🪻《Anastasia's Letter》🪻

🥀6 years after the wolf's attack

Clodette was a vampire. "Vampyrus" or "Lamia" an undead creature that sucks the blood of the living.

But she was nothing like the creatures Claude had read in the library, for one reason: Clodette didn't drink human blood but blood of animals, she could also drink and eat human food. She hunted every once in a month and when she did, the people in the mansion would bolt the door close. Evangeline said that once Clodette drank blood, her primal instincts will take over and couldn't distinguish friend from foe, she might attack anyone who would come before her.

For precaution, they would bolt the doors and waited until daylight came.

Claude didn't believe in this kind of thing nor did he know that these creatures existed. So, out of curiosity he would visit the library once in a while and gather information about these creatures and trying to understand Clodette's kind. He could only read them in books but the monster in his nightmare became so real six years ago.

After that frightful day when Claude was twelve, Clodette and Claude became exceptionally close as long as Clodette didn't reveal those sharp fangs which she often do when she teased him.

For the past six years, Claude would visit Clodette's room and talk about all sorts of things with her. Though Clodette did remark that she found it annoying and loud, Claude knew it was only pretense because every time he talked, Clodette would listen attentively as her hands would cease moving whatever activity she was doing.

In turn, Clodette would share some of her own stories. She told him how she hunted for mountain lions and that was her favorite meal. She would tell him about history which fascinated Claude the most.

Claude would tell her about his lessons with Evangeline, about the scurry maids Judith, Abigail and Martha, who would always give him some snacks and how he learned to cook with Louis. Clodette would stare at him unmoving as he spoke.

He even told Clodette about his visit to a brothel when he turned seventeen due to Louis' insistance! Louis told him that it was his right of passage to manhood. Clodette would give him a disapproving look and a stern warning.

Claude didn't ask Clodette what she was, he already knew and he decided to forget what happened six years ago nor did he return to the golden room in the library. He chose to forget and lived his life peacefully.

One autumn afternoon, He playfully grabbed the onions and crucifix from the altar and ran toward Clodette's room. As he entered her room Clodette was sitting near the window with a book in
"What is it now, Claude?" She inquired.

"Did you hear me running here?" he asked as he closed the door.

"I can even hear your breathing too" she turned to him and arched an eyebrow, "What's behind you?"

He smiled and showed her the things he brought, "Are you affected by these things?"

She eyed the objects and laughed, "I am not a ghoul" She strode toward him and grabbed the onions.

"Really! Onions?!"

"The book said vampires are afraid of onions!"

"It's suppose to be garlic not onions!"

Clodette shrugged her shoulders "Myths", she threw the onions out the window and they heard a yelp!

"Hey! Who threw the onions?!" Louis cried out.

Claude ran towards the window and peeked, "Sorry, Louis!"

Clodette covered her mouth and laughed silently.

"Stop playing with food Claude!" Louis called out.

He clasped my hands together as if he was praying, "Sorry" he muttered.

He spend the whole afternoon with Clodette in bliss. After dinner they would play chess, he scratched his head as he thought carefully of his next move when Evangeline entered the room with a tray. She placed it in front of Clodette, the tray had one letter on it.

The white letter carried Anastasia Smith's seal, a big letter A was written on the wax seal.

Anastasia Smith came from a rich French family in New Orleans, her family was one of the patrons of this city but not as old as the Moniques. The Moniques practically built New Orleans. Madam "Annie" as she was called by her friends, was a petite woman with a curvaceous body, she had always worn her brunette curls neatly, she loved wearing low-cut neckline dresses to emphasize her massive bust.

Anastasia's signature was a mole below the right corner of her lips. She was not as beautiful as Clodette but she was considered as one of the beauties in New Orleans.

She had a charming way of speaking that many men fell for.

Clodette took the knife and cut the seal open to read the letter.

Mademoiselle Clodette Monique,

I am utterly delighted to invite you to a masked ball that will be held on the 19:00 of  tomorrow's night in celebration of my father's name day, Monsieur Thomas Smith.
I hope you could come.

Your friend,
Anastasia Smith

Clodette threw the letter on the table and gazed at Claude with both of her arms crossed against her chest.

"Well, do you want to go?" she smiled at him. Clodette loved festivities, her eyes glimmered as she spoke.

