As Nicholas and Annabelle entered the drawing room, they were greeted by the warm smiles of Nicholas's parents, who had just returned from dinner at a duke's house. Lady Moreen's eyes sparkled with delight as she saw Annabelle.
"Ah, Annabelle, dear, it's so lovely to see you," she said, opening her arms for a warm hug.
Annabelle smiled, feeling a sense of comfort in Lady Moreen's embrace. "It's nice to see you too, Auntie," she replied, using the familiar title.
Lord Stanford chuckled, his eyes twinkling as he hugged Belle, "We're glad to be back. The duke's cook did an excellent job, as always. And oh my Belle you've grown into a fine young lady. Don't you think Nicholas" he turned to face his son.
"I thought same father" he chuckled, "Welcome back home."
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway, and Annabelle's brothers, entered the room. They were all tall and handsome, with them having similar dark hair and bright green eyes making them a striking pair. Only Annabelle's features were different since she inherited it from her great grandfather.
"Ah, perfect timing, boys," Lady Moreen said, smiling at her nephews.
She was awed by how they had all grown within three years and she was extremely happy for that. Maids attended to them and took a few things back to their room while the butler announced that dinner was ready.
"Where is my brother and sister in-law?" Lord Stanford inquired from Nicholas.
"They stepped out for a while" he replied.
They all made their way to the dining room, chatting and laughing as they went. Nicholas sat beside Annabelle, his presence reassuring.
As they sat down to dinner, Lord Stanford raised his glass. "To a pleasant evening, and to good company," he said, his eyes sparkling with warmth.
They all raised their glasses, and Annabelle felt a sense of gratitude toward Nicholas's parents and her brothers. She was glad to be surrounded by people she loved, and for a moment, she could forget about the events of the day.
The conversation flowed easily, with topics ranging from the latest news from court to the upcoming social events. Annabelle listened and participated, feeling more at ease with each passing minute. Nicholas's parents were warm and welcoming, and her brothers were their usual lively selves.
As dinner progressed, Annabelle found herself laughing and smiling, feeling like she was part of a big, happy family. She was grateful for this moment of normalcy, and she knew she would cherish it because ever since she set her foot to Nicholas's mansion, there was this feeling of unease she couldn't quite explain.
Just as they were finishing the main course, the doors to the dining room swung open, and Annabelle's parents, Marque Edward and Marchioness Kena, entered the room. They looked a bit worn out from their trip to the court, but their faces brightened as they saw their family gathered around the table.
They saw Annabelle and they gave her a knowing look, their faces were etched with worry and Belle could do nothing but give them a wide smile like she was fine and nothing happened.
"Ah, perfect timing," Lord Stanford said, standing up to greet his brother and sister-in-law. "We've just finished the main course."
Marque Edward nodded, he gave his brother a big hug and also his sister in-law, his eyes scanning the table. "We didn't mean to interrupt. We just arrived back from the court and thought we'd join you for dessert."
Marchioness Kena smiled, taking a seat next to Lady Moreen. "Yes, please do join us. We're famished after our long day."
The servants quickly set additional places for Annabelle's parents, and they joined the table. The conversation continued, with discussions about the court's latest decisions and social gossip. They also talked about how much they missed eachother and were glad to be together again having dinner as family.
Annabelle listened intently, trying to appear nonchalant despite the weight of the day's events. Nicholas's presence beside her was reassuring, and she was grateful for his calm demeanor.
As they finished dinner and moved on to dessert, Annabelle felt a sense of relief wash over her. For a brief moment, she could forget about the dangers that lurked in the shadows and simply enjoy the company of her loved ones.
As the dinner plates were cleared and the dessert was served, Lord Stanford turned to Marque Edward and Marchioness Kena with curiosity. "What brings you back from the court so late? Something urgent, I presume?"
Marque Edward's expression turned serious, and he exchanged a glance with his wife. "Yes, I'm afraid so. We've had a bit of a situation."
Marchioness Kena's brow furrowed with concern. "We've received reports of a rogue vampire attack in the forest near our estate."
Lady Moreen's eyes widened in surprise. "A rogue vampire attack? That's disturbing. How did it happen?"
