It was a luminous, pleasant afternoon when a knock chimed on the door. Laura stood up to get it but the guard opened it for her. When the door unfolded, she was astonished to see a youthful man. A darting young man with golden eyes.
Those lustrous eyes...
She thought.
"A remarkable morning, my lady" his genuine voice made her heart pound fast. It's baritone, a fascinating toned one.
He somehow looks like the boy I saw at the staircase when I was young...
"Good morning" Laura greeted back. "Good morning, Count Germaine"
"Just Germaine" He grinned. Laura nodded, permitting him in.
Lady Elene and Lord Clack went out for a parliament committee, making Laura feel relaxed because she doesn't have to think of them bothering her from time to time.
"Have a seat"
Laura invited the dashing young man to sit, she couldn't commandeer her eyes off him. The other day, his eyes were blue... How come is it golden amber now?
"Been staring at my face, did father time bestow you a few minutes to get by heart my graceful feature?" Germaine poked fun. A small smirk transpired on the corner of his lips.
Laura zoned out. She promptly staved off her gaze at him. Her cheeks burned pink, she unwrapped her hand fan and encompassed half of her face. "I apologize, G-Germaine"
Germaine found it elegant, and he chortles. "I would like to ask forgiveness for what happened the last time we convened at the edge of the thread, I didn't mean to flee in a hurry"
"It's okay, I understand. Besides, it's a discomfiting thing to think back to. Goodness, I must be out of my mind" Laura snickered a little. She returned her look at him only to meet his glorious eyes gazing back at her.
Heart, stop deceiving me.
Never in her sensibility did her heart whack like this, it did beat but not as hastily as it is when she gazes back at him. Laura never lost a beau, the lady she's in is meritorious indeed.
"I see" Germaine snickered back.
There's something in his smile that pulls every lady to admire him. Laura gently put her hand fan below, she's acting suitably based on what she read up in high school about how a lady should conduct in Clairean Era.
She needs to be prim and proper.
"May I ask the real reason why you fled early?" Laura asked.
Germaine leaned back a little, rearing both of his eyebrows before gazing back at her. He did his best to elucidate and act properly. "I have got an upset stomach" he awkwardly smiled. Phony.
This guy, his face has the same articulation and all.
Laura's eyes scrutinized the cavalier in front of him, she observed every wile Germaine was making. "Why does it seem like you breathe naturally but have some sort of... Are you uneasy Count Germaine?"
"Me uncomfortable? No, no. Not at all. I am comfortable" Germaine gleamed.
Little did she know, the young man in front of her is not a mortal... But a vampire.
"That's nice..." Laura looked down. She has never fidgeted her fingers before nor even pursed her lips when talking to somebody.
Germaine grinned softly when he glimpsed her precious, virtuous behavior.
He gazed at her for a couple of seconds before putting forward a new topic.
He's been with a lot of women for centuries but only one captured his attention, the young man doesn't know what is it yet. His heart, his frigid... Dead soul somehow told him that he desires her. Near. To. Him.
"Are you showing up to Lady Arania's ball tonight?" Germaine implored.
Laura perked up at him, confused. Her maids did not notify her about the ball. "What ball?" She raised a question.
"Lady Arania's ball, she's hosting tonight. Conceivably your parents notified you?" Germaine leaned near, roosting his bends atop his knees. His bright eyes, fluctuated to typical blue when he watched her. Due to the dearth of notoriety, Laura did not witness his eye color upheaval.
She's too vigorous reckoning about why the lady's parents did not acquaint her with it. From what she has read, a ball in town is free for every aristocracy occupancy in it. "It comes across, they did not"
"They didn't," Laura mumbled. "Can I come?-" She excitedly gaped at him. Only that she noticed the young man's eye color deviated. His gaze was inquisitive and sweet. It's as if he does not get exhausted conversing with her.
"Of course, you can, I'll escort you throughout the night. But wait, are you good now my lady?" Germaine consulted.
My lady.
Her heart beat more rapidly than the horses trotting the ocean. Warmth rose to her rosy cheeks, tinting her cheeks like a rogue bloom. "I am well now"
"Seems like my brother, Dawn did a great job," Germaine asserted. He ran his fingers through his ash-blonde curls, tilting his head a little along with a tiny smirk on the nook of his lips.
