The Lurking Revenge

After her wash, Rochelle went to the noble kitchen for her morning breakfast. No sooner she had finished it, she was summoned by her father in his study room.

Adorned in a long lavender gown with puffy sleeves, which was enriched with luxes fabrics and rich embroidery. Her red hair was pulled back into a ponytail by a bow. She had two hair tendrils in front that framed her face and shaped her chiseled jawlines more. Her outfit was complemented by the pearl neckpiece around her neck. She appeared to be a princess in every way.

Reaching the study room, Rochelle noticed that the room was bathed in the suns morning rays, passing through the windowsill, that illuminated a figure sitting across from the window. He was by no means a young man. His eyes, which were casted pensively into the distance, either conveyed extreme melancholy or calm serenity.

Rochelle knocked the door with her knuckles, which interrupted his attention.

”Roch! ” His eyes shone in hope. ”Why are you standing there? Come inside! ” He cued her, tilting his chin toward the vacant seat, opposite to him.

Brushing her gown against the floor, she gracefully walked towards him and took her seat.

”Did you have your breakfast? ” He asked with those eyes, bearing the color of pale winter mornings which were once sky blue. Yet, the look wasn cold at all.

As a response, she nodded her head.

Black hair combed with gray at the temples, broad shoulders and a hint of subtle on his chin. His short, receding hair framed his pointed face. He was Zeronis Inglid, the Marquess of Rivington Human Kingdom. The man who had found her near the bank of river.

Rochelle was his adopted daughter, but he nurtured her as his own and never regarded her as anything else. She was raised by him for three years. And he had blessed her with new identity. He always guided her with a strong hand and soft voice. Nevertheless, Rochelles admiration for him has grown over the years.

Rochelle helped him with the stack of documents, that was sprawled over the study table. While, the Marquess was poring over papers at the table in the corner.

”Roch! ” He affectionately called her with the deep voice of his.

”Yes, Papa ” Rochelle replied him with the same intensity on her tone.

”What are your plans for the future? ” He snapped a question in front of her, regarding which she had no answer of.

But, at that precise moment, there was one thing that was stuck in her head.

”Songstress. ” Unconsciously and quickly, the word sprang out of her mouth like a bullet.

Rochelle never knew singing was her passion until the day she started experiencing that nightmare.

Of course, that nightmare where she was the lead songstress, resonantly singing in the hall of opera.

That feeling sank into her chest, she had never seen herself being that happy before. Again, with the good moments came the bad one….

That obsessive stalker…

His spine-chilling transformation…

Rochelles pulse thumped in warning. She knew the memory was sweeping over her, flooding her with goosebumps, chills and shivers. She gulped in a deep breath, her whole body was frozen and still.

”…..Auroras plan? ”

The Marquesss voice brought Rochelle out of her walk down memory lane. She blinked back her sudden tears and pasted a smile on her face, ”I am sorry, what? ”

He raised an eyebrow, ”What do you think about Auroras plan? ” He repeated.

”Oh, uh, Aurora? ”

Considering her charm, wit and intelligence, Rochelle was sure that Auroras not someone who would settle for less. Excelled in all areas of arts and sciences, she is the woman of every mans dreams.

Before she could reply, Rochelle was shot with another question. ”What are your thoughts about her marriage? ”

”M-Marriage? ” Rochelle jerked her head up, holding his gaze in surprise. Jaw dropped.

Did he really say marriage? M-Marriage?

How could a person like him, who always taught his daughters the values of independency and self-reliance, talk about marriage?

He let us to pursue our ambitions and allowed us to dream with open eyes, only for this day?

Shock and disappointment twirled to the core of her stomach.

Zeronis threw a big exhausted sigh. He took out his pair of specs and placed it on the tables surface, before clasping his hands together.

”Yes, you heard it right, Roch. ” His confirmation made Rochelle sure that her ears hadn turned deaf.

”Why marriage? Aurora would not even consider it. She still has a lot to accomplish for you, our family and herself. She wants to travel over the world, succeed on her dreams and make you the proudest father. ” Rochelle lips parted open, she stumbled over her words even though she managed to finish them.

”I know you are surprised. It was more than just a query, though. ” His gaze wandered outside the garden, where Edith was ambling around.

Forehead covered with wrinkles and the way he frowned, it made those wrinkles even deeper. ”I need your help, Roch. ” When he said those words, Rochelle knew what it was that awaited her.

Zeronis averted his sympathetic gaze to meet her eyes. Before exhaling a deep breath, he squeezed her hand, a gesture screaming to assist him.

”Theres a marriage proposal for Aurora, from the Duke of Cayor Kingdom. ”

”W-What? Marriage proposal? From the Duke? ” Rochelle slammed her hands on the table. ”Why? Aren they aware of the grudge between the two clans and our peace treaty with the werewolves? ” Her sincere calm expression turned into a full-blown panic. ”Even the younger generation is aware of the long history of enmity between vampires and werewolves. And joining hands with vampires, means death for us. ” She exploded, bursting forth.

”For the peace. ” He said bitterly.

Rochelle had anticipated a marriage. But, a marriage with the Duke of Vampire clan? The deadliest enemy of the Werewolf clan.

”Why are we held accountable and drawn into their conflict unnecessarily? ” Rochelle let out a strained breath, struggling to collect her racing thoughts. ”It was never Werewolves vs. Humans or Vampires against Humans but, always Vampires vs. Werewolves, right? ” She paused, her expression thoughtful when she examined her fathers tensed jaw.

”We were at peace on our own until the vampires began to feed on us, which caused a small shift in the human population. They held us as slaves and tortured our people in the most cruelest methods. ” In a guarded tone, the Marquess answered. ”It was said that after all the tortures, human blood tasted even better. Helpless, they were forced to seek refuge in werewolves den. ” He took a moment to let his words sink in. ”Nobody understood how the werewolves deed of kindness resulted in a deal whereby humans joined them as allies and werewolves shielded them from the vampires. ” The Marquess ran an exasperated hand through his hair.

Whatever the thing was, the truth is nobody is aware of the actual reason causing the feud between these two powerful clans. Theres not even a single trace that could lead to the actual cause.

Its as if everything perished with the one who started it….