Married To The Mad Vampire Lord novel Chapter 289

Chapter 289: Back to the castle_Part 2

Though Rohan wasn’t angry or in a bad mood, there was a hardened look in his eyes that repelled anyone who didn’t know him well. His presence wasn’t something people easily grew accustomed to, and Evenly wisely kept her distance, moving away from Belle’s side when Rohan came to walk at the same pace as his wife.

Belle noticed the woman drawing back and understood why she would want to steer clear of her husband, especially after what had happened the last time Rohan had seen her in Bimmerville. The vampiress was treading carefully, walking a very thin line, knowing that even the slightest mistake could land her in trouble with Rohan again in this land, particularly now that she lived under his roof.

Yet, despite her caution, Belle noticed her gaze shift toward Angel, her expression touched with clear, curious astonishment.

"Is... is he the newborn?" Evenly asked as they moved deeper into the castle, her gaze fixed on Angel as though she couldn’t quite believe a newborn could have grown so much in such a short time. Wasn’t he said to be two months old?

"Yes," Belle replied with a faint smile. "Children these days seem to grow faster than their age would suggest." Only a fool would believe a two-month-old could grow that fast, but she hoped Evenly would take the bait and not start probing. Even vampires didn’t grow as quickly as Angel was, Belle thought to herself.

Evenly’s lips parted as if to say more, but she hesitated when she noticed Belle shivering beneath the towel wrapped around her, her teeth chattering from the cold. Whatever questions lingered in her mind, she swallowed them, falling into a thoughtful silence as they crossed the vast, echoing foyer.

"Get hot water ready for her. And hot tea," Rohan ordered, and Rav hurried away to carry out the command.

Evenly, who noticed how badly Belle was shivering now and how fussy the baby had become, stepped forward to ease her of him so she could at least have a chance to change and bathe.

"Let me take him, Belle. I’ll change him while you get yourself warm." She said with the intentions to help her friend as she was trembling uncontrollably from the cold.

But at the sound of the unfamiliar voice and the attempt to take him, Angel clung tighter to Belle’s neck. His little arms wrapped around her desperately as he refused to be taken by someone he didn’t know.

Belle quickly realized that he hadn’t been whimpering just because he was uncomfortable and drenched, but because he was now surrounded by strangers.

It seemed that having him accept another person as a mother, even temporarily, would be just as difficult as she had imagined. And though the feeling embarrassed her, she couldn’t deny the quiet warmth and affection that spread through her chest at the realization.

She was ashamed to admit it even to herself... but she liked that she was irreplaceable to her son.

Evenly stepped back quickly when Angel suddenly kicked at her hands, trying to get them off his body. She moved away, holding her hands in front of her with an expression caught between embarrassment and awkwardness.

"I’m sorry about his behavior. He’s not used to being here," Belle said quickly, trying to smooth things over after Angel’s reaction. "Perhaps when he’s well rested, he’ll be calmer."

Evenly managed a smile, "Oh, that’s understandable. It’s nothing." She mused with a look of understanding

It was almost as if she felt like a stranger in the castle again, unsure of where she belonged or where to go.

Sensing this, he turned to Gwen, who stood quietly at the side, and told her to lead Belle inside.

As much as he wanted to go with her, to help her like he always did back at the cottage, he held himself back. There was too much he needed to get done, and he couldn’t afford to get distracted by the loveliness of his woman.

She stared at him for a moment, her eyes lingering on his face, then gave a small nod and followed Gwen’s lead.

To Belle, who had spent months away from this large castle and had lived in a place much smaller than this, the castle now looked too big, big enough to swallow her whole. A wave of homesickness washed over her for the cottage, where, even if Rohan was away from her, she could still hear his movements and activities from wherever she was inside. In this vast space, she doubted she would hear anything at all or feel his presence in the same way.

She shivered as she began to climb the long, never-ending stairs. However, her shivering wasn’t from the cold in her body alone, but from the coldness of the castle’s dark, imposing walls. She glanced back to where Rohan had been standing, watching her, but when she turned, he was no longer there. And right then, she knew... things might not be like they used to be in that little cottage again.

She already missed the place, but she hardened her heart, refusing to dwell on those good days just yet, knowing that if she did, it would only make it harder for her to adjust to noble life again, where everything was done for her by servants.