Primula Cage's Story

"Primula, have you made your decision yet?"

"I don't really think that that's any of your business, djävulen."

"Of course it is. You're my daughter, after all. All I want is what's best for you."

Snorting in disbelief, Primula turned to face the glowing mirror, pausing in dressing herself in her daily uniform.

"You and I both know that that's a lie, djävulen. You're nothing but another demon to me - and I don't claim my heritage in any way, shape, or form. I'm nothing like you, and I never will be. You only want me for my powers," she stated bluntly, her intense red eyes narrowing. "Why do you appear to me, anyway? I don't believe for a single second that it was to check in on me, so state your business and go."

The demon in the mirror chuckled, his matching red eyes full of the mischief that only a devil could hold inside himself. He turned slightly, the curling black horns that emerged from his head gleaming in the firelight behind him.

"You know precisely why I've appeared to you, älskade dotter. You've wasted enough time on these frivolous endeavors that you claim to be 'duties'. It's high time that you return home and take your place beneath me on the thrones," the demon bellowed, the mirror shaking slightly.

Primula, however, looked far from impressed by his theatrics, simply lifting her brush to glide it gently through her pretty pink locks.

"You aren't frightening to me, far, and I have my rights as a demon to do whatever I please. You're theatrics aren't going to convince me to return to the underworld, and you have no authority over me. You haven't for the last three hundred years, and you aren't about to gain any now," she said simply, fixating a dull look on the demon in the mirror.

Said demon let out a strangled sound of frustration, once more shaking the mirror.

"One way or another, you're going to return to the underworld. I may not be able to force you to, but I will find a way to bring you back," he snarled. With a large burst of flames, the mirror returned to normal, leaving Primula to stare at herself. Rolling her eyes slightly, she turned away and donned her black stockings and red short boots, snagged the small black, worn leather book that sat on her desk, held closed by a dark, pink ribbon, and placed her ever-present broadsword at her hip, sheathed and shrunken with a sprinkle of a mix of crushed herbs combined with a whispered spell. With a flip of her skirt and a flash of golden light, she slipped underneath the doorway, appearing on the other side in the form of a glowing golden-hued phoenix. Once in the hallway, she flipped in the air, easily reappearing in her human form.

Tilting her head back, Primula sniffed the air slightly. In an instant she caught the whiff of the man that she had sworn her life to. He wasn't far, by any means - the rooms belonging to those that were assigned solely to protect the royal offspring of Victoria and James Vidali were placed as closely to the princes and princesses as possible without making it so that they were constantly walking over one another.

The scent of the beautiful canine that was constantly at the man's side, at least for the past year, flitted into her nostrils, leaving her with a small smile on her lips. Running her fingers across them, she quickly smoothed it away and returned to her normal, placid expression. The dog was definitely a beautiful and loyal creature, and they had been worshiped as the purest form of a companion by the demon race since the dawn of time - hence the myths revolving around hell-hounds. Well, they weren't really myths, seeing as hell-hounds have existed just as long as dogs have been worshiped for.

Tucking the book into her waistband, Rimu took off down the hallway, taking the turns swiftly and yet not running in the slightest.

It didn't take her long to reach the dining hall, and she was instantly greeted with the delicious smells that belonged to the royal kitchen. Pausing outside the doorway to inhale deeply, Rimu practically sighed with the pleasure of the scents. Before her presence could be sensed by the inhabitants of the hall, she slid inside with only soft sound of the air to announce her presence.

In an instant she was behind and to the side of Dante's chair, leaning forward only enough so that her head was beside his, a few inches separating their hair from touching.

"Good morning, Master Dante," she said softly, her voice gentle and tinged slightly with an accent that seemed Swedish. "I trust that you slept well?"

♫ Make It Rain ♫

'My soul huh? Aw I'm touched. And here I thought your only interest was in my body." Aidan smirked at Katherine calling herself a demon. He glanced around, and saw some of the strange looks they were getting from the servants around them, and the looks Katherine was giving the staff. He gave them an apologetic look. "Though I wouldn't call ya a demon. You don't nearly have the superior sense of humor of Prim-de-la-Prim. She appreciates my jokes!" He chuckled. "Though I suppose you aren't that bad, for a half-pint." He teased with a beaming smile.

