Her Cold Beast And His Dark Beauty

______________

Hours Later

Pishka's POV

After taking a warm bath I feel so much better and these cotton pyjamas are helping a lot. My maid steps out of the bathroom heading toward me

Maid: Is there anything else miss would like for me to do for her?

She said looking at me with a blank face

^ Smile and be nice to her ^

°Well, that's the obvious option, me!°

I just inwardly sigh and shake my head, as I smile and ask the maid politely

Pishka: What's your name?

Maid: You can call me whatever you wish miss

I squint my eyes while still looking at her as I try to look intimidating. Instead, I feel more in control of things as I continue to speak with her

Pishka: I want your given name so that I can give you a nickname

The maid seems a bit shocked then quickly composes herself as she answers me

Maid: Well... Um, I'm called number 25

Pishka: That can't be your name... What's the name your parents call you?

She goes silent before she replies with a tone softer than usual

Maid 25: I've been called number 25 for so long that I don't even remember what my family used to call me before they... Executed

Pishka: I'm so sorry, I didn't mean t-

Maid 25: It's okay, they died more than three centuries ago so there's no need to worry about it

She seemed like she wanted to avoid the topic so I decided to change our focus on this conversation

°I want her to be more relaxed around me... But that's only a flop if you ask me°

^ Why not give it a try, you never know what the outcome might be ^

Pishka: Um,...then if you don't mind can I give you a name? I can't stand calling you a number

It felt like my voice was a little different than usual

Maid 25: But I am only a servant I don't deserve such a special gift. I can't... I will have to ref-

Hearing her attempted refusal, I quickly rush to stop her and with little more emotion when I spoke. Strangely my voice came off as sweet and even tickled the back of my throat a little as I spoke to the maid

Pishka: You said that I could call you whatever I wanted, right? And besides, you can take it as a nickname, you don't have to take it as your official name

°*Huff* Would it hurt if she smiled and acted cute?!°

'Is that what you want?'

°Yes, just some emotion and friendliness are all I ask for... *Sigh* I guess that won't be happening...°

'*Giggles* Don't give up so easily, just give her some time'

I can't help but feel uneasy at the seemingly 'sweet' words of encouragement. The maid looks at me hesitantly but meekly nods her head with a faint smile on her lips. Seeing this sign of approval, I get distracted and forget about what I was thinking and feeling earlier. I can't help but grin, feeling joy

Pishka: I'll call you Alice, then

I smile cheekily as she smiles back at me shyly

Pishka: Thank you, Alice~

Alice: Why?

Pishka: For earlier today when Gregory was here

She shakes her head, strangely this action made her look cute

Alice: There is no need to thank me... It is my duty after all

She said that but the tone and smile she gave me made me think otherwise, I nod at her with a wide smile. She remains standing though I offered her to take a seat she refused and said it was against the rules of the mansion. She spoke more politely though

°What great luck!? I can't believe it!°

'Why not ask for a midnight snack'

°Wouldn't that be pushing my luck? I can't...°

'Come on, it won't hurt to try. Didn't you say getting some emotion out of her would be impossible? Now, look at her... Strike while the iron is still hot, a wise person once said'

°Hmmm... You think- ugh what am I saying, you are my thoughts... Okay I'll give it a try me. Wish me luck! ~°

'There's no nee- I mean have the greatest luck at the moment, use it while you still can'

°That's so me *inwardly rolls my eyes*. Plus Carlos said they stocked up their kitchen with all my favourites but I haven't told him anything about me, talk more about my favourite foo-°

'This is vampire territory and Carlos has the ability of telepathy, though it seems like the others don't seem to know about it'

°How do you know that?°

'Only explanation for him knowing all your favourite foods... Anyway, now's not the time, now go on and ask the maid. Also, try being cute'

°Okay okay°

I sigh inwardly and speak out as if remembering something from the back of my mind. This time my voice comes off as soft and gentle, sounding almost helpless. Once again that feeling of my throat being tickled creeps up again, but unable to identify the source, there's nothing I can do. But to ignore it, getting lost in thoughts again

