Chapter 5(Lady Valerian)

Blaise sighed when the carriage finally stopped. This was the longest ride she had ever encountered. She didn't know how long the ride took but it was the longest torture of her life.

Lord Valerian said nothing to her throughout the ride.

For a second, she thought she would go crazy from the awkward silence.

The coachman opened the door with a bow.

Lord Valerian stepped out first and Blaise followed.

She stepped out to find the largest manor she'd ever seen.

"Welcome to the Valerian manor, my lady." She was greeted by a man in his early fifties.

Behind him were several servants all bowing to her.

She looked around to find Lord Valerian heading up the stairs.

"My name is Jared Derby and I am the grand butler. If you would follow me." The man said politely.

Blaise nodded with a smile and followed him up the stairs.

They walked up the series of stairs and stopped at the entrance. Two servants bowed before opening the large doors.

Blaise stepped inside to find a large crowd. Suddenly, every movement ceased and everyone turned to look at her.

A blond haired man dressed in a red suit with colorful patterns stepped forward. He looked exactly like Lord Valerian. But he had blue eyes and his hair was shorter. Next to him was another man. He had the same blond hair but grey eyes. The woman next to him bore the same features. She was tall and with long blonde hair and grey eyes. She had a displeased look on her face.

"Lady Valerian, welcome, welcome to the Valerian Manor. My name is Klaus Valerian." He kissed her knuckles.

"Your father failed to mention what a beauty you are." He smiled.

Blaise smiled uneasily.

"And you must be…"

"Do not confuse me with my brother. I'm his twin brother. A fun and warm version of himself." He said with a dazzling smile.

Blaise smiled.

"These are my siblings; Lord Heath, Lady Heather, and… looks like we are down to one person but anyway you are welcome to our humble abode. Which is now your home." Klaus said with a smile.

"Oh get this over with already, I can't stand her beating pulse." Heather snapped.

"Heather." Heath glared at her.

"What? I don't have time for this." She walked away abruptly.

"Pardon my sister, welcome home my lady." Heath kissed her knuckles.

"Thank you, my Lord." Blaise bowed.

"Please call me Heath." Heath smiled.

"Oh okay." Blaise nodded with a smile.

"Now meet everyone, everyone to Lady Valerian." Klaus raised his glass.

"To Lady Valerian." The crowd cheered.

"We threw this party in your honor you see. There are some people you should meet. Shall we, my Lady?" Klaus offered Blaise his arm.

"Yes." Blaise replied.

"Heath, go get Damon, will you?" Klaus told him.

"Alright. It was nice meeting you, my lady." Heath smiled.

"Please call me Vivian." Blaise said.

Heath nodded before leaving.

Blaise received greetings here and there as Klaus led her through the crowd.

Klaus led her towards a couple. They seemed to be in a serious discussion.

"Is this a bad time?" Klaus interrupted.

"Bloody…me, she is beautiful. Klaus you never told me." The brunette woman suddenly took Blaise's hands.

"Oh I don't…"

"Nichole Thornton." She introduced herself quickly.

"Vivian…"

"I know love. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you." Nichole said.

"You have?" Blaise asked surprised.

"A whole lot." Nichole nodded.

"Vivian you should meet, Lord Nicholas Adrian Thornton." Klaus introduced.

Blaise froze the instant she saw him.

"My lady." He kissed her knuckles.

"You?" Blaise muttered.

It was the man she bumped into the night before. His teal eyes were so vivid and gentle.

"Pardon me?" he furrowed his brow.

"I…I… never mind. You... You two look identical." She laughed nervously.

"Oh we do, don't we? Nick and I are twins you see." Nichole held her brother's arm.

Blaise smiled and turned back to look at him.

For an instance, everything around stopped. All she could see was him.

"You should see it, mate." Klaus told Nicholas.

"See…see what?" Nicholas turned to him distracted.

"I should show you around." Nichole suggested.

"Oh… yes that would be lovely." Blaise said quickly.

"Alright, see you later lads." Nichole took Blaise's hands and pulled her along.

A few steps away from them, Blaise turned back on impulse to find Nicholas staring at her.

They both looked away quickly. Blaise clenched at the funny turn her tummy took.