Once inside the dining hall Katherine began to make herself more comfortable. At her attempts to push him away, as usual. Not that he ever let's her of course. He let out a loud, and exaggerated sigh followed by an equally exaggerated eye roll. "Hmmm.....And leave you without my winning personality, and wonderful smile? Perish the thought your highness! Or should it be......kek......your shortness?!" He followed with a small bit of laughter that ended with a snort. He cleared his throat, and regained his composure. "Admit it, you'd be bored without me. I make your day." He said, and then he playfully ruffled her hair.

Aidan quickly turned into fog before she could do any sort of retaliation, and slinked lowly on the ground across the room. He reformed into a solid mass next to a empty chair near the head of the table. He pulled it out, and motioned for her to seat down. He turned around to face the other royals, and their bodyguards. "Mornin'!" He greeted casually. "So I take it the suitor left huh? How long did this one stay? I had two hours in the pool. How long did you have Dracy?" As he mentioned the pool there were a few servants and guards that visibly grew nervous.

"I guess you could say he wasn't....SUITed for her!" He chuckled slightly. "Sorry, I would've done something, but you how stubborn Kathy here gets. And how antisocial she is." He said as he pointed back at Katherine with his thumb. He then looked between all the royals and their bodyguards. "Well, I'm thinking I'm talking to the wrong crowd about about being social." He chuckled. "Ah well, I'll get those sticks out cha butts some day. In the mean time I'll just have to chip away at you all one amazing joke at a time." He smirked.

"So Dantay, your a dog man right?" He asked with a smile creeping up. "Is every dog you own technically a bloodhound?" He followed with a chuckle that ended in a snort.

"Oh? Is that you offering your body to me?" Her smirk grew, it was simple teasing of course but if anyone heard her say such things she'd surely receive some odd looks of her own. When he commented on how small she is again, she chose to simply ignore him. Though when he mad yet another joke she was tempted to throw a punch or kick his way, but decided against it as to avoid causing a scene. "I'm bored with or without you." She responded without missing a beat, she could never admit to him bringing some small sliver of happiness each day.

"Aidan, I'm perfectly capable of grabbing a chair." She called out once he disappeared and pulled out a chair for her. The princess rolled her eyes as she made her way over to where he stood, sighing before sitting down. "Thank you." Her gratitude was drowned out though by the sound of him saying there was a pool for how long this suitor would stick around for.

"Who else was in on this?!" Of course she had a habit of running away from the suitors brought her but she never anticipated there being any bets placed, much less that someone like Cain could be a part of this. The youngest princess wondered how everyone would react to Aidan addressing others so informally but chose not to say anything unless someone reacted in a negative manner, in which case shed defend her friend.

"In any case, how is everyone doing this fine morning?" Katherine smile but it never matched her gaze, the princess just hoped no one commented on how synthetic her smile truly is.

Cain's eyebrow could only twitch as Mr. Roth spoke. Especially about the gambling pool most of the other guards usually participate in. He heaved a huge sigh as the Dhampir rubbed his nose as Katherine demanded how long it went on. "Ever since Suitor Number 5 the guards were interested in a gambling pool with how many would come and get thrown out."

He couldn't look at his Mistress dead in the face. "And I always politely decline in betting but if you must now, my mistress threw the bugger out in less than 2 minutes and 58 seconds. I also suggest not being so vocal about the Gambling habits you share with some of our guardsmen at the dinner table where my mistress can hear you and is probably planning her scolding as we speak." Cain firmly explained, a part of him actually expecting bloody discipline. However the Eldest didn't seem phased by the gambling and thanked Victoria for her duty of throwing the suitor out.

Cain simply returned to his stoic form, watching the blue haired assassin leave. He still was sure that breakfast wouldn't be interrupted. However, the fourth Vidal wasn't present, so he was wondering what in the devil was the youngest Prince up to.

Throughout all of the scuffle with the outbreak of the secret that was the gambling pool placed on Katherine's love-life, Victoria merely sat back and watched quietly, occasionally returning her fork to her plate to cut a sausage in half, before returning it thoughtfully to her rosy lips.

