[Catherine's POV]
"Please take a seat and come join me for tea."
I did as I was told. She waved her hand, and the servants dispersed except for Mille and Millie, who remained behind me.
"Don't worry, you two. Your Lady is safe with me," said Patricia. Her lips were sparkling in gold like the golden curls of her hair held by different sets of jewelry.
Vampires were really bold in their clothing and makeup choices, and I envied her for wearing such colors. I, on the other hand, was living on repeats. I never bothered to try something new.
Mille and Millie bowed their head, and their braided hair fell forward. "I'm sorry, lady Patricia. Master Charles strictly ordered us not to leave Lady Catherine's side whenever she goes out of her room."
I ignored Patricia's pupils dilating upon what Mille and Millie had just said and looked at the teas and biscuits.
Patricia's eyes went back to their deeper shades of blue, and she laughed. "It must be because you're still new. Lord Charles is such a dear."
I doubt it. He was probably monitoring me for fear that I would escape or do something stupid like basking in the sunlight.
"Don't worry about the biscuits and tea, sister. They're bought in the human world. Though they taste bland, I thought you'd prefer it than raw meat and blood."
"Thank you," I said and picked a biscuit. She was right. It was tasteless. I had to recall what it tasted like just for me to swallow it.
"Ah. One of the many things I miss being human. Good food," Patricia lamented.
"You were once human?" I asked. Though I was not surprised since I already had a clue.
"We all are." Patricia flashed a small smile. "The only original vampires left were the purebloods. Lord Charles is among them. You're very lucky that he has turned you."
". . ." It took all I got to control my anger. I shut my eyes when I felt they were about to change into crimson. I didn't know their circumstances, but it seemed that Patricia was happy she was turned.
I, on the other hand . . .
I composed myself and offered her a small smile though no further ongoing conversation.
"Anyway, starting next week would be your vampire lessons. Every newly turned is required to attend. But since you're one of Lord Charles's people, you'll have your own private tutor."
"Was Veronica, Lizbeth, and you were the same?"
Patricia didn't get my question, and it was apparent from the frown on her face. "Pardon?"
"I want to know if you and the others wanted to be vampires."
". . ." Patricia was silent for a moment before a smile quirked her lips. "Right . . . I heard that Charles didn't ask you before turning you into one."
". . ." That got my attention. Does that mean that they were all given a choice? But not me?
Patricia ignored it when my eyes turned red. "In our case, we were given a choice. I, for one, wasn't born a noble and life was hard so . . . to make it short, I ask Charles to take me away."
Patricia chuckled, and her face softened a little. "The first time I saw Lord Charles, it was love at first sight. Then and there, I wanted to be a vampire so I could be with him. I didn't care about anything else."
She then waved a hand, and her face was back to being haughty. "As for Veronica. She was with Lord Charles way longer than us. I didn't know about her story, but I wouldn't mess with her if I were you.
"While Lizbeth on the other hand . . ." Patricia paused for a moment, thinking about her next words. "I think she was sick mostly until my Lord appears and turned her into a creature of the night. She's the youngest from us, and she doesn't speak much."
I bit my lips, and my fingers curled, clawing my dress. Why was I the only one who wasn't given a choice?
"Anyway," Patricia prompted her chin on her palms, and leaned forward with a twisted smile on her face. The low hem of her dress stretched, and her enormous breasts felt like they would bounce off with the slighted shake.
"We too are curious why my Lord turned you. It seemed like you didn't want to become one of us. And frankly, because your circumstances are different from us, we've got our eyes on you."
My heart doubled in speed, and I looked at Patricia's hate-filled crimson eyes.
At least, she was honest.
Or maybe she thought it was a bother to raise her defense against a weak vampire like me?
"Don't think that you're special just because my Lord is nice and considerate towards you. It's just temporary, and before you know it, he'd bring another woman here to play with, and you'll be just another decoration in this house."
". . ." Her voice was full of venom and spite, and it was my first time to receive such open hate. And before I could stop myself, my lips twisted on their own into a smirk.
"Decoration? Like you?"
It must have been the vampire within me to utter such provocative words. If it were the old Lady Catherine, I would just pretend that the conversation never happened while I cried later in my room in silence.
A hissed twisted Patricia's face as her fangs came out. Her eyes glowed red, and I had no doubt she would attack me if not for the person who interfered.
"I think tea time is over."
Our attention was stolen at Charles imposing aura, standing beside us with pupils turning into a dot. I didn't know how he got there, but I couldn't stand to look at his face for another second without the urge to attack him and drink him dry.
I stood from my seat and controlled the shaking of my voice. "Thank you for the tea."
The tea time hadn't even begun, but it was clear that it wasn't the purpose of Patricia's invitation. It was to put me in my rightful place.
She didn't have to worry, though. They could have Charles all to themselves.
"Catherine."
A hand grabbed me from behind, and I lost it. My fangs came out, and I snarled at him.
"Why did you turn me?!"