⚠ This chapter is a little long so sit tight (wordcount 5k).

Excuse the descriptions of the dancing, I tried...

Also this chapter has smut so read with caution or skip it of you don't like that stuff. To sensitive readers it's toward the end 👍

A week passed since the capturing of Berg and with that end unraveled a new beginning of passion and emotion for many.

It was as if cupid had struck a potent arrow into the air, compelling the vampires to move according the ways of love.

Edmond Monroe cleverly set the date to host his ball at a time when people needed cheering up most.

After the dreaded case of Johnsen Berg had come to its end many officials were left wary and upset at the many deeds of the criminal aristocrat.

Edmond wanted to officially announce his engagement to the masses but kept it as a surprise segment of the ball.

He handed out personal invitations to all of his co-workers and colleagues.

Almost everyone willingly accepted, looking forward to the event held by the young handsome Lord.

The heady air perfumed with blossoms and soft breezes, set the perfect tone for such an event.

Whether the tide of time had washed over couples or if it was just TRUMPs way of mending broken hearts, many of the vamps were to put it 'subtly' feeling amorous.

Henrique sat at the dinner table opposite his wife who pretended to be busy slicing into her food.

A smirk lifted his face, noticing her facade.

"Marry could you bring in more wine and another serving of this side dish." Henrique asked politely to the maid that waited on them.

Kate snapped her head up immediately her eyes widening.

"No! You can't, you're allergic to that!" She exclaimed in a panic.

Henrique lifted his glass up to the light, swirling the wine with a pleased grin. He gazed over to where she stared at him in dismay.

"It's fine Marry, just the wine for now." He said in a soft, kind tone.

"How was your day?" He asked, smirking at his wife who seemed out of her element.

"Fine. Just the same." She replied nervously.

"Hmm. Why not take some time off?" He asked frowning at her with consideration.

"Why would you suggest that? Do you feel like I am slacking off work?" Kate looked up at him with indignance.

Henrique lifted a brow up at her, an amused smile teasing her further.

"No. It's just that you look tired. You need to rest for yourself. Think about yourself as an individual and not an employee. You're much more than that Katie." He replied in a warm tone, his eyes turning a darker shade.

"I can't."

"I think you can. But it's your decision ultimately." He said lifting the new glass of wine the maid had brought.

Downing it all in one fluid motion he left his wife stunned. Her eyes followed the column of his neck that bunched and relaxed as he swallowed.

Wiping his lips on a napkin he pushed his chair back, excusing himself for the evening.

Kate's knife clattered to the table, the vampire speechless at his new side.

Henrique was usually a cautious speaker that supported and encouraged her dreams.

But somewhere down the line she lost her companionship she once had with her spouse and it turned into a tired work related journey with her barely having time for anything else.

Her duties as a Lorca seemed to get in the way of her work and she lost her own identity in the process.

She bit her lip nervously, wanting to talk to him about it but unsure of how.

Seeing him smile and talk to her with ease only made her feel all the more guilty.

Here she was not having time for even a smile and he handled a greater workload with such ease.

Excusing herself from the table herself she retired to her bedroom.

A double knock on the door followed by the door cracking open made her jump in fright.

She stood in her corset her shirt hanging open off her shoulders.

"Busy?" He asked inviting himself in. She stood still on the spot, watching him make himself comfy on her bed.

"Lord Edmond Monroe invited us to his ball. It's tomorrow." He said, folding his arms behind his head.

She blinked, waiting for more.

"And?" She asked in a curious, tentative voice.

"It starts as eight. Let me know if you're coming." He replied with an amiable expression.

There he was, being supportive and sensitive again.

"Well, I guess that's that. Please let me know by morning if you cannot make it. I'll need to convey my appologies properly." He spoke in a crisp voice, before pushing off to leave.

"Henrique, wait! I wanted to talk to you." She called out.

The aristocrat turned around waiting expectantly. Kate fumbled and babbled, trying to get her wording straight.

