Jalla reamed Moira the moment she stepped foot into the keep, as if being indoors would help the whispered yelling of the irresponsibility and childishness.
"I cant believe you." she kept saying as Moira rolled her eyes. She was not sorry for relieving herself with a morning bowl of soup, but the look on Jalla's face made her feel a little apologetic.
"Moira, do you know how much trouble I would have gotten in if someone asked me where you were and I didn't have an answer?"
Moira shook her head, "Vyvian was with me. She is, after all, my handmaiden too. Besides, I wasn't able to leave without her, so there."
"You know, you're so careless sometimes." Jalla exclaimed, looking irate.
Moira smiled, papping Jalla's shoulder. "And you, even though you try to be careless, are a nervous wreck." They both laughed, a bell in the distance can be heard ringing a melodic tune, marking the sun at its highest point. "Calm yourself. Vyvian was with me. There is nothing to fear."
Jalla and Vyvian led Moira to her charm and etiquette lessons, shes been taking them since she was made Heir of the Domes, she was suddenly handed this title and all the pressure with it. Today's lesson was positive body language and Odiovitian table manners, which were terribly complicated for a kingdom of vampires. There were three different spoons and forks, with five different knives and about fifty types of glasses and plates and bowls. Then after were the music and dance lessons, though Moira found the music lessons pointless as she was taught the harp and the lyre. Madam Horos, Master of the Orchestra, always berated Moira's skills, and even though she begged to get out of classes, King Rejan never allowed her to drop the lessons.
By the time Moira was done with her basic lessons, it was hours past lunch, nearly dinner. She knew she had enough time to have a pot of tea and a scone or two in her chambers before heading to the throne room. Sitting on her velvet poufs, Moira and Jalla slurped down their tea and nut and oat scones with haste, she did not want to eat too much food while in the Representatives presence. Jalla sat next to her and Vyvian across from them, Vyvian also drank the tea, which made Jalla very skeptical and started asking questions.
Moira didn't listen to them as she wrote into her journal, until Jalla blurted out a very unhinged question. "So, Vyvian, I thought Vampires only drank blood?"
Vyvian didn't look phased, but Moira nearly dropped her booklet. "Jalla! Rude!"
Shaking her head politely, placing the tea cup on the saucer without a sound, Vyvian answered calmly. "You wish to know my diet, Jalla?"
Both Moira and Jalla nodded their heads in agreement, they were taught very little of the vampire race here in the domes. Elves, Werewolves, Serpants, Fairies, Dragons, Unhumans, Dwarves, and all in between and worse, were more well known than vampires. They are such a secretive race that many believe, on other continents, that vampires have gone completely extinct, this was not the case.
Vyvian cleared her voice and spoke carefully. "Well, yes. I do consume the blood of some races and animals, but I do not eat normally like you do, like a human would. Blood carries oxygen throughout the body, we, who are borne from humans, need that oxygen to live since we are technically dead; when vampires are young, they need fresh blood constantly, thus a vampire child is only born once every few decades, to ensure the supply of blood unhindered by its feeding habits. Thankfully, King Rejan has generously provided The Queen Mother and the rest of the caravan with enough blood to make it back to Odiovitae."
"Animal blood, right?" Jalla questioned, eyeing Vyvian uncertainly as she sipped her tea.
"Yes, of course, animal blood." Vyvian answered plainly, staring back with dark red eyes. "Though, I can drink tea and water, and can consume some foods, preferably fresh fruits and vegetables, I prefer not to eat anything, the feeling of it digesting... I cannot stomach it, and I will have to expel it."
Jalla was listening so intently, she didn't even blink. Moira chuckled lightly, "So, do you enjoy tea?"
"I do, indeed. Odiovitae is actually most of the North's import and export: your fabrics, your baskets, your meats, teas, fruits, your weapons and technology, all stem from Odiovitae." Vyvian explained. "Though, The Dome is the largest clay and iron deposit in the world, the clay surrounding the domes is mined away and sent too countries around the world, making the strongest cities and houses, and your iron is sold to many kingdoms to make armor and swords, and everything metal really. Your marriage with King Soren's son makes a trading alliance between Odiovitae and The Domes."
Moira muddled over Vyvians words, being traded in for silks and cattle made her feel sick. Taking another bite of a scone, she swallows hard, making her cough. Jalla continued, "You call him "King Soren's son', but not the prince?"
"No, he is the first born son of the king, but he was deemed unworthy of the throne by the people of Odiovitae. They found it unacceptable to have a bastard as the heir. That right was passed to his second and third born, Prince Oris and Princess Melony."
"The Kings first born son is a bastard?" Jalla asked, visibly unconvinced of Vyvian's explanation.
"Yes, known as the Bastard Prince. You'll find out very soon the full story, I have been instructed not to explain the lineage and bloodlines too much, when you start your lessons in Odiovitae you will understand. But for now..."
A loud knock echoed through the room, Greyse comes in, without Tsina, starting to clean up after them, the usual guard comes in announcing its time for dinner with Queen Mother Olvina.