In Dawson's residence, Eve stood in the kitchen, watching the milk boil and rise in the utensil. She quickly picked up the utensil with the help of a wet cloth and poured the milk into the teapot where she had earlier left the water from the boiled leaves in it.
Next to Eve stood Rosetta with great concentration as she made her favourite food--bread with salted butter. As if that wasn't enough excitement, Lady Aubrey had taught the young vampiress how to make jam, which she now smeared on the bread after a layer of butter on it.
Rosetta remarked, "I wonder why my family cook never made these in our mansion before."
"That is because it is a peasant's food. Maybe a little above peasant, but not one to be eaten by the high society who enjoy meat and fresh fruits along with other delicacies," Eugene responded, who was on his day off from the Council and was now dusting the couch to help in the house chores.
"I think the people of high society are missing out on a lot of good things then," Rosetta's positive outlook in life kept her from sinking into unhappiness, and also her anchor-like husband, Eugene.
"They do," Lady Aubrey nodded from where she sat at the dining table close to the kitchen. "If everyone mingled together without the line of lower and upper class, perhaps everyone would enjoy life better than what they think is the best. But most of them are stuck in their own ways."
As if remembering something, Rosetta said to Eugene, "Did you know that the Humphreys house is empty now? Apparently they packed everything and moved without telling anyone."
"It is good that they finally left. One less thing to worry about," Eugene breathed the words of relief.
Eve appeared at the dining table with a tray in her hand and placed it on the surface. She picked up the hot kettle and began pouring tea for everyone, while there were still some left in the kettle. She informed Lady Aubrey,
"Aunt Aubrey, once Vincent is here, we will be going to Brokengroves to take a look at the condition of the house and see what to do with it. From there we will be going back to Skellington."
Lady Aubrey nodded, "I hope the walls and the roof of it are still intact. I am still a little surprised that the Duke acquired the house and gave it to you now." She had always wondered about the relationship that had formed between Duke Noah and Eve, believing they were both inclined towards each other. But it seemed like they were inclined because of the past that tied them together. She asked, "What do you plan to do with it?"
Eve offered the teacups to everyone and replied, "I was thinking of having it brought to the way it was before my mother and I stopped living there. To keep the memories alive without changing anything."
She wanted to run her hand on the walls and the objects there, to be able to look into the fragments of memory of her mother and her.
"I think it is a wonderful idea, Eve," Lady Aubrey gave a nod of approval with a smile.
Hearing the sound of the carriage stop at the front of their house, Eugene peeked through the open door and announced,
"I think the Hooke's are here!"
Rosetta's eyes brightened with happiness, and she quickly ran through the door and so did Eve and Eugene, to be slowly followed by Lady Aubrey.
Eve caught sight of Mr. Briggs jumping down from the driver seat and walking around the carriage to open the carriage door. Vincent was the first to step outside, who seemed in a good mood, with a grin on his lips and his eyes twinkling in amusement, which she knew exactly why.
Vincent walked through the gate of the house, and without greeting anyone else first, he hugged Eve tightly. She said,
"You seem extra happy today." Kissing his lips when they pulled back, she asked, "Enjoying their downfall?"
"Every single bit of it," Vincent kissed her nose before looking back at the Hooke couple, who climbed down from the carriage.
As it was the time of the day, a few people on the street stared at the couple, who not only reeked but also appeared to be dressed shabbily. Mr. and Mrs. Hooke looked around them and noticed the townsfolk's eyes.
Mrs. Edwards, the nosey neighbour she was, stepped out of the house to see who was visiting the Dawsons.
Rosetta being herself, she stepped forward and hugged her parents by putting her arms around them. She expressed in joy,
"I am so happy to see you both here. Mother. Father. You will see how beautiful this place is! It will be like before, just with more people in the house."
Aurora Hooke couldn't comment on anything, even though her thoughts reached the tip of her tongue. She couldn't believe a marchioness as she had not only lost her title but was going to live in this town.
"They don't seem excited," Eugene murmured, as he didn't follow his wife right away.
"Of course, they aren't," Lady Aubrey, who stood next to him, replied, while looking at Rosetta and the Hookes catch up with each other. "They didn't want Rose interacting with Eve or stepping foot in this shabby town, but things changed. It is time to humble them." The elderly woman hadn't forgotten the pain the Aurora Hooke had brought her, when she had stamped her toe, crushing it.
