Eve felt her heart hitch because she hadn't expected Vincent to get this close to her, and she would have glared at him if his question didn't divert her attention.
Could it be true? That there was something that she had constantly brushed away with Noah?
When the music lowered, turning softer, the song came to an end, Eve bowed at Vincent before leaving the dance floor so that she could gather her thoughts.
On the other side of the dance floor, Lady Annalise, who had taken more than a moment to realise the woman with whom Vincent was dancing, clenched her hands. She said to her husband, "Did you see him dancing with that lowly human? Eduard, you have to tell Vincent to stop poking for fun."
"Don't worry, Anna. No one knows that she's our governess," said Senior Mr. Moriarty while sipping the drink from his glass. He said, "Let us brush it away, shall we?" The man held his wife's hand and pulled her forward.
Eduard Moriarty clinked his glass to gain everyone's attention. People moved away from them, giving the couple needed space. The musicians playing the instruments stopped, and the guests in the huge hall turned silent to listen to him.
"Thank you for attending the ball," Eduard's voice was loud and clear. He continued, "Today we are here celebrating my wife Annalise's birthday. Thank you for joining the celebration, along with my son Vincent and my two lovely daughters, Marceline and Allie."
Eve craned her neck to get a better look, listening to Senior Mr. Moriarty speak.
The man continued, "We have a few interesting things to look forward to, apart from the people who have been gracing their presence on the dance floor. My youngest daughter is going to play a piece of music dedicated to her mother, and my wife Annalise. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Allie Moriarty."
The guests in the room started to clap while searching for the little girl, who was yet to come forward. Eve quickly moved from where she stood, making her way towards where the pianoforte was being carried and placed at the centre of the room.
Lady Annalise turned to Senior Mr. Moriarty and whispered, "I don't think she's ready yet, Eduard. Putting her in a spot like that."
Eduard patted his wife's back and said, "She cannot hide in her room forever. People are already suspicious and questioning why they haven't been able to see much of her. It is for her own good and ours. Let us hope that Vincent appointed the right governess."
But Lady Annalise had little to no hope in the capability of the human governess, and she held her breath.
When Allie appeared in her grey dress, the guests clapped while murmuring something that only blended in the background.
The little vampiress was nervous, but her face was blank with no expression, and she quietly bowed to the people before walking to sit on the bench in front of the pianoforte.
Eve continued to walk until she reached the other side of the pianoforte where she could see the young one, and the little girl's eyes fell on her governess, who offered her an encouraging smile. Allie didn't react; instead, she looked at the keys in front of her as the room turned utterly quiet.
Alfie came to stand one step behind where Vincent stood and whispered, "Master Vincent, do you think Miss Allie will do well?"
"If she gets rid of the nerves, sure," remarked Vincent, as his gaze went below the bench and noticed his little sister's feet shaking.
Suddenly a shrill sound of keys filled the quiet ballroom, jerking people at the mixed keys. Many people's eyes widened, wondering if the girl perhaps didn't know how to play or if this was new music.
"That's one way to get rid of the nerves," murmured Vincent, a slight proud smirk forming on his lips. Allie was a Moriarty, and there was no way she would fail.
Then came the soft music from the pianoforte, which Allie started to play. Though small, her posture was elegant, and so were her fingers that pressed the black and white keys to produce music that filled the place. The music took the guests by surprise, as it carried rich tones in it. She played the music for more than three minutes before ending it.
The little girl looked up, bringing her hands back to her side, and continued to stay quiet. It made Allie wonder if she had made a mistake.
Vincent, who stood away from the front, clapped, and others joined clapping their hands. The guests sang praises for Allie, and the little one felt her chest fill up in happiness.
"What a wonderful piece as a birthday gift. I couldn't expect anything less from my daughter," praised Lady Annalise, walking to where Allie was and she hugged her.
This brought more joy to the little girl, happy that she had kept the family name and that her mother hugged her. This was what she had been craving for and now that she did, Allie hugged her mother back.
Eve was happy for Allie, and she smiled seeing the little one's effort had been paid off.
She was still smiling and about to return to where she had initially been standing when she noticed Noah making his way toward her. On nearing, he said, "Soon, you will be a governess who will be in a high demand."
Eve laughed at Noah's words and said, "I only helped her a little. It was her who played it all and put her effort into it."
Noah nodded, agreeing with her, "Yes, the little one's effort should not go unnoticed."
They both went quiet while standing next to each other for a few minutes. Eve couldn't get rid of the expression she had noticed on Noah's face a while ago. She heard him ask her, "Would you like to dance with me, Genevieve?"
Eve nodded and started to walk towards the dance floor for the second time, but this time with Noah.
One of the elite women talking to Marceline caught Eve walking towards the dance floor with the Duke and commented in envy, "Looks like everyone now wants to dance with that one. If only I knew who she is."
"She's from Meadow town," replied Marceline, and the people around her softly gasped.
"You don't say! How can someone like that be here?!" asked another vampiress. "Seems like she's caught your brother's as well as the Duke's attention. Weren't you dancing with him earlier?"
Marceline's calm expression didn't change, and she replied, "I was, but it is okay. The Duke told me that we would take a stroll later." But in truth, the Duke hadn't agreed or even heard about it.
"Undoubtedly, if it is anyone, it would be you, Lady Marceline," another vampiress agreed. "A human from Meadow? Now that would be laughable, wouldn't it," bringing a couple of chuckles from the vampiresses.
While the women continued to speak, Marceline's gaze turned to where Noah and Eve were. It seemed like she hadn't captured the man's attention fully and would need to do something about it. She smiled, turning back to continue to speak with the guests.
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