“No, she-,” Magdalene began defending.
“She saved you, yes. But she also kidnapped you. That happened four years ago during the fall, right?” Bea dismissed quickly.
“Well yes but-,” Magdalene began, but Bea dismissed her defence then turned to me.
“Why were you having a bad day on that ‘fateful day’,” Bea asked dramatically, completely disregarding Magdalene’s feelings.
-Shit, she really expected me to come up with something on the spot?-
“That, Vivanna.” Bea pointed at Magdalene. “That is how you throw a mana-filled attack.” The tensions in the room subsided after Bea brushed the slap off. It was as though she did not take anything personally, a quality that I now admired, but I found myself too drained to proceed with the conversation.I turned to Magdalene, and a tinge of guilt filled my gut. I didn’t want to use such a naïve person, especially in a deal that pertained to a person that hated me, and whose actions could not be predicted.“Magdalene,” I said quietly. “Are you truly okay with this? Are you truly okay with endangering yourself becau
The Evening Of The Ball.“There!” Mary said, fitting the last golden pearl on my updo. She had secured my long black hair in a loose simplistic design that was held firmly by a golden pin attached to some golden pearls scattered beautifully on the lush mass. She had allowed some loose tendrils to tumble around my face, framing Vivanna’s heart-shaped masterpiece. I found it hard to identify with Vivanna’s face because she was extraordinarily and unrealistically beautiful. So much so, that I was beginning to understand how Narcissus fell in love with his reflection.Mary had been my biggest help in getting ready, from tailoring
“Aren’t you worried about his silence?” Vincent asked. He had finally finished hiding away daggers in his uniform, so he now gave me his full attention, only I did not want it. I wanted to stare at the beautiful scenery as it passed me by instead. Nonetheless, I turned to meet his gaze.“His silence?” I frowned questioningly.-Was I to assume that there was someone we gossiped about together randomly?-“Your fiancé? Kassian?” he clarified, and I sighed then nodded.
The carriage made its way to a sharp ascent. It paused a little as we bypassed the gate traffic where they confirmed my identity before granting us passage. From the gate to the beautifully illuminated castle, the road had been made by red bricks.Our carriage slowed down to follow the drop off traffic, and Vincent cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence that had filled the carriage since the ‘bridge’ incident.“We’ll be passing by the town during the return trip, any objections?” I asked as I prepared myself to leave the carriage.“None, my lady.”
“My girls and I have heard so much about your cousins from the capital. I hear that they are all quite dashing and that one of them is even searching for a bride?” She continued. “I heard that they will be present during the official ball in the spring.”-Gods, they knew more about Vivanna’s family than I did. -“I see,” I said then sighed.Despite all the visible social cues of disinterest that I showed the woman, she continued talking. Her daughters fidgeted awkwardly, and I cleared my throat.“What do you think, Sharon?” I asked
The Marquis left, and the beautiful red-haired woman on the other side of the door did not cease beckoning me.“Marquess, Elizabeth,” I announced her title stiffly, then continued. “I’d rather not enter.”“Marquess? Me? Oh honey, what did I do wrong? You call me Liza! Please, call me Liza?” the older woman pouted. “Or did I actually offend you in some way?”She did not look that much older than Vivanna, perhaps, only by a few years. Liza looked as though she was in her early or mid-thirties, but with vampires who could tell. More importantly, Vivanna had friends?The Marquess pulled the heavy looking double doors inside the room. This act revealed the fullness of her beautiful gown. She had on a strapless red gown. The bodice was embroidered in gold while the skirt was bouffant, layered in multiple lace fabric. Both the matching set glittered, but it was more that the accessories reacted with the light
“A mascarade ball?” I repeated puzzled.-Am I creating a new chain event or was Vivanna just never verbally invited to parties?-“Yes! It will be so fun!! Adults only and we will all be in disguises so…scandal!” she gushed.“Ahem,” Charlette cleared her throat loudly, and I chuckled.The Marquess was, well fun. Which I had to say was unexpected.“What? I can’t exactly throw a tea party, now can I?” The Marquess defended then tapped at her fangs.“People also thought that you shouldn't dye your hair, but you sure showed them,” Charlette added sarcastically.“Hey! I’ll have you know, white hair only spells potential, and it dyes so ‘fucking’ good.” She mouthed the curse word at me but enunciated everything else.“Whatever, Updo or…?” Charlette turned to her mother.“Hmm, I like your neck. It
The Marquess fell silent then gazed at my frame, then to the ground.-Why was it so important for Vivanna to ‘get over things??’ why couldn’t we just ignore things until they went away? I am not Vivanna, so I don’t have to deal with her memories. I am already stuck with her life! I clearly need to draw a line somewhere!-“I’m sorry, I just…” The Marquess began breaking the silence.“Can’t you just assume that I've let things go? I don’t want to go there. Ever!” I said, in a harsher tone than I had anticipated.“I know, I'm sorry.” She placed her hand on mine. “But I just want you to know that if you do want to go ‘there’, I’ll be right here.”-She…she isn’t listening to me.--Well, whatever. We probably won't meet again.-“How long till the hypnotism wears off?” I asked Charlette, who was fa