Greed then said,

"I wanted to let you know something,

" Lucas turned to face him, waiting for Greed to speak,

"When the boy was killed and she was in the room, her eyes started to change. From red to flickering black.

"

Lucas' eyebrows drew in together,

"How long was it?

" he questioned.

"Probably a minute? Yes, not too long. She is getting corrupted,

" Greed raised his eyebrows, his voice light and unaffected because he didn't care about Belle. The only person he cared to think about stood next to him.

Lucas hadn't been worried before but to think that her heart would be getting corrupted, he tried to figure how and why it had happened.

"As I said, she's a weak mortal. Seeing her friend in such a state, it must have broken her heart. Was she perhaps in love with him before falling in love with you?

" asked Greed, a crooked smile on his lips,

"An immense amount of trauma because of the loss can cause it.

"

Lucas didn't have to hear about it as he knew exactly what and how corruption took place and he also knew what Greed was trying to do, but it wouldn't work on him,

"She's gone through far worse than that. That isn't the reason,

" commented Lucas.

Belle had seen death before too, and it wasn't the first time. She had seen her parents die when she was barely a few distances away from them. He wondered if it was because of the magic she was making use of.

"It isn't?

" asked Greed with curiosity.

There was a possibility that it was because she had come in contact with magic, and her body was reacting differently. Greed's words didn't affect him because he knew Belle's feelings for him.

Belle and Barron were still in the orchard, talking to each other when they heard the main gates being opened by someone. This caught everyone's attention except for Barron whose focus was on the apple that was up and high, hanging at the end of the branch.

Belle left the orchard tree, walking towards the mansion's entrance where Lucas and Greed stood outside there, their eyes already on the five men who entered the gates.

"They are here,

" announced Lucas in a whisper.

The clothes that they wore were all different, and if it weren't for one person out of the five people who were approaching them, Belle would have taken time to know who they were. Even though Councilman Joshua was yet to step inside the mansion, he had a triumphant look on his face.

She noticed other people who had come along with him. In the group, there was an older man who held a grave expression on his face.

"Can I help you?

" asked Belle, stepping forward as she was the owner of this mansion.

Councilman Joshua glared at the two people who were Belle and Lucas, not knowing who this third person was,

"We have a warrant to search your mansion, Miss Adams. You have also been charged for tying me up here against my will, keeping me hostage.

"

Belle gave a perplexed look and asked,

"When did that happen? I think you have mistaken the mansion,

" her words were calm and composed.

The councilman narrowed his eyes,

"What do you mean you don't remember? Did you forget how you brought blood to my room and said to cooperate with what was going on?

"

"I am sorry I don't know what you're talking about,

" Belle behaved to be oblivious on what occurred yesterday.

"Where is that man who let me go? He should be somewhere here, call him,

" said councilman Joshua.

"Man?

"

"Yes, that man vampire who is tall and has a square face. Where is he?

" demanded councilman Joshua, his tone slightly agitated.

Belle released air through her lips, and she said,

"As I said earlier, you must have got into the wrong place. I don't know who you are talking about.

"

The other colleagues of Joshua looked at the man who had brought them here after getting Councilman Lionel's permission. The Councilman who was sent with Joshua, Christophe, took the initiative to speak rather than have Joshua look like a flaming monkey.

"Miss Adams, I am Councilman Christophe,

" introduced the man before handing over the parchment which was signed and sealed by the head council. Belle opened the scroll and read it,

"We are here to investigate your house while also questioning you as strange sightings have been noticed and reported to the council. We would like it if you would cooperate with us. The sooner we finish it, the quicker we will be out of your way.

"

Belle stared at the man and then nodded her head.

"Come in,

" she said, and when her eyes met Lucas, he put on a polite smile that he had practised over the years.

"Let me lead you inside,

" said Lucas with a bow. Before they could make their way inside, a loud crash was heard from the apple orchard. Belle's eyes snapped along with others who looked at the young boy who appeared to be cursing something under his breath, starting to walk towards them when Barron finally noticed they had company.

"He wasn't there yesterday!

" Councilman Joshua quickly whispered to his other councilman.

"Who is that?

" asked Christophe.

Belle's eyes darted to Barron before saying,

"He's a cousin of mine. And he has been living with me for some time now.

" She said, looking at councilman Joshua,

"Since my parents passed away.

"

Councilman Joshua didn't believe one word that came from the vampiress' mouth. Seeing the glares being sent towards her, the other councilman said,

"Let's go in so that we can start the procedure.

"

Agreeing to it, everyone made their way inside, and at the same time, the two maids who were working inside the mansion caught sight of the men who stepped inside the mansion with Miss Belle.

They could feel their palm sweat as they were not familiar with the council people, but at the same time, they weren't familiar with the reapers who were now living in this mansion.

.

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