9 His Gift and Return

Marci felt refreshed after her bath. 

Lea came back in to help her dress. This time, the dress laid out on her bed was vastly different from the first one. 

This one was navy blue, with a silk skirt. It didn't poof out like her other dress. While it didn't hug her figure, it flowed from her waist in whisps. The bodice was snug around her chest, and laced around her shoulders perfectly. 

It was like it was made just for her.

"This is the nicest dress I've ever worn." Marci murmured as she took her reflection in. 

"I'm glad you like it. It is a gift from Lord Reign." Lea smiled at her through the mirror. 

Marci stiffened, eyes freezing where she stared at the silk skirt. It felt so soft against her skin. 

"A gift?" She asked, "Is he back already?" 

"No, milady. He brought this with him when he first visited." Lea answered.

Marci nodded, a frown forming on her face. She didn't see him come with a box, perhaps he made his servant bring it up when no one noticed. 

Still, it seemed rather expensive. Would she or her family be expected to pay for it?

"Are you sure this is a gift?" Marci asked. 

Lea giggled, "Yes milady. It is the start of his courtship." 

Marci flushed red and glared at her through the mirror, "I must take this off. He will think I accepted!" 

"But, you did." Lea frowned.

"I did not. Being forced is not me accepting. Besides, this courtship might as well be between him and my parents. He has not asked me, directly, to be his fiancée. I have no idea who he is but a vicious vampire lord." Marci explained with a frown. "I feel like I am not a part of this at all." She looked away from her and to the navy blue silk dress.

"He is a vampire." Lea said.

"That should not excuse his or anyone's behaviour." Marci glared back in response.

"You didn't let me finish." Lea chuckled. "He is used to getting things at his beck and call, as all vampires are." She continued, eyebrow raising as if asking if her statement was wrong. "I also think you should make him work for it. But do it in the right way." She nodded, and gestured to what she wore, "Wear his dress with a high head, but do not give him the satisfaction of anything else. It is little things like this that might shift any man." 

"Might, being the key word, Lea," Marci frowned as she mulled over her small speech.

"Fine. I'll stay in his dress. Not for him but for me. It really is beautiful." She admitted softly. 

Lea smiled and hummed, "You look lovely in it milady." 

***

Marciella held her hands in front of her, fingers curling together as a nervous habit. Next to her, Duchess Marciella held her head high as she stared ahead. On her other side, Duke Marcus glowered at the front gate. 

Marci glanced around their front courtyard, finding Lea standing yards away. She had her hands behind her back, listening to whatever the servant next to her was saying. 

The sun was beginning to set, the sound of birds soothing her racing heart. 

An hour before, Marcus received a letter that demanded the entire household wait outside for Lord Reigns' arrival. 

She sucked in a breath when the sound of horses galloping reached her ears. Her blue eyes glued to the front gate. Two servant men unlock it and open it for the approaching carriage. 

The same black horses from that morning trotted around the small circular fountain and stopped in front of them. Marci immediately recognized Lord Reign's servant, the same man who came with him. He jumped down and opened the door. 

Marci held her breath, back straightening as she lifted her head up. She pulled her shoulders back, hoping that the dress he gifted her didn't look so weird on her in his eyes.

He stepped out with leather clad shoes and black slacks. The white button up shirt was tucked in, and his silk navy blue jacket matched that of her dress. His black hair fell into red eyes that stared back at her. 

With red cheeks, Marci looked away, finding the black horses as a nice distraction. 

"Welcome back my Lord." Duke greeted him with a passive face. He bowed at his waist, setting off a chain. 

Marci kept her eyes downward as she followed her mother into a low curtsy. The silk skirt of her dress was soft against her fingers, a reminder that Lord Reign spent a vast amount of money for it. Surely he would expect some kind of payment back. 

When his black leather shoes came into her view, her eyes trailed up. She took in the broadness of his shoulders and his wide chest. The dips and length of his neck made her swallow. Finally she met his eyes. 

A low hum escaped the back of his throat that sent a shiver down her spine. He smirked, and her blue eyes focused on the sharp fangs in his mouth. 

"You look beautiful," He murmured, the words so soft only she could hear. She sucked in a breath, eyes darting to the side to see her mothers eyes narrowed. 

She gulped, quickly looking away and focusing back on the grass below her. 

"Thank you, my Lord." She replied She froze, body tensing the moment his fingers touched the bottom of her chin. With a surprising gentle-ness, the same kind he showed this morning when he kissed her knuckles, he lifted her head. 

Biting her lip, she met his eyes, very aware of all the others watching them.

"I think I remember telling you this morning." He said, eyes darting down to her lips. She stopped biting it. "Call me, Lord Reign." 

Marci forced herself to nod. Right, he did say that. She couldn't forget, but would it really upset him if she didn't?