The Dragomir Heir (Watty Award)

Into the crystal again

Dante walked slowly to Lucius’ personal office and hoped that his cousin was unconscious with sleep. He prayed that he could delay his report until tomorrow, where Lucius will be too preoccupied to hear the following words put together: Romanov, Valentina, and Carol Parc Hotel.

Dante took a deep breath before entering the office and as he opened the door two old gypsy women clutching their bags ran out, nearly knocking him over.

“Ah, cousin”, said Lucius sardonically and intoxicated. “I hope you have a good report”. It was a report but it might not be good. Dante looked at the only old gypsy woman in the room scared as she held onto her crystal ball about to summon an image. Obviously, Lucius saw something that concerned Valentina and he was not happy about it. Dante noted the remains of a broken whisky bottle at his feet and the broken mirror to his left.

 “Did you know”, said Lucius demonically and privately in pain. “Valentina and Romanov have Christmas together every year since they became friends when they first met? That she supported his wars, and bought over her own arms right under my nose and that of most of her elders? She went to Cambridge University with Alek and they studied law and political science? He gave her a red Ferrari California for her birthday TWO MONTHS AGO?!?!?!?”

There was more but Lucius felt that every time he recounted an event, his heart broke. He witnessed in the images as Valentina danced in the Moulin Rouge for her 17th birthday in a white and gold dress as Alek, in his top hat and Victorian costume, had his hands on her hips. Everyone royalty was invited except the Vladonovs. Even Queen Marie sang to her from the roof-attached swing. The image changed to show Romanov’s exclusive birthday at a prestigious English castle. His party was extravagant with a black and white theme and in-door fountains with blood-mixed wine. He watched as Valentina, in her tight black dress gifted him the keys to a yacht that she bought him. This made him green with jealousy.

He watched as they laughed at the Dimitus cousins, who tried to dung each other’s head into the fountain of blood, which Isaac succeeded in and Vera cheering him on. Nathaniel, now with red hair, tackled Isaac as he laughed and they rolled around the grass to the cheers of some vampire and werewolf friends. Alek and Valentina held onto each other as they watched.

Holding up his hand to prevent the gypsy from bidding his previous request, which was to see Valentina’s school days, he asked her what Valentina did in the past few minutes upon seeing Dante’s grave face. Images of Alek slamming Valentina to the door as he kissed her hard and fiddled with her clothes came up. Dante’s face drained of colour as he watched Lucius’ face went from curious to hell-breaking rage. Lucius witnessed as his fiancée and the Tsar rolled around on the giant bed clothed only in their under garments, kissing hard and long. He grew in jealousy as Valentina fingered Alek’s tattoos and stroked his back while the Tsar was preoccupied. He longed to have her play with his own tattoos too. Suddenly the images turned off, and the gypsy quickly departed.

Lucius, in his great rage, picked up all the empty bottles and threw it at the window, which shattered, and at the walls. It didn’t satisfy him enough, so he went around the office, pushing and breaking things. Midway through picking up his own crown, Dante stopped him.

“I came to report that she is back in the palace now; Alek drove her”, said Dante calmly. “She smelt fresh still…they didn’t do anything except kissed”.

Surprised, Lucius turned around and demanded, “Are you lying to calm me? So they didn’t have sex?” When Dante shook his head, Lucius thanked God that his fiancée does have a cautious mind if not a stubborn one.

Looking around at the number of bottles, Dante frowned, “You have had too much. Come, you need to rest; the Dragomir is having a royal hunt tomorrow. I think we should join them…”

Now smiling at his sudden idea, Lucius turned to his cousin, “You’re right, cousin, I’ll go now but I need you to prepare for tomorrow”. He smirked, “I believe the princess will be very, very surprise”.

Riding towards the hunting grounds on his stallion, Lucius could feel his hangover draining away but still he drank down his energy drink. This morning he had a headache that threatened to crack his head open and a hunger that could rival a sumo wrestler. He recalled the cook’s face as he made his way down to the kitchen, ignored Olga the kitchen maid and ordered four large plates of bacon, eggs, toasts, sausage and tomatoes. While waiting for his food, he finished two bottles of orange juice.

“Regretting last night”, smirked Dante riding next to him. “No, I found last night rather educational, wouldn’t you say?” replied Lucius. “I hope you sent a message to Vladius explaining our presences in the hunt and made sure a larger tent is set up for brunch. Did you make sure that Valentina’s chair is comfortable and is seated next to mine?” When Dante nodded, Lucius grinned as he rode. Now that Alek was away, he could pull all the stops in his courting of the princess without distractions.

Once he arrived at the camp site where the Vladonov flag with a black three-headed dragon and the Dragomir flag of a red dragon in flight stood together, he waited with the elders, his cousins and uncles for Valentina. In minutes, he heard and felt the thumping of horse hooves on hard ground and looked up to see Valentina in the lead on her great midnight stallion and dressed in boots, leather pants and jacket. She had a strong elegant bow under her arm as she rode in front of Vera, her grandparents and the Dragomir royal associates.

  But what made Lucius grin widely was the look of disbelief and anger on her face, which realised that he was one step of her this time. Feeling over the moon and courageous, he shouted out, “Good morning My Love”.