I sat at my desk. A pile of coloured paper lay before me, each one opening the door to pointless gatherings, meaningless invitations, really. Alice stood in front of me, sorting through them, discarding the ones that were unnecessary.
"The Lady of Boonoth, Lady Emelensia, invites you to her summer palace. She claims it is quite refreshing this time of year, and that her vineyard will be ready for this year's harvest," Alice read aloud.
"Should I spend my summer at Boonoth?" I asked, leaning back in my chair.
"Again, my lady, I am not in a position to advise you," she replied, her tone as formal as ever.
"You're free to speak."
"It's too soon," she said, glancing at the invitation as though trying to decode it. "A pond in the desert."
"You're becoming sharper by the day." She set it aside and moved on to the next.
"A letter from your father," she said, turning it to show me the cracked crest embedded in the wax,his official seal.
"Read it."
"Her Highness has forgotten her father. You truly sadden me. I will be coming to the capital on official business for a week. And no, your mother is not with me. Yes, Harry is with me. I will probably see you in a day or two before I leave."
A tear fell down my cheek as she finished reading.
Father is here…
"When was the letter sent?
"Four days ago."
I must have been too busy to notice it. At least Father is here. Thank you, Unda, for granting my wish.
I lifted my hands in silent praise.
That explains why Harry was at the temple the other day. I have to prepare for Father's arrival.
****
I stood in the kitchen, wearing an apron. The kitchen staff stood at the corner of the spacious room, watching in surprise at my sudden presence. Alice stood further away, slicing vegetables. The sound of chopping filled the air, along with a pot of stew slowly boiling.
I took in the aroma. It was surprisingly not as awful as I expected.
It is not as good as his.
"Why not just serve the Lord blood, my lady? Is it not too much for one who does not even eat food?" Alice asked as she finished chopping.
"At the end of the day, are we not just sophisticated bastards?" I replied coldly.
She paused for a moment, then a brief laugh escaped her.
"That's enough," I said, placing my hands on my hips, evaluating the dishes I had prepared. Father would be greatly impressed.
The dining hall of my manor was lively for the first time in a long while. The long oak table did not bear just one plate.
****
Maids walked in and out, carrying trays of the dishes I had prepared.
I sat at the opposite end of the table,not the head seat. I did not wish to sit in my title today. Today, I would be Caroline Greywood, not Caroline Thornton.
Time passed. I waited patiently, my plate untouched, my wine glass half full.
Another hour passed. The food grew cold. My fork turned slowly in the plate. The clock struck eight.
It struck ten. I dismissed the maids. Alice remained, her head lowered. I knew what she wanted to say,that he was not coming. Maybe Father had been delayed. He would never lie to me.
The wine bottles were empty by midnight. I sent Alice away.
She left without hesitation.
I sat there, posture straight, the untouched plates still in front of me.
My back ached. Everything ached.
I stumbled into my bedroom, my head spinning, and collapsed. The cold sheets brought me warmth.
It is okay. I will probably see Father tomorrow.
My eyelids grew heavy, and I quickly drifted into sleep.
________________________________________
The morning was like every other. Alice walked in, opening the wide curtains to let sunlight enter to brighten the room. She did not ask about last night. She continued as though nothing had happened.
She followed the usual routine styling my hair, setting breakfast. I gulped down the bowl of blood in one go. The metallic taste lingered. I would be lying if I said I did not crave fresh blood.
Maybe I should just lose it and hunt, I thought, entertaining the idea briefly.
Alice scoffed and turned her head away, as if she could guess what I was thinking.
She must not crave any.
Today, I did not feel like attending to paperwork. I had already done that the previous day. So I leaned back on the sofa, palm against my face, as the seamstress showed me the new winter collection. She went on about how they were the latest trending gowns in the empire. Nothing I had not heard before.
Alice moved about, physically examining the materials of the dresses. The scruffy jeweler, Antony, opened several boxes of pieces in front of me. None of them were particularly special.
I should probably buy a gift for the consorts. I had not given them one yet.
"My lady, you know I only bring you limited editions first before anyone else in the dukedom. No one in the empire has them yet," he stated, running his hands through the pieces of jewelry.
"Your point is?" I asked.
"Lady Linda has been moving. I have heard she has sold her jewelry her most expensive pieces, if I may say."
"Is that so?
"Forgive me, my lady, but it is unusual of her to do so. Rumors say that Your Highness has been cutting the allowance of lower consorts. That is utterly unacceptable, my lady. I had to bring this to your attention as a long-time friend of Your Highness," Antony stated,
performing his concern fully.
If it were long ago, I would have fallen for this.
"Thank you, Antony. Your service has been acknowledged."
He bowed in return.
****
The duke called for me suddenly. Alice and the other maids helped me get ready quickly.
Victor walked briskly, bags under his eyes, as he led me to the study where the duke resided.
We entered, and there he was leaning back in his chair, in a white-sleeved shirt, his ginger hair falling softly, partially covering his face.
Our eyes met, his gaze boring into mine.
"Leave us," he ordered.
Instantly, we were alone.
For the first time in a long time