The Dragomir Heir (Watty Award)

The Engagement

Lucius heard the vibration go off in Valentina’s pocket but decided to pretend that he didn’t sense it. Instinct told him that the message was from Alek. He wanted to read the message just to make sure that it didn’t contain nonsensical words such as ‘eloping’, ‘running away’ or anything close to it. Lucius turned to preoccupy himself with his rare beef slice and heard Valentina shift. Looking over, Lucius wished he ordered his men to capture Alek instead so that he could kick the tsar and return the favour.

Now seething, Lucius wished they could return back to the time before she rode off to Devil’s Route. At that moment, his brooding was interrupted by an old vampire with peppered hair. “Lord Silas, it is wonderful to see you again”, beamed Valentina. “Have you heard from Lord Radors?” The vampire frowned and said, “He is at present busy, your highness”.

Valentina saddened a bit but then turned neutrally to Lucius and introduced, “This is King Lucius Vladonov, my Betrothed”. Lucius greeted the vampire regally and asked, “How do you know my love?” He could see Valentina roll her eyes at ‘my love’. Clearly, she hasn’t accepted him as such.

“I was her Royal Highness and Duchess Vera’s swords master. Of which it reminds me…Your Highness we haven’t had a friendly duel since last year. Do you accept my challenge?” Smirking, Valentina stood and accepted her cavalry sword from Vera. Once she was gracefully positioned in front of Silas with sword out and one hand on hip, the sword master said, “On your guard”.

“I have always been”, replied Valentina arrogantly then she took the first hit of which Silas parried. Vladius chuckled next to Lucius. “She sounds just like you, my love”, said Elizabetha entertained. “Arrogant even in the face of danger”.

Lucius watched in amusement as Valentina backed Silas up against the table but he distracted her before the kill by throwing a goblet of which she caught and placed gently on the next table. Now they were on top of a long table, trying to make a kill.

“Do you remember lesson one?” asked Silas between breaths.

“Mind your surroundings”, replied Valentina, smiling.

“And did you?” Silas threw a dagger and Valentina caught it. “Obviously” laughed Valentina.

“Lesson two?”

“Train both hands”. When Silas switched his sword from one hand to the other, Valentina followed and they resumed their duel. “However, Lord Silas…do you remember lesson three?”

“Which was…?”

“Never throw away a knife that might be used against you”, she replied before whacking the Silas’ sword aside and a second later, she had the dagger up against his neck.

“My Queen…I have trained you well”, said Silas and upon his release, he knelt and kissed Valentina’s signet ring.  The crowd applauded, while Lucius stood and clapped the hardest. Valentina was beautiful and graceful when she fought. So she was as well trained with the sword as he was. A clear equal to the King of the Vladonov Kingdom and the perfect Queen.

It was five minutes until the engagement ceremony will proceed but Valentina was not at the sacred cave in the Carpathian Mountains. All the witnesses of the renewal of the decree and the signing of the amendment were waiting inside. Lucius, who was in his official royal uniform with his military badges and sword, stood waiting outside with Dante, who was dressed similarly but without a crown and with Vera, who was wearing a long green velvet dress and a cape to block out the cold. He hoped that she did not decide to run away. Looking at Vera, he asked, “Can you check where she is?”

Vera, looking annoyed said, “Your investment will be here and besides, it is still early”. Lucius glared at Vera when she implied that he saw Valentina as his route to power. But right now, Lucius will admit that he saw Valentina as something more than that: a wife, a lover, and the other half of his soul. When the brunch feast finished, Valentina and Vera made their way back to the palace to ready themselves for tonight. Lucius commanded Dante to take him to his tattooist. While Dante got some Latin inscription over his shoulder, Lucius asked for an elegant V over his heart. His ever perceptive cousin saw this and asked, “Are you falling for her?”