Chapter 5: What Could Go Wrong?
3811 Words
Chapter 5: What Could Go Wrong?
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Attention: As promised with the magnificent vampire lady, the story from this point onward will shift back to the 3rd person point of view to soak the vampire lady with the worthy among of recognition she deserves. This will be the last shifting since I couldn’t bring myself to break the promise I had with Lady Dimitrescu and deal with her wrath later. After all, …I don’t want to be sliced into ribbons.
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The sight of Tiana lost herself in the presence of her golden orbs, the way she complimented her involuntarily, the noticeable awe on her face when witnessing her inhumane height, and the burning red cheeks she has just because of her smallest smile awakes something inside the vampire lady existence. One she hasn’t felt for longer than she could recall. Was it…temptation? Or just plain curiosity? Alcina was unsure how to draw this long-forgotten sensation, yet she couldn’t say she doesn’t find joy in this kind of reaction she received from the botanist.
“Very interesting indeed” Looking down into the shimmering eyes of her little prey, Alcina fails to suppress her inner thought once she pulled back after whispering in her ear. Tiana doesn’t look at her in detest or shuddering in fear like many in their 1st time meeting the vampire lady. Maybe that was where the lost, unknown feeling coming from, the tall lady summarized it at that.
“Remember what I said, no wandering around once it gets dark and carry your name on yourself at all time” Alcina pointed at the flower sat still in Tiana’s shirt pocket with a half-threatening smile, cackled Tiana out with her small joke.
“Of course, my lady. I wouldn’t dream of keeping the 1st gift I ever got after coming to your village away”
“Good. When tomorrow comes, I’ll have my coachman take you to Donna’s” Amusing by Tiana’s tone that answered her without any worry or any sign of having her guard up, Alcina flashes the botanist a smirk.
I’ll keep her around a little while longer, the inner thought of the tall lady stays inside her head where it’s supposed to be this time. Alcina then excused herself to let the botanist rest. She recalls that her little prey might not have dinner yet, so she summons her maids and assigns one of them to take care of Tiana during her stay.
“A mistake is not allowed here in my long-established house Dimitrescu. So, make sure the guest is well taken care of then I could see if you’re being useful for other purposes rather than being in wine cellar”
A threat with a matching wicked smile sends a chill running through the poor maid’s spine. She knows her mistress never spoke an empty word. More importantly, no one who was sent down the wine cellar ever come back alive. Nobody has any idea of what evil things could happen to them down there and they would never want to find out. Sputtering out, the maid replies, “O-of course, my lady. P-please excuse me then”
Though it wasn’t the first time Alcina has to deal with behavior as such, somehow, this terrified reaction she received from the maid today made her feel more irritated than she usually does. Why couldn’t they have at least half of the botanist’s courage? That way they could look at her without shaking or sputtering and it’s sure going to make her day more tolerable.
‘I’m surrounding myself with a flock of spineless chickens’ Alcina pinches the bridge of her nose delicately and be on her way to attend to another matter. Tonight, she promised the girls they would go on another hunt together and she has to make sure the staff knows their duty and her castle would be safe before she could leave.
The head maid was called to the tall lady’s side while she’s having her dinner with the girls. Alcina already informed her daughter of the botanist’s stay since the start of the dinner which means what is left to thread now is to make sure she won’t be aware of her gracious host brutality nature. Once firmly assured the mistress of the house she’d do to her best capability keeping everything in order, the head maid excuses herself out in a brief.
“But mother. She’s resting under our roof, why we’re the ones who have to be cautious?” Said Daniela.
“Because resting under our roof or not, she’s still an outsider, my dear. We don’t know how well she will find our needs for flesh and blood, thus, being cautious is in order”
“Listen to mother, Dani. You still remember the last time outsiders found our survival instinct unacceptable, right?” The eldest, Bela, supported her mother’s statement, placing her hand over her youngest sister to soothe her sulky expression. The vampire lady looks over her in admiration for how mature and understanding she is. The redhead then lets out a weak reply.
“Yes, I remember—That man-thing was so mean!”
“I’m glad we can agree on one thing, Dani. If I get another chance, I’d skin him alive!” Cassandra stabs her fork against the dining table in rage, cracks a weary giggle out of their mother from her middle child’s temper.
