Chapter 69: Returning her back

Mallory slept until late in the afternoon as she had returned to bed just before the wake of dawn. When she woke up, her head felt distorted, and she sat up on the edge of the bed, staring at the sheets before her. 2

"Please don't abandon her…!" 3

Mallory recounted what she saw in the book of memories. She couldn't believe that she had gotten to see her mother through her non-blood related grandmother. Getting up from the bed, she got ready before looking for Hadeon. While walking through the corridors, she caught sight of him and Barnby standing next to the carriage.5

She quickly made her way through the corridor, but before she could step out of the castle, someone grabbed her arm. It was none other than George, wearing an incredulous look. "How? When did you and Lord Hadeon get married?! And you married a vampire?!"19

"A little judgmental for someone who bows his head to a vampire," Mallory replied calmly, while George looked like he was about to faint. "Also, we didn't get married."10

"Liar! I was right there when he called you 'wifey,'" George shot back, his eyes wide with accusation. "Well played, Mallory. I should have known you were a woman with brains." When she gave him a blank look, he quickly added, "I can call you Mal or Mallory, right? After all, we're best friends from the same town!"22

"Since we got kidnapped?" Mallory asked dryly.

"If Mallory is married to me, she will be the lady. Lady Mallory as you have been addressing her," came Hadeon's voice as he entered the castle, his footsteps echoing sharply against the ground. "It seems your tutor failed you, Georgie. Apparently, you skipped the lesson on how the advancement of status works. Or maybe you just didn't expect you to need it."13

George quickly bowed at the sight of the pureblooded vampire. Nervous, he murmured, "I didn't pay attention to it…"

"That's what I thought," Hadeon smiled brightly and he then turned to look at Mallory, who stared right back at him now. "Barnby was telling me how when humans wed, they give each other gifts."

Not having faith in the pureblooded vampire's actions, Mallory turned slightly nervous and replied, "Master Hades, you should sto—"

"Shh, darling," Hadeon hushed her, drawing the attention of the people in the corridor. Mallory internally wondered how far she had dug her grave by saying they were married, which the pureblooded vampire was not willing to let go of even after two days. "I realised you might need someone to assist you. Perhaps a personal servant, hm?" 23

Before Mallory could say another word, she heard soft footsteps approaching the entrance of the castle. Her eyes widened in disbelief. It was Hattie!24

"Lady Mallory!" Hattie exclaimed, her worried face quickly brightening with a radiant smile.

"Hattie!" Mallory cried out, and they rushed into each other's arms, hugging tightly. "It is so good to see you! You have no idea how worried I've been about you," Mallory said, her voice trembling with emotion as she felt the comforting warmth of Hattie's embrace.2

"Me too, milady! I haven't stopped thinking about you. I'm so relieved to see you're doing well here," Hattie replied, her voice thick with emotion as she pulled away slightly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Mallory couldn't stop smiling, her heart swelling with joy and relief. She had finally reunited with Hattie. Hadeon then instructed, "Barnby, lead Hattie to her new room and explain to her about her duties in this castle."2

"Yes, milord," Barnby offered a bow, while leading the human maid away from there. 

"You have something to add, Georgie? Perhaps waiting for a lesson that you forgot when you were young?" Hadeon asked with a sly smile, and this was enough to send George sprinting away from there. 7

Before the echo of the footsteps ceased, Mallory's eyes had already met Hadeon's. With Hattie's arrival, she was left momentarily speechless. She then said, "Thank you for bringing her here, Master Hades. Though I hope it isn't because of the whole marriage charade…" This had gone on far too long.10

Hadeon continued to stare at her with his cool golden eyes, and for some reason, Mallory felt a flutter of nervousness. His words were calm as he questioned, "You haven't learned a thing about me, have you, wifey?"17

"What?" Mallory asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty. He sauntered towards her, stopping just in front of her.

"The more you rebel, the more excited I get to keep it going," Hadeon murmured, his tone carrying a hint of playful menace.12

"Are you saying I should go along until you get bored with it?" Mallory asked, frowning.6

"Not really," Hadeon breathed, his voice low and teasing. "I'm enjoying this far too much to quit," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes and she sighed. "Relieved?" 3

"No, that's not what it was for!" Mallory blurted out, breaking her gaze with him. She composed herself and added, "But I still would like to thank you... for giving Hattie accommodation and employment in the castle."

"I thought you could use her, after what we found out yesterday," Hadeon remarked. Mallory nodded.

"You surprised me. Truly," Mallory confessed with a smile, still somewhat in disbelief that he had brought her maid here. "Thank you for being thoughtful."

"Me?" Hadeon asked, waving his hand dismissively. "Let's hope she will be useful to you. Did you sleep well?" he inquired.5

Mallory nodded, "I did, Master Hades."

"Hadeon," the pureblooded vampire corrected.25

"Master Hadeon," Mallory tried again, wondering if he was tired of her calling him Hades.

"Just Hadeon," he insisted with a charming smile that only seemed to spell trouble. "Now that it has come up that you might be royalty, I thought we should fix the way of addressing. Or if you like Hades."14

Mallory wanted to clean her ear, unsure if she was hearing it right. Calling him by his name now felt a little too personal, and a thought crept into her mind. She asked him, "Are you releasing me from the contract I signed with you?"10

Hadeon smiled at her, a sly glint in his eye, and in return, she offered a hesitant smile. "What wishful thinking you have," he replied smoothly. "The answer is to keep dreaming, monkey."8

Too wishful, thought Mallory to herself. She then asked him, her voice tinged with longing, "I was actually wondering… if there was a way to know where my mother is…"

"You mean if she has a grave that you would like to visit?" Hadeon asked her. She nodded in response.2

Mallory squeezed her hands together, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope. "I know it is a hopeful thought, but maybe…" Her voice trailed off. If her grandmother had returned to bury her mother, she might have left it inside the book of memories. But then again, she had gone to bury the actual Mallory. She then said, "The day my parents died, there was another body. Which my grandmother and I found. But it wasn't listed under dead people." 11

"Like someone from the higher status was covering the death of the third person," Hadeon murmured, the look of interest deepening in his eyes. 9