"Ever since Suitor Number 5 the guards were interested in a gambling pool with how many would come and get thrown out. And I always politely decline in betting but if you must now, my mistress threw the bugger out in less than 2 minutes and 58 seconds. I also suggest not being so vocal about the Gambling habits you share with some of our guardsmen at the dinner table where my mistress can hear you and is probably planning her scolding as we speak."

The Mistress, in question, simply remained stoic in expression, observing the situation.

She would be lying if she said that she hadn't known about the gambling pool, and while it was mostly centered around Katherine's inability to get along with or even show up to the greeting with the men, a good portion - she would estimate about ninety-nine percent - of the time, Victoria herself was involved. It was part of her duties as one of her younger siblings' guardians.

She would also be lying if she denied having involved herself in the betting process.

After Luca whisked in, theatrics and all following him, she endured his flamboyancy for the duration of his little 'show' before finally returning her fork to the table. Lifting her nap to her lips, she cleared her throat slightly but just loud enough for it to be heard in the room. The guards stationed along the walls fell silent and turned their attention to her, their stances weary, obviously having anticipated her interruption to place a harsh fist upon them with punishment.

A few seconds of tenseness ticked by, during which time the guards slowly began to squirm with anxiety. Finally, Victoria slid her chair back slightly and rose, setting her napkin beside her plate. When she reached into the small red purse that sat in her seat, she removed a small white ticket with a number written on it. Slapping it down on the table, her expression hidden in the shadows, she announced with a clear voice.

"I bet three minutes and one second. I win."

Lifting her head, she had a cocky, beaming smile on her face, her aqua eyes sparkling with the mischief of someone who loved the people that she was surrounded by.

At the loud groans and sighs of relief that drifted from the guards along the wall, she giggled and slightly covered her lips with her finger tips, feigning innocence.

"Why, my dearest apologies my good soldiers. I didn't realize that I was be able to get so close to my own guess," she grinned. After laughing once more and slowly settling to a sigh, Victoria turned her glittering gaze to her sister's.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist. It was a lot of fun betting on how quickly I'd be able to throw him out this time. If we can't laugh at ourselves, what can we do?" she asked.

---

The events that followed her entrance and arrival at her Lords side were neither entertaining nor amusing. Instead, Rimu allowed her striking gaze to study the interior of the room, looking for anything out of place in the impressive dining hall. When she found nothing to be amiss, she darted her eyes over to a slight movement nearby, just barely catching a glimpse of blue disappearing through a door way. Knowing it was Raven, and although she did trust the girl to an extent, she turned slightly and took a step after her, her intent to follow the woman. It was Dante's voice that had her pausing and looking slightly over her shoulder back at him.

"Good morning Katherine. I hear that another of uncle's men left disappointed. I will speak with him this evening and try and convince him to cease his attempts. We all know that the Vidali name must continue but I do not understand his rush. You will meet someone one day whom you will choose to share your life with but until then he will have to learn patience."

So does that mean that some day ... You'll find someone you will want to share your life with, too, Dante?

Blinking at the thought, Primula felt her cheeks warm with a slight blush, and she attempted to force it away. Curling her fingers in and out repeatedly at her side, a nervous tick she had, she joined Dante back at his side.

Why had she thought such a thing? And what was the odd stirring she felt in the pit of her stomach - one that wasn't quite fear, but she also couldn't place a name to?

Flicking her eyes down to Dante and then back to the wall straight ahead, she attempted to slow the rapidness with which she was curling her fingers.

"Thank you Victoria for dealing with things this morning, though you know that you could have had my assistance if you had needed it."

Primula looked over at the poised young woman in question, welcoming the distraction from her thoughts. Thank the Gods that Dante could only sense emotions and not read another's thoughts.

She felt a slight smirk twitch at the corners of her lips when Victoria finally responded. The sounds of relief that echoed behind her nearly broke her resolve of a stoic demeanor, but she held steadfast, instead groaning slightly at her loss. It was a pretty penny that she had bet, and she had just barely been beaten by the eldest daughter with her own guess of three minute and eight seconds.

There went her book store budget of the week.

Glancing over at the immense and ancient grandfather cock that sat in one corner, Primula once more bent at the hips to rest her head at a hover a few inches above Dante's shoulder.