“Now, now. Let the innocent dining table go, darling. You could release your anger on our hunt soon enough”
“Ohh! Can we all get a new plaything, mother? Mine appears to be near his broken point now since he couldn’t produce many screams anymore” Cassandra’s pupils widen expectantly at her mother. Alcina places her hand on the brunette and ruffles her hair lightly then says.
“Certainly. Just make sure not to kill them before taking them back to the castle. The same applies to the both of you too” The vampire lady flicks her orbs to other daughters and they only giggle sheepishly. “Now. Let’s go on the hunt, shall we?” With that, house Dimitrescu ladies leave their castle in delight.
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The following morning arrives with the soft sunlight, rouses the whole Dimitrescu castle up from their slumber. Alcina already finished her morning routine—Freshened herself, got dressed, adjusted a hat on her head, and gave her brimful lips a finishing touch with her favorite lipstick. She then grabs her black gloves in hand, intends to put them on later. Once she makes it through the threshold of her bedroom, she was met with the appearance of the botanist. Lifting her eyebrow in suspicion, the tall lady demands an explanation from Tiana without words.
“Good morning, my lady. I’m sorry to bother you this early, but I just want to say thank you. For permitted me here, providing me accommodation, meals, and for making sure I’m comfortable—I’m grateful” It appears to the tall lady that Tiana’s cheeks would blush ever so slightly talking to her. Alcina tilts her head sideways, a smile forms up on the corner of her lips.
“You’re welcome. But I assume you aren’t waiting for me by my bedroom door just to say thank you, is that correct?”
“No! Well, yes. P-part of it was true—I did wait for you to express my gratitude and also…” Only when Alcina angles the botanist’s face up to meet hers with a smooth motion, Tiana realized then that the lady’s just messing up with her. The tall lady pieces through her heart with a summery gaze and says.
“I’m only kidding. Now, will you breathe for me, little prey?”
Tiana does as the tall lady instructed obediently without putting up a fight. Slowly, in and out, her breathing and racing heart settled. Normally she doesn’t get excited this easy. Thanks to her parents, Tiana grew up to be a confident fella, yet also humble and charming at the same time. After they passed away, her career as a cultural anthropologist carried on the shaping of her personality task from them, took her far and beyond the horizon, taught her to be flexible and easygoing. She never has a problem meeting, getting to know new people nor has a problem adjusting to a new environment before as she’s roaming around the globe. But a prior moment to now, she quivered and melted away to Alcina’s touch.
“That’s it. Relax” The tall lady said, brushes her thump on Tiana’s cheek lightly.
“Thank you, my lady. I’m…better now”
“Hm. Debatably” Alcina said with a small snicker, rubs the botanist’s jowl continuously as she enjoys the soft, warm flesh of the living human. Tiana swallows. The way Alcina’s digit comes in contact with her skin turns her into a walking jelly. So addictive that the botanist wants nothing more than to enjoy it forever, kept it only for herself. Fortunately for her, the virtue of hers reels her back before she’d gone too far. Tiana captures the large hand with hers, gives it a gentle squeeze, and lowers it down to the front of her chest.
“I’m. Truly. I don’t want to look bad in front of you any worse than this” Answered Tiana.
Though she wishes for the tall lady’s touch lingers on her a little longer, Tiana doesn’t want to push her luck since the two of them are in a complicated situation. At least, it is on her account. What would Alcina think if she was to find out the botanist falls for her? And love at first sight at that. The botanist stood firmly that she’s here to conduct research together with lady Beneviento. Despite that, her intention was shaken only after a day in the village. Won’t this give the tall lady a wrong impression of her being easy and indecisive?
‘I should stop thinking about this. …At least until I find if lady Dimitrescu is single or not’ Unconsciously, Tiana wrings the tall lady’s hand moderately as she draws a firm line to herself. Somehow, she doesn’t feel like herself when she stood before Alcina. So, for now, she needs to keep her morals in place and sturdier than before. Tiana then flashes the tall lady a grin to confirm the fact that she is alright and let go of her hand. Alcina took it silently without saying anything. She only nods, finally puts on her gloves, and sends the botanist off to Donna’s estate.
