Chapter 7: Wikerstone Manor

--The Nydisian Kingdom, Country of Balewen, Wikerstone Manor--

The ladies in waiting alongside Minister Wikerstone's youngest daughter gossiped freely while having their afternoon tea.

Word had spread in less than a day that the General had returned and has now assumed the position of King.

Everyone in the kingdom knew just how powerful the general was and for him to ascend the throne did three things to the citizens of Nydisia.

Those that hoped to oppose him, hid in their own shadows. Those that hoped to gain his favour, continued to seek it. And those that hoped to be his wife, were more determined than ever now that he was King.

"Oh, you don't have to be rude about it, Macie. I'm merely pointing out that if he was to be wed, it wouldn't be with someone that can't fit into her newly made corsets," Lady Murie retorted while placing her teacup back on her tray.

The woman who went by the name Lady Macie was fuming at Lady Murie for insinuating that she was getting fat and that she had no chances with the King.

Lady Macie and Lady Murie were half-sisters, as they shared the same father. Their father, Count Baret, was the Earl of a county in Sareweth.

Although they were sisters, most of the time, they would end up bickering with each other over pointless things.

Count Baret had sent his daughters to be ladies in waiting for the minister's daughter hoping they would learn some decency and gain even a fraction of the sophistication that was expected of them.

As Lady Macie was about to insult her half-sister, Lady Victoria entered the room in her high collared corset dress and took her seat at the head of the table as a maid quickly rushed to serve the lady.

Lady Victoria and her four ladies in waiting were daughters of noblemen and were highly valued in the social society as they were beautiful ladies yet to be wed.

Lady Victoria Wikerstone is the daughter of Lord Wikerstone who works as an extremely esteemed minister in the castle. Her brother, Lord Killian Wikerstone, also took up work in the castle, which left her in charge of the Wikerstone manor in Balewen.

Despite receiving countless marriage requests, Lady Victoria had her eye on one man. A man she was once engaged to.

If anyone had a chance of being Mrs. Williams, she would be the front runner up. Everyone knew of her relationship with the General, she made sure of it.

Even when their engagement broke, she told people it was because he was going off on a dangerous mission and didn't want to cause her heartache, and people believed it.

"Ladies, I don't appreciate you speaking of being with my future husband, I find it very disrespectful." Lady Victoria got tired of hearing the four parrots in front of her yap her ear off.

They immediately stopped talking and muttered their apologies for offending the Lady of the house.

The ladies knew out of all of them, Lady Victoria stood the better chance of being at the General's side. To say the least, Lady Victoria was gorgeous, everything about her exuded class and nobility.

Her slight pale complexion contrasted perfectly with her bright red eyes and golden coloured blonde hair that flowed midway down her back.

Lady Victoria's sharp facial features gave off an impression of danger despite the innocence of her actions.

The vampiress was highly educated as she studied with the best tutors money could provide. One could describe her as a wolf in sheep's clothing, baring its teeth only when needed.

After almost a year, her future husband had returned to the kingdom. Just the thought of seeing him again made her heart flutter.

Although their engagement had been cancelled, she still believed he cared for her and would make her his wife granting her the respect and the pride of being the General's wife, who is now also the King.

Now that his mother was dead, there was no one standing in between Lady Victoria and the altar.

"I heard he has become the most handsome man in all the lands, what do you think of it Victoria?" Lady Evaline, Lady Victoria's closest lady in waiting asked, trying to brighten up the mood.

Lady Evaline, along with all the other ladies in waiting had never actually seen or met the man. They were just tagging along with what people said about him.

"Of course he is, did you think my future husband would be unpleasant to the eyes?" Lady Victoria's eyes narrowed, annoyed with the way her ladies spoke about him.

"I meant no ill by my words Lady Victoria, I just hoped you would tell us the gist revolving 'round your engagement?" Lady Evaline smirked as she teased her best friend about the man she was so smitten with.

"Well," Victoria sighed happily, "Since you asked so nicely," Then she began to tell them of all the nights she and the General shared together.

The more she spoke of him, the more she felt an urge to go see him. She called in one of the maids and sent out a request, "Have the stable boys prepare a carriage for my ladies and me. We leave for the King's castle tomorrow."