When the room had settled, and there were fewer eyes on us, Vincent and I began our inconspicuous shuffle to the end of the hall. There was an isolated spot that led to an even more isolated and well-lit balcony.
“There,” I whispered to him, pointing the lucky balcony and we began marching towards it.
Vincent lifted the heavy black curtains with cursive golden patterns that covered the glass balcony door for the both of us and as soon as he did, the bright balcony light exposed our position, due to the differences in lighting in the two rooms. Still, it was only for a brief second as we snuck out into the cold night.<
The night’s silence was palpable, and I understood fully, under the golden warmth of the lit torches on the balcony, that Vincent would not answer my question, or rather couldn’t. The conversation had been so onesided that I almost felt stupid for having tried to explain myself to him. Now, anytime someone questions my line of thought, I can just blame it on drugs. But…like most things, I will deal with the sting later. I Inhaled deeply, then closed my eyes to try and still my racing mind, but the lump in my throat did not lessen. I cleared my throat, but still, it did not waver, nor did the flood of thoughts cloudin
Elizabeth’s gaze met mine easily, I mean, I was the only person left standing, and then she winked at me, to which I responded by bowing my head quickly in a fancy and exaggerated manner. Vincent suddenly squeezed the hand that he had let go of earlier, before the bowing, and I had almost turned to face him when a man dressed in black appeared beside me, startling me, then he whispered in a low tone.“My lady.” The man bowed then presented a golden fan that matched well with my gloves. “From the Marquess.”
“At what point do you think we should leave the ball?” Vincent asked as the room’s buzz resumed.“I was hoping t-,”“Your Grace!” A young dark-haired boy in a formal suit, with a large red gem encrusted on what looked like a scarf, tucked into his topcoat, yelled as he approached me with a broad smile on his face. He stopped aggressively only a few inches from my space then bowed quickly and then reached out to take my hand, but Vincent pushed his way to stand before me. &ldq
“Are you…did you just call me a rat?” Dominic asked the scowl across his beautiful face leaving no room for me to imagine that he had taken that as a joke.“I- n-n-,” -What was I supposed to say?-‘No I was just nervous about meeting you’ or ‘no, you are so sexy up close that my brain needs time??’-I am his enemy. I am not here to play teenag
Vivanna-Agreements? -The blank look I gave him must have clued him in on the level of information I had because Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Okay, I am starting to feel offended, I mean I get that you are the Dutchess and that you are busy, but don't forget about me. Seriously, I will go on a bender like Neiwei!" Sebastian pouted, and as a waiter passed by, he grabbed two glasses of white wine from his tray, then tried to hand one to me, to which I rejected.
READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED, SOME MATURE THEMES ARE DISCUSSED REGARDING DEPRESSION, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.Neiwei.The room was blurry, and again, he wasn’t sure which day it was and who was around him, all he knew was that he was at the Marquis’s castle and that was only due to the numerous amounts of ‘red liquid’ being escorted by the servants of the castle. The noises around him felt like faded echoes in the distance as he relaxed deeper into the black and gold lounge chair.
“Let us start from the beginning because I am confused,” Dominic said, as he pulled me back into his arms his grip tighter than before and it was beginning to hurt.“Vivanna, are you actually deluded enough to believe that you have the upper hand in this conversation?” he whispered painfully close to my ears, and a chill crept up my back. “I think that you will pay more attention to your surroundings if-”.
READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED, SOME MATURE THEMES ARE DISCUSSED.I had assumed that ‘casino’ had only represented wealth and perhaps even an acceptance of human nature. Because of that blunder, I had been ill-prepared for a conversation with the Count, let alone an entire blackmail strategy.-But I can't fail. I cannot afford to fail! -To m
I know, I know, I promised more Vivanna and Kassian, but as I was writing, the Envian arc turned out bigger than I thought it would. {Please don’t stone me, I am a terrible planner} So, I decided to focus on background information that will play key roles in book two. Though I wanted to add more Envian adventures, it wouldn't be fair to do so burned out; that way, I can give more thought to their relationships and the flow of the story. This is a great place to end book one and perhaps take a breather before I start planning for book two. So far, you have met or 'heard of' (ahem) the major leads, and now book two will be centred on: Daisy, Erden, Kassian, Bryant, the demon, a bit of travelling to different continents with Isaac and more of fierce Vivanna, lol, unfortunately, the bumbling and uncertain Vivanna dies in book one and comes back far more villainous in book two. I’d also like to thank you so much for reading.