Once the carriage left the castle Dimitrescu through the front gate, Alcina closes the door to the main building, her back still against the foyer. The tall lady heard the lowest creaking noise that made her snickered. She then says something out while doesn’t bother to flicking her head toward the source.
“Girls. Didn’t I tell you eavesdropping is unladylike conduct?”
“Oh shoot!” A soft muttering left the brunette, followed by Bela nagging.
“I told you she’d notice”
“We didn’t hear anything mother—Well. Only some” Alcina shakes her head at the youngest’s phrase. She reaches her arm toward them, making the 3 dissipate into swarms, and race to their mother’s embrace. The vampire lady laughs joyously as being surrounded by her dearest daughters. Bela’s wrapping her arms around her waist, Daniela’s resting her head on her right shoulder while Cassandra’s nestling against the crook of her neck on the other side. Still a little girl at heart hm, Alcina thinks, kissing each of their foreheads.
“Who is she mother? Is she the guest we talked about last night?” Cassandra lifts her head from her mother’s neck, asking.
“Yes,” Alcina replied simply. Then Daniela tosses in her query, “Can we play with her?”. She tries her best putting on her most pleading expression, so her mother would grant her request. Her childishness gains an eye roll from the eldest sister, but she ignores it and pushes on begging.
“Please mother? Can’t we?— Aw! Aw! Aw! Let go of me, Bel!” Daniela let go of her mother’s shoulder since Bela is pinching her cheek. The blonde only releases her younger sister’s cheek when she vanishes into a swarm, still pouting, “Why did you pinch me?”. Which Bela responds, “Because you’re being demanding, silly”
“Hey! Who did you call silly?” Angry raises in Daniela’s voice, growling at the blonde with her canines out threateningly.
“You, of course,” Bela snarls back with equal menace. Alcina has to put herself between the two, “Girls, please. Don’t fight”
“But mother—” The two protest immediately in chorus, but the tall lady doesn’t give them a chance to end their bicker, “No. I won’t let you both ruin today’s mood before it’d even start. And no, Dani. You can’t play with Tiana. Bela, thank you for helping me keep your sister in line. But it doesn’t mean calling her silly is okay.”
“Yes, mother” The blonde responded Alcina faintly in low spirit and turned to whisper to her sister even quieter, “Sorry, Dani” which the redhead growled lowly in reply.
After that, Alcina had the girls gone to patrol around their territory while she went for her work. I wonder if she reached Donna’s safely. …Wait, why am I thinking about her just now? The tall lady places a stack of papers in her grip down on the desk, doesn’t expect this idea of herself. She rests her chin on the back of her hand, frowning in confusion.
“…” With some times chewing through the idea, yet she appears not to get a grip of why she thought of the botanist. In the end, Alcina just shakes her head to clear the thought away and gets back to work. I could find out more of this later once she came back, the vampire lady believes. After all, Tiana only went to her quiet younger sister, Donna. Nothing could go wrong there, could it?
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A couple of hours later or so, a buzzing swarm storms through the front door of house Dimitrescu, loud enough for the vampire lady on the upper floor to hear the noise from this commotion. However, Alcina assumes she doesn’t need to concern herself with since her daughters tend to be overexcited and accidentally damaged some of the furniture, a vase, or an ornament from the leftover adrenaline after recently done with their physical activities. Such as going on a hunt, patrolling, or fending any Lycan or intruder away from their territory.
I shouldn’t be too hard on them, the tall lady hums slightly at her line of thinking. Let the girls be a girl sometimes ought to produce more positive outcomes than always keeping them restrained—Though, not this time.
“Mother! –”
“Daniela, my dear. Don’t we already talked about knocking first before coming in?” Alcina nagged her youngest daughter while fixing her eyes on the papers at hand. But instead of apologizing for disturbing her mother during her working hours, Daniela carries on, yelling.
“This matter couldn’t wait, mother! It’s about that girl! Our guest—”
At the same time as Daniela’s speaking, the two of them heard a horse galloping sound and another buzzing noise coming toward their castle from quite a distance. Judging by the volume of those noises, the sources should be within 2 or maybe 3 miles radius roughly. Thanks to the Cadou, all their senses were sharpened and able to hear this far. Alcina looks up from her work for the 1st time and sees the shock within her daughter’s eyes. She knows then that something had gone unbelievably wrong which she needs to find out what it is. And fast.