She wring her hands and looked at the ground growing more nervous by the second.

A warm hand cupped her face, lifting her gaze to meet his.

"I know, I understand." He said rubbing his thumb over jaw.

"You do?" Her brows and mouth rounded with surprise.

"Mhm. I notice you, all the time. I know you Kate. You work hard because you're insecure about your standing. You feel like throwing yourself at work will help you feel better about the comments you heard." He said.

"When we got married, I vowed to always support you. So I'll never stop your work but-" He halted his words lifting a finger up.

"I will not accept my wife feeling inferior and compelled to work herself to exhaustion to feel relatively equal to the title you were given when you married me. You being my wife and mother of my children is more than enough. You're amazing Katie." He said in a soft voice that felt like a warm hug.

She thought back to the time when their alliance was forged. Women gossiped about her being less than for Henrique Lorca who was the attractive, young Lord.

She was plain next to the handsome Lord. But Henrique's parents insisted on Kate being the one.

She matched his energy and completed him perfectly. But regardless of it all, the words of others stung her. Something Henrique tried to clear out and rid from her life.

After the twins were born something happened in his absence and it left her a workaholic that closed in on herself.

"Kate I may be playful and light hearted but I am not ignorant nor blind. I won't hold you or force you to any duties as a Lorca but I urge you to be kinder to yourself." He took hold of her hands and looked deep into her eyes.

"My father arranged for our alliance but I'd have chosen you anyway. Only you." He said hoping she'd understand his meaning.

"Rest well." He whispered before leaving the room.

She remained rooted at her spot, maintaining a hard stare at the door until a single tear rolled down her face.

✵✵✵

Gerhard knelt in front of the tub, washing Angelico's hair for the third time, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of a certain raven haired lady.

"Umm dad?" Angelico called.

"Huh? Yes?" Gerhard snapped back into the present, blinking away his thoughts.

"The water is getting a little cold." He said softly, large eyes blinking up at his father.

Sticking a hand into the water, he felt the water which had turned ice with how long he took.

"Sorry. I'll be quick." He said rinsing Angelico's hair. Wrapping the boy up in a large bath sheet, Gerhard carried him off to the fireplace to warm up.

He towelled his son's hair dry, hoping he didn't catch another cold. Standing in his bleachers Angelico stared silently into the fire enraptured with the orange glow.

"Uhmm my Lord?" Lifting his face up he saw a maid waiting at the door.

"If you would, allow me to take over Master Angelico's dressing. There's a visitor waiting for you in the study." She said with her head bowed low.

Gerhard patted Angelico's head before leaving the room.

A while later:

Gerhard sat glaring at the invitation that had been delivered by the Monroe butler.

Edmond was throwing a ball for all the aristocrats. He felt his abdomen twist and tighten at the thought of Serina attending with Edmond.

For the first time in his life he felt old. She was closer to his age but given the responsibility heaped on him from young, he felt robbed of his life.

It was something he only came to fully comprehend when he met her. Serina made him want things he could no longer pursue given his ranking, like courting a lady.

He was a father and leader of the Fra clan and that meant no frivolous behavior.

Gerhard had to put his duty to the Agency and his clan first before anything else.

And yet Edmond and Serina traipsed around so in love and free.

'Hell, I didn't even have that with Maria...' He thought, running a palm over his tired face.

For as long as he remembered, he was forced into the rigid path of behaving and acting the perfect part of a noble.

Since meeting Serina a few weeks ago, Gerhard became all too aware of the yearning in his heart that left him bereft and alone.

Her smile ran in a continuous loop in his mind when he couldn't sleep. His memory of them together on his last mission ate at his insides, tormenting him what-ifs and should-haves.

His heart warred with his mind insisting on how perfect she was for him. Serina even got along with Angelico, the little boy listened to her without troubling or kicking up a fuss.

Seeing her work with such confidence made his heart leap with an achy emotion. Serina had proven herself to be a strong independent woman free from the usual stereotypes of being weak.

