butler in the mansion. Usually, all the work management of the mansion was done by the Butler but I mostly saw Olivia and Stephen doing the work and many times I have even heard Olivia scolding Stephen that they were doing it just because of his foolishness. Though, I didn't understand.

In these six days, I did my assigned work sincerely and dashed off without even looking at him. Lord Evan was a living trouble for me which I had to avoid as much as possible so that I didn't end up becoming his prey. Stephen cheered my mood as always talking about his interests, walking with me in the gardens and telling me about his brother and Olivia. He always spoke like a child when it comes to Olivia. Yet I enjoy it.

Just like everday, I got up early but today it wasn't a normal day. It was my sister's birthday. My lovely sister whom I lost years ago. Tears started filling in my eyes remembering her but I wiped it and looked outside the window.

Happy birthday Olivia, my lovely sister.

After finishing eating my breakfast, I quickly exited my room to go for my work as his assistant. On my way, I saw Stephen standing outside Lord Evan's study room. He was in his deep thoughts until I interrupted him.

"What are you thinking so deeply, Stephen?" he quickly turned towards me and waved his hand with a smile.

"Well, I think I forgot something. Something important" he widened his eyes which made me amused. My adorable brother. I was going to speak but then I heard a familiar voice.

"You forgot her birthday. I didn't expect this. I thought you would've started the preparation" Lord Evan said completely disappointed by his brother, walking towards me and Stephen.

Wait,

Who's birthday?

I was going to ask when he spoke again. "It's Olivia's 18th birthday and this dumb head forgot that" he slapped Stephen's head gently. Another coincidence. Olivia and my sister Olivia, both were born on the same day. "....I sent her to pick the Butler so that she couldn't come back early and we could prepare everything for the party. I was sure that Butler wouldn't come so easily after what you did to him, Stephen" Evan glared at Stephen. While I quickly tilted my head towards Stephen with wide eyes.

"What did you do to him, Stephen?" He chuckled thinking about something making Evan and me confused. "Nothing important, sister" he waved his hand again in the air.

"Perhaps, nothing important just throwing spiders on that poor Butler, pushing him in the well and God knows what and all you did to him" Evan remarked.

What! Stephen pushed the Butler in the well. God! This is unbelievable. How can he act so childish. I widened my eyes at Stephen for an answer.

"Evan why are you talking like that Olivia. And sister don't worry. That man was challenging me that he is more brave than me. So, I just wanted to check his bravery and he proved it wrong" he chuckled again.

I couldn't stop but laugh along making Evan widen his eyes at me."Your supporting him?" I nodded and then shook my head. What was I doing?! I couldn't stop laughing at Stephen's way of testing the Butler's bravery.
Evan got annoyed when I didn't stop laughing. He cleared his throat and started speaking "Now, enough! We need to start all the preparation of Olivia's birthday" I nodded and Stephen did the same.

_________

All the maids and servants started bringing white lillies to decorate the mansion. Stephen told me that it was Olivia's favourite flowers. Me and Evan were checking the decoration and Stephen went to collect Olivia's birthday dress. The whole mansion was being decorated with white lillies, pink curtains and beautiful lightings. Apart from being the Captain guard, Olivia was more like a sister to Evan and friend to Stephen. Even though, Stephen and Olivia always fought with each other like cat and mouse but still Stephen cared about her and I was happy for that.

Walking through the mansion, my eyes fell on a maid who was shaking with fear and trying to fix the door hanging necklace of lillies which was broken. I walked towards her.

"What happened to the necklace?" I asked her politely. I saw her fidgeting with her fingers still holding the necklace in her hand. I placed my hand on her shoulder "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone"

She looked at me with glistening eyes "I was trying to hang it on the doorstep but it broke by mistake. Forgive me" she apologised.

"It's okay. Give it to me. I will try to mend it. You can do some other work" I extended my hand. At first, she hesitated to handover me the necklace but finally gave me when I assured her that I won't complain. She left me alone and headed towards other wing where the other maids where working.

Entangling my fingers in the necklace, I tried hard to mend it. In the process, I even cut my finger due to the strings. This necklace was annoying.

It was not ready to get mended!

I flared my nostrils in anger and started trying for the last time when I felt two arms wrap my hands as if hugging me from behind. I was going to scream until I heard a familiar voice.

"It's done like this" Evan's breath fanned my shoulders and he took the necklace from my hands and twisted the strings followed by tying it in a knot thus mending the necklace.

I was trying to mend it from whole 10 minutes and he did it in a split. I looked at the necklace all amused and took it from his hands until I realised how much close we were standing. I cleared my throat and he quickly moved back.
"Thank you, your highness"

I thanked him. I didn't want him attacking me again. So, I quickly turned around and started walking towards the other side. I halted when a hand grabbed my wrist all of a sudden. I breathed and felt scared to even turn. Will he attack me again?

   No

"Are you trying to avoid me, Elina?" He asked making my throat dry. How did he know that I was trying to avoid him? He will surely not leave me this time.

"No, Milord. Why would I do that" I lied. What else I could do? I couldn't say him that I was actually avoiding him so that he doesn't kill me!

Suddenly,  he pulled me, my back hitting his chest. Releasing my wrist, his hand snaked around my waist "Are you afraid of me?" I could feel his breath on my ears. From his free hand he took hold of my finger which was cut during mending the door hanging and licked the blood on it. Once the bleeding stopped, he let go off my finger. My heartbeat was fastening because of the closeness. He was deathly close to me! I wriggled but his grip was too strong.

Why wouldn't it be? He was a vampire.

And who isn't afraid of a Vampire?
But still I replied curageously.
"No". I heard a chuckle.

"Then why is your heart beating like a hammer in your chest?" he whispered in my ears.

All my blood rushed up to my cheeks. I must be looking like a tomato and my heart was pounding even more louder. I wriggled more and this time he let me go. I quickly bowed looking at him. He had an unusual smirk on his face.

Without wasting any time, I rushed to the other wing. I palmed my chest once I reached the other wing. My heart was still ponding in my chest.

I was wholly embarrassed!