Chapter 3: Conspiracy

A sigh escaped Rosaline’s lips as she settled into the large bathing tub. The hot water embraced her. Steam rose through the immaculate room and mingled with fragrant scents. She watched Diana sit across from her with a coy grin on her lips. The hunter covered herself to preserve what modesty she had left.

“Tell me,” Rosaline began. “Why did you and your friends invade my castle to take my life? I don’t recall having any quarrel with the Newcastle hunter clan.”

Diana seemed confused. “Your castle? We came for the vampire lord, your master.”

Rosaline seemed just as confused. “My master? I have no master. I am the owner and keeper of this castle, no one else.” Her lips curled into a sly grin. “And you know quite well that I am no ‘lord.’”

Diana blushed and hated how easily Rosaline made her react. “We’re here on a mission to slay the vampire lord attacking the nearby village.” She summoned strength in her voice as she focused solely on Rosaline’s pure green eyes rather than on what lay below the waterline.

Rosaline was confused once more. “Village? Colchester could hardly be called a ‘village,’ and why would I launch an attack when it was I who founded it centuries ago?”

“Colchester?” Diana withered on the spot. “Surely we didn’t arrive at the wrong location, did we?” She recalled everything they had discussed before leaving, but nothing seemed amiss.

Diana nearly jumped when Rosaline appeared beside her and took her hand. She didn’t hear or feel the water move until the vampire stopped at her side. The hunter looked away to hide her flustered expression, but Rosaline turned her around with a gentle finger beneath her chin. “I doubt a group of such skilled hunters took a wrong turn somewhere. Rather, I suspect treachery. I lay no blame at your feet. Your innocence is as clear as your righteous fury.”

Her calm and reassuring voice rang through Diana’s ears. She expected Rosaline to kiss her. Indeed, a part of her wanted it. However, the vampire moved her finger and summoned a washcloth into her hand. Diana trembled as Rosaline began to wash her arm.

“We may seek the truth after we cleanse ourselves. Allow me to assist you,” the vampire offered. Her voice was gentle with only a hint of ulterior motives.

Diana grit her teeth. “You cat in heat. Haven’t you done enough last night?” She sighed and looked away. “I’m no longer a pure maiden…”

Rosaline laughed, allowing Diana to see her fangs. “You are nothing but a pure maiden, my dear. One of the purest I’ve ever seen outside of a church.” She continued to wash her guest’s arm. “You have such smooth and beautiful skin despite your profession. Tell me, do you hail from Egypt?”

“Oh, well,” Diana seemed uncertain. “My mother was born in Siwa. She left to learn medicine in England and met my father when a vampire stalked her.” She didn’t know why she was so ready to answer Rosaline’s question.

She pulled her arm free and glared at the vampire. “Nonsense. You’re just a shameless woman who would have grabbed the first hunter who barged through your doors.” Rosaline was stunned by her accusation. Diana looked away and covered herself again. “No one has ever looked at me like a woman. I play with swords, not dolls. I hunt monsters, not rich men.”

A small smile played at Rosaline’s lips. “Then I must retract my prior statement: your clan of hunters must be the worst I have ever heard of.”

“What?!” Diana glared at her again.

Rosaline gently stroked her cheek. “You’re a beautiful woman. If they can’t see it, then they lack the necessary visual skills to be hunters.” Her hands played down Diana’s body, causing her guest to shudder. “Smooth skin, a waist, and hips that even noble women would desire to flaunt, and, heh, other such feminine features that would make even a holy person reconsider their vows.” She took Diana’s hand again and grinned. “If that clan of yours can’t see your true beauty, then I’ll simply have to keep you for myself.”

Diana’s anger completely vanished. No one had ever called her beautiful before. “I…I.” She was at a loss for words.

“Yes?”

“I’ll…wash your back,” she muttered. Diana’s blush deepened as she looked down. She felt unbearably hot, and it had little to do with the bath water.

“Why, thank you~.” Rosaline’s heart swelled. Diana’s breath caught in her throat when Rosaline kissed her cheek.

Rosaline lightly giggled to herself as she dressed behind a folding screen in her bedchamber. She surprised herself with her antics. Love seemed so beyond her reach only a day ago. And now, she fell in love with the human who tried to kill her just last night.

She pushed the folding screen aside and watched Diana emerge from behind another. “I hope you’re pleased with the maids’ work.”

“Oh, yes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen clothes this clean,” Diana replied. “They also cleaned and sharpened my equipment.” This both surprised and impressed her.

“By the way, what are these?” She pointed to her folding screen adorned with birds flying through a forest.

“It’s called a pingfeng, or a folding screen. I purchased them the last time I was in China. I believe they’ll become quite popular soon.”

The stoic maid returned to the room. “My Lady, a messenger from Colchester wishes to speak with you. He is concerned about the town’s security given the recent bandit attacks.”

Rosaline sighed. “Very well.” She was uninterested in petty concerns. “The town guards may have been bribed to ignore assaults and thefts. I may just ask some off-duty colleagues to deal with this.” She turned to Diana and smiled. “Please excuse me a moment. Clair will serve breakfast on the balcony. Please start without me if I take too long.”

“Sure…” The hunter watched her former enemy leave the room.

Clair walked past Diana and opened the glass doors to the balcony. “Please follow me, Ms. Townsend.”

“Diana is perfectly fine, if I may call you Claire,” Diana replied with a smile.

“Very well, Diana.” Clair’s voice was as monotone as ever. She led her master’s guest to a small table for two and pulled out a chair.

“Thank you.” Diana sat down and watched Clair set the table with some of the best food and drink she had ever seen. Eggs, meat, bread, juice, they all made her mouth water. Still, something gave her pause. “Clare, why do you serve a vampire? They’re enemies of humanity. They see us only as food and slaves.”