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nOn the fourth day after Lord Nicholas had left for Mythweald, Heidi was invited to the Lawson’s mansion for an afternoon tea. Though it wasn’t something she was fond of, it was a good way to kill time. Warren sat next to her, sharing few words once in a while. The pure blooded vampires and the half vampires who were born naturally were nice to her. Not because of her because she was going to be the wife of Warren which in truth wasn’t going to happen. She could hardly imagine what could happen once the cat was out of the bag. With no doubt, these people would shove her right out of the door, not that crudely but subtly, thought Heidi to herself. Since the beginning she had never made friends or tried getting close to anyone. She had always been the girl who observed and smiled when someones eyes fell on her. People were predictable, she took a sip from the plain tea which had cooled down due to the weather.

n“So Heidi, Venetia says you have picked your wedding dress,” Aunt Guilene asked her across the table.

n“We have. It’s made of satin and chiffon. It is very beautiful.”

n“It sounds lovely! Not there’s only the date to arrive,” she clapped both her hands to heard people around them laugh merrily making Heidi’s heart sink.

n“That is true. I discussed the dates for the wedding with the council and they told we could hold the ceremony in two weeks,” Venetia said raising her tea cup.

n“That is a wonderful news. We need to celebrate,” Aunt Guilene’s husband piped in to hear murmur of agreement. In midst of it, Lady Blois who sat next to Venetia leaned towards the woman to whisper something so that only Venetia could hear.

n“Heidi dear,” Venetia spoke to Heidi, “We have a small surprise for you which you would be thrilled about,” she raised her black brow with a raise in her lips.

n“Surprise?” asked Heidi a little anxious. There was nothing that they could surprise her with and it worried on what it could be.

n“You look worried, don’t be. I am sure you will be happy about it,” Venetia promised to signal the maid who was serving water. The maid nodded her head and went inside the mansion.

nAfter a few minutes passed, Heidi who had finished her tea, dabbed her lips with the napkin that was placed on the table to freeze in fear as she felt blood drain down her face. Her hands turned white while she held her breath at the sight of her family who walked to where they were. Heidi stood up in disbelief. Nora had curled her hairs with a hat positioned at the top of her head, she came to hug Heidi and kiss her cheeks in air.

n“How are you sister? We missed you on my birthday,” Nora smiled with the red smeared lipstick on her lips.

n“Nora,” Heidi gathered her composure, putting up the false affection on her face just like her sibling did, “I am surprised.”

n“It was supposed to a surprise,” her uncle Raymond answered after shaking hands with the vampires, “Mrs. Lawson was kind enough to invite us here when Nora expressed how much she missed you.”

n“Anything for family,” Warren smiled without any ill will not knowing whom he had invited home. Didn’t Heidi and Ms. Nora’s father come along with you?” Oh God, thought Heidi to herself, this wasn’t good. Why? Out of all the time, the Lawson’s had invited her family when lord Nicholas wasn’t here.

n“We are so glad to have you be part of our family. I have to say my niece is indeed a lucky girl,” Uncle Raymond expressed his gratitude to Warren, bowing his head in the process.

nThey joined for tea along with the family and friends. Warren who had been sitting next to her stood up like a gentleman so that Nora could take the seat and for once Heidi wished he weren’t a gentleman. Nora spoke to her enthusiastically, portraying to the others as if they were too close and inseparable. Her sister never spoke to her like this not unless there was a motive behind it. At the end of their tea, Raymond Curtis spoke,

n“Mrs. Lawson, thank you for being so generous and understanding. Being family for so long, it is a little hard for us to sink in that Heidi won’t be living with us after two weeks. I think it’s an opportune moment for her to spend two days with her family,” hearing this Heidi’s eyes snapped at her uncle, her hands that laid on her lap under the table clutched tightly. She knew it! It had nothing to do with the family but had to do with Duke Dorian Scathlok.

n“Of course. Anything that makes Heidi happy,” Venetia smiled at her uncle but Heidi’s eyes fell over to the next person who sat beside her. Lady Blois was someone she didn’t get along and she never liked the woman. Seeing the woman smile now, it felt like she had something to do with it, “I did tell that you would be surprised,” she said to Heidi.

nHeidi didn’t want to go. She wanted to scream and tell it out but things would only go haywire instead. Moistening her mouth, she spoke,

n“Uncle Raymond, if it would be alright I would like to visit a friend of mine before we leave. She promised to give me the pie I have been asking for few weeks,” Heidi knew if she went to the Meyers mansion, Lettice would help her with the situation along with her husband.

n“Unfortunately we don’t have the time dear,” Raymond gave her a grave look, “I have to go meet a council member on our way. He said he would be there by noon and see the time. My!” he exclaimed, “Nora dear, why don’t you go get the coachman ready.”

n“Please don’t,” said Warren calling the servant who stood at the side, “Get Mr. Curtis’ carriage ready,” Heidi closed her eyes at the unfortunate planned turn of events.

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