Arabella
There wasn't much time to prepare anything as once Lord Luca left, and my household staff began making arrangements for his quarters, Tristan arrived to inform me that Lord Luca had in fact already left his manor and would be arriving soon.
"When did you speak with him?"
My younger brother had joined me as I inspected the quarters my guest would be staying in. Tristan had missed the council meeting I'd held shortly after Lord Luca informed me he would be staying with us for however long. I wasn't too sure on all the details as we'd yet to discuss everything fully.
"You missed the meeting."
I scolded him while he watched me move some vases with dead flowers in and hand them over to a maid. Tristan huffed on the ready-made bed and pulled a pillow over to his chest, seeming to hug it. A soft touch inside a hard shell is what mother would always say when describing Tristan. Although my younger brother, he often acted like the protective big brother.
"The maids just made that bed; I suggest you get off before Diana sees you."
"And what can a maid do to the crown prince?" He winked and I hoped he was joking.
"You know fully well what Diana will do and what she's allowed to do. She takes great pride in keeping our home spic and span and I won't have you ruining that. Now get up and escort me to dinner."
Almost as if an elastic band snapped in his mind, he stood up instantly, placing the pillow back to where it was and then extended his arm for me to take.
"I will always escort you sister dear."
"Until my husband takes your place." I joked and we headed down the corridors towards the dining hall closely followed by my shadow guards.
"I have sworn the council to the secretary with this deal and all that it entails. I do not wish our neighbours to find out that the Empress has married when there are many suitors still hoping for my hand."
"Do you think that's wise? The people have always loved your honesty."
"It's for the people, we must keep it a secret. Emperor Stefon is the one I am most concerned with; he is too keen on war and would use this as an excuse."
"You have never been promised to him."
Stopping just shy of the second staircase, he turned to face me and looked at me closely, as if I knew something he did not. And to put it plainly, I did know a lot more than him. As Empress I knew of all the plans mother had left for me before she died, including the one she wished to give me to Emperor Stefon.
Joining our two empires would create a power this world had never seen before. But after meeting with him at my coronation and his intent to flirt, touch and get close to me, I wanted nothing to do with him.
"Mother wished for me to marry him before she died. I know we are a powerful Empire and could keep him at bay, but I do not wish for harm to come to my people due to my mistakes and deals. They come first, above the crown."
Tristan stared at me for a second or two gobsmacked as he tried to make sense of my words. Mother would often plan years ahead before her time, to prepare for the notion of anything, but what she didn't plan was my so-called marriage to a vampire.
Lord Luca's name appeared in textbooks I'd been finding in the archives since the day I woke up healed. A deal was struck many, many years ago and although the deal was never written down, it seemed Lord Luca enjoyed holding my family hostage to their agreements.
"Whatever happens Arabella, you will have my sword and the white coats at your side, we will protect you and our people."
Tristin placed a closed fist over his heart and bowed. The crowned prince was the leader and head of our armies, and he'd always kept us safe. I knew we would be okay whatever happened.
"I know that brother, thank you." Placing my hand on his chin to raise him up, I kissed him lightly on the cheek and relinked my arm with his.
"If our guest is on his way, then we must make sure a feast is ready. Tomorrow, we will discuss the deal completely and whatever complications may arise, we will face them head on."
******************************
When evening fell and the moon began to shine her light on the Empire, I knew Luca would arrive. Something in my gut told me he would show up at the very strike of twelve. Sending most of the household staff to bed, while I waited was the last thing Tristin wanted me to do, but as the Empress, I had the final say.
Only May and Lea stayed with me, along with my shadow guards. They would not be relieved of their duties until I retired.
"An Empress doesn't wait for those who are late." Tristin mumbled under his breath drinking his wine.
"But a good hostess does. I will wait all night if I must."
"Then you are a fool sister, he should be the one waiting for you. I implore you, please head to bed and I shall wait for him. You may be healed, but you still need your rest."
My head was becoming weary with the weight of my crown, the jewels in my hair becoming just a little too much and as the ache in my shoulders started, I knew Tristin was right.
"Please sister, I promise I will stay here and wait for our esteemed guest. You can send for him in the morning, or when you are ready."
"Yes, perhaps you're right. May, Lea, I trust my room is ready."
Standing from my throne-like-chair, it felt as if the world rushed around me as tiredness sunk into my very bones. I'd been holding myself upright all day, to prepare for Luca's arrival and he did not even show up on time.
I wasn't sure if I should be sad or relieved. I would not be greeting him myself as I headed upstairs and towards my wing. The castle itself had many low corridors and sections within it that opened out into more corridors and many more rooms. A winding maze mother would call it. Having built many other buildings within the grounds to house our staff, the crown Prince and his small court. There were buildings created for war meetings, parties, gatherings and for other guests. Yet, Lord Luca's rooms were close to mine, closer than any guests.
Although when we did marry, as that was surely to come soon, he would have a room across the hall from mine. A room for him to use at his leisure and do with it as he wished. I was still unsure of the notion of marriage; Empresses weren't allowed to know such things until they're wedding night.
"May, I have a request for you."
May kneeled in front of me as she undid the ribbons that wrapped around my ankles to decorate my shoes and then slipped them off.