"It's a bad idea, mate." Klaus told Nicholas.

Nicholas turned to Klaus with a raised brow.

"Do not give me that look, Nicholas, as your friend I'm just warning you." Klaus told him.

Nicholas chuckled.

"You sure say ridiculous things when you're drunk." Nicholas said.

"Don't say I didn't warn you." Klaus mumbled.

"Nothing will happen, I promise." Nicholas told him.

"Alright then. Cheers to that." Klaus raised his glass.

They both clicked their glasses and drained them.

"So, you are a hybrid and your family serves under the Valerians, by ruling over the wolf territory, Theroden?" Blaise asked.

"Right, that sums it all up." Nichole said.

"So your brother Nicholas rules over Theroden?" Blaise asked.

"No, it's actually our elder brother, Torment, who rules.' Nichole replied.

The hallway was full of portraits. Some were random portraits; others were single portraits of people Blaise didn't know.

They both stopped at a large portrait of a woman sitting on a chair.

"Beautiful, isn't she?" Nichole whispered to Blaise.

Blaise nodded.

She had the most beautiful golden eyes and wore a blue gown with a scarf wrapped around her. She wore an exquisite diamond necklace around her neck.

"Evangeline Valerian. 1552." Blaise read the bottom.

"That's the Lord's mother. The kindest and loving woman I've ever known." Nichole touched the portrait.

"What happened to her?" Blaise asked.

"She was burnt at a stake by a group of humans in Velment." Nichole said.

"What? But how is…"

"That possible? It is Vivian. Back in the day, when Lord Gerald, Keith's father, was Lord of Valeria, the four kingdoms were at war. The vampires wanted more sovereignty, the wolves wanted freedom, the witches didn't want to be involved and the humans were spiteful than ever. The humans were tired of living in fear. Since the vampires had spread through the lands there was no peace. Some vampires sometimes went rogue and killed for fun. There were massacres here and there, many human lives were lost. The humans cowered in fear and refused to leave their homes. Not long, a group of humans stood up to hunt the vampires out of Ronovia. But during that time, the Lord and Lady Valerian were on a diplomatic visit to Ronovia. One afternoon, Lady Evangeline stepped out in disguise. She went with her twins, Keith and Klaus. Back then they were just young lads. The hunters somehow were alerted about this. Lady Evangeline was kidnapped along with her sons. But Evangeline fought back. She managed to escape with her sons, but she couldn't go far. She hid her sons and ran in a different direction. The hunters caught her nonetheless. They staked her through the heart and brought her to the middle of the town square. They claimed they were sending a message out to all vampires and Lord Gerald. They set her on fire that night and watched her scream till she couldn't anymore." Nichole narrated.

"That is horrible. What did Lord Gerald do?" Blaise asked.

"Surprisingly, he made peace with the humans." Nichole replied.

"He did? But what about what the humans did?" Blaise asked.

"He did nothing to them. He searched for his sons and left for Valeria. The vampires were furious but did nothing for their Lord warned them not to. For the first time in history, the humans had their way." Nichole said.

"But it didn't last. did it?" Blaise asked.

"Of course it didn't. Keith became Lord after his father died. That was a hundred years later. Then the great purge began." Nichole asked.

"The great purge?" Blaise muttered.

"Yes, it was the period of unrest. It's one of the reasons why the Lord is feared. He waged war on the humans. He sent out men to kill and massacre almost half of Velment. The humans cried for help from all sides but everyone feared to interfere. The Lord went mad with revenge he didn't care if those who killed his mother, died years ago. All he wanted was atonement for his mother's death. And if that meant taking innocent lives he gladly did it. He conquered Ronovia and took it. He made the humans slaves and food for the vampires." Nichole said.

"That…that is so harsh." Blaise said.

"Not everyone sees it that way. Some say the humans deserved it." Nichole said.

"But it isn't right. Is it?" Blaise asked her.

"I am no one to go against the Lord. Ask me anything else." She quickly changed the subject.

"So the Lord is like a tyrant," Blaise said bluntly.

Nichole furrowed her brows.

"I won't put it that way, he works hand in hand with the council. There's Lord Thornton, who represents the wolves, and Lord Blackmorth who represents what's left of the human empire. There's a democracy you see." Nichole explained.

