10 Chapter 10 - Charlotte

"Sister! Have you heard the news -Damen, he's here!~" the girl laughed giddily.

"Mind your manners young lady, I haven't finish writing my proposal yet." A high feminine voice answered in tone, she had been writing for hours now.

"Tomorrow I'll be meeting the man of my dreams, ehehe~" 'And Yes, I'll be the most beautiful woman in the century'- She thought to herself.

3 hours later:

"So what is he exactly like?" Annabeth's eyes gleamed in pure excitement and curiosity, but her voice had sounded a little bit off as to doubt the lord's rumored existence.

The lady stood up before her as she placed her pen down unto its case carefully beside the ink. Her golden locks were finally exposed in its full lengths, reaching her slender waist. Without much delay, she tucked the letter unto one of her elegant envelopes that had her family crest engraved at the back, lower right area.

"What's with that question... I'm telling you Ab, he is the finest among men." The lady answered to her subordinate without sparing her a glance. She wanted to dismiss unnecessary conversations to whom she was not inclined with, but as a lady who had a great future before her, she needed to be accommodating despite it not being in her character. It was to gather support for her name and allies along the way.

"Tall, handsome, and fair? Like those cliché prince charming?" Annabeth, her inferior lady in the court, couldn't look and sound much clueless and a hint of dumbness -as the superior lady would describe. My, oh my, the lady must have come from a different century. Who in their right mind would be so clueless about DK? (a.k.a Damen Knightly) Well, she couldn't blame her since the rumors have died down dramatically these past three years, only a few were assured of Damen's godly existence. Only the ones who have made contact with him were fully aware, like herself, from a childhood memory. Everything else became a form of fiction and his glory had turned into myth.

"Dear Ab, clearly those descriptions are from fairytales, but he is much more than that. He is real from the flesh after all." Her voice chimed in a dreamy note but she was still annoyed with Annabeth's questions. Thinking that she had to distract her from asking too much, she handed Ab the unsealed envelope and had her place the rosy melted wax before stamping on their family crest. The letter now had two official stamping, one from the seal and the other by the envelope. Stamping their crest twice was the Vanidestine way of showing their high authority over their possessions.

The Vanidestine family held much power in the Western Empire, enough for them to hold an influence in the Temple. Each year, the Temple would bestow a Blessed Family from a royal line to uphold the laws and thus possess the authority and tamper with the Temple's political affairs. And this year the Vanidestine held their heads high as ever. Ever since the Knightly had their heir apparent away, the Vanidestine took advantage and had kept their power supreme upon the Knightly's silence. Today is their 9th year to be exact, but the return of the said successor could be the most threatening year of their reign. And this year, Charlotte Vanidestine, the first daughter of the proud family, had sworn to herself and to her name, to take matters in her hands.

Right, her sister Monic had just left an hour ago. She had been writing on the same letter for the whole morning that she thought it would take her forever to finish. But there was no time to waste, she had to dress up and present herself before the former Marquess –now currently the Duke. Taking the letter from the inferior Ab, she strode gracefully across the room and out through the hallway. And of course her doggish subordinate, Ab followed her lead.

"A pleasant afternoon Father, I have come to present myself with a proposal." Charlotte was now in her fine yellow garments made of the best quality that their household could buy. It was well embroidered with fine golden threads that followed their traditional flora patterns. This was to highlight that each of her dresses cost a fortune since her fabrics were mostly from overseas. The lady is also known for her fondness in collecting unique tailoring materials.

-"You may enter." The Duke's deep voice were heard clearly through the thick sculpted door. At this, Ab opened the door for her lady and presented herself along with Charlotte, making sure to expose herself in the most pleasant manner. Hoping that being this close and faithful would give merits to her and her name, the Acker.

"I've come to a conclusion, and I think this is for the best…" She hands out the letter, her bejeweled golden eyes trembling a little in delight and a slight fear of rejection.

The Duke took the letter carefully from his daughter's hands, giving her a stern look before opening the letter at once. This unexpected action had earned a gasp from his beloved daughter. He couldn't save it for later, to the Duke it had always been family in his lists of greedy priorities, how could he reject favor from his own? He read through the whole paper and the room was filled with silence and wonder. The Duke could only grin at his daughter's words.

"You never let me down. Charlotte, you must present yourself for tomorrow's dinner banquet, make sure he only lays his eyes on you." His golden eyes squinted in delight. Everything was going according to his plans.

"Without fail, Father." Charlotte smiled briefly and exited the room in full confidence. Yes, this is how it should be for her. No one other than her could match the heir apparent. And this too, would serve as the solution to the feud between the Vanidestine and Knightly. As Vanidestine herself, she knew well that her bloodline was far from the royal blood, thus her father could only be granted with a Marquess title. There was no way she would allow things to return as they used to, not when she had the chance to grasp Damen within her hands. Since her childhood, she had always thought that there was none other than her, is worthy of being Damen's bride.

