The Manchesters are one of the founding families of the vampire community, like the Orsinis. Both families share a deep bond and connection that transcends generations. Lord Eric Manchester has been friends with the twins from childhood. While Nickolai is a member of the Upper House as well as the representative of the entire vampire specie, Eric is his assistant, overseeing the Lower House and informing Nikolai on matters concerning the vampires. Both men respects and value each other's opinion,
Eric had always been sceptical towards Richard, he had done a good job of not revealing his scepticism to any of the brothers. He had kept it to himself, in the course of being their childhood friends, as time went on, Eric became closer to Nickolai, put some space between him and Richard but that didn't make him weary of him nonetheless.
Being the host of the party, he welcomed his guests along with his wife, watching as everyone mingled and conversed in various groups, he walked to the game room where some vampires were engaged in gambling. He felt his friend walked towards him.
Both friends had a way of sending signals with their eyes, as ironic as it seems, they both do it better than Nickolai and his twin brother.
Eric led the way to his study. "we can talk here" he assured. "The substance the witch gave me is still potent."
Nikolai knew he was talking about a mutual friend who was an untainted witch who had given him a special substance to spread around the room to prevent from listening in on their conversation within the four walls of his study regardless of their species or power.
Never should one be associated with a tainted witch, it is an offence in the world of the vampire, knowing how easily a tainted witch can corrupted a vampire, laws were set against associating with them.
After sharing the same thing he told his wife about his findings with Eric, who had taken his time to digest the whole thing, "do you know the members Richard has been talking to?"
"The demon king doesn't count since he had relinquish his rights as a member, but my instinct is saying he might try to convince the human Lord, since their kind weren't favoured by Phemerah"
Eric nodded his head as he thought about what Nickolai said, "and we know your brother is quite gifted when it comes to convincing people" Eric long pale fingers traced the figurine on his table.
"you're right, he can convince a one-eyed man to give his only and remaining eye to charity" Nikolai sighed.
"I'll tell my men to watch him and report to me, we need to be careful and catch him red-handed on whatever he is up to" Nickolai agreed and they discussed other pressing matters within the vampire kingdom before joining the others.
"My lord, what a great party you throw as usual" Henry Macaulay and his wife, one of the elites vampire praised Lord Manchester.
The men watched as Aliona and Eric's wife, Jasmine were engrossed in discussion with other ladies. Among the women was lady Josephine who had been wearing a fake smile since she noticed that people had been fawning over Aliona, being the wife of the upcoming leader of the Upper House, everyone wanted to gain her favour.
Aliona had noticed how Josephine's tight smile sometimes slipped, thinking it was due to her uncomfortable condition, out of concern and care, Aliona would randomly rubbed her shoulder or gave her a warm smile.
It irked Josephine as Aliona kept giving her what she term as a 'pitiful' glance and comfort, but she had to hold on to the pretense of being a lovable sister-in-law.
She shouldn't give her a reason to doubt her which might jeopardise her plans. Just you wait, I'll knock you off your pedestal soon, you spineless idiot she promised.
Tired of struggling to be the main character in the discussion by rubbing her womb and making the topics solely about children and her baby which Lady Manchester always veered to previous discussion, she stood and excuse herself, "you know how frequent and tiresome it is for pregnant women to relieve themselves often, do excuse me, I'll be right back" she lied as went in search of her husband.
Seeing him engaged in conversation with one of the top ranked human Lords, she almost turned back but Richard signaled to her to join them.
Richard knew the importance of timing, dropping important information to the right person and at the right time works faster than trying to convince people. Besides, humans are beneath him, so he sees no point in spending more time than necessary. He is only taking his precious time to talk to this tiny human because he his influence and rank.
"Lord Lakefield, meet my wife, Lady josephine" she lightly courtesy,
"My lord, a good evening to you too" she raised her hands for him to kiss.
Lord Lakefield politely took her hand for a kiss, starring a little longer at her stomach, Richard was pleased that Lakefield saw what he wanted him to see.
"Dear wife, I hope our boy is not kicking you too much"
Lakefield's eyes widen, you already know the gender of the baby?
Idiot
"Of course" he beamed with pride. "We're vampires, we know these things" he added, "besides, the wonderful knowledge of science is becoming quite fascinating"
He needed someone whose words can be trusted by the human Upper House member to know there was already a child who can carry on the name of the Orsini. In case, there was an argument on who was the better candidate, having a male child can rule in his favour.
As Eric and Nickolai discussed along with other men across they room, Nickolai listened in on the discussion between his brother and lord Lakefield, his typical brother was doing everything he could to replace him.
He tightened his hands around the silver cup, he had been too engrossed that he didn't notice on time till his wife's hand landed on his shoulder which calmed him momentarily.
Like all pure blood with distinct and discreet gifts, Aliona had a gift of calming an intense situation or atmosphere, being the source of tranquility to her husband's intense emotion, Nickolai turned to his wife and pulled her closer, "miss me?" He placed a kiss on her shoulder which made her smile.
she never gets tired of shivering in excitement whenever their flesh come in contact.
She had seen her husband's subtle glances at his twin and had seen the change in his countenance which was why she had come quickly to calm him, knowing Richard and Josephine were passing a message subtly to Lord Lakefield by introducing Josephine to him, it further reinforced her determination to have a baby on time. If bearing a child could count as a point in securing her husbands seat as the leader, then she would try to help him. Aliona joined in their discussion, and so did Lady Jasmine.
As the carriage stopped in front of the Manor and Lord Nickolai and his wife stepped out, welcomed by their loyal butler, Herbert.
"Any word from Henry yet?"
"He is back, he's been waiting for you"
Without wasting much time, Nickolai went to his study, sending off his Butler.
"What did you find?"
"It's as you guessed. Lord Richard has made a deal with the demon king to help him search for the eyes of Rah and in exchange, the demon king will support him in anyway he deemed fit to replace you as a member of the House"
Nickolai looked thoughtfully as he listened to his man's report, both brothers are smart and calculated, however, unlike Richard whose greed for power sometimes clouds his judgement, Nickolai is as patient as a predator waiting for his prey to fall into the trap he set.
Deciding to set his plans in motion, he instructed Henry to relay what he told him to Eric who will know what to do with the information. Nickolai had already confirmed that the only member his twin brother intended to seek support from is the human Lord. The only member Richard will successfully be able to convince will be the human Lord.
As insignificant as the two people Richard saw as ally was, Nickolai intended to teach his brother a lesson that he was not as meek as he seemed. All he needed was to create an avenue for both the demon king and the human lord to distrust Richard.
He could hear the sound of the carriage, alerting him that his brother and Josephine were back from the party, he walked as stealthy as he could to the door which led to the roof of the Manor.
He masked his scent and watched his brother as he stepped out of the carriage, paying him little attention, Nickolai waited for the crow he uses to send message to one of his men who had been living quietly among the humans.
As the little ray of sunlight gleamed in the horizon, paving way for a new day, he went back to his study to catch up on some work. While he waited for Aliona to finish tending to her garden so they can sleep, he further thought of the need to be prepared for whatever game Richard was playing.
Time to call in on a favour