The Dragomir Heir (Watty Award)

Challengers at Supper

Returning to the ballroom, supper was announced and the crowd made their way to the adjoining spacious room with a great long table, laden with polished silver, bouquet of red velvet roses and crystal goblets. Scanning the crowd for her friends, Valentina spotted Vera, and speaking to her friend and Alek in Latin, she asked them to sit at her end of the table.

Once in the royal dining room, Alek hastened his pace to Valentina’s end, pulled out the chair for her and once the princess was seated, he occupied the seat to her right. As planned, Valentina’s friends took up all the places at her end and letting out a sigh of relief, she scanned the table for Lucius.

He sat in the middle and was not happy about it, as he eyed daggers at Alek. Catching Alek’s eye, they both smirked.

“You are indeed brave, Alek”, proclaimed Nathaniel. “May I have the honour of doing your eulogy?”

“Yes, he died from many death stares so carelessly aimed by the Vladonov”, joked Isaac.

“We shall remember him as the vampire who came, who conquered and pissed off his enemies”, joined in Vera. Vanessa laughed hard, already overcame by the fine red wine. “I wonder what he is thinking now…”

Watching Valentina and her friends laugh, Lucius fumed. Dante, beside him, was also looking at that direction, frowning at Vera as she held Isaac’s hand on the table.  

“I’ll bet that she is untamed”, interrupted a voice beside Lucius. It was Madam Marion, the famed etiquette teacher of Romania and beside her sat her greatest student, Anna. “She and her friends were never in my classes. Well, except the twins. Already, a downfall on her part”.

“Madam, what do you know of Alekzander of Russia?” asked Anna, as she hungrily eyed the vampire staring admirably at Valentina.

“No much”, answered Madam Marion. “I have heard gossip in the ballroom that he is rich and well connected. His godparents are King Louis and Queen Marie Antoinette of France and they adore him”.

Looking towards the other end of the table, where Vladius sat as the head, he saw the white, blond king and queen merrily conversing with Elizabetha. All the while, they eyed Valentina and Alek with hope and happiness, which really pissed off Lucius.

 Getting Dante’s attention, he commanded, “As soon as you can discreetly excuse yourself, gather any information you can about Valentina and Alek, their histories, and find the gypsy down in the village for tonight. Then I want you to organise a meeting with the Dragomir elders, I want to renew this betrothal as soon as possible”. With that, Dante silently left the table.

While watching Valentina, someone near Lucius slammed his glass goblet on the table, causing it to shatter. Finding the source, Lucius’ eyes settle on Lord Emilian surrounded by his six stocky, military trained sons. The Lord was red in the face, shot up from his seat and pointed at Valentina.

“I can’t stand this anymore. I refuse to serve a woman who have neglected her kingdom and can't barely fight as well as my sons. You, my lady, are not worthy of the Dragomir kingdom”, spat Emilian. Then turning to Vladius on the other end, he continued, “You are foolish to think that she is ready. She is untamed and untrained. I do not recognise her amongst Madam Marion’s pupils”.

“Then what are you suggesting, Emilian?” questioned Vladius silently, but it gave out the ideal shiver. “A duel? Your words are treason and qualifies destruction by the highest official, which is my daughter”.

At this, Emilian and his sons laughed. “That beautiful creature? Why I’ll bet she hasn’t touched a stake yet for fear that it will damage her delicate hands”, mocked Emilian. Lucius was about to stand up and deliver some threats himself, when a cold voice came to his right.

“Then challenge accepted”, said Valentina. Lucius looked towards his betrothed and noted that she casually leaned in her chair, not disturbed by the threat. Her eyes were cold green and he spotted a smirk that promised certain death. “We shall meet in the arena at 0800, you and your sons. They have been very bad lately, raping gypsy women and selling Dragomir secrets and treasures. It will be a great pleasure”. Emilian's sons stopped laughing at the accusations, which only added truth to it.

“Seven fully grown vampire against a mortal woman?” laughed Emilian. “My Lady, you aim too high”. But Valentina only shrugged and motioned for her guards to remove Emilian and his sons from her sight. Looking at Alek and friends, they looked undisturbed. In fact, they seemed amused and couldn’t contain the laughter in their eyes.

“Oh, Emilian, don’t try to run and hide”, suggested Valentina in a bored tone. “I have been told that I am a great hunter”. With a scowl, Emilian and his sons left the room. Dinner resumed but with a bit more excitement and anticipation. Unable to contain himself, Lucius was about to stand and demand that Valentina made him her champion for the duel tomorrow. But Vladius caught his eye and shook his head before Lucius could act.

Beside him, Madam Marion smirked horridly, “Stupid girl”.