Bambi and the Duke

The Carmichael’s stopped their carriage in front of the church as both sister’s of Renae had packed their luggage so that they could depart after seeing their lord for one last time.

”Do we really need to go mama?” asked Charlotte tugging her mother’s dress.

”Yes, dear. Your father has business to attend to and you and your brother have the governess waiting to continue your education. I am sure we will be back soon from Mythweald,” her mother Priscella rubbed her back.

”I hope to see you soon, sister. You too Margery,” the sisters hugged each other before the two carriages departed leaving Mrs Carmichael, her son Leonard and the little girl, Vivian next to the carriage. Mrs Carmichael saw her son looking at the church behind them and asked, ”Do you children want to go in?” she took them so that they could pray.

It wasn’t in a vampire’s nature to believe in God because, since the early existence of the nightly creatures, humans had used the power of God in trying to eradicate them. The pureblooded vampires had more resistance to it than the average vampires which kept them away from harm. Now with the age of vampires who had begun to live among the humans, it was necessary to blend in, to learn what the humans knew and did.

Some of the local people of the town were present in the church, some who were sitting, some talking to the two priests and taking in their blessings. Once Mrs Carmichael and the children finished praying, she went to take the priests blessings who were white witches in disguise.

”Father Connor. Sister Isabelle,” Mrs Carmichael bowed her head.

”Good afternoon, Mrs Carmichael. How have you been doing?” Sister Isabelle greeted her, her bright green eyes smiling at the woman and children.

”Very well, sister.”

”Did you go to see the lord?” Father Connor asked. He was in his teenage years while Sister Isabelle was past thirty.

”We did. We were on our way back home and thought to drop by. I believe we all need to make time for God as he watches us.”

”That hasn’t been any truer. We are all children of a higher source. Let me see,” Sister Isabelle raised her hands so that Mrs Carmichael could place her hands which she did, ”Hmm...Seems like what you said is true. You have been doing well. Your health is fine too. May God bless you,” she smiled, releasing the hand and giving her hand to Leonard who seemed a little adamant in keeping his hands away from her, ”Still stubborn I see.”

”Leo!” his mother called him, nudging him by her hand, ”I am sorry, Sister.”

”Oh, that’s alright. He is an adolescent, transitioning from a child to an adult,” the priestess placed her hand on the boy’s shoulder. Seeing Mrs Carmichael give her an anxious look as she waited for her to speak, she said, ”Don’t worry. He’s doing fine,” noticing the girl she asked, ”Who is this shy thing behind you?”

”She’s part of the workers. My housekeeper brought her telling the girl needed shelter,” Mrs Carmichael said, guiding the little girl in the front so that both the priest and priestess could look at her.

”How kind of you,” murmured Sister Isabelle, ”With the amount of distrust humouring the lands, it is hard to find anyone to believe and take trust on. Life in the church has been the same for people come here to get aid but sometimes one can do only so much and let the rest take its turn,” shifting her hand, she placed it on the girl for some time and then brought it to her side, ”May God bless you, children.”

”God bless you,” Father Connor smiled and the Carmichael’s left the church in their carriage which was put beside the church.

”What is the matter, Sister Isabelle?” asked Father Connor, seeing the grave expression Sister Isabelle held right now, ”Is the boy having a problem with his anger again?” Mrs Carmichael had brought her son more than twice to the church to consult on the boy’s behaviour. He was too young to pick emotions as such therefore it was no secret between the priest and priestess of this particular church.

”It isn’t the boy. The girl. She has changed.”

”What do you mean?” he looked confused at her.

”A vampire has turned to a human,” replied Sister Isabelle with her light amount of brows creasing, ”I don’t think we have ever come across such case before.”

”Maybe it’s a one in a billion outcome. I don’t think we have to be worried about such meagre things. If a human turned to a vampire without being bit for transformation, that would be our work,” he stated, ”But how would it work for her? With what I have known vampires and human age differently. And doesn’t each vampire have a different time to grow and stop?” Connor still had a long time in learning the life he had taken up and to catch up to Sister Isabelle’s wisdom which would take years.

”They do. Even if all vampires stop ageing when they touch eight, they spend a minimum of six to seven years before they start growing. Though like you said the children age differently until they are eight, most of them grow suddenly, slowly, in gaps. They take time to develop different abilities.”

”The girl...” Sister Isabelle breathed out of pity, ”She is six. I think she lost close to four years of her vampire time and has been suddenly forced to adopt the human time which she might take some time to adjust,” she smiled at a family who had come to pray

”Do you think she will regain her basic nature?” Connor asked curiously.

”That’s hard to say. Anyways you are right. It isn’t our work where we need to worry.”