Claiming What is Rightfully Mine (Walter Deville)

Chapter 25

Evie gave herself one last look to make sure that she looked good enough to go down to the big dinner, where she will hear who the lucky couple is that were getting married the next day.

Evie gave herself a nod of approval before walking out of her room, making her way down the dining area, where the dinner was being held.

Evie walked in, glancing around the table, noticing that Nicolette was nowhere to be found.

Oliver glanced over noticing Evie standing in the doorway looking around the table as though she was looking for someone. Oliver got up from his chair, calling over to Evie.

"Cousin Evelyn! Come have a seat next to me. I saved you a seat next to me, that way you have someone familiar to talk to while we wait for dinner to start," Oliver called to Evie, causing her to make her way over to him. The moment Evie made her way over to him. As Evie got closer to Oliver, he pulled her chair out for her. Evie sad down, and pushed her chair in with the help of her cousin Oliver, before sitting down pushing his own chair in, before he spoke up again. "You seemed a bit lost over there for a moment. Is everything alright?"

"Oh, everything is fine. I was just looking for my friend, Nico. I asked her if she would be attending the dinner tonight. She told me that she was going to. She said that she would be getting ready in her own room. But I haven't seen her sitting at the table," Evie explained.

"I'm sure that your friend will show up. In the meantime, how are you enjoying staying here, as well as all the festivities that have taken place so far," Oliver asked, trying to make conversation with his cousin Evie.

"I've been having a good time. I never really had time for myself back home. I have always been working, all the time while my friend Nico was working a few jobs to help keep us ahead of the bills. If I didn't have Nico there to help me, I don't know what I would do without Nico around to help me out in my time of need," Evie said before Nico walked into the dining room. Nico looked around, before she spotted Evie sitting next to Oliver, before making her way over to Evie.

Nicolette sat down in a chair, pushing it in while taking a quick glance at Evie. "I'm sorry that you haven't seen much of me during the little get away. I thought you wanted to spend time, getting to know your family a bit better, without me hanging around."

"Oh my god, Nico I wouldn't have minded if you hung around with me, while I mingled with my family. I'm sure that my family would have loved getting to know you a bit better," Evie said.

"I wouldn't have felt right about it. They were excited to meet you. Your cousin Oliver over there seemed like he wanted to get to know you better. Besides I got a bit alone time. I had a chance to walk around and experience the beauty this manor has to offer," Nicolette said trying to hide the truth from Evie. Evie doesn't need to know about everything that has taken place behind Walter's closed doors. If only I can find a way to keep Evie from finding out the truth about Walter and the two women that he claims to be his brides. Though I already know that it's only a matter of time before Walter allows his secret to come out. I just hope that Evie doesn't do anything stupid that would get us both in trouble with Walter, Nicolette thought to herself, unaware of Walter's presence now sitting at the head of the table looking at her.

Walter noticed that Nicolette was so lost in her thoughts that She didn't notice that he was sitting down next to her. Walter cleared his throat, breaking Nicolette out of her thoughts.

"What," Nicolette asked while looking into Walter's eyes.

"You seemed so lost in thought. I was just wondering what it was that you were thinking about," Walter asked.

"I was thinking about how Evie will react, when she finds out about your big secret you're hiding. Are you ready for Evie to learn what you truly are? Are you ready for Evie to find out that you are planning to turn me into what you are? Do you think you can keep Evie from running out of the manor, screaming bloody murder when she learns what you truly are," Nicolette asked.

"You don't have to worry about that my dear. I have everything taken care of. All you have to worry about is looking beautiful and sit tight until it's time for me to make the big announcement that all of our guests are waiting for," Walter said.

Evie cleared her throat, gaining Walter's attention, while Nicolette sat looking down at the food that is being placed in front of them.

"Is there something wrong, Evelyn," Walter asked.

"I was looking around and noticed that all of the chairs are occupied by someone. I don't see any place for the bride and groom to sit at the table with us...unless the bride and groom are not attending dinner with us, and will be showing up at the wedding tomorrow," Evie asked starting to feel a bit uneasy about not seeing any sign of anyone who look to be the bride and groom.

"I see. You are just as anxious to find out about the bride and groom just like everyone else," Walter said.

"I am, because they don't have a place to sit, if they were to sit at the table with us," Evie pointed out.

Walter stood up, tapping his glass, gaining everyone's attention demanding that they should quiet down.

"Thank you all for your undivided attention. I want to start by saying that not only am I thankful to have you all gathered here, but I'm also honored. It's not every day that I get to entertain guests at such a joyous event like the wedding that is taking place tomorrow. I'm sure everyone gathered here is wondering who the lucky bride and groom that are getting married tomorrow. I'm proud to announce to you all that I am in fact the lucky groom who is to be wed tomorrow. The lucky woman who is to be my blushing bride is none other than Nicolette Winters," Walter said while looking Nicolette in the eye. "To that I say we drink."

One of the maids went to start pouring the wine in cups for the guests, but was stopped by Mr. Renfield grabbing hold of her while placing a bowl in front of the maid. He then leaned her neck over the bowl, slitting her throat, allowing the blood to pour into the bowl; before dropping the body to the floor. Mr. Renfield then filled three glasses with blood, handing them to Walter, Lucy and Viktoria. Evie watched horrified, before noticing that Walter, Lucy and Viktoria now had fangs.

Evie freaked out jumping up out of her chair, grabbing old of Nicolette's arm pulling her out of her chair. Evie pulled Nicolette over to the doors, making an attempt to open the doors, only to find that they were locked. Evie pulled Nicolette to another set of doors, realizing that they too are locked. This only made Walter and everyone else in the room laughing at Evie's sad attempt at escaping with his bride.

Walter rushed over to Evie and Nicolette, grabbing hold of Nicolette out of Evie's grip, before he pinned Evie to the wall, grabbing hold of her face forcing her to look him in the eye.

"Do you honestly think that you can take my bride away from me? I find it funny that you think you can take my Nicolette away from me. Nicolette is right where she belongs; and it's all thanks to you," Walter said.

"Why do you need Nico? Why not go and find another woman who would be more than willing to give you everything that you want. Why not marry another woman, who would accept you as the monster that you truly are," Evie said.