"It's strange you're present. Better humor the body you have now. I can't fathom how you get here Laura but one thing is certain. Live your life in this century, do not ask too much or seek for too much. You'll die instantly"
Laura felt a jolt in her heart when she recalled what the fine connoisseur told her last night. How did he know? Did he somehow... Tell Germaine about me?
"Did he tell you?" Laura asked. Her unbothered eyes earlier darted at Germaine anxiously.
"Tell me? Yes," Germaine stared at her.
Laura stood up. Anida and Cleda saw the abrupt movement from the lady, they scurried next to the open porticoes of the front parlor. "So am I going to die?!"
The maids winced when she shrieked. All of them swapped glances. "Are you alright?" Germaine's eyes worriedly concentrated on her.
"I... " Laura tried to act proper. "Excuse me!" She clamped her dress, lifting it a little as she scampered off from the young gentleman.
"Wait! Lady Rose!" Germaine called out. His face was dumbfounded, and he gripped his hair. "Won't you be thrilled in me?" He chewed his lower lip, hoisting his eyebrows.
*******
I can't surmise he told him!
I thought it was deemed to be a secret!
No one should notice who the true person is behind my ancestor's mask!
The whole night persisted restlessly, I kept worrying about what Dawn confided in his brother. I hope I was misconstrued. I clutched the blanket, hauling it close to me.
"Lady Rose, the ball is to start soon. Time to get ready" I glanced at the door.
I'm asked for?
"Okay, Cleda! Give me a few minutes!" I answered back. "A few moments to congregate my shit..." I whisper-cursed.
Standing up, I met the mirror at the side of the bed. How am I able to conform when it's not the actual me? I find things apprehensive but flamboyant, at the same time... Mesmerizing... Greatly phenomenal.
*****
As the coachman drove the grandiloquent carriage that the family owns, Laura can't help but to admire the beautiful sentiment of the hamlet at night. The moonlight shone on her location. Unfortunately, inaugurating the window is not authorized. It made her feel disgruntled, she loved the nightfall waft.
"Lady Rose, a lowly maid like me should not tell you about Lady Arania of West Arden... But please be meticulous with her"
Laura's eyebrows convene in the middle of her face when Anida's voice replayed in her head.
She started to feel disturbed, a lot of thoughts showing up in her psyche. From what does the lady look like, how does she behave... How does she speak to other people... What does she have to feel threatened when Anida prompted her before departing?
Laura totters her head, clicks her tongue, and leaves the door of the carriage ajar. She stuck her foot in the middle to let the evening breeze in, it somehow sent serenity throughout her undisputed system.
Her shoulder that was getting heavy to the tip of the north meets the south slowly as she loosens up, reclining. Laura withdrew her gaze at the trees dancing as the carriage passes by.
The memory of her being saved by Germaine somehow made the rim of her lips uprise.
She placed her hand against her chest, it fluttering pleasingly as she recollect how he stared at her. Germaine was true, staring at her as a woman. "Oh dear, what's going on to me?" She solicited herself.
Her other hand clutched the hand fan, designed with ruddy feathers.
The entire ride's relaxing, the young lady cannot resist peeking outside even if it's murky. Laura couldn't help but praise how every lantern was built, giving light to the highways of Saint Claire. West Arden was not too remote from where she settled, they reached there soon since 'traffic' is not yet existing in the epoch.
"If only the modern-day road can be agreeable as it is right now..." Laura said before debarking the carriage. The coachman gawked at her, perplexed when she did not take his hand upon exiting the carriage.
Laura's jaw plummeted when she saw how luxurious the mansion is, it was heftier than her grandmother's with a lot of carvings and glimmers. "Good evening Lady Rose of Saint Claire, this way" the guard addressed her.
When she did not move, the guard ogled at Laura as if she were a novice when the truth is... The true owner's been in that place many times. "I shall befriend the youthful woman inside..." An old gentleman said, flirty and skeptical.
