CHAPTER 475: A SMALL SUGGESTION

The two women sat in comfortable quietness for a moment with Ada reading some of her own notes while Arabella continued on searching for something interesting on the maps sprawled before her eyes.

That was until a new question seemingly popped in Ada’s mind, "I’d like to know," she paused, then carried on once the attention of Arabella was on her, "At what time will the prince be leaving?"

"I was informed that they’ll be leaving right before sunset today. I saw that everything was ready for their departure as for the last details, I let madame Arumina handle them,"

"That was a sane idea. She has a lot of experience with this," Ada nodded.

Truth be told, all that Arabella could think about was Allegra and her potential ties to Dragomir. There was a high chance his behavior from the previous night had a lot to do with her disappearance.

There were a few plausible theories to be had on the matter; either the Lord had fallen deeper in love with Allegra than he should have which explained the extent of his concern or they worked together as the young woman suspected, thus worrying the vampire with her sudden vanishing out of fear any of his nefarious actions would come to light as a result.

There was also the possibility that he was directly involved with her abduction but the sheer fear in his eyes at the ball led Arabella to believe that one was less likely to be true. Unless of course, he suspected that someone knew about it and informed on him...

"Are you alright? Is the tea not helping to calm your thoughts?" Ada gave her an apologetic smile.

"It is doing its job perfectly!" Arabella’s eyes flashed wide before regaining their usual shape as she raised her cup a tad higher in her hand, "I am able to think a lot more clearly than before,"

Ada did not look all that convinced but before she could place any word Arabella piped up, "Speaking of teas and herbs, how are you feeling after your students left for their... new homes?" she cleared her throat.

"Well," Ada sighed, shoulders slumping, "The lounge room does feel a little empty since I only have one left, but," she perked up, "Some of the maids have expressed interest in learning so there is that at least!"

"We will have to find you a better room to serve as a classroom," Arabella smiled, "That would be a good starter, I believe,"

"That would be wonderful!" Ada chirped.

The quiet returned, but only momentarily as a knock landed upon the door. Much like she had given Ada permission to enter before, she did the same then.

One of the guards that had been standing out peeked through the crack to inform Arabella that Rubius was there and requested to speak with her.

The smile on the young woman’s face dimmed, "Alright, send him in,"

It dimmed even further when the man crossed the threshold.

Rubius gave Ada a nod of acknowledgement before turning his attention onto Arabella.

"I will take my leave then. Send for me whenever," Ada stood up, collected the teacups, curtsied then headed for the door.

Rubius just stood there, as though waiting for something and Arabella sat in the same fashion.

The two stared at and around each other for a good moment before Arabella had enough of it, "What seems to be the problem then?"

"There are no problems," his eyes travelled around once more.

Beholding the map room in day and night time must have felt different. It had certainly been the case for Arabella when seeing that difference for the first time.

"When did you develop such a fascination with maps?" he quizzed.

"History," she murmured, her irises stalking his figure as he walked around.

"Pardon?" he stopped and turned to face her.

"I said history is my passion," she spoke louder.

"That is very interesting," his words came out in a whisper, "I won’t ask why you never told me,"

"Good call," she gathered then rolled the map that had been on the table in order to open another.

"Which part of history captivates you the most? I wonder,"

In response, she took a deep breath then looked up at him again, "The short period of time where our kind managed to coexist with others without any wars,"

"I can’t blame you for that, but well, you know that isn’t quite feasible,"

For a moment, they said and did nothing but exchange quick glances until Rubius broke the silence again.

"If this isn’t your favorite activity then what are you searching for on those maps?"

Eyes scouring the map, she dragged her words along at the same pace her finger explored the surface of the paper, "Something that we’ve all been missing so far,"

"Right! Your friend,"

Hearing the word friend instead of servant from someone like Rubius triggered a small rush of warm tingles that embraced every cell in her body. Nevertheless, she made no comment on it.

"They have searched everywhere and still nothing," she shook her head, "Vampires are able to travel thousands of miles on foot in less than a few hours so... I do not understand. It’s like she’s vanished," urgency plagued her tone the longer her sentence went, but then, her eyes darted towards him all of the sudden, "You wouldn’t happen to know anything about her disappearance, would you?"

He did not even flinch, "My hands are clean of this, but if you are suspecting the prince or your father then as I said before; I am in complete darkness when it comes to their plans,"

She puffed a long sigh, slumping in her chair as though deflating.

"Although, if I am allowed to make a suggestion; perhaps you shouldn’t be asking the question where but instead when,"

Arabella straightened, "What do you mean?" her eyebrows knitted together.

"Those maps you are looking at, which era are they from?" he asked.

"These are the most recently drawn and updated ones," her eyes quickly traveled across the map one more time as if noticing something that wasn’t there at first glance.

The two of them locked eyes. Rubius said nothing but his expression alone told it all. Arabella’s eyes widened as her mouth hung agape when it dawned on her.