"Anything Empress."
May and Lea, my handmaidens, twin sisters. Yin and yang to each other, one with light blonde hair and blue eyes, while the other dark brown hair and brown eyes. May and Lea were both found in a whore house, I'd come across them as father brought them both to me. Young enough to train and become my close allies. They did my bidding, no matter the cause. They were my eyes and ears, they found out everything within the castle and city walls.
"Bring me a trained woman, if I am to marry this demon, I wish to be prepared in all the ways man and magic."
"Of course, Empress. Shall I send for her at once?"
"No, once our guest has settled,"
Lea slowly undid the ribbons that did up the fabric ties around my waist. My dress layers upon layers of chiffon, to help keep the heat at bay.
"I will remind you; this is to be kept under the most discretion. No one is to know. This stays within these walls."
"We know nothing Empress." Lea spoke gently.
Once undressed, I was grateful for the lukewarm bath to freshen up and then took to standing on the balcony with a warm cup of chamomile after dismissing my ladies.
I was grateful for the cool breeze against my skin as I wrapped my sheer shawl around my shoulders, contemplating the day and what was to come in the morning.
"I'm sorry I am a little late, Empress."
His voice not only startled me but managed to make me spill the hot chamomile tea all over myself. OR at least that's what I thought as I felt two large hands wrap around my waist and yank me quickly out the way, shattering the China teacup in the process.
Slamming into his hard frame I could have sworn my heart stuttered as his large, strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him. Pushing him away seconds later as I came to my senses, I sighed at the sight of my favourite cup now broken on the floor.
"Majesty! Are you okay?"
One of my shadow guards came rushing onto the balcony, along with another one of them and both took in the scene. Unsheathing their swords, aiming them at Lord Luca who didn't give them a second glance, he was just staring at me with tension in his eyes.
"Who are you! How did you get up here?!" Shouted the one guard.
"Empress are you hurt?" Asked the other.
"Shield your swords men, this is the guest we have been waiting for." I spoke as gently and as calmly as my body would allow me, even though I was a little annoyed.
They heeded my words and looked up and down at Lord Luca until the wheels clicked into place in their minds. His reputation wasn't a secret, the entire Empire knew who and what he was. They just didn't know he was the one who healed me and now the demon was welcomed to my halls.
I was grateful to my own mind that began pulling the blindfold from my eyes as to what he was. Yes my saviour in the way of ridding my body of the sickness, but he was still something dark, twisted and evil. Without an ounce of empathy.
"I am perfectly safe; you can leave us now."
I ordered and both guards bowed without question, leaving me alone with Lord Luca who was still looking at me as if I were in fact, his next meal. He'd have another thing coming if he thought he'd be drinking my blood.
"Guests usually go through the front door and are greeted. They do not sneak up on the balcony of an unsuspecting lady."
Pulling my shawl a little more over my shoulders, I walked past him and into my bedroom. I could have sworn he smelt the air as I walked past him, and a shudder went through my body. He seemed a little different than our last two meetings and my mind was telling me to run and get out of there.
"I have already been greeted by your brother. I arrived just after you retired for the evening. So, I thought it best I come here to greet you instead."
His voice felt like velvet running across my skin and I was sure the only reason I felt anything like that was because his blood was still running through my veins. Or at least, that's what I told myself.
"Even still, you cannot just show up here."
"The first time I just showed up, you didn't seem opposed."
"That was the one and only time you are allowed to show up unannounced. Now, as you are aware I will be going to sleep. You can leave."
Taking off my shawl and then pulling the bed sheets away, I stood waiting for him to leave with my back turned away from him as my heart began to race. His footsteps were silent as he came up behind me and his warm breath danced against the back of my neck.
"So touchy today Empress. Perhaps I should help you ease that tension."
His hand slowly trailed a few light fingertips down the side of my neck, to my shoulder, then my arm, then my side until he ran his entire hand to run across my lower stomach, grabbing the fabric of my nightgown lightly.
It took all of my composure and strength to not allow him to move his hand further down as his body pressed against my back. Swallowing the lump in my throat as I tried to tame the heat and butterflies in my core I placed my hand over his.
"I already told you, remove your hands before I cut them off." I snarled as I yanked his hand away, turning quickly in his arms, I pushed him away and he stumbled back to both our surprise.
"I see my blood has also given you some strength. No matter — it won't last long, and you will never receive it again."
"Good, it was disgusting." I snapped back.
He grumbled a laugh under his breath before bowing to me and heading towards the bedroom door. I didn't like his in formalness towards me. The first time, I thought it was just a dream, the second time wasn't as bad but tonight, I did not welcome him. And it would be a long time until I did.
"Goodnight sweet Empress. I look forward to our wedding discussions tomorrow," he smiled a sweet and cunning smile, opening the bedroom door, "Sleep well love."
Leaving as quickly as he appeared, I waited a few minutes to gather myself. Rewrapping the shawl around my body again, I called my guards in again.
"Do not allow our guests within my quarters. He is only permitted to stay in his and the main castle rooms. Understood?"
"Of course, Empress."
I knew I would not sleep peacefully tonight and after they left, I decided it would be better served to use this sleepless night to do a little light reading.
The history of vampires.