Little did he know, Germaine's not far from where they are. He frowned at them, prancing past many aristocrats. Some yelled "hey!" when he banged against their chests or shoulders.
Laura's trying to eliminate the traction of the old man, frightened. Germaine snatched the old man's wrist, gripping it tough. The old man named Lord Rafael screamed in pain when Germaine hauled his hand after swiveling his wrist. He cried out, succumbing to the ground as he held his cracked wrist.
"Oh my god!" The woman behind them shouted, terrified.
"Quick! Take him to the hospital!" The butler instructed his men. He looked at Germaine whose eyes were scorching in flames. He's inhaling and exhaling fast as if some kind of animal entered his territory without consent. Laura stared at Germaine's face, she couldn't surmise how his face turned from gentle-looking this daylight down to anger this present twilight.
Germaine did not let her utter a phrase, he gritted his teeth and took her inside the manor. The butler named Buckman sighed, jerking his head. He knew that no one can litigate him nor take off against the Monvere.
"You, report what you saw earlier" He pointed his gloved hand to the guard. The guard's eyes widened as he bobbed fast. Never in his life did he see someone react to a tug like that.
The people behind them earlier were frightened about what came to pass too but thought of it as a mishap because Lord Rafael was too old. After all, everything happened instantly.
Nobody saw how his wrist swiveled, the only thing they saw is the count heaving the horndog's hand away from the remarkable noblewoman of the evening.
The place got warmer as they passed into the hallway, every person they pass through could not get their stares off the lady wearing ruddy. Laura's hair was flawlessly achieved, braided on each side before forming a bun in the heart of her head. Prosperous red roses were positioned accurately as a hair decor, and the locks resting against her shoulders gave prominence to her porcelain skin.
The gown she was wearing was modest, yet elegant. Everyone's amazed to praise her, she's also wearing ruddy gloves that kept safe her hands and arms faultlessly. A beautiful woman in red. Laura's gown was invented by herself, the gown presented to her earlier is not to her zest as it is too dull and not captivating to see. She drew her gown, composed as an off-shoulder gown.
Ella's gown from Cinderella, her beloved movie along with Belle's gown in beauty and the beast were her motivation in constructing it. She snatched every eye.
"She truly is a rose..." The married man said. His wife slaps his head with a hand fan, making him flinch and shortly ask forgiveness.
She pursed her lips.
Germaine brandished her with such formality, it's precise that their outfit compliments each other. It's as if they talked it out. A tandem of apparel.
He's wearing red sleeves, a black coat, and black pants.
Some noblemen and noblewomen chatter about each other, concluding the status of the two. Germaine leaned intimate to her ear, his cold whiff brushing against her ear and neck. "Don't dwell on it, I'm right next to you. I'll never let any men touch you"
Laura fluttered.
Her heart beat more exceedingly than before. Laura's heart thumped within the seconds of him talking an inch away from her ear, causing her to shut her sight and feel his breath caressing against her skin.
Germaine smirked when he sensed Laura's feelings, he took the advantage to take her hand and place it on his forearm. Now, they look like an actual couple walking down the hall.
"I thought Lady Rose is engaged to Germaine's brother, why is she with the count and not the imperial doctor?" The woman in blue whispered to the woman wearing purple after her.
"Maybe it's because the count caught the godsend child's heart? All of the brothers are stunning, I wouldn't mind changing partners" she responded behind her large hand fan. Giggling, the woman wearing blue agreed and said, "me too"
The doors opened, revealing a busy crowd. The music played loudly inside the ballroom, Laura saw a few people dancing in circles in the middle below the big chandelier. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Germaine asked.
"Yes... It is... Beautiful" Laura said softly. I didn't know the old tradition looked like this in real life, this kind of scene can only be seen in the national museum nowadays.
"Would you like to dance later?" Germaine asked.
"Sure—"
"Brother!" The dashing, youthful Kane greeted them. Laura looked at the dashing young man, he is indeed handsome. "Why you brought someone with you, Lady Rose of Saint Claire. It's a pleasure to meet you tonight" his bubbly attitude eased Laura's nervousness.