"My lord, I hate to be a bother, but due to your late awakening, you're a bit rushed for time this morning. We need to leave the dining hall in five minutes in order to make it on time to your meetings, so I would recommend finishing her breakfast and readying yourself for departure," she murmured softly, her voice soothing to the ear, as was common for demons.

A heavy sigh escaped the young vampire's lips. "Good morning Dante, Luca." Last thing she wanted was for her siblings to treat as a child when she was just as powerful as him. "Don't worry about it Dante, I'll speak to our Uncle. He wants to establish himself and remain in our favor. Though I don't know why he insists on sending suitors when I won't be marrying anyone." She spoke as if she were bored and really she was.

"I apologize for making you deal with that this morning Victoria, I assumed he would've just gotten the hint and left but I guess he was as persistent as our uncle. In any case, I'll just punish Aidan for his gambling later." She teased, a smirk replacing the synthetic smile she had.

"Victoria, perhaps your right, what else can we do if we can't laugh at ourselves? Oh that's right have our annual old-fashioned ball for our lovely friends and distant relatives. Uncle is planning to visit here and insists we have our annual ball early. He believes it's a chance for us to gain favor with our fellow vampires and other supernatural beings." She droned on, recalling the letter their uncle sent just two days ago, informing her of his plans for another suitor to come meet her. It more than likely was a bombshell for her siblings but the young princess thought it was now her turn to have some fun and surprise them with some news.

"Our uncle shall be here by tomorrow, I assume we can pull together our party by tomorrow night."

♫ Make It Rain ♫

A idan smiled slightly as he watched the assassin, Raven, laugh at his jokes. At least someone appreciated good humor. He watched her carefully, seeing how uncomfortable she was. It was something that he saw lot growing up around orphans. Though his attention was quickly taken away by Luca's ever flamboyant entrance. "Yeah, sorry Lucy, I don't put money on your love life, not nearly as much fun without the inevitable temper tantrum." He snickered as he pointed his thumb towards Katherine. As Luca went on about what he's looking for, someone as 'perfect' as him, Aidan couldn't help but roll his eye. "Well, I suppose humility is a overrated virtue." Aidan smirked with a slightly smug look on his face.

Having been Katherine's guard for little over two years now, Aidan still isn't quite sure what to make of Luca, though if there's one thing he can say about him, it's that he at least keeps things interesting. Even if those predatory grins of his gives him the creeps. "Yes, having beautiful people fawn over you must be such a pain. However do you deal with it?" Aidan asked in a sarcastic tone. "Guess some of us are lucky enough not to have that burden." He added with a somewhat snippy tone. Aidan would be lying if he said that when someone well off complained about their difficulties, even if it was jokingly, didn't bother him a little bit.

As Luca continued on about why they held the bets Aidan couldn't help but look extremely disinterested. "For the record I only made the bets for shits and giggles." There was a slight gasp from a servant due to his language in front of the royal family, not that he paid any mind to it. He's used to the looks he gets for his lax behavior when around his betters. But he's just being who he is, and he sees nothing wrong with that, keeps everybody on the level. "And the occasional pompous ass-hat that I get to throw out personally."

With Victoria mentioning that she had won the bet, and that she had thrown out the suitor herself Aidan glared at her. "I call shenanigans! You cheated! That just takes the sport out of it!" He pouted slightly as he crossed his arms. "Fine. I didn't want to win anyways." He muttered, along with a series of inaudible curses under his breath.

Aidan chuckled slightly at Katherine's promise to punish him. "Geez Kat, give a guy that much attention and people might get the wrong idea." He teased with a beaming smile. When she brought up the formal event Aidan let out a sigh. "Well I guess I'll have to break out the formal eye-patch." He smirked, following it with a hearty laugh that ended in a snort. Though he might joke about it but Aidan hates these formal gatherings. Mostly due to him having to wear formal wear. Even if he looks great in a suit, it's just not his style.

"So another suitor is coming? Oh that's clever! With him being there to make sure you give the guy the time of day.....er night. Whatever." He said as he rubbed an imaginary beard on his face. He looked over at Katherine with a sympathetic smile. He placed a hand on her shoulder, and leaned down closer to her. "No worries, I'm ready to play the knight in shining armor that rescues the damsel if you need it." He whisper in her ear. Though whispering is rather pointless, given how most of them have enhanced hearing. But he still wanted to make sure she knew he had her back.