Esther felt the silence in the room was unbearable so she asked "My lady, do you want the snacks I brought in?". Mirabelle who also felt the quietness was getting uncomfortable was glad the servant said something. Mirabelle wasn't the best at socializing. After she turned blind, she never really left home unless it was something important and someone always went with her.
Everything Mirabelle knew after age seven, was taught to her by her parents and sister. They often taught her how to be a proper lady, taught her new words because she couldn't go to school and also other things she was grateful for just to take sure she blends in with the changing society regardless of her blindness.
Few neighbors around didn't even know the Nolan family had a second daughter. On the other hand, some taught the second daughter had died when she was little. Only very few in their village knew of her existence either by visiting the Nolan family or catching a sight of her when the family is off somewhere together. The few men who saw her, only saw her beauty from afar and when they came with the intention of courting her, they found out that she was blind and further took to their heels.
Mirabelle offered Esther a smile, inwardly thanking the servant for saying something. "Of course, I'd love to have a taste of the snacks. Thank you" she said and Esther quickly stood up to hand Mirabelle the snacks. Mirabelle felt the girl in front of her. "I hope you enjoy it milady" Esther said placing a cookie from the tray on Mirabelle's hand. Mirabelle took a bite and gave an approving smile.
"It tastes delightful. Thank you!" Mirabelle admitted. Mirabelle ate few more cookies before her father returned to the guestroom; making Esther humbly take her leave.
"I'm back sweetheart" Mirabelle's father said. Seeing his daughter munch on the cookie he said "I see you're enjoying yourself". "It tastes really nice papa" Mirabelle admitted. "I can see that" her father said.
Changing the topic, she asked "The king isn't back yet? If I'm being honest papa I feel uncomfortable around the king. I hope he returns quickly so we can be on our way home".
"You feel uncomfortable around the king?" Mister Nolan asked raising a brow. "How so?" He added.
Mirabelle sighed, caught in a dilemma of either speaking her mind or keep shut so her words won't be regarded as some form of treason or insult to the crown. But deep down, she knew she could speak with her father about things that bothered her.
"Papa, I cannot really explain it but being here in the palace brings an uneasiness to me. Like something isn't right with the place. Haven't you felt that way before?" Mirabelle though concerned, avoided telling her father what transpired earlier.
She concealed the fact that she felt watched by someone while her father was away earlier. She knew if she had told him, he might have been frightened too and stopped working for the king. Just to avoid whatever eerieness that came with the castle. But his job here in the palace was the major financial foothold for the Nolan family so scaring her father with that information was not an option.
"Mirabelle, I've been working for the king for some time now and I do admit that some things are indeed strange but the king has never been cruel to me. Perhaps you feel this way because there are some night creatures in the palace" Her father explained.
"They won't hurt you though, the king made an order that no night creature inhabiting the palace grounds should attack any human unless they'd be consequences and you know the king doesn't make empty threats. I'm sure that's why the night creatures servants here and the humans work together without any form of mishaps from what I've heard". He added.
"Let me tell you something my dear. A long time ago the night creatures weren't even allowed to see the breaking of the day but as time passed, things changed. The king took in both night creatures and humans to serve in the palace with that law I told you about earlier. I understand that because of the presence of these beings you might feel uncomfortable but don't worry my sweet child. As long as I'm here, no harm will come to you" Mr Nolan patted Mirabelle's head lovingly and her troubled heart calmed down.
Dusk fell on Denver and the king was still busy with the priests. The prayers of sanctification had long ended and the king ordered that the ones prayed for be taken to inns near the cathedral for observation in days to come.
The priests were concerned that if the people were set free immediately they might run back to the witches. They were kept in these inns to make sure they were in their right state of minds before releasing them back to society. The cathedral priests and the king gave supplies and food items to these families of the ones affected.
It was lack of food and resources that made them go to the witches in the first place but if that was resolved then the people won't see a reason to go back. So they thought...
As Sebastian gracefully walked out of the home of the last of the former black magic holders, Benjamin who had questions running through his mind all day asked "Milord, why go through all this stress yourself? The magistrate, one of the Lords or even I could have handled it. I mean you went to almost all of their houses to assure their families are given the food supplies. Milord, you shouldn't have raised a finger in my opinion. Asides from that we haven't hunted in days".
Benjamin was taken aback that the king himself went to some of the people's homes to make sure they were given everything as he ordered. It was something he could easily ask someone else to do so why go himself? Benjamin thought.
"Benjamin, remember I always have a plan. I'd fill you in soon" Sebastian said as he stepped a foot on the wooden stairs leading up to the carriage. He paused and retracted his feet, "On second thought, let's go hunting now" he said and Benjamin nodded approvingly.
"Go back to the castle" Sebastian ordered the coachman and the young man quickly nodded in obedience.