"Ab, alert the tailor and maids for tomorrow's banquet…" her tone filled with command and said with an upright posture. She is indeed, by far, would have been the most beautiful maiden in the West if it weren't for her younger sister.

"Uhm, my ladyship...I-" Annabeth's eyes were looking away, an action required to make herself less and perhaps win herself a favor.

Knowing what Ab is implying, the noble lady uttered without hesitance, "You may escort me, as my attendant". She smiled, rather gentle and warm. It was at these moments she let herself feel calm when things were smooth. Her facial muscles relaxed and like a flower, she seemed to bloom like the early spring in May. Looking out the window, her features were aligning with her mood. Her crystal-gold eyes sparkled with expectation and relief, her cheeks naturally flushed which complemented her milky complexion. She had been known as the lady of the house since her mother passed away and she couldn't help but live through the standard, and she did so naturally. She might have made a suitable heroine for this story, but not when her veins held the Vanidestine blood. Later that night, her life had just fully taken shape as a Lady of Vanidestine.

The day had ended in a snap as if tomorrow couldn't wait much longer for Damen's return. The lady had finally retired to her room without anything much to do but rest.

"Sister, can I sleep beside you?" Here she was again, the young Monic, her dear sister had this snuggling habit whenever she misses her mom. Charlotte could only welcome her in her arms.

Finally, wrapping their arms together, there was no denial in Charlotte's mind that Monic was no longer that little girl anymore who always held her hand and that someday she'd grow up to be a lady with tremendous beauty than her. Her hair flowed as mercury-red below her shoulders that had prettier locks than Charlotte's. Her eyelashes were longer as well, and her nose long and tiny. She had a smaller face with brighter complexion and her eyes were big and round that had the same golden shade that ran in the family, and lastly her lips were plump. She was like a red rose that have yet to blossom in its fullness. Charlotte kissed her sister's forehead in awe and affection, she was the acting mother as a lady of Vanidestine, a title that had been passed on as the first daughter at the age of fourteen, the age that she had lost their mother.

Sleeping soundly, everything felt peaceful and steady. At this hour, nothing could by far expect that the Lady would wake up due to a sensual sensation. An unquenchable thirst. What is this feeling? Charlotte was out of bed, to her surprise she found herself in the kitchen.

Food? No. Hungry? Yes. Her mind was in the edge. There was something so familiar yet unknown with what she was feeling. She is by far sane but couldn't think straight enough to guide her actions. She was scrambling through stored goods, the rawness, the scent had caught her attention. It made her feel something sensual, something a lady from the West shouldn't ever linger with. Yet here she was, wild and lusting for this incredible hunger.

Finally, her resolve was found inside the black sack that contained a lot of mixed scents and textures, it was trash. It was really too dark to see, the lights were out, but to her surprise she knew it was a white bandage she was holding coming from the black sack. The light from the window was enough to tell it was a white tiny bandage that contained this tiny drop of blood. It was small but fresh. And she could smell something on the knife as well with apple peels that was left on the sink unwashed, the metallic scent was too strong, the same blood, but it had only a stain.

Charlotte felt undignified, but her body kept her going. Sniff. Sniff. The scent was close but moving farther from her spot. Dear lord, someone had bled that night and it had her going through hell. She could have been an angel if her mind was set on aiding this injured person. But she had to be a devil for her to be licking her lips dry.

'Quick! It's getting away!' Her instincts led her through many halls and doors until she was outside from the back door. Whoever this person was, it had to be a knight on duty and had decided to take a midnight snack at the wrong hour. Charlotte was no Aphrodite at this very moment. She wore her thin night garments and her hair was all over her face. Sweat trickled down her throat from her forehead, and her breath were highly quickened as well. To describe her, she would be a hot babe from the gym but she was too hungry for anything sexy. She felt Hades in her blood and there was no control left when she came face to face with the apple-snacking culprit.

"Hello. Mr. Knight."

Info:

Duke Vanidestine

Connection: Former Marquess

Age: Late 40's to early 50's

Hair: Blonde/Gold-like

Eyes: Fiery Gold

Skin: Slightly Tanned

Charlotte Vanidestine:

Connection: The first daughter of the Vanidestine Family.

Age: 20

Hair: Blonde/gold-like strands and tint locks by the waist.

Eyes: Fiery Gold

Skin: Fair to milky complexion

Monic Vanidestine:

Connection: The second daughter of the Vanidestine Family.

Age: 16

Hair: Mercury-red, flawless locks by the shoulders and down below the waist.

Eyes: Fiery Gold

Skin: Milky complexion

Annabeth Acker:

Connection: The first subordinate of Charlotte Vanidestine. The Acker is inferior to the Vanidestine when it came to power and influence.

Age: 19

Hair: Chestnut, Waist length, straight cut with accented bangs to hide her forehead.

Eyes: Green mixed with grey specks

Skin: Fair complexion