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nThere were times when Belle was scared and anxious that Lucas would not be by her side forever, as if one day when she would wake up, she would not find him next to her and would have disappeared. She didn't want to come out to be clingy and therefore she turned away from him to look at the small window in front of them which could be moved to speak to the coachman.

nLucas was a death reaper first who had not known what emotions were but with the years he had stayed here in the Adams' mansion, a sense of attachment had been created which sometimes bothered him. A reaper wasn't born with emotions, at least not the ones who were at the lower chain of the food chain in the realm of the dead. Grims had a possibility when it came to emotions as they were much higher compared to the others along with a few low reapers. If they didn't then the emotion to thrive for power wouldn't have existed.

nHe noticed how Belle held both her hands on her lap.

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"I will stay by your side as long as you want me to, Miss Belle,

" he replied to her question and she turned her head to look into his eyes.

nLucas had to find out the culprit who had set him up before he had come to work for the Adams mansion. His words brought a soft smile on her lips,

"I will never want you away.

"

nThe small girl he had known had grown to a damsel and she had grown strong. She had cried to her heart's content that night after she had seen her parent's reflection and the next day she had gathered herself. It also made him question if it was because half of her soul was in the realm of the dead that was cold and lifeless that didn't let her allow to feel the full force of pain she had to grieve for.

nOver the years, Lucas had grown a soft spot for the girl and maybe the only person in his entire life where the rest didn't matter. Not her parents, nor the people who were similar to him. What Simon had told, there was a sense of truth in it. And at the thought of the boy, his eyes narrowed again.

n

"Don't hang out with him,

" he advised her again.

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"Simon is a good person. I know he might not be at the best with the others and his reputation isn't good but I like him for who he is. We should look past the flaws, isn't that what you taught me.

"

nLucas' lips twitched and he rolled his eyes,

"I look past his flaws and I find nothing but more flaws.

"

n

"Maybe because you are not looking the way I am looking,

" Belle reasoned,

"Give him a chance. He isn't bad and there are so many people who are far worse than him behind the closed doors. I don't see you reprimanding them.

"

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"That is because you know not to be in their circle.

"

nBelle let her head lean against the side of the carriage and she looked at him. He didn't look angry and as usual, he was composed. Reaching home, the tailor had already arrived and the man took her measurements in the presence of Lucas. Though the tailor had taken her measurements, it wasn't for the soiree but for future Winter Ball that was going to approach soon.

nThe day of the Soiree had arrived and her relatives and a few other guests had arrived at the Adams mansion.

n

"It is time for you to find a groom, Lady Belle,

" spoke a woman who was in her middle age,

"It would be very hard for you to be all alone. A life of solitude is never pretty for a woman.

"

nHer aunt Irene spoke up,

"Mabel my sister went through some of the most eligible bachelor's who would suit our Belle. Hopefully, we find the right match in time,

" she smiled looking at the woman,

"We have already discussed and spoken about it.

"

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"What wonderful aunt you have, Lady Belle,

" praised the woman and Belle returned it back with a smile.

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"The best of the best,

" Belle responded back.

nThen the woman pulled her aunt to the side to say,

"I have an excellent man if you are still looking,

" and they stepped away for Simon to step next to Belle who had overheard their conversation.

n

"Your relatives are worse than mine,

" said Simon to bring in a smile on Belle,

"They seem very interested in getting you out of here.

"

n

"They are eyeing the house.

"

n

"It isn't a bad one but you do know you will have to take a groom if you plan to keep the house? One of the laws state that when the head of the house passes, the male that is, the female need to give away the house to the brother or the cousin male,

" he said and then looked at her,

"Isn't that how it is?

"

nBelle shook her head,

"For humans yes because of their low mortality. The edicts I read, it doesn't hold the same when it comes to vampires. Actually, it isn't written for vampires.

"

n

"Didn't know that.

"

nBelle's eyes searched for Lucas in the room and she spotted him talking to her cousin Martha. Martha was at least half a decade older than her and she laughed over something Lucas said. The woman kept touching Lucas' arm every two minutes as they spoke to each other or more like her cousin was the one who was speaking while Lucas listened.

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"Where is Martha's fiance?

" Simon asked.

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"Overseas,

" if someone were to ask how to represent her relatives, the closest she could call them was a leech.

n

"Looks like she's getting close to him,

" Simon chuckled and he was right. She had taken a step forward but Lucas was smart. He brought another glass of wine in front of her and took a step back before he bowed and left to attend other guests. She had left Lucas to deal with the guests as he was good at it.

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"Have fun, Belle,

" Simon said and walked towards a woman to talk to her. Belle didn't mind because she was used to the way Simon hopped in and out during a conversation.

nBelle stood there looking at people when Mr. Robbinson appeared in her view, covering Lucas' frame,

"Lady Belle,

" and he appeared to be slightly drunk...

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