The Dragomir Heir (Watty Award)

Rome

“Call me every night”, repeated Lucius as he held Valentina’s hands in his jet before their departure. “Call me when you land in Paris”. Valentina nearly rolled her eyes but promised him anyways. To stop him from talking, she kissed him hard and he happily returned the favour. They stopped when they heard Derrick’s cough.

“The pilot didn’t know how to interrupt without receiving your wrath, Lucius”, said Derrick with a smirk. “I’m afraid to say that it is time to depart”.

Valentina hugged Lucius and promised him, “I’ll see you when I get back.”

Lucius looked at Valentina intensely, which quietened her. Did I give myself away? She asked herself.

“I’ll come with you”, he simply stated. “I’ll buy all my things over in Paris. I have a holiday house there actually.”

“What?” exclaimed Valentina, “No, no…it’s perfectly fine. You are most needed here in Romania, my love.” She couldn’t have Lucius come along because she wouldn’t be able to explain Darim’s presences …nor will she be able to extinguish his wrath.

“Lucius”, interrupted Derrick, who looked seriously at him. “Amongst the Vladonovs, you are the only one who could deal with the aftermath of the war. Do not forgo your responsibility!”

“Power should never be neglected”, Valentina added. “I…I don’t think your cousins are capable of looking after your kingdom.” This was the truth and Valentina had known it for quite a while but she wasn’t so mean to tell it to Lucius even when she did hate him.

He nodded and scooped her up into a kiss again. He stepped out of the jet minutes later.

As the jet moved, Valentina looked through the window and saw Lucius, who held up his mobile, signalling for her to call him as soon as she lands in Paris. She rolled her eyes at him, believing that he didn’t see her do it. Seconds later, she received a text message from Lucius:

I saw that.

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When the jet landed in Paris, she called Lucius, “I’m in Paris”.

“Good”, he said. “I miss you…having Dante around is not the same”. She smiled as she watched her fiancé’s personal pilot and attendants load her and Derrick’s luggage into a Bentley. Derrick exhaled exhaustively at the slow process and eyed his watch. She signalled for him to keep calm and remain unsuspecting. The last thing she wanted was for Lucius’ people to report back to her fiancé about uncharacteristic behaviour.

“My love, I must go and check into our hotel…Derrick grows inpatient by the second as well as the driver”, she explained.

“Well, you should’ve used my own driver instead”, lectured Lucius.

“Right…my love, I must go…I want to be alone with you as soon as possible”. They said their goodbyes and Valentina quickly got into the car.

“About time, cousin”, steamed Derrick. “We are going to miss our plane with this scheme of yours”. Turning to the driver, an old vampire guard sent by Darim, Derrick said, “Thank you Albar for this last minute call… Vladonov put this on us unexpectedly”.

“It was nothing”, smiled Albar. “I’m honoured to have my prince and future king include me in this mission. He has sent his jet but unfortunately, I’ll have to drive around before driving towards the jet”.  Valentina knew that it was a façade.

After driving around the airport block until they got word that Lucius’ men have departed, Albar drove back to the airport to the other side, where a navy jet waited. Assisting the old vampire, the cousins heaved their luggage towards the jet while Albar hide the stolen car. Finally, the jet was flying and Derrick turned to his cousin with a knowing smile and said, “I think this will be the best mission thus far, cousin”.