The Vampire's Court

Chapter 44- Sugar

Seraphine and Narcisa sat in the sitting room, the steady rhythm of their embroidery needles threading through delicate fabrics offering a soothing backdrop to their conversation. The late morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a golden hue across the room, enhancing the rich emerald and black décor that was unmistakably Dimitri's taste. The air was warm, filled with the scent of fresh flowers from the garden just outside.

As Narcisa recounted a recent scandalous event with her usual sharp wit, Seraphine found herself lost in the rhythm of her stitching, her thoughts drifting to a certain someone. But before she could follow that train of thought too far, Dimitri appeared in the doorway, his presence immediately pulling her attention away from the needlework.

Dimitri cleared his throat, his gaze flitting around the room as if searching for something—or more likely, trying to avoid something. "Seraphine," he began, his voice unusually hesitant, "I've... uh... taken the liberty of arranging for your father to visit today. I thought... well, I thought you and your sister might like to spend the day with him before we... um, before we leave for Paris."

He still wouldn't meet her eyes, his gaze darting everywhere but at her. It was as if the very sight of her had become too overwhelming, too dangerous. His usual confidence seemed to have deserted him entirely, leaving behind a man who was, quite frankly, adorably awkward.

Seraphine felt a warm rush of affection and a touch of amusement at his behavior. "Thank you, Dimitri," she replied softly, touched by the thoughtful gesture.

Dimitri nodded quickly, his movements stiff and a bit jerky, as though he couldn't get out of the room fast enough. "Yes, well... I'll, um, I'll leave you to it then," he said, his voice nearly cracking as he turned on his heel and exited the room with all the haste of a man fleeing for his life.

The door had barely closed behind him when Narcisa burst into laughter, her embroidery forgotten as she clutched her sides. "What did you do to him, Sera? He couldn't even look you in the eyes!"

Seraphine blushed deeply, her fingers pausing in their work as she bit her lip to suppress her own laughter. "I... I just gave him a taste of his own medicine," she admitted, her voice a mix of pride and embarrassment.

Narcisa wiped away a tear of laughter, still chuckling. "You little minx! I've never seen him so... so human! He was like a schoolboy who just got caught passing notes in class!"

Seraphine couldn't help but smile, the memory of Dimitri's flustered demeanor warming her heart. "I didn't think it would have such an effect on him," she said, still a little surprised by how thoroughly she had managed to unsettle him.

Narcisa leaned in, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "You've got him wrapped around your little finger, sister. So, what's next? Are you going to let him stew in it, or do you have something even more diabolical planned? Tell me everything."

Seraphine pretended to ponder for a moment, though she already had a few ideas brewing. "Oh, I think I'll let him wonder what's coming next," she said with a sly smile. "He's not the only one who can play this game."

Narcisa grinned, clearly relishing in the idea. "Good. Keep him on his toes. It's about time someone knocked him down a peg."

Seraphine laughed, feeling lighter than she had in days. The dynamic between her and Dimitri had certainly shifted, and while she wasn't entirely sure where it would lead, she was more than ready to see how it all played out.

*********************************

In the cozy warmth of the tea room, the soft clinking of porcelain and the murmur of conversation filled the air. Seraphine, Narcisa, and their father, Morgan, sat together around a small, beautifully adorned table. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon sun, which streamed through the lace curtains, casting intricate patterns on the emerald and black decor that seemed to be a signature of Dimitri's taste.