--- Leah ---

"Did you forget about me?"

Leah jumped out of the water upon hearing Frances' voice.

She expected something akin to fury from her, but on her face was an expression unlike anything she'd seen on her before.

Frances seemed happy......?

She seemed to be glowing with pride as she smiled at them, and although Lean may have been biased, it seemed like she was smiling mostly at her.

"I am proud of all of you. Truly. You may have only been here for a day, but I didn't really want to see you all die, so I am glad that you all figured it out." she said.

"There will be a special revel in the evening today, and as our guests you are all invited to it."

"We also have a special guest," and as Alice stepped front from behind Frances, she continued. "Please welcome Alice Rohana as our newest guest. There was a void after Loretta's departure and I'm sure Alice will be capable of filling it."

"I will leave you to rest and catch up. We'll done, and be nice to each other."

Frances spoke like a mother instructing her children, and said that last part with a pointed glance towards Leah and Nicholas.

After she left, a few butlers came in with towels and a bottle of champagne, but all the adrenaline that had made them all jump into the fountain fully clothed had faded away, leaving them cold and tired.

Leah hadn't realized how stressed she had been to find the anitidote. Her muscles were stiff and she was looking forward to a long hot shower back in her room.

Toweling her wet blonde hair, she moved towards the Manor, only to be blocked by the one and only, Alice.

"We need to talk Leah."

Feeling fury build up in her, she said,"You're damn right, we need to talk. But not now. I have neither the patience nor desire to endure another meaningless conversation with you Alice.",side stepping her and walking into the Manor.

She was on her way to the stairwell when she froze in her tracks to a voice in her ear.

Alice had followed her, and now whispered in her ear, in her too-sweet voice, "Well then, I could always just talk to Nicholas. Altough I'm not sure how he'd like that."

Turning around slowly, Leah plastered on a fake smile and said, "Fine then, meet me in the backyard in 30 minutes. We have a score to settle."

With that she walked away, sighing.

This was going to be a long day.