“Wake Field Dutchy, ran by the Mint household, has acres and acres of farmland where we plant various kinds of tea….”The meeting went on in that fashion until finally, Augustine called on me.“I’d like to hear what Portburgh has to offer?” he said.Snickers filled the hall as whispers of ‘country bumkin’ and ‘harlot’ surfaced.“Well, this is a surprise,” I said, then stood from my seat, letting the white dress flow freely from my body.“As you know, Portburgh is on the south of Envia-,”‘Is she giving out geography lessons to stall?’….-Yes, I am-‘Probably reminding herself of its existence.’-Give it a rest.-“…and North-east of Cursix.” I cleared my thoughts, and my mind flashed back to the map of portburg in Vivanna’s office, “ You said that Aquellia and Dia were l
“Well, did you hear me call you?” the spectacled stranger prodded, ignoring the sensation in his hand.“Apparently, I did not. Do you just make it a hobby to harass the first gorgeous thing you see?”“Hah,” the man scoffed, “I’d hardly call you gorgeous.”“green is not a good colour on you.” I retorted.Seeing as I was successfully bantering with a stranger, that had to mean that he, knew ‘Vivanna’, knew me.Either way, it's best to keep chatter short. That way, I can limit the suspicions.“So? What the hell do you want.”Was I coming on too strong?“The prince says that you do not need to attend the seminar. The ceremony must have worn y-,”I placed my hand before him to silence him.“First of all, do not tell me how I feel. That is terribly insulting, but seeing as you just grabbed my hand so violently-&rd
The purple patch of discolouration on the King’s neck was proof of poisoning, yet he could stand before me, before all the nobles in the room and pretend that there is nothing wrong with him.Patricide, in nobility, is not rare. In fact, when I was reading about his death, I didn’t particularly find it shocking that his son was poisoning him, however seeing it with my own eyes…“Child, your father would be proud to see you stand here today.”I doubt it. The glimpse of him from my nightmares told me that I could do nothing to make him feel proud.“yes.” I smiled.“I heard that you lost your concubine.” He sighed, “sometimes things like that happen, but I hope that you will be careful in wrapping up this matter.”“Even though he is a fallen prince, he had allies.” The King whispered to me, “If it is not handled well, this matter could cause a nationwide war.&r
“…and now, I declare, you, Lady Vivanna Pursioe Rorei, the official dutchess of Portburgh and an official part of one of the two dutchy households in the kingdom of Envia.” The King, a frail white-haired man, announced before applause filled the room.The event was more exquisite than I had imagined. If Kassian hadn't gifted me a white and red gown to wear to the event, I probably would have been embarrassed.Still, it's ten a.m, and everyone is in dresses rather than pyjamas. I can't really say that I favour the culture of this world…‘This world’…My world?That stupid mage, saying shit like that then paring it with ‘the people involved in the reincarnation spell, ‘including you’, had their memories distorted and gave something up because what we did was against all known laws,’So, according to him, I owe a whole lotta people but have no recollection of it.
READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. SENSITIVE TOPICS ARE DISCUSSED “Okay, last question, Why did you want to assassinate the prince of Envia.” “I didn’t.” I shrugged, “I just wanted to hit him. That can’t be classified as an assassination attempt. I mean, for god's sake, his face is soo….” I sighed. “I..wouldn't have tried to if he…if he didn’t look so much like Rodrick. Basically, it was a momentary loss of ….” I sighed then my lips sealed themselves shut before the next words could flow from me. “Hmm, are you going to proceed?” “If I don’t want to, does that mean that we can proceed with my questions now?” “Well, yes, but I do intend to pay in kind.” He shrugged, and I rolled my eyes. “When…” my voice broke, I never in a thousand years thought that I could confess this…untold tragedy to anyone. The full day’s events were a secret that I had vowed to take to my grave, but at this point, what
“Where am I?” I asked, my voice sounding groggy or was it lazy? All I was certain of is that my body felt weak and I, myself, felt weary. -Why, why was I throw into the past? Why do I keep coming back as Vivanna?- “Wow, you don’t even want to know who I am?” I was in the same dress that I had gone to the ball in, only barefoot. I made myself more comfortable by sitting cross-legged on the ground. I stared down at the floor once more, or rather the cosmos then sighed. Even if I were to search for clues…this situation is way beyond my control, and frankly…I am tired. More than just physical exhaustion, I think I have just had enough. “Neiwei? Is he alright?” I asked, and the man frowned. In fluid movements, probably because his legs had turned to inky smoke, he flowed to me, then with his sharp claws oozing his essence, he tilted my chin. “Ah… I see you had erased all the bad things that the goddess made you relive?” -The goddess
“What's this? A peace offering?” I asked, frowning at the cheap trinket she offered “No, you idiot, this is a birthday gift from me.” “I mean, I prefer money, but….” I said, then reached for the trinket. As soon as my hand touched the object she held, her pink eye turned golden, and as though that wasn’t bad enough, it began glowing. A chill crept up my spine, forcing me to still in my spot. The sounds that often framed nightfall were silenced, and even the air’s stillness could be felt. -The hell is going on? I can’t…move my body? - “Isn't it about time you wake up?” Milossa spoke in a voice that did not even sound like her own. Her lips were moving, yes, but they did not match her words. “Vivanna, or should I call you Annabelle?” the voice said, “You know of the tragedies that will befall you next. Last time your emotions were deeply disturbed, you had many people around you whose energies you could absorb, but right
“So…what? Do you want to take me out or something?” I joked.Well, my version of a joke anyway.The sound of the flickering of a lighter caused me to turn and face Monet, who already had a lit cigarette placed firmly on her lips.“Are you allowed to do that?”“Maybe not, but does it look like it changes anything?”“I never pegged you for the pessimistic type.”“Hmm…” she replied, then exhaled.The smoke pooling from her mouth framed her face, obscuring her dejected expression for only a few seconds.“I am dying, Annabelle.”“No shit, though I have to admit, this is the first time I am seeing a person die because of a disease.”“That’s rather cold-blooded, you brat!” she chuckled, then continued, “But, unfortunately for you, I am not ill, so I guess your goal has yet to be achieved?. I was poiso