The Scoundrel's Daughters

Princess of the night

Tanya

Mommy tried to fix my hair while Dina kept looking out of the window.

- Let's cancel it please... This leads nowhere. Sissy is a mess, and you put already so many things in my hair that my head tilts backwards mommy! - she gasped and started taking out hair ornaments from my hair. Dina looked with a guilty glance at me and she hurried to my side. Dina hugged me from behind and looked at my reflection in the mirror.

- I'm sorry, tonight is your night and I'll do my best to make it unforgettable for our Tanya! - I sighed and gave up on stopping the party. I wandered if mommy didn't feel this bad feeling because of the worry for daddy, but I knew something is going to happen tonight.

- Are you sure you don't want a more colorful dress? - Dina asked and I shook my head.

- This is perfect for the occasion. I won't pretend to be fine just because everything happened on short notice. I'll use my dress as a statement. The Rankins are unshakable but loyal to each other. - Dina looked a bit flustered because she wore a light pink dress while mine was pitch black, even the lace and pearl decoration was black.

- Something is not right... - I said and got up, with a movement of my hand I've shortened my skirt up till my knees in the front and let till my ankles on the back. My heels turned into high heeled boots and I got gloves on my hands. My dress was simple yet elegant and showed strength.

- Tanya... This is really new. - mommy said but instead of disapproval or shock I saw pride in her eyes.

- Tanya is right Dina, we must stay strong and show these bitches out there that we are unshakable and unbreakable even without the men of the house! - Dina nodded with determination and as we headed to the ballroom I felt like two demons who were escorting an angel. Mom also choose a dark blue dress, showing her incredible figure even after childbirth, just to piss the ladies off even more. Dina changed hers too, into a lot darker shade of pink , revealing her shoulders and collarbone, she had her hair in a high bun and smiled coldly as we stepped into the room. Every eye turned towards us, waiting for three scared and soft ladies, needless to say, they didn't got what they wanted. Mommy lifted her glass and toasted for me first, and then to all of our male family members who were sent to protect the Empire.

- For the Real Heros of our Empire! - she said and sent her drink down. Her speech caused an uproar between the nobles as she technically said, that Isaac wasn't a hero, nor the Emperor since they sent daddy and Finley as their representatives. I walked through the guests but only received a few congratulations on my coming of age ball. The guests were more occupied with gossiping about the current political situation and that we still held the ball despite the absence of dad and Fin.

- The Duchess really wanted to show off with her own daughter!

-Yeah I heard that they had her after a few years of marriage. - they looked at me from behind their fans and smirked wickedly. Suddenly I heard a loud screaming and everyone turned their attention towards the noise.

Dina

- So Lady Dinara, how do you feel about the recent situation? - an old lady asked. I didn't even bother to remember all their names as they were insignificant nobles. The ones that supported my father and Fin, were the ones who mattered. I smiled politely.

- I feel honored that his Majesty the Emperor and the Crown Prince have so much faith and trust in our family. As you may already know, but my father is very famous throughout the Empire as the Phoenix of the battlefield, and this is going to be an amazing opportunity for Prince Finley to finally show his abilities as well. - from their frowns I immediately understood that this wasn't what they wanted to hear.

- Aren't you worried because of your sister? - another one asked and her perfume almost choked me. At least she wore enough makeup to cover her disgusting face.

- Why should I? She is a talented young woman, intelligent, well mannered and quick - witted.

- Well, she is the Duchess's daughter... The Duke might change his mind about the succession.

- Oh come on Lady Ofwald! How would he? Lady Dinara is his and Lady Catherine's daughter. The Duke loved the late Duchess deeply!

- Yeah, that's true. The fact that Lady Dinara is Lady Catherine's daughter should secure her position. Since Lady Rene is just her replacement.

- Oh My! Also both of them share barbarian blood! The Duke' s bloodline had been impeccable so far... To taint this way... - "Okay... I've had enough". - I grabbed a glass of red wine and threw on the ladies. They screeched like crows and gasped in surprise acting all innocent.

- Lady Dinara! Why did you do that?

- This dress was really expensive! - cried another. I felt Tanya's eyes on me and I turned to her mumbling. "I'm sorry." - she walked to us as the host of the party.

- Oh, my God! What happened my dear guests? - she asked with flawless manners and a tone of innocence in her voice. A shiver ran down my spine. I loved my sister but her emotional manipulation skills had no pair. It was disgusting and amazing at the same time whenever she decided to act out of her character.

- Lady Tatiana! Lady Dinara threw the wine on us when we simply shared our sympathy for the Dukedom's situation. - Tanya opened wide her gem like eyes and they sparkled at the ladies making it impossible for them to turn away.

- What... What do you mean Lady Timber? Is there a problem with our Dukedom? - she bat her eyelashes and the Lady smiled victoriously. I grabbed another glass and took a sip watching the show unfolding in front of me.

- Well, the Duke is away and you are his and the new Duchess's daughter. Do you think he will give you the Duchy? Or would he grant it to Lady Dinara? - she asked and Tanya's smile changed. She looked like she just crawled up from the depth of hell and her pitch black hair, paired with her choice of dress, only added to the situation.

- I believe that's none of your business. Are you insisting that our father, Duke Rankin, won't decide the way that its the best for his people?

- Not at all! - she chuckled to save her big fat ass. Lady Ofwald joined.

- We were simply speculating Lady Tatiana.

- Tatjana.

- Excuse me?

- At least force yourself to say my name properly if I was kind enough to invite you, Lady Ofwald, despite your youngest son's scandal.

- HOW DARE YOU? My Toddy is innocent.

- Yeah, of course, that's why he is in the dungeon under my father's supervision. By the way, r****g woman in our territory... I'm not a fortune teller, but I don't see a good outcome for him. - Tanya leaned closer and said in a dark, dangerous tone.

- If I were you, I'd shut my disgusting mouth when I couldn't raise a decent human being.

Dina, what else did the mutter? - she asked looking at me and I smiled widely.

- Well, just the regular stuff. Your bloodline, father's wrong judgment. Oh they also mentioned that Mom is just my late mother's replacement.

- Did they?- Tanya asked.

- Yes, also, they said you tainted the Rankin bloodline. - Tanya laughed out loud and even mom hurried to our side.

- Sissy, may I ask, why have you only dirtied their dresses with wine?

- I didn't want to ruin your birthday.

- Oh that had been ruined the moment these bugs stepped in.

- Lady Tanya! Show some decent manners! Don't act like a barbarian! - the ladies said and I felt a cold chill coming from mom's side. Her eyes sparkled as she looked around.

- Tanya... Don't you think the color theme is a bit dull? - she asked. The ballroom was covered in white and gold decoration. Tanya nodded seriously.

- It could use some color.-mom grabbed her dagger from her side, the one daddy gave her and threw it. The dagger flew next to Lady Ofwald's head and stuck into the wall. The curtain had a tiny drop of blood rolling down on it and the lady screamed.

- Oh shut the hell up, I just cut your earlobe! - mom said and nodded to the guards.

- The ladies are tired. Please escort them to their carriages. - I waved kindly to them as they were escorted or better said dragged out.