For Eternity - Edited Version

Chapter Four - A Turn of Events

~POSSIBLE TRIGGER WARNING - MENTION OF CHILD ABUSE~

        "As your soon-to-be husband, I have every right to read your thoughts," the prince stated.

        "I think not," you snappily replied.

        "Then I have every right to as the future king of vampires."

        "News flash buddy: I'm not a vampire, you are not my king, and you will not be my husband. Your provided logic is flawed to the core. Let's revisit this topic when you actually have a valid argument, shall we?"

        "You know what bella?" he seethed, teeth gritted. "I ought to-"

        His threat was cut short by the large double doors bursting open. A blond haired man, who looked remarkably like the other boy from the painting, rushed in. He was dressed in a white suit with a black button down beneath the suit jacket and dress shoes of the same color. A pink scarf was draped loosely around his neck, the ends falling behind his shoulders. Rose tinted glasses sat perched on the bridge of his nose, partially obscuring his reddish-gray eyes. His curl, jutting out to the right of his head, was frazzled, and he seemed visibly upset.

        "Fratellino!" he cried, nearly in hysterics. "Something terrible has happened!"

        The prince sighed and let go of you, letting you take quite a few paces away from him. "What is it this time?" he inquired, tone irritated.

        "My star model of the upcoming fashion show in Milan was murdered last night while out hunting with friends! What am I supposed to do?! The show is next week! How am I to proceed when my main centerpiece was tailored specifically to her measurements?!"

        "Calm the fuck down, idiota. You have plenty of other models. It's not as if you can't find someone with a similar shape. If you have to take-in the dress to fit someone smaller, then do it. You've done it before, so I don't see how this instance is any different."

        "It's different because the model line up was already announced, and I don't want to have to be the bearer of bad news when it's supposed to be a happy time."

        "Flavio, this is hardly my problem. Why don't you bother Aurora or Rosalind with this? They're better at giving advice than I am. Plus, I was in the middle of an important discussion that you so rudely interrupted."

        Pausing with a look of surprise, the blond leaned to the side to catch a glimpse of his younger brother's conversation mate. There was Gilen, but he was standing a good distance away for a regular conversation. Then there was you, standing with impeccable posture as you attempted to make yourself more powerful than any of the room's occupants. You waved at him awkwardly but did not smile. He broke out into a dazzling white smile, teeth impressively clean and straight. It made you a bit self-conscious about your own smile despite having braces in your teen years and taking good care of them. Side stepping his brother, he made his way towards you.

        "So this is the girl you've told me about," he stated excitedly, inspecting you with a critical eye. "Dio mio, you are extremely beautiful, mia signora." He took your hand in his and kissed the back of it, much like his brother had. "Might I add that your dress only accentuates yo-"

        "Okay, that's enough!" the prince exclaimed, tugging you away from Flavio. He hugged you tightly to his body like an overprotective father attempting to keep his daughter from an overly affectionate boyfriend. "First of all, yes this is her, and second of all, keep your hands off of my girl," he growled.

        "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold your horses cowboy. I already established that we weren't an item," you said, pushing against his chest.

        "That wasn't up to you. You agreed to the arrangement when you agreed to come to my castle."