He smiled at her and nodded. Clodette swiftly stood up and twirled around the room. Upon reaching her dresser she pulled out a few gowns. a pink truffled gown, a gold slim mermaid-style gown and a ruby satin dress. She took the red dress and looked at herself in the mirror, clutching the dress against her body to see if it suited her.

Claude moved behind her to get a better look. "What do you think?" she asked him.

"White satin dresses suit you better" he replied.

Clodette shook her head and looked at him. "You've always been fond of my white satin dresses"

She gave a little laugh! She gazed at his reflection in the mirror as her eyes trailed down from head to toe.

"You grow even taller than me, it feels like yesterday you were like a tiny dog!", She snickered.

Claude wrinkled his eyebrows from the remark and moved to the dresser taking the white satin dress with a blue and silver bodice.

"You'll look beautiful in this" he held it up to her. She snatched it quickly and turned back to the mirror. Claude came closer to her, a lock of golden hair fell behind her and he gently tugged it back to her bun but as soon as his hand touched her cold marble skin, she jerked away.

"What?" he asked her, confused. Her cheeks were flushed so he came closer and put his forehead on hers.

She might be having a fever but do vampires get sick?

"Your face is red but you do not have a fever" he said.

She pushed him gently away. Her hand trembled slightly against his chest.

"Leave me and tell Judith to come here". Claude walked away scratching his head. Clodette and her mood swings, he thought.

As soon as Claude left her room, Clodette stared at her reflection in the mirror.

How can he touch a lady unconsciously like that?

She felt a sudden tugging in her heart, her blood rushed to her cheeks and it flushed bright red. She placed her hand on her right cheek and smiled, he's too innocent. How can my heart beat for a boy.

However a nagging thought came to her. He is not Claudius and he will never be! He is not Claudius! He is not MY Claudius!

She shook her head to the thought and walked toward her dresser.

The door opened and she didn't bother to look up as she was busy searching for her emerald hairpin.

"Judith, do you know where my emerald hairpin. I can't seem to find it"

"I don't know but I guess Claude knows" his voice had a deep French accent, Clodette glanced up and saw Julius standing by the door. She glared at him and waited for him to speak.

"You are spending too much of your time with that boy, my lady" he eyed her with anxiety.

"Perhaps?" she answered him.

"You were supposed to send a word to the coven that you have him" he roamed across the room and sat on the wooden chair by the window.

She turned away and picked a pearl necklace, she wrapped it around her neck.

"He can be of use to me it's just a matter of time now besides if the coven knows he is here they might take him for themselves", Clodette struggled to fasten the pearl necklace together when a warm pair of hands touched hers. Julius took the pearl necklace and pinned them together behind her. He rested his hand on her shoulder and stared at their reflection in the mirror.

Clodette stared at him as he rubbed his thumb in circles against her skin, he spoke carefully;

"That was the original plan, give him to the coven and you can go back to Transylvania. Why do you still keep him next to you? It's been six years already!"

"He makes me smile every day, he's my entertainment" Clodette raised her chin in defiance.

"That he is—an entertainment, only" Julius emphasized the last word to give her a warning.

Not to adore, Not to trust, Not to love.

"He reminds me of –" she didn't finish her sentence because mentioning his name made her succumbed to sadness.

"Claudius" Julius finished it for her,

"Clodette, how can you love a man who put a curse upon you? Who never loved you. All this time, do you still love him?"

She didn't answer him, she just lowered her gaze. He moved away from her and strode toward the door.

"I will do everything to put you back in the coven. To where you belong" he opened the door and as he went outside; Clodette hurriedly questioned him.

"How can you still follow me. You could have started your own family and lived your life! Why?" he turned to her and smiled.

"That's because I love you"

Julius left her alone in the room. She glanced at the wide room and for the first time, she felt lonely.

He is right! I should have gotten rid of the boy as soon as I have him in my hands. She stared at her hands and whispered:

"But he's too innocent, too fragile for this world"

How could I do that to him?

🪻《Author's Note》🪻

Hey lovely people🥀

Claude and Clodette's blossoming romance is finally here!  I enjoyed writing this chapter though we can see Clodette was still denying her feelings.

🪸| Glossary:

Vampyrus or Lamia: A cold blooded vampire in Greek mythology.

What are your thoughts? Comment below and don forget to hit that "Vote" button! 🍂

Love, Julia🪸