As their carriage drew near their destination, Josephine rubbed her belly, with an upturn smile on her lips. The carriage slowed as it entered the Manor, stopping in front of the door. The head butler had been waiting to welcome them, along with some maids to help them with their luggage. Lord Richard got down first and helped his wife out.
All the servants bowed as the couple passed, Herbert opened the door with a bow as they stepped in. Fiona and Jane were among the maid tasked with carrying the luggage. All the maids had been in dread, not welcoming the idea of being the likely maid chosen to be the personal maid of the couple, their distress look gave way to relief when they saw a maid getting down beside the rider.
Josephine needed a loyal personal maid who she was sure would not disclose whatever goes on inside her bedchambers. Since they were not new to staying at the Manor, they already knew where their wing was. Josephine was pleased to know their room already had been prepared, fresh linens on the bed and fresh water had been filled in the bath.
An hour after settling in, a soft knock was heard and Herbert appeared on the doorstep, "my lord, I'm here to inform you that dinner is ready. Lord Nickolai is waiting for you."
Richard gave a short grunt to acknowledge him and Herbert bowed again before stepping out.
Josephine wanted to make an entrance, relishing on being the focus of attention, she spoke, "Richard, go ahead of me, I'll join you pretty soon but do not hint them about my child" she warned.
"What a sly wife, I have" he laughed. Knowing the game she was playing. Richard strolled out, walking down the hall with pride as he observed the walls.
Soon, this place will be mine, he promised himself.
Except if the Upper House was blind, he thought grimly. He put on a fake smile and stepped into the dinning room.
"Dearest brother of mine" he hugged his brother and Nickolai smiled back at him as he returned the hug. Richard moved and kissed Aliona on her hand, "good to see you sister in law."
Weary of her brother-in-law, Aliona smiled softly and subtly used the table cloth to clean the saliva he had left on her hand, the act was not lost by both brothers. Nickolai calmed himself, he knew his brother would try to do everything to make him angry but he won't rise to his bait, Richard smiled ruefully like he knew what was going on in his brother's mind.
Aliona heard the heartbeat of Josephine as she moved closer to the door, wondering what could be causing the increase in her heart rate, she listened in and also heard a faint heartbeat.
Nickolai knew Josephine was with child, he had known that another Orsini had been created the moment they stepped in his territory. He had had a close watch on his brother but he didn't believe his sister-in-law was with a child until now, sad that such news will dim the mood of his wife. Thinking of how to lighten her mood later.
Aliona was surprised when she saw the huge belly before her. Her heart ached with longing but also happy for Josephine all the same. She smiled genuinely at her, rushing forward to hug her, as much as she longed for one, it will be lowly of her to be unhappy about it. Before she could masked her sadness which had appeared for a tiny moment, Josephine already saw what she wanted to see; the shattered look on her face, even if it was for a brief second.
Impressed that Aliona was happy for her nonetheless, she got upset again.
Who the hell does she think she was that she was happy for her?
She untangled her arms around her, "pardon me Ali, but I feel suffocated. Merely being too close to another person or being in an enclosed space makes me feel stuffy" she slightly wrinkled her nose, "hugging is a difficult task for now" glancing apologetically at Aliona as she explained. she bowed slightly towards Nickolai and proceeded to sit across her husband.
I understand" she smiled with a nod.
Aliona didn't take any offence, she might not know how it feels to be pregnant but she was aware of the discomfort that comes with it. She nodded with understanding and joined her husband at the other end of the table.
"Do you?"
Josephine thought while grinning widely at her sister-in-law.
"So, how's the preparation going on being the new presider?" Richard asked.
Nickolai shrugged, while waiting for the maids to dish their foods "not bad" he didn't need to go in detail with Richard, "how's the preparation of becoming a father going?" Making the conversation as light as possible.
"Quite demanding but worth it. We've been busy decorating the nursery and looking forward to welcoming our bundle of joy...you know", he added, "sorry, you don't." he muttered even when he knew he could hear him perfectly well with their vampire ability.
Josephine suddenly spoke, covering her nose when she saw a cat jumped in through the window, a similar cat like the one she saw at the ball. She saw how Aliona's face lit up when she saw the cat, "is everything all right, Josephine?" A concerned look marred Aliona's face.
"since I've been with child, my nose has been more sensitive" she lied, "i don't do well around cats. It seems my baby doesn't like it either" rubbing one hand over her tummy.
Ali immediately signalled to one of the maids to carry the cat out, "felling better now?" she asked.
"Yes, thank you."
Nickolai knew Josephine was lying, he heard the faintest shift in her heartbeat but he decided to let it go. He looked at his wife, feeling apologetic that his brother and his wife were playing on the naivety of his wife but he's in a situation where he needed to be patient, taking rash decision - exactly what his brother wanted - won't solve anything.
He needed to be patient to know how his brother was planning to usurp him.
He and Richard had been contenders since childhood for various things, from being their parents' favorites to holding titles or winning contests.
Their parents, especially their mother had been careful to never show more affection on one over the other. She had been able to favour each child equally unlike their father who wasn't so subtle. He had made it known early enough that Nickolai would succeed him.
Richard rebellious attitude wasn't surprising, he believed the only way to gain father's attention if not his approval was engaging in everything and anything their father frown upon.
Nickolai sometimes feels guilty that his twin brother mostly ended up being at the receiving end of their father's wrath. At times, he wished he had enough spine as his twin to be at loggerhead with their father and other times, he competed with him over who the rightful heir to their father's businesses and position is, regardless of the fact that Richard was the older twin just by two minutes.
When it was officially made known that Nickolai would take over his father's seat at the Upper House, he had seen the hurtful look on Richard. Sometimes, he let go of his attrocious behaviour, letting him have his way with things.
He let his brother get away with some things to pacify him even though he had no control over being picked as the successor. Their mother was able to persuade their father to allow Richard be in charge of overseeing their businesses while Nickolai supports him. That had pleased his brother endlessly. However, with Nickolai's suspicion, it seemed his brother wanted more.
Nickolai studied his brother as they enjoy their meal, just how far are you willing to go with your plans, brother?