Eleven ascended the stool that Gianna placed before the sink, where she could wash the plates. She was so small that reaching the sink was a challenge, but Gianna had thoughtfully provided her with a sturdy stool to aid her.
"It's more of ceramic plates, little El. If they fall to the ground, they break, and if they break, Master Zeiss would be quite angry," Gianna warned her in a soft voice, her tone laced with genuine concern.
"Oh?" Eleven pursed her lips at the sight of the three plates resting in the sink. It seemed Gianna was truly apprehensive about her ability to handle them. "But Zeiss looks rich enough to buy more plates," she argued, prompting laughter from Gianna and the other two maidservants bustling about the kitchen. "Okay, Gianna. I will not break any plates and make Zeiss angry!" She grinned widely, her confidence infectious. Gianna nodded approvingly, encouraging her to begin her work.
With determination, Eleven washed the three plates until they sparkled like the stars in a clear night sky. She handed them to Gianna, who placed them carefully in their designated spot—inside the cupboard high above them. The kitchen of Zeiss's mansion was a spacious domain in its own right, painted a soft cream and adorned with luxurious decorations that whispered tales of opulence. A grand counter table rested in the center of the room, while cupboards lined the walls and floors, filled to the brim with gleaming kitchen utensils and an array of food condiments.
Eleven descended the stool with a wide smile. "I'm done, Gianna!" she squeaked joyfully, and Gianna nodded, raising her hand for a high five.
"That's a good girl! You washed them sparkling clean!" Gianna sang praises to her, causing Eleven to giggle with delight.
"Gianna," Eleven's gaze drifted toward the other women in the kitchen—vampires like Gianna, their red eyes glinting with mischief. "You didn't introduce me to your other friends." Her small feet padded softly across the kitchen floor until she stood before them. "Hi! My name is Eleven." She waved her tiny hands enthusiastically, eliciting giggles from the women.
"Oh my, you're so cute! My name is Rose," one of them said, her auburn hair cascading like autumn leaves as she pinched Eleven's cheeks gently.
"And I'm Morissette," introduced another woman who appeared younger than Rose, her blonde hair shimmering like sunlight on water. "I have a twin brother though; his name is Morrison." At this revelation, Eleven's eyes grew wide with wonder.
"Really?! Does he look very much like you?"
Morissette chuckled softly. "Of course he does! You will see him soon!" Eleven eagerly nodded; she had always been fascinated by twins and their uncanny resemblance to one another.
"Rose and Morissette, what do we do now that we are done with chores?" she asked innocently.
"Mm…" Rose pondered for a moment, tapping her pointed finger against her lips. "We are not quite done yet; we still have to clean the windows or else Master Zeiss would be quite cross with us."
"Oh?" Eleven blinked slowly before nodding resolutely. "Okay! I won't make Uncle Zeiss mad at you so you can clean the windows. I'll go play with Nita." With that declaration, she dashed out of the kitchen on her small sandaled feet.
As Eleven hurried down the corridor toward her room, she was so focused on where she was going that she collided with a strong leg. "Oomph!" she let out a small groan before pulling back and looking up; it was Zeiss accompanied by another man she often saw in his company. Now that she observed him closely, she realized he too was a vampire.
"Zeiss!" She beamed up at him.
Zeiss crouched down to meet her gaze at eye level and pinched her cheeks playfully, his touch warm against her skin. "What are you doing running like that?" he asked gently. His white hair framed his jade skin beautifully while his rare turquoise eyes sparkled with amusement.
"I was going to play with Nita," she replied cheerfully. "I finished washing the plates and didn't break a single one!"
"Really?" He smiled down at her and caressed her hair affectionately while Lincoln stood silently by, observing their exchange. "That's good of you then. Go play with Nita; I'll see you later."
Eleven bobbed her head eagerly in response before darting toward her room, disappearing from view.
"She's lovely, isn't she?" Zeiss remarked to Lincoln, who continued to stare after Eleven with an intensity that made Zeiss smirk knowingly. "You're looking at her like you want to eat her. Remember: you're a vampire and she's off-limits." His smile widened into something more sinister as Lincoln turned to face him with reddened face.
"I... I didn't mean it that way! I don't want to drink from her at all!" Lincoln protested, his eyes widening in alarm as Zeiss placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Sure about that? The letter received from Hade suggests otherwise." At this revelation, all color drained from Lincoln's face as he paled under Zeiss's piercing gaze. "What? You think I wouldn't know? Telling my father—the king—that I have Eleven and even divulging her age wasn't enough for you? You're also planning on taking her to them?" The playful demeanor faltered as Zeiss's turquoise eyes hardened like steel.
Lincoln fell to his knees in desperation, knocking his forehead against the ground. "I'm so sorry, Master! I'm very sorry!!"