Marque Edward leaned forward, his voice low. "It seems that Annabelle, her brothers and Nicholas were out for hunting when they were ambushed by a group of rogue vampires. They attacked Annabelle, but Nicholas managed to fend them off."
The room fell silent, with all eyes on Annabelle, they scrutinized her checking if she sustained any injury. Annabelle felt a surge of anxiety as she realized that her parents were sharing details she had hoped to keep private.
Lord Stanford's face turned grave. "Good heavens, that's terrifying. Are you alright Annabelle?" He was worried because she was attacked by rogue vampires and being a lady, she was weak.
Nicholas nodded. "I'm fine, Uncle. Thanks to...a passerby who helped us."
Lord Stanford's eyes narrowed slightly. "A passerby? That's fortunate, indeed. We'll need to investigate this further and ensure that our lands are safe."
The conversation continued, with Annabelle's parents discussing the details of the attack and the court's response. Annabelle listened, feeling a mix of emotions, relief that the truth was out, but also concern about what would happen next.
As the evening drew to a close, Annabelle excused herself, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the day's events. Nicholas walked her to her room, his presence was a comforting reassurance silently saying that everything was okay.
As they reached Annabelle's bedroom door, Nicholas turned to her with a soft smile. "Good night, Belle," he said, his voice low and gentle.
Annabelle smiled back, feeling a sense of gratitude toward him. "Good night, Nicky," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Nicholas's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "Sleep tight, Belle. We'll face whatever comes next together."
Annabelle nodded, feeling a sense of comfort in his words. She knew that with Nicholas by her side, she could face anything.
As Nicholas turned to leave, Annabelle reached out and touched his arm. "Nicky?"
He turned back to her, his eyes questioning. "Yes?"
"Thank you," Annabelle said, her voice sincere. "For everything."
Nicholas's expression softened, and he covered her hand with his. "Anytime, Belle," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "You're not alone in this."
With that, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze and turned to head to his own room. Annabelle watched him go, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she could rely on Nicholas, no matter what lay ahead.
Nicholas walked through the dark corridors, the sound of the waterfall growing louder with each step. He had been summoned to the cave again, and he wondered what new information the group had uncovered. As he entered the cave, he saw the woman with piercing green eyes standing alone, her expression serious.
"Nicholas, thank you for coming," she said, her voice low and mysterious.
Nicholas nodded, his eyes locked on hers. "What do you know about the rogue vampires that attacked us, why did they resurface after many years?"
The woman's gaze held his, her eyes seeming to bore into his soul. "I know why they attacked her," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It wasn't a random attack, Nicholas. They were looking for something."
Nicholas's eyes narrowed, he realized that during the fight they focused majorly on Annabelle, he thought maybe it's because she was an easier target. "What could they possibly want with Annabelle?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
The woman's expression turned grave, and she began to pace slowly around the cave. "You see, Nicholas, Annabelle's heritage is more complex than you might think, I know you feel it too. She's connected to an ancient bloodline, one that holds significant power and influence."
Nicholas's eyes followed her as she moved, his mind racing with questions. "What kind of power?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
The woman stopped pacing and turned to face him. "The kind that could tip the balance of power in our world," she said, her voice serious. "And there are those who would stop at nothing to exploit it."
Nicholas's grip on his cloak tightened. "You're saying that Annabelle's in danger because of her bloodline?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.
The woman nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid so. And I believe the rogue vampires were just the beginning. There are more threats lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike."
Nicholas's jaw clenched. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe," he said. "Tell me everything you know."
The woman nodded, her eyes locked on his. "I'll tell you what I can, but you need to understand that this is bigger than just Annabelle. This is about the future of our world, and the balance of power that will determine its fate. You aren't a human Nicholas, you are her guardian."
Nicholas's eyes burned with determination. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to protect Annabelle and uncover the truth," he said. "Let's work together to keep her safe and bring those responsible to justice."
The woman's expression softened slightly, and she nodded. "I'll share what I know, and together, we'll do everything in our power to protect Annabelle and uncover the truth behind the attack. I'm curious to know about Annabelle and her bloodline... it's confusing"