°When I went to check, all I saw was junk food or certain foods I couldn't eat... I feel like a little kid at their grandma's house for some reason. Speaking of grandma, I miss her. I miss my family-°

I frown a little but soon shake my head and push that depressing feeling away. I speak to Alice to try my luck with her

Pishka: Oh yes, I just remembered... Alice, can you help me steal some Chocolate Chip cookies from the kitchen with some juice, pwetty pwease? I remember Carlos said you had bought all kinds of human food

I say the last part with a baby voice and clap both my hands together in a begging gesture. I feel like the air around us changes to that of soft clouds and butterflies in a garden. She stares at me with narrowed eyebrows for a while before she shakes her head as a small smile spreads across her lips. She chuckles light before sighing but nods her head mumbling softly to herself something I couldn't hear

Alice's POV

I leave the room while mumbling lowly so that my master can't hear me

Alice: Human's way of speaking can be a bit scary, because of the misunderstanding we immortals can get from their way of speech...

Also, I felt a strange aura surrounding her when she was begging me to get her a late-night snack. It was quite domineering yet faint, it was more manipulative and suppressive than oppressive. For someone whose a human, it is quite strange

Along the way feel myself get drowsy then suddenly I pause, feeling very sleepy I close my eyes and by the time I open them again. I arrive in the kitchen in less than grab a bag of cookies with a plate. I open the bag, placing the cookies on the plate neatly

Next, I grab a jug of orange juice and an empty glass, I place everything on the counter onto a silver tray. Once done I clean up the counter I was working on. But I lost track of the thought that I had earlier and just head out of the kitchen, back to my little miss' room with the tray of goodies in hand

°I can't wait for her to praise me... Good thing I've been reading some human psychology books so I can use that knowledge to get a- Wait, what can I do for her to praise me again? Maybe blush or smile shyly or giggle or-°

Out of the shadows steps a woman's figure, although her facial features are not visible. Then

Feminine voice?: You not falling for her trickery, are you?

I freeze as I hear a voice speak in front of me

Feminine voice?: You haven't forgotten what you're here for, right?

Alice: No, I haven't master...

I look down at the floor with a sullen face, I suddenly feel a light pat on my head that causes me to look up at my master

Feminine voice?: Good girl, now...

She pulls out a pill and drops it into the glass of milk then sets it on the tray in front of me. She grabs the empty glass and jug of juice from the tray, I don't ask why she changed the drinks I just ask for something else instead

Alice: What will that pill do?

Feminine voice?: It will kill her from the inside slowly, luckily the pill would have already dissolved by the time she drinks it...since you warmed the milk. Also it would have been a few hours before she starts showing any signs of being poisoned. By then she would have consumed other food and that food would be clean so they won't be able to trace it back to us. This plan of yours is amazing, good job little one

She pats my head again before walking away from me and disappearing into the dark shadows of the corridors

Feminine voice?: Remember you're never alone... Dear

She says in a heartwarming voice but I'm not stupid enough to believe it. What she's actually saying is 'I'm watching your every move so don't act out of character'. I arrive at the door and enter the room and see her looking at me with a bright smile, suddenly I get an uncomfortable feeling in my chest

It's like there's a huge lump stuck in my chest but I carry on walking towards her and set it on her lap careful not to spill the toxic glass of milk. She looks up at me with a beautiful smile but anyone could see the sadness reflecting in her eyes

Pishka: Thank you, Ally

I nod quietly as I watch her every move, after eating half the cookies on the plate her hand reaches towards the glass of milk and touches the glass. I grip the tray tightly feeling my balance waver for a second

°Say, the milk is probably cold by now...right?...°

Alice: The milk must be cold by now, miss. Do you want me to warm it again?

Suddenly I feel a cold gaze staring at me. I discretely look around at the dimly lit room but the presence that was once inside had disappeared without a trace. There was no scent left behind.

°No, I shouldn't involve myself in this. Just have to follow the master's orders°

I sigh and turn back to see the little chocolate-skinned girl staring at the glass with a frown

Alice: Is there a problem, miss?

Pishka: You warmed the milk already?

Alice: Yes, miss... Did I do something wrong?

She quickly shakes her head as she removes her hand from the glass of milk