Vanessa Visits The King
As I sat in my office going over affairs of the day, the door opened and Malinus strode through in his confident nature. Malinus like Josiah was a family member of a noble family, he was related to Count Julius Esperanza who was Talia Batiste’s uncle. Like Josiah, he too had a vested interest as to who I married which would get old to me, but Malinus never brought it up but once. His opinion was, “Your Majesty, it is solely your decision. Obviously, I have a young cousin who is eligible but being I have never met her and knowing her mother, I very much doubt Duchess Batiste would appreciate jockeying her daughter for favor. I have no interest in doing so either. If Alexandra wins your favor, it should be on her own merit.” That sentiment lined up with what Darren Batiste had also said when I asked if he would prop Alexandra up as a marriage candidate. He simply wrote back, “She would hate if I did that, and I am not in habit of doing things my granddaughter hates.” By every account, Alexandra Batiste was not interested in power.
As Malinus approached my desk, I lifted my hand to stop him and said, “Report.” He bowed, “Your Majesty, your correspondence has reached the Duke and The Batiste. I would expect Ms. Tannen shortly due to the diligence of the family and Ms. Tannen.” As if on que, I heard a knock on my door and I bade Malinus answer. As he did, Vanessa strode in and bowed, “You summoned me Your Majesty?” I smiled at her; you could tell at one point she was indeed a beauty enough to tempt our greatest hero to want to marry her. I gestured to the chair in front of my desk, “Please have a seat.” She settled into her seat and set her eyes on me ready for me to speak. I pulled a sheet of paper I had scribbled some notes on when I was at the school when I got the idea to commission a magical tool. I handed it to her, “I had an idea.” I waited for her to scan the paper, “Do you think this is possible?” She smiled up from my notes, “Definitely, I’m surprised that you haven’t asked for this before given your other position. May I keep these notes to refer to?” I nodded and knew she had referred to my position as Headmaster.
She folded the notes and placed them in her back pocket of her black jeans, “When would you like this by?” I mulled it over, “Would it be possible to have it within two days?” She nodded, “I already had a prototype in place in case you should ask for this someday.” I nodded, “Excellent and what is your price?” She smiled and leaned forward, “My price is quite cheap. I only ask for information.” I leaned forward, “Ask your question and I will determine if I am willing to pay that price.” She nodded, “What would you need such an item for? The timing of this seems curious since The Batiste will be at Blackwood. I am curious to know if you are trying to meet her in disguise.” I leaned back to my chair and chuckled, “You are clever. Indeed, after meeting her as Headmaster and hearing all of the rumors, I am curious about her. I want a candid conversation with her to get a feel of who she is.” Vanessa leaned back into her chair and crossed her legs, “I will make this for you then, but you have to promise me that someday you will reveal to her that it was you. I am not sure if you are aware that she is my goddaughter, and I am fiercely protective of her. King or no, I won’t allow anyone to manipulate or deceive her. She’s had enough secrets in her life. She’s strong but I’m sure she even can be vulnerable too.” I understood this need to keep her safe. If you love someone so much, you tend to protect them at all costs and Vanessa has lost so much that I believe she rather views Alexandra as her own. Once a witch decides that someone is of her family, it becomes so within her grimoire. This grimoire would then be passed to the closest family upon a witch’s death meaning Alexandra was possibly her own beneficiary. I nodded at her request, “I have no intention of concealing myself for long. I have started a line of written communication with Alexandra to which I am hoping to form another bond with the House Batiste. As you are aware, I am eternally grateful to Duchess Batiste for the sacrifices of her family, and I have a special bond with Darren. I only wish to welcome Alexandra into the fold, but I would like to measure her up in person as well. I will let her know at the Minuit Ball if that satisfies your request.”
Vanessa smiled, “Certainly Your Majesty. I am very certain Alexandra will not disappoint. She is witty and sharp of tongue when she’s relaxed but is also a good child. I have had the fortune of reading her Life Book over the years. She has had hardships in that world, bullied by the humans but she’s strong.” For some reason, knowing the humans had hurt a child of Vellum this way, I grew silently angry. This emotion must’ve shown on my face because Vanessa leaned forward and placed a gentle hand on mine, “Your Majesty, I love that you are concerned for Alexandra, but she has the blood of House Esperanza in her too. That lot, as you know, are built differently, and can handle a great deal of…well pardon my language but…shit thrown their way. I don’t deny that sometimes it got to her, but she played her own little mental game growing up that pulled her out of anything. That child is very special and not just because she was touched by a God.” She pulled her hand back and gasped as if she wasn’t supposed to let that last part slip out. I shook my head, “Vanessa, I don’t know if you know this, but Grand Pretre tells me everything, so you didn’t let slip anything I don’t already know. I must know these things about my citizens, current and future. It is one of the few things She is willing to share with me.” Vanessa sat back in her seat, “Oh right, I always forget your relationship with Her. Then I suppose you know that it is Aphrodite that has touched her, right?” I hadn’t heard that part, but I didn’t want to let on that this was news to me, as with everything Grand Pretre conveyed to me it was only half measures which was just enough to know something yet know nothing all at once. Her predecessor had told my grandfather of a prophecy that had to do with one touched by Aphrodite, but I couldn’t recall what it was. I would need to look into the books at the university to see if they said anything about this prophecy. I merely nodded to Vanessa to put her mind at ease so she wouldn’t have felt like she let another secret go.
