Lady Aurora shook her head. Disappointment smeared all over her face. She said, “You are not my daughter. If you were, you wouldn’t do this to us.”
While words continued to be exchanged in front of the chapel, five more carriages arrived near the chapel and came to a halt.
The carriages belonged to the three debt collectors, and two belonged to the Council. The two councilmen stepped out and made their way towards where everyone stood. Marquee Hooke was glad to see the men and the guards who had arrived with them in their uniform.
Marquee Hooke exclaimed, “It is good to see that you take your work seriously, Head Council!” Because he believed that the council members were here to drag Vincent for breaking the deal. He pointed his fingers at Vincent and said, “Take this man right away and throw him in the dungeon.”
Lady Aurora couldn’t see her daughter’s face anymore, and before looking at the councilmen, she said to Eve and Vincent, “Looks like it is time to pay for breaking your deal with us.”
The council members who had arrived offered a deep bow to the people around, especially to Clayton. One of the councilmen informed, “You are under arrest, Walter Hooke and Aurora Hooke.”
“What?!” Lady Aurora snapped her head with a confused look. “What have we done? You should be arresting this man here.”
The councilmen said, “This is in regards to your involvement in killing Lady Camille.”
“What the…” Marquee Hooke’s mouth was left open, and said, “I thought we were very clear that we were nowhere near in Skellington or these lands. We were in the North when that happened, and why would I ever murder my sister?”
“For money,” said the other councilman. “We have got reports about your debts that has been piling, and you have been unable to pay back. You killed a man named Brander Asmodeus. You must know him, he was one of the men who lent you money and when the pressure became too much, you got him killed. He was one of the beneficiary of Lord Kristopher.”
Lady Aurora’s face paled on hearing the councilman publicly spill out their family problem. She nervously laughed and said, “We never killed Brander. This is a false accusation.”
The three debt collectors, Mr. Etsbury, Mr. Mayen and Mr. Hotham, held grave looks on their faces. Mr. Etsbury said, “I once was attacked. Was it you, who sent the men to kill me?”
“It could be. They killed one man, and we would be the next,” Mr. Hotham responded with a grim look.
“Someone is trying to frame us! We didn’t kill anyone and we are innocent,” Lady Aurora cried, the colour on her face had disappeared.
“My wife is speaking the truth. We come from a respectable family, we would never do anything as much!” Marquee Hooke exclaimed.
“I thought the Hookes came from a wealthy family,” one female guest remarked. “Looks like not everything that glitters is gold.”
“Do you think they killed Lady Camille for her money?” Asked one of the male guests. “Poor woman, let her soul rest in peace.”
“Cannot believe that the Hookes were trying to get their daughter married into the Moriarty family. It makes sense as they are a wealthy and powerful family,” said another guest, with a lot of murmur going around.
Lady Aurora and Marquee Hooke’s faces had turned red in embarrassment.
Rosetta watched her parents with a worried look. No matter how harsh or selfish they were, they were still her parents, and she didn’t like them being handled like this with no respect.
“You will be given the chance to clear the misunderstanding, but right now, we are on orders to take you to the Council dungeon,” the councilman replied, and he turned to look at the guards who had come along with them.
“NO! We are going nowhere! This is absolutely absurd!” Lady Aurora shouted, where she had lost her temper and patience. “I demand you show me the proof.”
“Guards,” the councilman raised his hand and directed his finger towards the Hooke.
“Don’t touch me, I am a Marquee!” Marquee Hooke swatted the guard’s hand, and it took a good few seconds before the guards dragged them inside the Council’s carriage.
Eve watched the carriage leave with the councilmen, the debt collectors and Marquee and Marchioness Hooke. Lady Aurora and her husband had caused problems, but they were Rosetta’s parents. She noticed how the young vampiress looked as if she wanted to cry. She turned to Vincent and asked, “What will happen to them?”
“Though many die in mysterious way, people in the high society don’t get caught. But because the man was dear to one of the Lords, they will be kept in the dungeon for some time and be questioned,” Vincent explained it to her.
“They won’t be killed?” Eve asked, holding her breath and saw one corner of Vincent’s lips pull.
“No, my lovely bride,” Vincent answered, and he leaned forward, kissing her temple. He then pulled away and said to Rosetta, who stood nearby, “Relax, Mrs. Weaver. They will come out alive, maybe even more accepting about your marriage too.”
Rosetta nodded before being led away from the spotlight by Eugene. Eve let out a sigh of relief. Everything had gone according to their plan. Her friend had found her happiness, the Marquee and the Marchioness wouldn’t bother them anymore, and they were free from them for good. And everyone was alive and happy. At least for now, Eve thought in her mind.
But more importantly to Eve, she had married the man who loved her boundlessly.
Vincent said loudly for everyone in front of the chapel to hear, “We apologise for the little pause, but we would now like you to join us at the Moriarty mansion.”
The guests nodded and made their way towards their carriage, as did the bride and the groom’s family. When Eve and Vincent started to walk, their hands found each other, and their fingers entwined, promising to be there for each other and love beyond life.