“What happened? And where are your sisters?” While on the way out of her office with the redhead, going down a curve staircase toward the foyer, Alcina tries to seek more information out of Daniela.
“We’re patrolling just like you asked. Then when we reach where our border meets with aunt Donna’s, we saw that girl was tainted with blood and alone on a horseback—And for sisters’ whereabout, those sounds we’re hearing is them currently making their way back. I only hasted back before them to inform you of what happened as soon as possible”
“What?” The vampire lady was taken aback. How could Tiana covered with blood and alone when she had her coachman taken her to meet Donna with a carriage with noticeable house Dimitrescu’s crest? This isn’t the villagers’ doing, Alcina’s sure of it. The locals know better than to mess with anything of her processions.
‘Was it a Lycan? No. She has that flora on her. There’s no way it’d be a Lycan’, Alcina questioned and answered herself inwardly. Besides, Karl forbade his pack from going to Donna’s area. He doesn’t like the way those foul Lycans smell when they wander somewhere near the waterfall, said they reek with flower scent like they were dumped in perfume. Although, the other lords have to disagree on that one. It was nice that those Lycans smells good for a chance.
Anyway. That was the least Alcina should worry herself with now. The most urgent at this moment is what happened to a guest under her care, so she presses Daniela for more.
“Where’s the coachman and the carriage? Tell me more, Dani”
“We have no idea mother. When we saw her, she’s already by herself and keeps mumbling incoherent things. Why does she want to meet aunt Donna in the 1st place? This morning, we only heard she’d like to go there, but didn’t catch her reason” After gave her mother an answer, the redhead also used this chance to satisfy her curiosity.
“Mutated plants and herbs. She was hoping she could do research what she considered to be…exotic” Alcina recalls what condition Tiana’s in from Daniela’s report earlier, so she orders a maid who happens to be passing by to get additional hands in preparing Tiana’s room with medical supplies, new clothing, and extra bedsheet and blanket if things get messy.
“Well. As if she could study any once Angie shows up”
“…Angie?” Slightly puzzled, Alcina asked.
“You know how vicious Angie could be, right? Aunt Donna may successfully create her with a 9 years old child’s character, but she’s still a-Cadou-infected-child, after all”
The latest sentence of Daniela’s halts Alcina on her track. That’s right! How could I forget that disastrous doll!?, she’s asking herself. The tall lady couldn’t blame and curse herself enough for her carelessness. How could she send Tiana into another form of slaughterhouse like that? Yes, the botanist knows a bit about Donna. Regardless of that, it doesn’t mean she’d know more of her village and its history. She may even know nothing of Angie’s existence—Alcina, you halfwit, the vampire lady curses herself.
“Our guest…she knows of Angie’s, right mother?” Witnessing her mother’s frowning, Daniela hesitantly quizzes that out.
“This’s all my fault”
The vampire lady muttered that out, quickening her pace to the front door. She stepped down to the foyer at the same time Bela’s bursting in with, carrying the botanist in bridal style. Since she’s the one who has self-control over human blood the most of all 3 daughters, it’s only reasonable for her to take care of the botanist in this blood-covered state. Through the opened door, Cassandra’s approaching the castle on a horseback. As she got an instinct when it comes to bonding with animals, mutated or not, so, the job of riding a horse home is on her. The poor steed was hurt too, but at least he survives Angie’s prank and even took Tiana some distance back to castle Dimitrescu before the girls would run into them.
“Mother! –” Bela yelled in panic, but her word isn’t needed as her mother takes control of the situation, giving orders over this chaotic day.
“Take her to her room upstairs and help me patch her up, Bela—And you. Take care of that poor steed, Cassi”
“Yes, mother” Both Bela and Cassandra answer the vampire lady’s word at the same time. The youngest looks to everyone in a confusion about what to do, thus she asks.
“What about me, mother?”
“Dani, get out there and try to find our coachman. If he’s still alive, I’d like a witness to tell me more of what’s really happened”
“Of course, mother” At the end of Daniela’s response, house Dimitrescu ladies disperse to take care of their assigned task.
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To Be Continued >>
- Writer