My next thoughts were with the birthday party that had taken place where Vanessa had attended, “So tell me, how was the party tonight?” Vanessa crossed her arms across her chest, “Oh I didn’t realize that you called me here for social purposes as well.” Ah there it was, the infamous sass that Vanessa displayed when she was relaxed around me. I had informed her a long time ago that when we aren’t on official business that she should treat me as any other Vellanian. I cocked an eyebrow, “I figured since you were here, I would check on the family I’m not able to socialize with just yet.” She nodded and then frowned, “It has been hard not having them here, but your father had his reasons, and you know well why that was. Anyhow, Reggie re-proposed to Talia, and they will be having a commitment ceremony on their anniversary. Alexandra was approached by a young man with blonde hair though I couldn’t see his face. His aura was a bit odd, almost masked so I’m a little concerned she was socializing with one of your brother’s minions. We know he was exposed to the Aphrodite ability when he was little so Reggie has been on edge about his daughter being stolen away by him considering how the human reacted.” I nodded and crossed my arms across my chest, “Blake has had nothing but the throne and Alexandra in his target for a very long time. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has somehow contacted her spouting his undying love and intentions to marry her so that he may both have her and take the throne. The Elder Council has said that if Blake marries before I do that, I would forfeit to him.” Vanessa put her arms down on the chair and tapped the wood with her manicured nails, “I very much doubt my girl would fall for flowery words. She’s sensible and doesn’t seem to have her head in the clouds. Though there are the dreams she’s been having. Darren believes she inherited the Dream Walker ability from his own father. She describes a masquerade ball where she is dancing with a tall slim blonde headed man with green eyes and being pulled away from him by a taller muscular blonde man with long hair with green eyes.” She gave me a pointed look because what she just described were my brother and I, we were clearly going to be in struggle for Alexandra. I had imagined she was desired by him because of the Aphrodite ability exposure, and I would pull her away to try and keep her from his cruelty.
The fact that Alexandra has yet another ability was different also news to me, I am sure the family has already contacted Grand Pretre. She continued, “Talia was touched by your gift to her, she even cried a little.” I was glad to hear that I smiled, “It was honestly long overdue, I wished I could have presented it to her in person, but I had much to prepare for the school year especially since I gained a pupil myself.” Vanessa smiled back at me, “I had heard from the girl herself. She was slightly intimidated by the one she called Ellis.” She had looked amused and gave her a stern look, “I didn’t mean to be intimidating, I will have to ease her mind when we have our first class.” Vanessa smirked and leaned forward, “Well, I think it was because you were what she called a very ‘big dude’ and that you gave off a ‘beast’ vibe. Loosen up and try not to seem so big, I know it is hard given your stature but at least try.” I nodded, “If you feel that is best though I’m sure Josiah will have a small heart attack because Gods forbid that I get close to anyone but Melody Maigny.” Vanessa grunted and rolled her eyes, “I forgot about that stuck up little girl. I just hope Alexandra won’t be a target for her ire.” I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose, “I am more than certain she will claw at her; she will be intimidated by both her station and rumored beauty. I cannot judge that for myself just yet, but Melody will no doubt feel threatened.” Vanessa nodded, “She goes from one bitch in Terre to another in Vellum. Good thing she knows how to deal with bitches.” I chuckled, “She definitely seems like she can handle it any pyrio with lesser blood would cower at Melody’s intimidation tactics. Did she receive my orders and letter then?” Vanessa nodded, “We were a little taken back from the eyes-only letter. Are you trying to court my girl?” I laughed, “Not exactly, even though she is eligible I have other plans to pick my future bride. Anyhow, it is getting late, and I have an early start tomorrow lesson planning for our dear Batiste heir. You are dismissed.” Vanessa smiled then bowed, “Very well Your Majesty. Just know that one look at Alexandra and you may just fall in love. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She winked and left the room. I sat there alone thinking that that was not very likely.