His heart hammered and chest fluttered each time he saw her at work. The way she thought, the precision and dexterity of her skills. The flexibility to adapt to any situation.

He slammed his fist hard on the desk in front, trying to halt his thoughts that only triggered a hopeless feeling of want in him.

But then the memory of them stuck in the winery goaded him. The scent of her skin, the softness of her body pressed to his tortured the Lord.

Gerhards mouth watered. His eyes dilated and the back of his neck prickled. It took all of his restraint to not slam her against the nearest wall and seal his lips over hers.

He wanted to leave bite marks on her neck, screaming to the world that she was his.

'I hate how perfectly poise she is! How can a woman be so beautiful and strong. She balances on the precipice of dainty and bold. It's a maddening, heady mix! I want to-' He forcefully put an end to his thoughts.

The veins in his neck strained with the emotion he held back.

He rued and loved the day he met her equally. Serina had created a torrential nightmare of emotions in him since.

'I can't! As the leader of the Fra, I cannot allow myself such frivolous niceties!' He chided himself.

But internally his heart weeped, knowing that being with her was not frivolous at all. It would only better the way the Fra house was run.

'It's too bad. She's engaged to Monroe, a good Aristocrat who will make her happy.' Gerhard tried to convince himself despite his somber tone.

"What has become of my life!?" The Aristocrat vamp whispered under his breath, resting his head on the desk.

✵✵✵

Henrique casually strided into the parlor where Kate was dressing.

She chose an off shoulder dress that had a sweetheart neckline. Lacy-mesh fabric hugged her form, flattering her feminine side she usually hid. The golden champagne colour of the dress, complemented her hair which set a glow over her.

Her arms reached out behind her neck, struggling to link the clasp of her choker on.

Warm hands brushed over hers, a sense of comfort rippling into her as Henrique pried the necklace out her hand.

"That's a lot of neck you're showing, wife." He whispered in a husky tone.

A soft gasp escaped her lips that were painted a deep plum colour in reaction to his masculine tone.

He ran the back of his knuckles over her collar bone, trailing up to her neck and over her cheek.

"So beautiful..." He said in a low intimate tone.

His voice dropped to a low purr, a warm bubble shimmered over the couple, locking them in the moment.

Her eyes met his in the reflection of the oval ornate mirror in front of them.

Henrique's soft lips curved up into a smirk, wild eyes roving over her form that reflected grace and elegance.

"Plan to keep me busy tonight...?" He asked leaning in close to her.

"Huh?"

Spellbound by the handsome aristocrat that stood half dressed behind her she gaped at him wordlessly in awe.

His shirt remained un-tucked, a hint of his belt that wrapped around his hips, securing his pants poking out at the front.

His hair was styled in a side braid with loose curly tendrils framing his face. His red hair complementing his creamy skin.

Kate inhaled the scent of clove and citrus which clung to him at all times.

"With that dress, I'll be busy warding everyone's eyes off from you. You look breathtaking." Henrique said with a soft smile.

"I-I could take it off. Would you prefer I wear another?" She asked in a wavering voice, the proximity of his presence knocking the wits out of her.

"No it's fine. I'll take it off later..." He said with a wink looping the choker around her thin neck and fastening it in place.

Running his fingers down the back of her neck he hovered over her neck.

"Share my room with me Kate. Don't be shy anymore, I miss you..." Henrique's voice caressed her senses in a barely audible whisper sending waves of excitement down her spine.

His lips brushed against her neck before he stood up fully.

Blood rushed through her ears, her heart thundered as a result of his meaning.

"I'll be out in five minutes. Wait for me." He said squeezing her shoulder before turning to leave for his room.

Kate inhaled ragged breaths the spot where his lips grazed, still burning hot.

The ride to the venue was silent but not awkward. Henrique kept his gaze locked on the dim night that whizzed past a small please smile on his content face.

