On the morning of her fifth birthday, Lorie opened her hazel eyes and gazed around, a bit confused. The yellow and white decorated room was beginning to feel more familiar to her as time went by, but she was still startled by Delphine's sleeping face so close to her own. Even if she was her best friend.
Lorie turned on her back and stared at the ceiling, her thoughts returning to that fateful evening in March, when her mother decided to move out of Bartholy Manor and in with the Marchal family. Despite Lorie's ardent pleas and Viktor's apologies, Josette was firmly set on distancing herself from the Transylvanian count. To Lorie's anger and dismay, her grandparents had fully supported her mother's decision. It was as though they were all allied against Viktor, with the exception of Lorie, who continued to defend him.
"But why do we have to leave Papa?" Lorie's eyes were full of tears, as she sat on the silk rug in her mother's bedroom, the morning after Josette told everyone about her plans to move.
Josette was seated on a plush purple ottoman in front of her vanity. She was still in her pajamas, but had a silk robe loosely draped over her shoulders. Her golden tresses fell in heavy waves down her back.
"Lorie," she replied wearily. "I know you love Viktor very, very much. And he loves you equally so. But... I'm not sure he is the right man for me."
"Why not? You said you loved him! Why are you changing your mind now?" Lorie couldn't comprehend what had happened to alienate her parents to such an extent.
Josette sighed. She looked tired and depressed as she dabbed a bit of translucent powder on her nose with a large pink poudrier. "I still care for him... very much. But... I saw a side of him I never knew existed before. And it gave me a lot to think about," she felt a shiver run down her spine as she recalled Viktor's threatening words and demeanor.
"You mean... because you two had a fight?" Lorie asked, her nose sniffling.
Josette nodded. "Not only that... but the way he acted toward my father was... unforgivable... and frankly, terrifying."
"Grandpapa should've stayed out of it!" Lorie frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. "Whatever went on was between you and Papa."
"Don't be so hard on your grandfather," Josette lightly caressed the top of Lorie's head. "He was worried about me... and about you."
"Why? Papa would never hurt me! He loves me!" Lorie was adamant.
"Let's just say... I was convinced Viktor loved me too... and that I would be safe in his presence," Josette remarked wryly. "But things aren't always what they seem."
"Just because he lost his temper one time doesn't mean he doesn't love you anymore!" Lorie gazed pleadingly at her mother. "He said he was sorry. I heard him."
Josette sighed. She had never shown Lorie the bruises Viktor's prying fingers had left on her arm. She didn't want her to know how low Viktor had stooped. Instead, she said: "Perhaps one day, when you're older, you will understand me better. But for now... you are my daughter and will simply have to do what I tell you to."
"I'm also Papa's daughter!" Lorie said defiantly.
"That is not entirely correct," Josette replied sternly. "He is not your biological father... and he and I aren't even married."
"Well, he's a lot better than that mean Englishman who called himself my real father," Lorie referred to Lawrence Danville. "Papa is much nicer to me!" She momentarily paused to blow her nose in a handkerchief. "So... the wedding is off?" Lorie's hazel eyes started to tear up again.
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Why Lorie? Part II
Fanfiction** Mature content! **This is the second part of Lorie's story that starts after Drogo is banished to America. I try to alternate chapters between Lorie's life in Vienna, and Drogo and Nicolae's in Mystery Spell. Read on to find out how Lori become...
