n

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nThe amount of awkwardness only increased when Carson Edmond told the story of how Belle jumped from the branch of the tree. It must have been only with the children around them of her close age who had heard it else her mother would have had an earful of discipline being set for her. After all, Belle doubted any daughter of the house owner would aim to be the bride of a butler.

nBut then Lucas was such an amazing butler that he didn't fall under the same category along with the other butlers.

n

"Carson why don't you show Lady Belle the mansion,

" suggested Mrs. Edmonds, pushing both of them to spend some time alone to get to know each other.

nBelle shook her head,

"I am fine here,

" she said not wanting to leave this room.

n

"Don't be shy,

" Mrs. Edmonds laughed,

"Go on Carson.

"

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"Lady Belle,

" Carson bowed his head and raised his hand for her to step forward. The man was being polite therefore it would be rude of her to reject a simple offer such as this. She started to walk and he followed after her leaving both Lucas and Mrs.Edmonds in the room,

"I mean no offense but it looks like you aren't used to going to soirees or visiting other mansions.

"

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"My parents were the ones who usually did that and even if I did go along I often slipped out from there,

" Belle replied not wanting to paint a false image of herself which she wasn't.

n

"I think I remember that,

" said Carson as they made their way through the long corridor. The maids who were walking in the same corridor in the opposite direction offered them a bow and stood in their place until they passed them,

"Your mother was upset when she heard what had happened out in the orchard of your mansion. The one after you jumped from the tree,

" so her mother did know. She wondered what she might have thought. Clearly her mother was trying to get her to a better family and even though it was Lady Olivia who had intercepted, something told her that her mother would have done to keep Belle away from the butler.

nBelle wondered how old Carson was, by the looks of it she would have guessed five to six years but a vampire's age was hard to calculate,

"What do you work for, Sir Carson?

" Belle asked him.

n

"On import and export of goods on the seas.

"

n

"The seas?

" Belle asked slightly intrigued as she had never been on the sea before.

n

"Yes,

" the man noticed the interest shown by Belle and he said,

"There are many docks and ports for every land, maybe except for Wovile because of the lack of access to the sea. A lot of trading takes place when it comes to food and other valuable things. It's good money,

" he chuckled, in the end, to have her nod at his words.

n

"Must be nice sailing in the sea. It sounds adventurous,

" Belle responded back.

n

"It is. Do you consider yourself to be adventurous, milady?

" Carson asked her, taking her to the large patio of a very big room to show the back of the mansion.

n

"The word adventurous changes by every person, Sir. For a person who doesn't get to go out often would find stepping out of the mansion late at night to be adventurous. For another who has never eaten a particular fruit, to acquire it is another adventure. We all are adventurer in our own way, don't you think so, Sir Carson?

"

n

"You are right,

" agreed Carson,

"Tell me about yourself. I would like to know more about you Lady Belle.

"

nBelle wasn't interested in dragging things unnecessarily and with Lucas not around, she found it to be the right time to let this gentleman know,

"I apologize if it is going to come out to be rude but I am not here to create a marriage alliance,

" she said looking at him.

n

"I didn't think you were,

" smiled the man, his eyes looking back at her,

"My mother might be interested in getting a bride for me but I know when I see a woman where her heart lies and if I am not wrong your words still hold true even now after many years.

"

nCarson didn't appear to be offended and instead, he spoke as clearly as she did which Belle was glad but for him to come to the right conclusion, it made her question if she had turned transparent to the people's eyes.

nShe didn't know what to say and stayed quiet to hear him speak,

"I am sorry to hear about your parents. If I could I would have come to see them but I had to run errands on my work.

"

n

"That's okay,

" Belle smiled, thanking him internally for changing the subject to avoid her from feeling awkward,

"I am sure you were busy. It was mostly a closed gathering and the invitation was sent only to a few relatives.

"

n

"That's good,

" It wasn't, thought Belle to herself. If she could, she would rewind time to have the ceremony with just her and the workers in the mansion and the priest because he was needed to perform the ceremony,

"Let me show you the rest of the mansion,

" he said before they went back inside the room to walk in the corridors.

nWhen it was time for lunch, they headed to the dining room to take their seats. Mrs. Edmonds didn't ask them any questions but she kept grinning looking at her son and the girl, hoping they would get along.

nDuring the time of evening before Carson left the mansion for work, he said to Belle,

"Lady Belle, I know your heart resides in another place but I hope we can be good friends. Feel free to visit here when you want to.

"

n

"Thank you for understanding,

" Belle smiled up at the man with a small sigh of relief.

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"If you need anything, please feel free to contact me,

" and the man left the mansion.

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