New Help

The next day, Giselle woke up to find the bed cold and empty next to her. She sighed and got up and moving for the day.

After she had had her morning dose of blood, Giselle put out an ad for staff help. Around noon, people flocked to their house. She tested them to see if they would fit. Many didn't meet her and Louis's high standards (they lived in King Louis XIV's royal court once, after all). By suppertime though, she had found a gardener, a cook, a butler, and a few house staff. Giselle hired them and told them about the gala. They went to work right away.

I did good, she thought to herself. These people sound like good, hardworking people.

Then Louis came over to her. He examined the new hired help and narrowed his eyes.

"Not good enough," he said. "Fire them."

The workers heard him and began to get upset. Giselle protested.

"Louis, I went through at least a hundred people! These were the most suitable. Please, if you wanted better, then you should've been here to examine and hire."

He glared at her. "I don't have time for that. Fire them."

"No."

"No?" he asked incredulously.

"Mon amour, I almost rarely ever go against you, but on this, I am. I'm the lady of the house. The one who manages what the place looks like. It needs a feminine touch, which I can give. I can have this place looking wonderful for your gala. But I need help, and these are the people I've chosen. Let me worry about the house, you worry about your job."

The staff could't believe she was standing up for them like that. They were all silently cheering Giselle on.

"Fine," he ceded. "But if they mess this up, it's on you."

She raised her chin at him. "Done."

Then he nodded, turned, and went back to his office. Giselle asked the staff to keep working for another hour and then they'd be able to go home for the night. They agreed and set to work while she oversaw their progress.

When they were done for the night, she dismissed them and went to the kitchen. Giselle pulled out two bags of blood and warmed them up. Then she squeezed them into two glasses and took one to Louis, who was sitting out on the patio.

She handed him his glass and sat down in the chair next to his. He looked over and her and then stared back to the gardens.

"Louis?"

"What?"

"I miss France."

He looked over at her and his face softened. He cupped the side of her face with his hand.

"I know. But this is an upgrade, isn't it? America... the land of dreams and freedom."

"I guess. And I mean, it's not like I had any family back home, but I do miss Adelene and René."

"They should be here tomorrow, mon amour. Don't fret. But you know, they are mortal."

"I know."

"You've never gotten this close to any mortal since Joséphine Fontaine back in 1848. I remember, you were so upset after she was hung for-"

"Louis!"

"Désolée, mon amour. But seeing as we are what we are, it's dangerous to get too attached to mortals. I just don't to see your heart break again like that. It pained me the last time, seeing you so upset."

"Oh, Louis..."

"Giselle, I love you. And I just don't want to see you get hurt."

Then, he leaned over and kissed her. That night, he picked her up, carried her into their bedroom, and set her down gently on the bed. They made love to each other and fell asleep blissfully in each other's arms.