Arriving at the Monroe estate he climbed off the carriage before holding out a hand to Kate to help her down.

Locking her gaze with his, he kissed the top of her hand before leading them to the entrance.

They were led to the grand hall that was set up beautifully for the elegant night.

While marble floors shone glossily. The marble pillars that flanked the circumference of the room had thick maroon drapes hanging haughtily.

The velvet of the drapes added to the thick, romantic atmosphere that Edmond had arranged for.

Gold accents in the form of frames, crockery, table cloths and chairs tied the entire theme up making it appear royal and luxurious.

Feeling Kate's hand slip from his hold he caught it deftly, lacing their fingers tightly together as they moved to greet familiar faces.

✵✵✵

Edmond waited for Serina on the upper floor. He watched the guests mingle and enjoy the party while he waited on his princess.

He planned on announcing their engagement that night. An eager nervousness gnawed at his insides.

An amused snicker escaped him at the sight of women approaching the bachelors in the room without any bashfulness.

While boldness in a female was commendable the lecherous intent in their eyes couldn't be hidden.

He and Serina were childhood friends and Edmond counted himself lucky that they were compatible enough to enter an arrangement of marriage.

Noticing someone enter he squinted in concentration noticing Gerhard Fra stride into the room, drawing all of the women's attention to him.

The vampire was dressed impeccably in black and white with gold trimmings. His shoulder cape added enough of colour to tie the entire ensemble up.

Gerhard stuck to his signature fashion style and wore corsetted, high waisted pants and thing high boots.

A frilly, bishop sleeved shirt dyed in obsidian black his his taut, muscular chest. A double breasted white coat with gold trimmings completed his look.

He finished his look off by wearing a black cravat that matched his shirt.

Golden hair was was arranged in a loose braid that hung over his shoulder.

The man was dressed to kill, a handsome sight that bespoke of opulence and impeccable taste.

'Hm not bad...' Edmond pouted, watching Gerhard cross the room to meet with a few officials.

Women tottered about in droves dressed in their finest gowns, hair arranged in pretty styles with jewels glinting off them like stars in a solar system.

Dali Delico stood in the middle of the room trying to talk over a swarm of women.

He wore a navy blue evening suit with his cape secured proudly over his shoulder. His family crest pinned to the front at his heart.

Dali's shoulder length locks were tied back in half updo. The only other accessory he wore was his charming smile which made even men blush.

Spying a figure dressed in the same colour as he was, his eyes followed Marietta longingly, her face floating into the thick of a crowd.

He frowned, excusing himself to find her.

Edmond let out a sigh turning to see Serina watching him with a hint of a smile in her eyes.

"The wait was so worth it." Edmond uttered, his voice expressing the awe in his face.

Serina looked away shyly, her eyes glinting with a familiarity that bespoke of their old friendship.

Holding his arm out to her he led them down the broad staircase that connected the upper floors to the grand hall below.

Serina smiled politely, holding the edge of the trail of her gown in her hand as she walked down the steps with Edmond.

Gerhard scanned the room his eyes widening as they settled on the couple descending the staircase together.

A sickly feeling twisted his insides making his lips thin out into a grim line of bitter distaste.

She smiled at her friends and colleagues, her arm so casually linked with Edmonds which made his feelings for her feel hopeless.

Gerhard felt a heat claw at his cheeks, disappointment urging him to leave immediately.

Never one to be jealous, Gerhard for the first time in his existence, couldn't stand the sight in front of him.

Their happiness felt revolting and despite Edmond being a good vampire he wanted to run his blade through his torso.

His heart like a spoilt child, insisted that he could do better and make Serina happier.

"If you glare at them any more you'll burn a hole into her dress." A voice said at his side.

The persons words drew his attention to the alluring shade of garnet that was draped beautifully over her lithe form. The dress was an off shoulder cut with a sweetheart neckline.

A hint of cleavage peeped out from her dress. Just enough to be feminine and not down right promiscuous.

Her raven hair