"What do you mean what's left of them?" Blaise asked.

"After the purge, some humans turned. They are called the half-bred. But some humans stayed human." Nichole said.

"So does the Lord still hunt these humans?" Blaise asked.

"No, he doesn't but he doesn't care what happens to them either," Nichole said.

Back in the 21st century humans ruled the world. The supernatural hid from them to prevent chaos but here, they were nothing. They were just trifle beings used as slaves or feed. It sickened her to the core.

She couldn't believe she was married to a man who made all this happen.

"Lady Valerian." A voice called her from behind.

She turned to find the royal butler, Jared.

"Pardon my intrusion, my lady, but the Lord has ordered me to show you your room." Jared said.

Blaise nodded.

"Nichole, it was lovely meeting you. I hope we can get to do this again." Blaise took her hands.

Nichole smiled.

"Always at your service, my lady." Nichole bowed.

"Please, call me Vivian." Blaise said.

"Alright, Vivian." Nichole said with a smile.

Blaise followed Jared up a flight of stairs to a quiet hallway. He led her towards a large double door. He opened it to reveal a large bedroom. Several servants walking around the room stopped immediately when they stepped inside.

Blaise looked around the room with awe. The walls were decorated with grey and white pastels. The large bed had a canopy. It was laid neatly with grey sheets. There was a large balcony facing a small lake by the mansion. The balcony had the most beautiful view from where she stood.

"My lady, is it to your liking? If it isn't I can…"

"I love it. Thank you." Blaise said with a smile.

A portrait hanging on the rear side of the room caught her attention.

She stared at the picture with a smile.

It was a portrait of her family. Lord Devon, her father with her mother, Lady Isabel. In the portrait, she stood before her parents with a smile. She wore a beautiful emerald gown that matched her eyes. To her right side was Freya. She looked beautiful in the blue gown she wore. To her left side was a couple she didn't recognize. But the striking resemblance between the man and Lord Devon was undeniable. Before them stood two little girls with blonde curls. The twins, Lilith and Luella.

A sudden thought rang in her mind. She realized little Luella looked a lot like her Merma. There was no doubt little Luella was her grandmother. Her grandmother was born in 1777 and it was 1789 now. That would mean she was only twelve years old.

Blaise smiled at the thought. Her Merma was a little girl. A more talkative and noisier version of her old Merma.

Blaise looked down at the date below the portrait.

"November, 24th 1788." She muttered.

This was made the year before.

"Who made this portrait?" Blaise asked.

"I have no idea, my lady. It arrived amongst the presents before your wedding ceremony." Jared replied.

Blaise looked down at the initials beneath the date.

"L.S" Blaise mumbled.

"If there isn't anything else, I will take my leave now my lady. Sarah and Belle will be here if you need anything." Jared introduced two maids to her.

"My lady." The two maids bowed. Blaise noticed they were human.

"Thank you, Jared." Blaise said.

"My pleasure, my lady." Jared bowed before leaving the room.

Blaise slouched on her large bed and sighed heavily.

"My lady, will you like us to prepare your bath?" Belle asked her.

Blaise turned towards them.

"Yes but do that later. For now, you two tell me everything about the Valerians." Blaise said.

The two maids glanced at each other.

"What it is?" Blaise asked.

"Talking about the Lord and his family is an offense, my lady." Sarah sat at her feet and began taking off her shoes.

"We can talk about anything except that." Belle pulled off her crown.

"Why?" Blaise asked.

The two maids fell silent.

"You don't have to be afraid. Talk to me." Blaise urged them.

"It began last fall…." Sarah began.

Blaise slowly walked down the stairs to prevent herself from falling. The cream gown she wore was so long she couldn't see her feet. The 18th century was so much tedious than she thought. Jared informed her about dinner about ten minutes ago. She hoped she wasn't late. Being late for the first day of her marriage didn't speak well of her. A strand of her hair fell on her face. She let gown of her gown and tucked it behind her hair.

She suddenly stepped on the hem of her dress and tumbled over.

A firm hand gripped her waist stopping her from falling.

She looked up to find Keith Valerian looking down at her.

"Watch your step." He said in a cold tone.