Eugene stepped forward and greeted the Hookes, "Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Hooke. I hope your ride here was pleasant?"
Aurora was too uptight and hadn't forgotten the previous conversation she had had with this newly turned vampire, whose eyes were black and human-like now. What was going on? It was Mr. Hooke, who answered,
"Ah, yes, it was decent. We are happy to be here. Thank you for having us!"
Mr. Briggs asked Vincent, "Master Vincent, what do I do with the luggage?"
"You can bring it down. Mr. and Mrs. Hooke will bring it inside the house as from now they will be living here," Vincent then waved his hand, while the Hookes turned to look at each other.
Rosetta turned to give Vincent a stare, knowing he was the devil's reincarnation. She hadn't forgotten how he had lied to her about the first Moriarty wife being sacrificed! But then she realised he was right about what he said just now, the Dawsons didn't have any servants. She said,
"We do not have servants and do all the work by ourselves, but you will see there's a silver lining to it," she smiled at her parents, who felt doomed.
Mr. and Mrs. Hookes turned to look at Eugene, after all the last time, they remembered he was a lowly servant. Aurora took the opportunity to play her mother-in-law card and remarked,
"Where we come from, the son-in-law helps us with everything. Even carrying luggage."
"You have accepted Eugene! I am so happy, mother!" Rosetta hugged her mother and then said, "Unfortunately, you will need to carry it yourself mother. I believe little practice to settle yourself with your new life." Though the young vampiress loved her parents, that didn't mean she was going to let her husband do all the work. To Rosetta, her husband came first, and she loved the man who had loved her for herself.
"Let us all get inside," Lady Aubrey said, stepping back inside the house and so did the others, following her words.
Mr. and Mrs. Hooke carried the little luggage they had with them, while making sure no one caught them doing any labour. Once they were inside, Lady Aubrey finally addressed them,
"Mr. and Mrs. Hooke, as you are Rosetta's parents and have nowhere else to go, you will be living with us. I am guessing that Vincent has already mentioned the rules of this house?"
Aurora pursed her lips, gritting her teeth inside as her position had not even levelled to Lady Aubrey, but it had fallen below it.
"You will be helping with the house chores, which includes cleaning the floors, cooking in the kitchen, or pulling out weeds in the garden. Also going to the river and washing clothes."
Aurora's mouth opened in disbelief and she said, "That's impossible! You are taking advantage of us!"
Mr. Hooke pinched his wife to stay quiet, as it was a better life than sleeping on the streets. He whispered, "This is no time to show your pride, Auro."
Eve watched the two women glare and stare at each other before Lady Aubrey stated, "Life is unfair, Aurora. People at a higher status like to trample on the ones who are of lower status, and you must know it better than anyone. You can either choose to live here on my rules, in my home. Or you can go back to the mansion as someone's servant."
Rosetta persuaded her mother, "Lady Aubrey is a generous woman, mother. Especially after what you did to her," she reminded her. "If I were her, I would have never let you enter my home."
Mr. Hooke complained, "We would be more than happy to share work with each other, Lady Aubrey," and he offered a bow.
Lady Aubrey returned it and replied, "I am glad that we could settle it smoothly. We all look forward to the time we become a big family."
Aurora was tired just by hearing what the rest of her life was going to be like, and she pulled her daughter to the side. She asked,
"Rose, my back and body has been hurting. I need to lie down, which room do I go to?"
"I think you can sleep once Vincent and Eve leave," Rosetta replied.
"Why wait for them?" Lady Aurora asked her daughter.
Rose smiled at the question, which faltered. But Eugene came to her aid, and he replied, "There are only two rooms in this house. One which is occupied by Lady Aubrey, and the other, which Rose and I share," he put his hand around Rosetta's shoulders, "I hope mother-in-law understands how important it is as we have things to do."
Rosetta's cheeks turned pink at Eugene's words, and she cleared her throat, "Oh, Eugi, you don't have to mention that to them."
Lady Aurora blinked at the couple, feeling she was losing her mind, and asked, "W--where is your father and I going to sleep then?" Her face turned paler with every passing second while she stood under Dawson's roof.
"On the floor," Rosetta replied in an obvious tone. "Eugene used to sleep on floor before, so it will be just fine."
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