The Family

The Ball...

"AAAHHHH....they're finally here!" I heard Seraphina scream.

Nicolas and I were in the kitchen when we heard Seraphina scream.

"What is?" I asked confused.

Seraphina replied by handing me a envelope. In the envelope lay a letter in cursive writing.

"Our father was thinking of holding a ball in order to get to know the other families here." Nicolas calmly explained.

"Meaning we get to meet guys!" Seraphina squealed.

I chuckled at her antics.

"Alright." I said.

That same afternoon, Seraphina forced me to go shopping...again...

6 hours later....Seraphina had probably bought the entire mall as we exited. She forced me to try on the dresses.

I simply rolled my eyes, knowing that arguing would be pointless.

"So when is this ball thing?" I asked as we got into my car.

"This evening!" She squealed.

We finally arrived at their mansion and Seraphina didn't give me a second glance as she grabbed my wrist and dragged me to her room.

She forced me to put on one of her white dresses while she did my hair and gave me shoes.

"I can't protect Nicolas with high heels?!" I grumbled.

"So?" She asked as she finished putting her dress on.

As soon as she finished, we heard a gentle knock.

"Come in!" Seraphina called out.

Nicolas entered, he was wearing a pale blue suit, matching his eyes. I stopped myself from staring at him too long and began playing with the hem of my dress.

"Ahh...the two most beautiful angels in the world." Nicolas greeted with a bow.

"Excluding mom of course." Seraphina corrected.

"Of course." Nicolas reassured.

"So shall we leave then?" I asked.

They both nodded in unison.

"Oh but I just need to stop at my father's mansion first." I stated as we walked out the door.

We entered my father's mansion and saw my father, already dressed. He was talking to Maurius.

As soon as Maurius saw me, he knew what I was here for.

"Ready to restock?" He asked. I nodded.

I looked over to Nicolas and Seraphina,"Wait here." I commanded and left the room.

I left the room and left Nicolas and Sera with my father.

"So...will toy be riding with us?" Nicolas asked my father.

He shook his head,"No, I will be riding with my bodyguard, Maurius."

After that final comment, the room was plunged into silence.

The tension was thick and every second felt like an hour.

Not a moment later, I walked out the hallway with Maurius. I wore a white jacket which hid my holster and my newly added, Colt M1911 and sawed off shotgun, with the addition of a few blades clipped to my belt.

"Shall we go then?" I cheerfully said as we left the house.

I followed my father's car to the venue and the journey was quite long.

"Oh, Valentine....why you wear jacket?" Seraphina pouted.

"Belive it or not, but I still have a job to do. I'm still your bodyguard...no matter where we are." I snapped back.

"Well I think she looks quite ravishing." Nicolas declared. I furrowed my eyebrows at his choice of words.

"Though it would be nice if she showed a little more skin..." Nicolas trailed off.

"Seraphina....punch your brother for me." I calmly requested.

She wasted no time as I heard shuffling in the back,"Owww..." Nicolas complained.

"Why does my trésor have to be so mean..." he groaned as we finally arrived at the venue.

I wasted no time as I got out to car and opened the door for Nicolas and Seraphina.

I payed little attention to the outside appearance of the building as it was too dark to make out any proper features.

Nicolas and Seraphina took the lead as I followed closely behind.

As soon as I entered, I was left dumbstruck.

The floor was made of elegant marble and it seemed the walls were too. Large, red curtains elegantly fell over the windows and the room was abuzz with chatter and classical music.

Everything went quiet as we entered and not long after, most of the people in the room bowed to the prince and Princess.

None of them looked at me twice as we walked over to one of the buffet tables.

Seraphina said a quick farewell as she stopped a suitable male to greet. They greeted each other shyly and soon walked over to the dance floor.

I smiled at the scene.

Nicolas, on the other hand, had many girls swarming him and flirting.

I rolled my eyes as he winked at every one of them and soon began dancing with a woman who had short blond hair.

They seemed to be enjoying themselves.

I stood up tall and observed the hall, looking for any suspicious activity. After I was satisfied, I eyed the buffet table.

It was decked out with desserts and I couldn't help myself.

I grabbed a platform and loaded it with chocolate strawberries, various tartlets, cake and cupcakes.

After getting a sufficient amount of dessert, I walked over to the corner and began stuffing my face blissfully (#relatble)

I received glares of digest from various women and men but I payed no attention to them.

I swallowed the last piece of cake on my plate and hiccuped.

"Awww~ la mia rosa is so cute when she hiccups." An all too familiar voice cooed.

I looked up to meet his gaze and there he was, wearing a white dress shirt with a black vest and black dress pants, along with the black gloves.

"What do you want?" I spat.

He didn't answer and instead, leaned closer until I could feel his breathe on my face. My cheeks slightly flared and the close proximity.

He reached towards my face and I flinched, expecting him to strangle me or slap me, but instead, he took his thumb and wiped some chocolate that remained off the side of my mouth.

"Aahhh~ someone looks embarrassed.." he teased.

I shook my head and spotted my father at the far end of the hall.

I ignored everyone else and made my way to my father.

He was sitting down across from a extremely slender man.

He casually took puffs of his cigar as the slender man took a sip of his wine.

"Ahhh...Valentine, perfect timing." My father said as he pointed to the man across from him.

"This is Mr Avenito." He said.

My breathing hitched.

Avenito...