"Err… thank you." Blaise held onto him.

"As much as I will like to see you dead, you falling over the steps isn't the best way." He told.

Blaise furrowed her brows.

"Pardon me?" She asked.

"Now let go of my shirt?" He said in an obvious tone.

"sorry." Blaise stepped away from him.

He adjusted his braces and turned away to leave. Blaise followed him two steps away. He looked taller in the black man's shirt he wore. His long blonde hair was tied with a black ribbon as earlier. He looked very handsome. But his golden eyes were cold and hostile.

His very presence frightened her.

They both walked into a large dining hall. Around the large table sat the Valerians. All eyes turned towards them as they walked in.

"Well, look who decided to show up. Lady Valerian, late for her first meal on her first day." Heather Valerian said with a smirk.

"Goodness Heather, this isn't night school. Good evening Vivian." Klaus smiled at her.

"Hello, Klaus." Blaise smiled.

"Oh acquainted so soon are we, princess?" Heather said.

"Leave her be, Heather." Heath said.

"I haven't done anything to her. Have I princess?" Heather asked with a tone of mockery.

Keith took his seat at the head of the table. Blaise sat next to him on the right.

"Ignore her, will you. " Klaus whispered to her.

Blaise nodded.

She glanced around the table to find a teenage boy next to Heather. He was busy writing down something in a journal next to him.

"That is our younger brother Damon. Damon, say hello to Vivian." Klaus told him.

The boy looked up with a bored expression.

"Hello Damon, I…"

"I would have said it was a pleasure meeting your acquaintance but it isn't." Damon said bluntly. He turned back to his book unperturbed.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who hates you, princess." Heather said.

Blaise glanced at her and back at Lord Valerian. He didn't seem bothered by his sister antagonizing her.

"That's enough Heather," Klaus said.

"Am I making the princess uncomfortable? If she is, I'm not sorry because she should realize coming here was a mistake. She doesn't belong here." Heather spat.

"Ignore her." Klaus told her again.

"Heather's right, her kind doesn't belong here." Damon said in a calm tone.

"Be quiet Damon," Heath said.

"Do not shut him out, brother. Damon barely speaks and the only time he does you tell him to be quiet? All because of some witch you don't even know?" Heather asked.

"She's one of us now you better accept that." Heath said.

Heather chortled.

"Accept? I will never accept someone of her pathetic nature." Heather spat.

Blaise sat silently as they discussed her as if she wasn't there.

"That's enough." A stern voice said authoritatively.

"Be quiet Heather and not another word from you Damon. She's one of us now so deal with it." Keith said.

"Fine." Heather said with a low chuckle.

Jared clapped his hands and several maids walked in pushing trolleys. The maids began serving the first course of the meal.

Blaise felt uncomfortable in her seat. She felt unwelcomed and alienated. Heather's intense glare wasn't making it any better.

She suddenly stood from her seat.

"Excuse me." She muttered.

"Vivian, where are you going?" Klaus asked.

"Anywhere apart from here." Blaise replied.

"Vivian you should stay for dinner its…"

"Let her go." Keith interrupted Heath.

Blaise grabbed both sides of her dress and headed up the stairs.

She overheard Heather laughing.

"It's not funny Heather." Heath said.

"Such a stupid little girl and to think we were scared, she was powerful in some way." Heather said.

Blaise rushed up the stairs with tears clouding her vision. Why was she crying over this? She was supposed to be stronger than this. She'd faced people worse than Heather. She was never one to get intimidated so easily. But here she was running away like a scared little girl. Lonely and sad. Coming here was such a mistake, she thought.

It wasn't long before she lost her way. She roamed the hallways in search of her room.

As she wandered the quiet hallways,

a scream from a nearby room alerted her. She rushed in the direction of the scream.

She entered the room and found a little girl asleep in her bed. The room had a dim light coming from a single lamp.

Blaise rushed towards the little girl. She tossed and turned in her sleep. A bead of sweat had formed on her forehead. She kept mumbling and screaming.

"Mommy…mommy…" was all she mumbled.

Blaise reached for her and touched her forehead. She was burning from a fever. She looked so pale and feeble.

"Clarissa" Keith suddenly rushed into the room.

He pulled the girl in his arms.

