The next few days passed rather quietly. Mai noticed that Lin pointedly avoided her and Madoka whenever they were together. She also noticed that his cheeks seemed rather red whenever he spotted them.
"What did you do to him?" Mai hissed to Madoka upon one such happenstance. "Everytime he sees you he begins to resemble one of Takigawa's tomatoes!"
"It was perhaps quite an involved kiss," Madoka admitted, her face somewhere between embarrassed and pleased.
"You are enjoying having this effect over him."
"Perhaps I am. It is nice to know that I could inspire such feelings… Do you not feel that way?"
"I do not think I have ever inspired such feelings in anyone," Mai said with a laugh. "Will you be coming to Mr Brown's New Year's Day celebration dinner?"
"Yes, I am very much looking forward to it, Mr Brown is a lovely man."
"Excellent, I am glad that I will not be alone there," Mai said. "Though I expect Mrs Sakauchi to be in attendance."
"Yes, no doubt she will be. Though her husband is unlikely to join her."
"He's not particularly social, is he…"
"No, not in the slightest. And you would think as a result that he would get on with our Lord Pembridge, but they despise each other. Lord Pembridge thinks Mr Sakauchi is self obsessed, and Mr Sakauchi thinks Lord Pembridge is too aloof."
"Oh these men and their egos."
"Is Lord Pembridge not attending?"
"I am not certain," Mai replied. "The conversation devolved before he told me of his own intention."
"How so?"
"He accused me of attempting to make him jealous."
Madoka smirked.
"And were you attempting to make him jealous?"
"I told you before, we want different things in life. There is no sense in my attempting to make him jealous."
"And yet you did it."
Mai's mouth dropped open. She closed it again.
"It wasn't intentional," she said in an attempt to defend herself. "It just sort of… Happened."
"I see, like my incident with Mr Lin just sort of happened?"
"Perhaps."
"You know," Madoka began slowly. "Sometimes I wonder if your husband asked Lord Pembridge to look after you for this exact reason."
"What do you mean?"
"I think he knew that the pair of you would get on and that in asking his friend to care for you, he would actually have left you to look after each other."
"Lord Pembridge and I do not get along," Mai objected.
"Yes you do, in your own way," Madoka said. "I think your husband would have approved of a relationship between the pair of you."
"It is very kind of you to say that," Mai said. "However. Lord Pembridge has no intention of making me his wife, so there is little to no point contemplating the matter."
"I think he just needs a little push to realise what is important in life."
Mai rolled her eyes.
"If only you knew how true that was…"
"Hmm?"
"Nothing. Come, let's take a walk around the grounds."
They finished their walk at the greenhouse, where Takigawa sat admiring his pineapple.
"Lady Astley, it is ready! I have spoken with Miss Matsuzaki and we're going to have it tomorrow, on New Year's Eve. She recommends we eat it as it is, though I do not believe she has ever had one to know any better."
"I hope you did not say that to her, Mr Takigawa."
"Of course not, my Lady, I am not daft. But I am astounded that Lord Pembridge has consented to us eating it rather than displaying it as I know other members of the gentry are known to do."
"Lord Pembridge does not have guests, what would be the purpose of displaying it?"
Takigawa laughed.
"A fair point, my Lady, but still. He has consented to allowing some of the servants to try it too. This one fruit is worth more than my yearly salary, you realise, and he is allowing us to try a piece!"
"You are fortunate to have such a kind master."
"Kind, you call him? Or perhaps oblivious," Madoka said. "But I do not think he cares for the status of the fruit. Besides, eating it seems like less of a waste to me. My aunt bought one last year and she would not allow anyone to touch it, let alone eat it. And in the end, it rotted from the inside. "
"Such a waste," Takigawa agreed.
"How will it be split?" Mai asked.
"I have been told that you cut it open and then make slices," Takigawa said, "But I do not know for certain."
"I look forward to finding out tomorrow."
"Miss Matsuzaki wants an entire ceremony for it," he said with a laugh. "She wants to stand at the table and carve it for the household."
"I don't see why she should not," Mai said. "How many servants does Harker Hall hold?"
"In the household, about 30, I think," Madoka replied. "But if you include the groundsmen, I am not sure."
"Another twenty or so."
"So we're looking to feed around 50 people with this one fruit?" Mai asked. "I think as long as no one expects more than one mouthful, that everyone should get a piece."
"Many would feel fortunate for that, I think," Madoka said. "But I hope it tastes as good as everyone thinks it will."
The pineapple was the highlight of the New Year's Eve dinner. Matsuzaki brought it out and placed it in the centre of the table. After the main meal, she returned and offered the carving knife to Lord Pembridge, who refused.
She carved it in half and Mai leaned over to watch.
"Lord Pembridge, I believe if Miss Matsuzaki carves many small bites, then the entire household can enjoy a piece," Mai said. "What do you say?"
"That she should get on with carving. And that if the groundsmen want a piece, they ought to clean their boots before they come in. The maids will be displeased if they track mud everywhere and I do not want that level of disharmony in my household."