She doesn't like being with a lot of strangers or in crowded places. Laura preferred to sit in her workplace, reading or writing a new plot chapter. Draw, and plan her new novels.
This night is somewhat lighter. Laura noticed herself holding on to Germaine's arm, she can feel his muscles under the clothing. Quickly, she removed her grip on him. Kane chuckles, scratching the back of his neck before bowing.
"General Kane of South Louviere, I am Prince Keifer's military guard too. I lead and protect his army and this country too. Would you care for a dance? I'll be willing to—" his charcoal eyes glared at Germaine when he put his index finger against Kane's lips, shutting his mouth. Kane's expression changed, he continued talking but only muffled sounds can only be heard.
Laura laughed at the lad. She put her hand against her mouth, controlling her laughter. "Hey, Count Germaine... That's too rude!" She said with a smile.
Kane nodded, pouting after Germaine reclined his forefinger. "Ah, ah. This woman is my dance for tonight. I forbid myself to entertain other young ladies in this ballroom"
"What a miracle! What might have happened to thy rake!" Kane laughed hard. His features match his matte black, her maids were right. He is indeed young.
"Why are you laughing?" Germaine rose an eyebrow.
"Because never have I heard you say you will only dance with another woman..." Kane kept laughing. He looked into his brother's eyes and communicated.
"And take them home with you after a tiring ball, turning your night lustful for full enjoyment"
Kane laughed harder. "Pardon me for this behavior my lady but I need to borrow your hand fan" Germaine grabbed Laura's hand fan and whacked Kane's perfectly fixed hair playfully. Both of them laughed.
"Anida's right, you surely have a dimple" Laura giggled. Kane looked at Laura when she said her maid's name.
"I know her, I once saved her from the soldiers capturing a criminal. That one... Good morning" Kane said softly. "Oh well, I'll leave you two lovebirds here" He put a hand on Germaine's shoulder. "Make sure Lilac doesn't catch you flirting with his fiancé!"
Removing his hand from Germaine's shoulder, he winked at Laura before leaving. He dusted his shoulder and handed the fan to Laura. "I'm sorry about that my lady, Kane is indeed playful. Forgive me for his childish behavior"
"Oh I don't forgive easily" Laura joked.
"Don't you now?" Germaine smirked.
"Yes, now treat me with a dance. I want to experience the ball. There are so many people here that I can't enjoy the music. Their chatters are louder than the musicians" Laura smiled. Germaine bowed, lending his hand.
Laura gladly took his hand, and Germaine happily pulled her in for a dance. Never in her life did she smile a lot, and laugh a lot around many people. After her family's heartbreak, her heart became dull. Boring. The only thing keeping her alive is her novels.
The gentleman excellently dances with Laura, she's amazed at how swiftly he moves on the dancefloor. Such formality is a bonus for those who have high taste in men. This kind of moment was only seen in romantic novels. It didn't convince her, that she does not believe in fairytales.
Every nobility, high status watched them in awe as they danced the night. Some named them the moonlight couple because of how beautiful their attire is. "Vampires are scary but I love their bloody outfits" the man next to the pillar clapped.
The musicians watched them dance, changing the melody into a more romantic tone. It set the mood for everyone. A mixed reaction circled the air. Amazement versus disgust. Delighted versus envy.
Many women adore Count Germaine, many women prepared themselves for him but it turned out that the young man has set his eyes on one woman. The gem of his heart, Laura Wilbur.
"Are you enjoying it?" Germaine whispered against her neck. He held her hand tighter, intertwining his fingers that locked on hers perfectly as if they were made for each other.
Laura's bitter love, and many questions formed in her mind as they danced. "I am" her mouth's not supposed to say it.
She couldn't place herself, she was comfortable with his presence. Laura couldn't understand why his addicting, pleasant smell tickles her sleeping heart and woke it on a beautiful Friday evening.
"Then enjoy—" the music stopped when the woman in black walked into the middle.
Everyone bowed when they saw her. "Princess of West Arden, Lady Arania" Germaine bowed.
Laura's dumbfounded, she doesn't know what to do. Her bowed delayed. 'She's mean looking' Laura thought. Her heart clenched, it told her that she doesn't want her there.
