Court of Darkness

8. In the office - Alexander

Alexander was sitting in his office. Today he was wearing a black long sleeved shirt that covered everything for once. He was working on strategies since Nicki wasn't around yet. The king smiled as he thought of yesterday. He had been pleased with last night's conversation. Nicki was slowly warming up to him. It seemed like their accident was doing her good after all. At first she had been cold and calculating when it came to him and the pregnancy. Now it seemed like she was slowly becoming more kind to him and started to get attached to their child without even noticing it herself.

The situation had been stressful for the both of them at first, hence why he had given her space for a few weeks. He had needed some time to organise his thoughts and Nicki herself probably had a lot to think about as well. He had sent a healer who had some experience with vampire pregnancies to check on her to confirm that she was truly pregnant. Something that had put him at ease. The fact that Nicki hadn't complained about the healer had already confirmed it before the results had come in. She had nothing to hide. That had always been the case when it came to her. Even when she had been a human. If he asked her for her honest opinion then he would get it. She had been the first servant who called him stupid in his face. It had angered him at first but later on he had realised that she had been right. Nicki had always been honest and kind. Becoming a vampire and wiping her memories had changed her. She had became cold, calculating. Her gentle side had faded but for some reason, her loyalty towards him never did. Alexander heard a knock. Nicki.

"Come in!" He said and quickly started to roll up the maps so he could put them away. Nicki entered his office. Alex turned around so he could greet her but was stunned by her beauty instead. The maps that he had been holding slipped out of his hands and fell on the floor. He didn't even notice. Nicki was wearing a flowy Bordeaux dress, her white hair was in a long braid and her earrings and necklaces had black stones to make sure that the focus stayed on her dress. But that hadn't been the thing that had distracted him.

"You're glowing." He said. His voice full of surprise. Nicki raised an eyebrow.

"Vampires don't glow, Alexander. What on earth are you talking about?" Alex shook his head and quickly started to pick up his maps. He placed them on the table and looked at her again.

"That's not what I meant. You're glowing. You know that humans get a so called pregnancy glow? I think you're having the same thing today." Nicki blinked and looked at him. Alexander cleared his throat to pull himself together and gestured to the table.

"I'm just cleaning up my mess. Take a seat. I'll get a stamp for you so you can just do that until you're tired. As you know, the paperwork never stops." Why did he sound so formal? Why didn't he say that she looked nice today. Or was that too soon? He didn't want to make her uncomfortable. Ugh! Why was he doubting himself so much? Women usually flirted with him. Nicki was one of the few that didn't but that didn't mean that he didn't have any flirting skills.

Nicki sat down like Alexander had asked while he continued to put away his maps. He then handed her a stamp and put a stack of paperwork in front of her.

"Don't bother reading all of that stuff. It's already sorted out and just boring. Just stamp on the place that's marked and move on to the rest." Nicki simply nodded.

"Stamping, moving on to the next paper. Stamp it. Repeat. Got it. Sounds indeed very boring." Alexander just shrugged.

"It is. I can't make it sound more exciting than that. At least you won't overwork yourself when it comes to your body. Mentally... well it can drain you." She gave Alex a devilish grin when he said those words.

"What do paperwork and Alexander have in common? They're both mentally draining." Alex sniffed and looked insulted. Ouch. Was he really that boring to her?

"Hey! That's not nice..." He said and pouted.

"That paperwork might not have emotions but I do. You're hurting my ego." Nicki gave him a sweet smile as answer.

"I'm sorry, my king." The little devil.

"You're not and we both know it, my dear." This time Alexander was the one grinning. Nicki scowled at him and started to stamp the papers. Alexander sat down and started working his own stack of paperwork. After a while Alexander decided to strike up a conversation.

"Are you liking your new dresses? I knew that you didn't have that many dresses and that most are meant for formal events. I mean, you're usually wearing pants whenever I see you." It made sense why she wore pants most of the time. It suited Nicki and her work better. Dresses restricted her movement. It was easier to fight and ride a horse in pants. Something she had done frequently. She had earned herself the title the king's hunter for a reason. Nicki was a great tracker and spy. She was important to him in many ways.

Nicki looked up from her paperwork and appeared to be surprised that he wanted to talk. That was fair, considering they were currently working. "I like them. They're very comfortable and you've stuck to my usual colours, although I rarely wear red." Alexander nodded.

"I'm glad to hear that. The red was a gamble. I figured you would like to wear something different now and then. I have to say that I like how that dress looks on you. Red is a great colour for you." Nicki gave him a smile. A genuine smile. It would've made his undead heart flutter if it had been beating.

"Thank you. For the dresses and the compliment. I have to say that I like it a lot as well." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I'm happy to hear that. Feel free to let me know if you require anything. I'm here for you." Alexander gave Nicki a warm smile. He meant it. He wanted to support her. He hoped that Nicki would accept it and not push him away again.

"That's generous of you Alexander. I'll definitely let you know." She said and sounded genuine. She may not be in love with him but Alexander hoped that they would grow closer in the upcoming months. This was a step in the right direction.

•

The weeks that followed were uneventful. Nicki was still helping Alexander out with the paperwork and they made some small talk. Nicki was around 17 weeks now and started to show, something that made Alexander happy. She and the baby were doing well.

Alexander and Nicki were making small talk when a servant rushed in with a letter and walked straight to his desk, not even noticing Nicki.

"Sir, the rebels are moving. They're slowly getting closer to the palace. The report-" Alexander gestured for him to be quiet and nodded towards Nicki, who was looking at the both of them.

"I apologise, my king. I should've paid more attention." The servant said. Alexander heard the sound of a chair scraping the floor and looked over at Nicki who was already standing.

"I'll return to my room. I should get some rest. Thank you for allowing me to help you with the paperwork, my king." She curtsied for him.

"Nicki! See you tomorrow?" He quickly asked as she was making her way to the door. She turned around and gave him a small smile. She nodded as an answer.

"Yes, my king. If I'm not too tired tomorrow I'll be here again." She then left. Alexander sighed and looked at the male servant in front of him again.

"Please continue. Just make sure that Nicki doesn't overhear you. She shouldn't know about this in her... current state." The servant continued with the report, as requested.