Matsuzaki hid her grin as she cut the fruit. She offered the first piece to Lord Pembridge, who bit into it without reserve. He winced at the sharp flavour.
"That is… Different. Unexpected, but not unpleasant."
Mai took her own piece and nodded her agreement with his assessment.
"I do not think I could eat much of it," she said. "But I am glad to try it. I would have it again next year if Mr Takigawa manages to cultivate another."
"He's already working on it, my Lady," Matsuzaki said.
"Excellent."
Madoka and Lin took their pieces before Matsuzaki took the tray away to share with the servants.
Lin nibbled the edge of his before passing it to Madoka, who grinned and took it. Mai smiled at the interaction, but said nothing.
"I fancy a game of cards," Mai declared. "Whist perhaps. Lord Pembridge, you will play with Miss Mori and I?"
He sighed heavily.
"We have no fourth."
"Mr Lin, you play at cards, do you not?"
"I ought to supervise the—"
"Miss Matsuzaki will have it under control, no doubt. Join us."
"Of course, my Lady."
"Wonderful. Let us have a drink in the drawing room."
And so the four of them played cards for quite some time. Lord Pembridge ordered Lin to open some of the nicer wine and though conversation was not free flowing, it was comfortable.
"It is almost midnight," Lord Pembridge declared. "We ought to do the ushering."
"You are only saying that because Miss Mori and I are winning this game."
"The clock does not lie, Lady Astley."
"Neither does your poor playing," she teased.
"Lord Pembridge's abilities suffer under the influence of wine," Lin commented quietly.
"I have had only two glasses," Lord Pembridge said. "I am not intoxicated."
"And yet, we have just won," Madoka said.
"Fine, fine, come on. We must do the ushering. Last year Miss Matsuzaki yelled at me because we did it late," Lord Pembridge muttered. "And then she cooked me bad food for a week and said it was a result of bad luck."
"You allowed her to do such a thing?"
"She is a fine cook, if superstitious."
At the front of the house, many of the servants had gathered, some were still holding their barely eaten pieces of pineapple.
"Lord Pembridge, you are very almost late!"
"Miss Matsuzaki, I have arrived perfectly on time."
He strode to the front door and pushed it open as the clock struck midnight. The entire household listened at the clock chimed. As the twelfth note hit, Lord Pembridge pulled the door shut.
"Satisfied, Miss Matsuzaki?"
"Very much so, my Lord."
"Excellent. Then perhaps everyone should finish their wine and their pineapple and head off to bed."
There was something of an odd cheer and the servants dissipated. Mai found herself smiling at Lord Pembridge. Despite his usual ill humour, it was clear he was a good employer if nothing else.
Her happiness faded.
"My Lady?" Madoka prompted.
"Hmm?"
"What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing, I am just tired. Let's turn in. We ought to be well rested for Mr Brown's event tomorrow."
Mai left Madoka at her own room and then continued down to her bedchamber. The maids had gone to bed, so she had no one to help her undress. She fumbled her way out of her stays and pulled on a nightgown.
Mai yawned and opened the curtains around her bed—
She opened her mouth to scream, but a hand shot out of the curtains and clamped over it.
"Quiet, do not wake the house. You know what I am."
Mai pushed the vampire away and glanced around for a weapon.
"I will not hurt you," he insisted. "I merely want to speak with you."
"Speak with me? You snuck into my room and hid in my bed in order to speak with me?"
"My brother has been reluctant to introduce us so I had to resort to other means," the vampire said. "Please, my name is Eugene. Can we just speak?"
"Get off my bed then," Mai demanded. She locked the door and sat down opposite Eugene at the fireplace. "What do you want?"
"Mai—"
"You may refer to me as Lady Astley."
"Oliver calls you Mai—"
"Well Lord Pembridge should know his place."
"Lady Astley, I know what you're trying to convince my brother to do," Eugene said.
"And what do you think that is?"
"You want him to kill me."
Mai could not deny this.
"I presume you have a problem with that?" she asked.
"I did not ask to be this way, Lady Astley. I did not ask to wake in my own grave. I did not ask to have to dig my way out of the dirt. I did not ask for this never ending thirst."
"You have killed."
"Yes, I have. Though I remember neither. It haunts me," he said, staring into the empty fireplace. "When the thirst gets too much, my consciousness fades. And I wake, hours later, in my own bed and covered in blood."
"That must be quite frightening," Mai admitted.
"You have no idea."
"No, I doubt I do. Nor do I want to."
"My brother is keeping me well," Eugene insisted. "He is finding me blood and—"
"And are you aware of the toll that is taking on him? How much of it is his own blood? His life has become consumed with finding blood for you. He is not living his own life any more."
"I cannot do it myself, Lady Astley, would you rather I become frenzied?"
"Of course not. I would not want such a thing. I would not want you to hurt anyone. But your actions are hurting your brother and if you cared for him, you would—"
"Kill myself? You recommend suicide?"