"A pleasant evening to the count" Arania smiled, fake. She gestured her hand for the musicians to continue playing. Playing a fake friendly gesture for every nobility to adore her.
It goes as Arania think, people started dancing again. Her mean deep brown eyes eyed Laura from head to toe. Germaine noticed it. Arania started walking towards the count, snatching his hand from hers.
Laura's heart clenched. Arania leaned her cheek against Germaine's arm, causing the powder to stick against his black sleeve. Noticeable.
"And why are you here?" Arania asked. It sounded polite but rude at the same time. Her fake smile's still plastered on her lips.
"Because I invited her," Germaine said. He removed Arania's touch, distancing himself in a gentleman's way not to disrespect the Concubine Tayrene's daughter.
Laura looked down. Her maids didn't tell her that this woman in front of her did not invite her. Germaine was about to hold Laura's hand when Dawn walked in. Arania courtesy for Dawn and he bowed.
"I shall take my fiancé with me" He's in his usual purple and white attire. The colors were fighting. Arania glanced at Germaine who has an annoying face, she can't place if he was annoyed or jealous.
Laura looked at Dawn. "Let's go home, tonight's breeze is not good for your frail heart. Excuse us" He bowed before taking Laura out of the place.
"Let me go!" Laura tried to loosen Dawn's grip as they walk through the empty garden.
"Stop struggling," Dawn said. His voice was dull. It doesn't show any emotions.
Laura groaned, trying to remove his strong grip. Dawn removed his grip, his emotions rose even though a vampire can't have one. "YOU'RE A DANGER! I TOLD YOU NOT TO SEEK FOR SOMETHING! NOR EXPECT! JUST ACT! ACT LIKE YOU NEED TO BE! LIKE YOU BELONG!"
His voice. Did he just yell at her?
Laura hiccuped when Dawn yelled. She blinked a few times before tears starts to bridge on the socket of her eyes. "I... " Dawn realized what he did.
Laura stepped back, ready to run. "No, don't run. Please. I apologize" Dawn said. He grabbed her hand, his eyes talking to her.
"You just yelled at me when I'm having fun in there, telling me I'm a danger! Did anyone want to be in this fucking era?! I don't!" Laura shouted.
Dawn looked down, he was not good at conveying his feelings. He liked her for a very long time, the reason he knew about her is because of his ability as a vampire. To foresee the future and travel in time.
Laura started sobbing. "Who said I want to be in my ancestor's body? I'm having a hard time adopting, I'm the one who feels like I'm in danger. Yet, I'm the threat!" She yelled back.
Laura yanked Dawn's grip, before turning her heels and running away from him. She ran and ran while crying before she realized she was lost.
Germaine heard cries, he does what he told Kane earlier. He did not dance with Princess Arania, he exited the ballroom and ran out in a blink. He flew up, making sure not to be seen by any humans. He saw a woman in a red off-shoulder gown, running in a maze.
Landing there fast, he grabbed her arm gently. "Let me go, Dawn!" He pulled her in for a hug, shushing her.
"It's okay, it's okay. It's me. Germaine, you're safe... You're safe" He hugged her tight. Laura sobbed, hitting his chest.
"I did not want this!" She yelled.
Germaine remained quiet. Embracing her tightly, comforting her. Dawn stood not far away from where they were, his eyes were agitated.
He glared at the doctor. 'Had I known, I should have never let you be arranged with her' Germaine talked to him through his mind. Dawn looked down, disappearing in thin air.
"Hey, let the pain be forgotten. Would you care for a dance? The ballroom's stinky anyway" Germaine chuckled, as he faced Laura.
Laura sniffled, and he lent his handkerchief for her to use it. When Laura looked at it, it has the same words embroidered on it. The same letters she saw on her grandmother's front porch the afternoon she passed away. Laura couldn't remember where she saw it but one thing is certain, she has seen one.
Germaine cupped her cheeks, wiping her tears away using his thumbs. Laura felt his cold hands against her cheeks, making her stare at the young man for a few seconds. "Your eyes... It's blue again"
"Ah, don't mind them. I inherited it from my parents, come. Let's dance under the moonlight"