The others rushed in after him.

"Jared, get the royal doctor." Keith ordered.

Jared rushed out instantly.

"Mommy, mommy…" The little girl kept mumbling.

Blaise reached out to touch her.

"Stay away from her." Keith yelled.

Blaise pulled back instantly. Klaus stepped in by her side.

"Vivian, it's better you leave." Klaus told her.

"But she's…"

"Keith, it's time. We should.."

"She's my daughter I decide what will happen to her." Keith snapped a Heather.

Keith cooed her in her arms and mumbled words in her ear.

Blaise watched as the girl calmed down. It didn't take long before she started screaming again. She struggled and kicked in her father's arms. She seemed asleep all this while.

"Where is the bloody doctor?" Keith yelled.

"I will go check." Heath said before stepping out.

Clarissa began shivering.

"Keith, she's dying. You need to get her out of her suffering." Heather said.

"Heather's right brother. It's been a year, it's about time." Klaus said.

"No…You don't mean to kill her, do you?" Blaise asked.

"Stay out of this, princess." Heather snapped.

"I can help her. Please let me." Blaise said.

Keith glanced at her and back to his daughter.

Keith nodded.

Blaise quickly moved to his side. She touched the child's forehead.

"She's burning with a fever and her pulse is faint. Quickly, give her to me." Blaise said.

"You don't get it do you? It's not a fever, Clarissa has been sleeping for over a year. The best doctors haven't been able to help her. What can a mere witch like you do?" Heather asked.

Blaise sat next to Keith and reached for the child.

Keith pulled back hesitantly.

"Listen to me. I am not going to hurt her. I just want to help her, please let me. Now give her to me." Blaise ordered.

Keith placed little Clarissa in her arms reluctantly.

Blaise pulled her closer to her bosom. She checked her pulse and her eyes. Her pupils were dilated and her pulse was fainter than before.

Blaise had no idea what she was doing. But somehow she had this strange sense of confidence.

She pulled off her right glove. She placed her hand on Clarissa's chest.

"What are you doing?" Heather attempted to stop her.

Keith raised his hand and Heather retracted.

Blaise's hand went aflame and Clarissa's eyes suddenly flew open.

"Mommy." She looked up at Blaise.

"Clarissa." Keith reached for her.

"Daddy," Clarissa mumbled.

Keith hugged her instantly.

"Clarissa." The others rushed towards her.

Blaise stepped away to give them. She was still surprised at what she just did.

She just saved a child's life with her powers. She stared down at her hand in awe.

"Vivian, how did you do that?" Klaus asked.

"I…I… Her pupils are still dilated. She needs a lot of water and some food. Excuse me." Blaise turned away to leave.

She bumped into a man with a briefcase.

"Pardon me, my Lady." He apologized.

"This way Doctor Reeve." Heath gestured towards the door. They both walked past her in haste.

Blaise walked away still wondering how she did what she did.

She somehow wandered out of the mansion and towards the lake. The full moon hung high in the dark sky. The lake shimmered in its light.

Blaise stood staring at the lake with a smile. She saved a life today. Maybe her powers weren't all bad after all. All she had to do was to learn to control it and explore it. It was time to finally embrace it.

She looked down at her right hand. She snapped her fingers and they went aflame. She snapped them again and they went off.

She chuckled.

Maybe she was getting the hang of this, she thought.

"I don't know how you did it but I know my Clarissa means the world to me." Blaise turned around to find Keith behind her.

"I can see that." Blaise said.

"You saved her life and for that, I wanted to say…" he was hesitant to say the words.

Blaise watched him as he struggled to utter the simplest two words.

"I… Thank you." He finally said.

"There's no need to, My Lord. I'm glad I could help." Blaise said.

Keith nodded.

He turned to leave but stopped in his tracks.

"Vivian." He called her by her name for the first time.

She turned to look at him. Their eyes locked that instant and for a passing moment, they just stared at each other.

He quickly looked away.

"It's getting cold out here. You should go inside." He told her.

Blaise nodded.

They both walked towards the mansion in silence. Both thinking about different things but it all circled down to one thing.

They had a moment. Even though it didn't last a fleeting second, they indeed had a moment. Yet neither of them realized it.