The Dragomir Heir (Watty Award)

The West Wing

While adjusting his cuffs, Lucius walked into the antechamber to find his fiancée in a tailored velvet dress and a metal belt analysing the portrait of Valeriu and Rebekah Vladonov, his parents. When the sound of the door closed behind him, Valentina turned around and nodded gracefully at him. “The man behind the journal”, she said nodding to the portrait of Valeriu Vladonov. “I wish I could’ve met him personally.”

Lucius walked up to have a closer look at his father and he did this with every court holdings, asking his father for wisdom. “From memory, he was stern and serious. He did invite Lucian over for a game of ‘friendly’ chess in the west wing of my castle” recalled Lucius as he rubbed the scar on his cheek.

Suddenly, Valentina brushed his hand aside and softly ran her finger down the scar. She had sorrow in her eyes as she looked at it. “It is healing fast”, he whispered and drew her into him closely but the movement startled her. She awkwardly pushed herself away from him and apologised for touching him inappropriately. There was an uncomfortable silence before Valentina looked up with a smirk.

“I must’ve been easy on you with my sword”, she said and moved towards the double door that led to the hall. Lucius followed her and smiled to himself while he watched her bottom swing from side to side. He wanted to drag her to his bed and claim her physically…but Valentina’s wrath may be a problem afterwards. He grimaced at how angry and passionate she was after the wager. Absentmindedly, he fingered his scar where she had touched and stroked.

Trying to calm down the desire to touch her or mould his hands around her butt, Lucius moved to stand next to her.

Since this morning, he had wondered how his people would welcome her. Would they ignore her rule? Would they bow down in fear? Lucius feared for her and how she would cope with ruling the Vladonovs. He knew she had learnt the Vladonov law since she was young but how she would apply it was another thing. It takes experience to rule the Vladonovs and from that experience, Lucius had learnt that fear and a heavy hand can control his people.

“Remember, fear controls the Vladonovs”, he whispered in her ears. Valentina nodded and placed a hand in the crook of Lucius’ elbow. Just before the doors opened, she quickly composed herself in a regal, ice queen and Lucius turned into a hard and cold king. The crowd stood to welcome them and Lucius noted a low murmur formed when they saw Valentina.

With the ease of a king, Lucius guided Valentina to the throne next to him and together they sat down as one. “Bring forth the accused”, Lucius’ voice echoed through the hall and the guards bought a vampire in chains and forced him to kneel. A weeping woman stepped forward and Lucius could tell that she was recently Turned and no longer innocent. Turning to his justice minister, Lucius demanded, “State the case.”

“Your Majesties, the woman, Amelia Doros demands justice after she was unfairly Turned by the male, Jon Fredric”, announced the minister. Valentina sighed in boredom and Lucius looked at her with curiosity. He didn’t know why she wasn’t taking this case seriously but he turned back to Amelia.

“Tell me what happened”, he ordered the woman. At that moment, the woman fell to her knees and let out a frustrated cry. Valentina huffed in annoyance, which confused him further. Didn’t she want to see justice and order?

“He…he…trapped me in the cellar of the local tavern and forced me to drink something. I…I…started feeling dizzy and then it went black. When I woke, I was Turned because I felt…thirsty”, she stuttered.

“She’s lying, my lord”, Jon shouted with anguish. “It’s because I wouldn’t take her as my wife that’s why. Ask my family, ask her friends…she was angry at me! She drugged me! She drugged me! My hands were so weak; everything was in darkness. I…I…” The vampire was sick on Lucius’ stone floor and a groan erupted from the crowd in disgust.