"How long has it been since you last fed?"
He frowned, but answered.
"Earlier today."
"And before that?"
"Yesterday."
Mai nodded slowly.
"Lord Pembridge told me that when you first returned, you took weeks to require a second feed. And that as time passed, the time between drinks has become shorter and shorter. Do you not see how this will progress?"
Eugene fidgeted in his seat.
"I have it under control. It will not—"
"What happens when the time is so short that he cannot acquire more? Then what?"
"I have it under control—"
"Do you? Then why is it so frequent already?"
"You eat everyday, do you not?" he asked.
"My food does not require human sacrifice."
"You have animals killed for your consumption, I do not see how this is any different."
Mai watched him for a moment.
"So you humans are mere animals to you? Your own brother is an animal, to you?"
"Do not twist my words, Lady Astley."
"I twist nothing," she spat. "The thirst will get worse and worse until you cannot stop yourself. You will kill again. You killed Nora and you will kill again and who will it be this time?" she demanded. "Maybe it's a maid again, maybe it is not. But eventually the only person left will be your brother and then what? Do you really think you can stop yourself when he is the only animal left to feed on?"
Eugene stood, his face full of rage.
"It will not come to that."
"Why not?"
"My brother will provide for me—"
"He is already struggling, don't you see it?"
"You know nothing of my brother, Lady Astley," he turned and pointed at her with a sharp nail. "You know nothing of him. I know you think you care for him, but you do not."
"Perhaps you are right, Mr Eugene, perhaps I do not truly care for him. But at least I am trying to do what is best for him, which is more than I can say for some people in his life."
"Having me alive is best for him!"
"I am sorry that you died, truly, I am. It was before your time. But you should have stayed dead. I have read of your affliction, and it will not end well for you. You will either kill him or turn him—"
"Then I shall turn him," Eugene declared. "I will have my brother join me."
"You will damn his soul for your own gain?"
"He will live forever with me and—"
"Do you really wish that for your brother?" Mai asked. "You want him to be a blood sucking creature for the rest of eternity?"
"We will live together for eternity and you cannot have him!"
"If he were like you, I would not want him!" Mai stood up and faced Eugene.
"Really?" he asked, the disbelief evident in his voice. "You would not want him?"
"No."
"I have seen it, you know? I have seen the lust in your eyes. I have seen the way you look at him."
Eugene walked forward. Mai backed into the wall. He placed a hand over her shoulder and looked down into her eyes.
"I have seen it," he whispered.
His eyes flickered from hers to her lips and back.
"I know what you want from him."
Mai swallowed and opened her mouth to argue.
"I—"
"Shh," he crooned, cupping her chin with his bare hand. "You don't have to say anything. He will never give this to you, but I can."
He leant down, his lips moving towards hers—
"Get away from her!"
Mai startled, the trance broken. But Eugene did not move, he gazed into Mai's eyes with a burning passion.
"Eugene!" Lord Pembridge insisted. "Leave her alone."
"I am not hurting her, brother."
The hand rested against the wall turned into a fist.
Mai could not see past Eugene's broad person, nor could she see an easy way to escape him. The fireplace impeded her exit on one side, and his arm prevented her from going the other way.
"She is not yours to touch," Lord Pembridge said.
"And she is not yours either."
"You only want her to spite me."
"And she only lusts over your face, not your being. She does not want you and she wants me dead! And yet you protect her."
Eugene finally turned around to face his brother.
"Yes, I protect her, as Yasuhara asked me to do. He was your friend as well, Eugene. Do not dishonour his memory."
"Oh…" he said slowly. "I forgot. I forgot this is the whore that stole him from me."
"Brother, we have spoken of this."
"She took him from me. She wants to take you from me!"
"She will not take me from you. But you have to come back to your room now. We have made too much noise. No one else can know. I say this for your safety."
Eugene growled.
"I do not want to return. I did not come back from the dead to be imprisoned!"
"You are not a prisoner. It is for your safety. Please, Eugene."
Mai slid down the wall and shuffled to the side, to escape from the vampire.
"I hate you."
"Then hate me from the safety of your Wing."
Eugene strode from the room, past his brother with a violent shove. Lord Pembridge looked back at Mai, he shook his head and then followed after his brother.
Mai rushed to the door and locked it again. How had Lord Pembridge gotten in? He must have a key. She rested her back against the door and sank to the floor.
Her body heaved in air, as if she had only just remembered how to breathe. Heavy breaths turned into sobs and she cried until exhausted.
Mai crawled into her bed and hid under the blankets. Her mind still raced with the conversation that had transpired.
The only thing she was sure of was that Eugene was not of sound mind, even when sated. But she supposed that was not unlikely when he had returned from the death. That alone would be enough to unhinge someone.
As this realisation settled in her mind, she came to a second. That she was more confident than ever that the vampire must die.
Author's note: Hope you're all doing well! I'd love to hear your thoughts on how you think this all will end!
