394 394. Can’t or Won’t

Mauve watched Maria take her dirty dishes away. To think that she has been stuck here since after lunch. It was like a bad joke. You would think there was at least one place where she was treated properly.

"Would that be all, Princess?" Maria asked.

Mauve winced at the title. "Yes," she managed to reply.

"Good night, Princess," the maid said as she walked to the door.

Mauve merely nodded her reply and was grateful when she heard the sound of the door closing—hearing Maria call her, that had felt as if the maid was mocking her.

Mauve looked out the window. It has been sunset for a while now. The vampires would be here any time soon. She had terrible news for them.

She looked to the door. Malcolm never returned, and now she was confident he wouldn't. It has been more than five hours. She doubted it would take that long to come to an understanding.