Royal Twilight (fanfic) [ON HOLD]

Chapter Two

The Thanksgiving service was long, dull and extremely religious. Whilst the vampires seemed frozen, awestruck even, as the Host was lifted, us humans found it hard to stay still and, most importantly, awake.

When the service ended, we all filed out of the chapel after the King and Queen. The princes had been absent from the service noticeably but this was due to them preparing the private luncheon. This private luncheon meant a break from duty and time to prepare myself for the ball in the evening.

Angela, me and the other human maids escaped immediately to the bathhouse where the pool was already full of warm water. The other girls, including Lauren and Jessica, were quite relaxed about matters such as nudity and leaped straight into the pool without a care in the world, splashing each other playfully. Angela and I on the other hand did not remove our underclothes until we were already submerged and kept quietly to the corner of the large pool, scrubbing ourselves with soap frantically in the hope that the guards would not be watching us.

Just as I was about to leave the pool, the doors barged open and a tall, male vampire arrived. There was a pause before the other girls squealed and did their best to cover themselves. Lauren, standing on the edge of the pool, jumped so high that she fell back into the pool in a heap of body and blond hair. It took a lot of strength not to laugh. 

"Aah, human girls!" his voice was notibly Italian and his eyes flashed a dangerous red. "Where be your masters?" 

"King Carlisle and Queen Esme are dining with their children in the King's Private Chambers," Angela spoke up, her authoritative role kicking in. "It is a private lunch I am afraid, sir."

"Nevermind, child, I will disturb them later on," his mouth broke into a dangerous smile. "How will I spend the time until then? Maybe I should dive in and join you..."

"Apologies, sir, but the Queen expressly forbids men, vampire or human, bathing with her ladies." The vampire guard, a tall, hard-faced man with pale blond hair glared at the intruder. "If you want entertainment then may I escort you to the accommodation of the other envoys?"

"Them pussies?" The Italian spat. "But true, I do not wish to upset, her gracious Majesty. May I at least borrow one of the girls to guide me? Perhaps the pale brunette with the big brown eyes. She shows no fear."

The girls' faces turned to me immediately, full of fear. Why didn't my face reflect theirs? Inside, I was petrified. Under the cloak of water, my legs shook and my hands clung to the side of the pool for support. Why did I show no fear? I knew of the Volturi. I knew of the way they treated humans. This creature before me, with his flashing red eyes, could rip us girls to shreds before even the guards could react. Why did I show no fear?

"Lady Isabella is much beloved of the Queen so I am afraid she must remain protected."

"Pity. Perhaps I shall be able to spend some time with her this evening at the ball." He bowed down to us before turning around and exiting the bathroom. "Ladies."

The jolly mood over, we all climbed out of the bath and towelled ourselves, no longer caring for modesty now our sanctuary had been broken. Lauren was in tears, more from embarrassment than fear, whilst little Abigail, barely fourteen, had wet herself. As I turned to leave for the bedchambers, a hand grabbed mine.

"Let me go with you." It was Angela. I bit back tears as she led me, by the hand, away from the pool and up the flight of stairs to our shared chamber. Though, in theory, she could not battle a hungry vampire, it felt good to have her strong but silent company as we made our way through the palace.

In the bedchamber, I collapsed onto my bed, refusing to remove my damp clothes. Angela ignored this and covered me with a quilt before laying a kiss on my forehead.