CHAPTER 2

Rosalba woke up early and waited for Nicholas. Nicholas came to see her only the first day, so she told the maid that needed to talk with him yesterday. Rosalba thought that he should come into consideration of her health. Rosalba was right and Nicholas came to the room after breakfast.

—Good morning, how do you feel? —Nicholas asked after he sat.

—Very well, thank you for your help —Nicholas nodded and let Rosalba talk.

—I want to ask you something...—Rosalba saw that he let her continue and said —Could you give me a job in your mansion? —Nicholas almost choked with the tea and coughed.

—Mmm… Are you okay? —Rosalba didn't expect a reaction so intense and said something confusing.

—Yes, I'm sorry...so Do you want to...work here? —Rosalba ignored the strange pause and nodded.

Nicholas turned his head and his gaze was somewhat unnatural for a second but then he returned to his natural indifferent look. Rosalba didn't notice this and said.

—You noticed that for different reasons I can't ask for a letter of recommendation and it could be difficult for me to find a job. So, Can you consider it, please? —Rosalba finished saying that when she heard a word.

—Okay —Rosalba looked at him a little surprised by her quickly positive answer.

—This afternoon, I am going to send you to the boss of the servants, to talk about your contract —Nicholas stood up and left the room as soon as he said that.

—Wow...I didn't think that it would work so fast... —Rosalba whispered after a while with a smile on her lips.

***

Unlike Rosalba, Nicholas felt himself in a dilemma but he knew that the best option to stay close to her was that she worked here. Nicholas knew that something like the last time could occur again. He noticed too that Rosalba is not willing to show her real identity and if he wasn't to scare her he needs to win her confidence with time.

Five months passed quickly, Rosalba got familiar with his job in the mansion. She didn't have much work to do and only the lord stayed in the mansion sometimes. So the servants have a lot of free time. It's the first time in many years that Rosalba didn't have anything to do. That was the reason why Rosalba started to go out more often. She didn't go so far but she could learn many things about the capital of Silas. The two species werewolves and vampires didn't have many conflicts. Most of them were kind.

Rosalba was very happy to see this. As a person that once belonged to the royal family, she felt relieved to see her country prospering. After all, although she knew that she would never become empress or emperor. She didn't want the people to suffer. Rosalba bought something to eat and returned to the mansion. That day the lord stayed in the mansion.

***

Rosalba had finished her work, so she was going to sleep but in the hallway, the butler suddenly stopped her.

—Rosa, I have a job for you. The Lord wanted you to follow in her trip to Ibb in Zoi country. It won't be difficult, we are going to take the other two servants so the job will be easy—Rosalba blinked confused for a moment before she nodded vigorously.

Rosalba wanted to go, so she didn't try to refuse. Ibb was on the border of Iseut, the region where Allen's Mansion was located. So she could visit Maira. Rosalba was very happy and packed quickly. The next morning they left the mansion and only Rosalba stayed in the principal carriage to attend the lord. He wasn't demanding and took all the tea and food that Rosalba gave to him. Rosalba was a little surprised because the Allen's always complained about the food and almost didn't touch anything.

The trip on the train was even more smooth and there weren't any incidents. They stayed in a simple inn when they arrived. The lord had things to do so he left early and returned late every day. As the servants didn't have anything to do, the butler gave us the afternoon off. Rosalba sent a message to Maira and went to the place selected. Rosalba already calculated the time and she has enough time to return.

She was excited on the road so when Rosalba arrived and saw the face of Maira, she ran and hugged her with strength. Maira even cried when she hugged Rosa. She had been worried about her although she knew that she was fine. Rosalba couldn't be seen by the people so Maira and she met in a nearby city. They rented a private room in a restaurant and they had lunch together.

—I never imagined that it would happen —Maira knit her brows with anger after hearing the story of Rosalba.

—It's okay. We obtained profits. You had a great compensation in my name and I found a job better paid —Rosalba said.

—Yes, but that woman...deserves something worse...—Maira murmured unsatisfied.

Rosalba laughed and said —Okay, Okay, Now, tell me. What did you do with the money? —Maira smiled and said excitedly.

—I started a business —Rosalba was very surprised, she didn't expect that.

Maira saw her surprised face and said—Rosa, although I didn't know what happened there, I suppose something like that. So after they gave the money, I quit the job —Rosalba couldn't avoid feeling comforted by her words and her eyes turned softened —With my mom thinking about starting a business long ago but we didn't have the money. After the Allens gave me the money, I decided to start a restaurant with an old recipe that my mom had. Of course, although you told me to use the money for me. I didn't want to do that. So I made you, my associate and I allocated the money to your old account —The eyes of Rosalba blinked with tears. Maira was the only friend that she had. But Rosalba knew that she was the best.

—So, I wanted to ask you something. Do you want to stay here and manage the restaurant with me? —Maira made a pause and said —I know that it could be a little difficult because no one can see you but I believe that we can do that —Rosalba was a little confused but she started to think that it could be a good idea.

Rosalba didn't think in return to Iseut by the Allen's and because except for Maira she didn't have many bonds with this country. But now….

—Ah, but don't worry Rosa, you don't have to answer me now. You could think about it these days calmly —Rosalba smiled and said.

—I'm sorry, it sounds good, it's just that I...—I don't know why I am hesitant.

—It's okay, we have time, so meanwhile, we should go to buy something —Rosalba nodded and they went out of the restaurant for an afternoon of shopping.