In the mansion’s kitchen, Katie sat on the stool with a plate on her lap that had freshly baked bread in it. She tore the bread into small pieces before putting it in her mouth. She had been scared to go out after what had happened last night at the main hall and therefore she insisted on staying in the kitchen. The kitchen was busy as they were preparing for the gathering that was going to be held in the evening. It was filled with the clink of utensils, men, and women shouting to get things done quickly while a few of them were seen laughing and talking to each other.
“Seriously what are you people doing there standing idle when there is so much of work to be done! Start moving now. Chop chop chop,” a plump woman commanded looking at the girls standing there and they scurried away from their spot.
When the woman’s eyes fell upon Katie she asked, “Why are you only having a piece of bread? Boy get a glass of milk here,” she called someone from the far end.
“Yes, Mrs Hicks!” was the quick reply as a boy came with a warm glass of milk. He handed over the milk to Katie and then looked at the main in-charge, “Is it alright to allow a guest to enter the kitchen? Moreover to eat here rather than the main hall?” he asked her.
“This one is a human so it should be alright,” Mrs Hicks replied and then went to check on the others.
Sylvia had been busy and so had Elliot due to which Katie stayed in the kitchen looking at the people work. At times Katie followed Mrs Hicks all around like a little cat as the woman ordered others around. During that time she met a boy named Corey who was four years older to her. He was now showing her how to make paper boats from the newspaper.
“This is where you need to fold and then turn it around,” he said turning it around slowly while the girl watched it curiously, “See it’s all done!” the boy exclaimed holding the boat in his hands and that’s when Sylvia came in search of Katie.
“There you are. We need to get you ready for the gathering dear. You can play with Corey later,” she said to Katie holding up her hand for the girl to take it. Katie seemed reluctant to go from the comfort zone she had built but nevertheless took hold of Sylvia’s hand. Waving a small bye to the boy she left the kitchen.
Reaching up to the room she was made to wear expensive clothes and once the maid had finished assisting her, the girl looked no less than a high-class vampire. Her black dress touched just above the floor and a ribbon of satin was tied around her waist. Sylvia led her to the hall where the gathering was taking place. It was a gathering that was held for the high-class vampires and humans who worked for them or the alliances they had formed. Soft music was played to liven up the place as men and woman spoke.
“Do come visit our place, it would be an honour…”
“…well you know how she is after all. I mean how….” they passed the crowd while they headed straight to where Alexander stood.
“And who might this young girl be?” asked a man who stood in front of Alexander with a buff body.
“This is Katherine, an acquaintance of mine,” Alexander introduced her.
“Hello Miss Katherine,” the man bowed as he greeted her. She went to bow her head to greet in return but felt the hand on her shoulder tighten. The man gave a hearty laugh while Alexander smiled.
Katie stood there quietly as the others chatted about things she didn’t understand. After sometime she pulled Sylvia’s arm, asking her if she could go outside to which the woman nodded before telling the young one to stay close by and not to wander off. When she stepped out of the mansion she was greeted with a soft breeze and the rustling of trees. Eager to look at the garden she had seen previously she took a few steps to only be stopped by Gisele.
“And where might you be going, human?”
Gisele came to stand in front of Katie folding her hands.
“You’re a human so stay where you belong without crossing lines. Didn’t your parents teach you that?” Gisele snapped at her as she glared at Katie hatefully, “Go back to where you belong,” she said scaring the poor girl.
When Katie took a step towards the castle the woman blocked her way.
“Not the castle you human. Out now-”
“That isn’t beautiful at all Miss Gisele,” a voice interrupted her before she could say anything more. Nicholas Rune was one of the Lords of the empire who had only stepped out of the mansion for some air to see the woman terrorizing a young girl. He was a tall man with broad shoulders, his brown hair combed to allow one to show his proud red eyes.
“L-Lord Nicholas,” Gisele stammered as her face paled looking at the man, “We were just playing,” she laughed nervously.
“Sure you were. I believe you have to go back to the gathering now?” He smiled before his expression turned serious.
“Y-yes, see you later,” she said quickly and went inside. The man bent down to the meet the girl’s eye level and saw her sniffle softly.
“Are you alright sweetheart?” He asked her softly and she was quick to nod, “Do you want to go back to the gathering?” He saw her looking towards the garden. Catching her drift they went to look at the garden.
He slowed his footsteps so that the girl could catch up with him. Just as they were walking, he found her looking at the flowers in interest. He wondered which guest’s daughter she was as he hadn’t seen her before. It was very rare for the guests to bring their children to a vampire’s mansion knowing how much a vampire enjoyed fresh blood. How long had it been since he had blood from a child? He smiled to himself at the thought, it had been only a week. If the girl wasn’t associated with a high family, it would only mean that she was the rumoured child Alexander had taken in.
“By the way, my name is Nicholas, what’s yours?” He asked her to see her purse her lips.
“Katherine,” she replied.
“Which ones did you like here? The flowers I mean,” he asked her.
“That one,” she pointed at a small red flower. Taking a few steps, Nicholas pulled the flower from its stem and placed it in the girl’s hand.
“Here,” he smiled at her gently.
“Thank you,” Katie said in her small voice looking at the flower in her hand.
Nicholas and Katie became friends quickly as they chatted about small things. Half an hour had passed and they rested for a while by sitting under a tree.
Alexander who was in the gathering excused himself from the people who were surrounding him and went to look for Katie as she was nowhere to be seen in the hall. When he was about to cross the large corridor he saw Lord Nicholas holding a sleeping Katie in his arms. Without a word, Alexander took her in his arms.
“Thank you for carrying her, Nicholas,” the Valerian Lord said curtly.
“That was no trouble at all. She seems stressed out with the new environment and happened to fall asleep when we sat in the garden,” Nicholas said looking at Alexander.
“Explains the flower,” Alexander muttered under his breath, looking at Katie’s hand that was clasped around the flower.
“I plucked it out,” Nicholas said smiling at the girl and then looked at his watch, “My, time did fly by soon. I will take my leave now. Have a good night.”
“Good night,” Alexander wished and then went up to tuck Katie in her bed. He sighed looking at her. He hadn’t tucked his own cat when it was a kitten but here this one was making him do things. As he pulled up the blanket, he stopped to look at the flower she held in her hand. Taking it gently from her hand he covered her carefully with the blanket.
Both Alexander and Nicholas weren’t exactly friends nor were they foes. They kept their selves out of each other’s business and life knowing what the other was capable of. Having taken the little girl under his wing, he didn’t want the influence of the East Lord.
Once he was out, he stopped near the large open window to throw the flower before going back to the gathering.
