LIES OR TRUTHS?

CHAPTER THREE

“Life is a barter of choice and consequences”

SAMANTHA SOTTO

THE DUKE

I do not know what has brought me to the abode of an enemy except that I wanted to see his daughter again, the one they called Guinevere and so I had drafted up a contract before coming in hopes that he was going to see from my angle and give me her hand in marriage. It wasn't that I could not just take her but I was trying to be civil. She looked and smelled as beautiful and tempting as she had when I had first seen her years ago, she was surprised to see me alright which gave me a very warm feeling… it was strange that I was satisfied at her surprise. Contrary to the belief about Vampires we are not all cold blooded and heartless but I am among the cold blooded ones. I have lived for centuries and have seen people and loved ones come and go, mostly I have travelled from one place to another anytime my presence starts to arouse suspicions from the local authorities and this not because I cannot bend the rules but because I did not want to.

Guinevere ran up to call her papa who instructed her to escort me to his study where he ushered me into a seat although from the look on his face he would have preferred I was standing or somewhere far from his manor.

"You wanted to see me?" He asked after sending Guinevere away.

"I do not want to bore you with talks that have no relation to why I am here today, I have come to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage."

"I refuse"

"Well I have heard you are in severe debt. You are owing the cosa nostra a very huge sum of money and have even made plans to marry your daughters off to them. Does your wife know about your debts." I asked politely

"How dare you come here and think you can meddle in my family's business." He raged

"I am only here to warn you Oliver, your deal with the cosa nostra will fall through. From what information I have been able to gather, they will arrive at your house in two days and murder including your wife and children. Your line will end except you let me help you”

"How did you come about this information?" he asked, still trying to sound tough but I could already smell his fear.

"They asked for my help in executing their plans." I said simply

He looked at me like I had grown another head definitely unable to believe his ears

"And you refused to help them because let me guess you want my daughter, Guinevere for yourself."

"I will help you on that day if you sign this contract and promise that your daughter will be mine after that."

"I will sign it on one condition."

"Let's hear it." I smiled. Humans had this funny way of always thinking they were in charge and it was irking. He knew I could snap his head within the twinkling of an eye but he still was insistent on acting tough.

"You are not to harm a hair on her head, I know you are a vampire. You drink blood and although I hate the very sight of you, you are the lesser evil. I will sign the contract." He announced

"Good, I will leave it with you and arrive in two days." I said and got up to leave.

"Please send Guinevere in” He said as soon as I got to the door

I nodded at him and opened the door to catch Guinevere standing there, pretending to clean the statue beside it.

"You did not need to eavesdrop." I told her smiling at the way she blushed to the roots of her hair, her scent had grown stronger and it took all of my willpower to stop myself from reaching for her and sinking my fangs in her throat, she would be mine soon to do as I please.

"I wasn't eavesdropping, besides I could hardly hear what was being said."

"You can go in." I told her

Her eyes held an innocence I could only hope to have, even if her papa had not accepted my proposal, I still would not have allowed anyone harm a hair on her head. That was how much I craved and wanted to possess her, it was like an obsession.

I left their house fiddling the ring that protected me from the sun, it was forged long ago when this society still hosted witches from far and wide and when I was but a budding vampire but that was a long time ago

GUINEVERE

I watched him leave sighing, he was so beautiful and magnificent, he even literally glittered in the sun. There was something about him I could not place my finger on and that was what made him even more attractive. He had caught me trying to listen in on his conversation with my papa and I had felt so embarrassed.

My papa's shoulders were down when I went into his study and I wondered at what the duke had come to tell him

"Sit down Guinevere." He said

I sat and waited for him to continue, there was something off about him and it was making me nervous

"You will be twenty years and three by the next calendar and I know I have not really being fair in addressing matters that concern you." My papa began

"The duke wants your hand in marriage and I have agreed." He dropped the bombshell

The ringing in my ears refused to stop even when I shook my head to clear it

"I don't understand what you mean, papa" I gasped with the dream I had had flooding my head. I had dreamt that we got married and it was happening. I held myself from jumping up or pounding my fist on the table as I observed my papa solemnly, he did not seem happy about the news and I wondered why

"I am owing a debt to the cosa nostra and they have plans to slaughter us. The duke has decided to help us only on the condition that I let him marry you."

"I understand father, when shall this wedding take place?" I asked calmly although my heart was leaping and singing in my chest

"In two days we shall decide after I must have told your mama, I am so sorry for roping you into this." He said and he looked truly sorry

"There is nothing to be sorry about papa, I would do anything for this family." I told him. He must have noticed the joy on my face because he shook his head in pity

"You do not understand Guinevere, he is only marrying you to kill you."

"Marrying me to kill me?" I echoed, clearly confused

"The duke is a vampire, drinker of blood."

That is impossible, I refuse to believe you." I gasped holding my head to ward off the evil my father had just uttered.

"I would never lie to you my daughter, I just hope I haven't pushed you to your death." My papa said shaking his head also