A meeting
The Vampire entourage arrived on schedule. The imperial family went out to receive them, alongside the runaway prince with his servant. Olivia couldn't avoid being there so she just stood beside her gloomy father. She couldn't ask what was wrong, the Empress was descending from her carriage.
"Empress Vaya, it's been long"
"It has. Please just call me Vaya. You know I hate formalities Jonathan"
"Well then, what the hell was that letter?"
"Jonathan, Jonathan, what have I told you about that temper of yours? You're such a loose cannon, without Vanessa here"
"Do not speak her name"
"Fine. At least she had manners to invite me in before throwing jabs"
"Your imperial majesty, please forgive my father, he's a bit stressed. Do come in" Olivia cut in before the situation escalated.
She could see her father was angry but Vaya was taunting him. Especially with the name she mentioned. She wasn't if sure that was her mother's name.
"You must be Olivia, his treasure. It's nice to meet you. You're so beautiful"
"Thank you. You look exquisite yourself"
"Ooh, what a charming young lady. My sons could learn more from you" Vaya says, wrapping her hand around her.
Vaya smelt like roses. It was a lovely scent. It wasn't like she smelt her on purpose but the scent invaded her olfactory senses. She was a werewolf after all. She led the Vampire Empress inside, talking to her. Jonathan followed after, still raging.
Rie was trying to get his brother's attention.
"Iri, hey, what are you thinking about? Iri!"
"Yes?"
"What were you looking at?"
"Nothing"
"Could it be you found something that you like?"
Irilium didn't answer that question, only giving a cryptic smile. Rie didn't know what to when he saw the smile so he could only follow after his brother. The Irilium he knew was rarely serious and secretive. He concluded his little bother was planning something mischievous. He could only hope it didn't get out of hand.
Everyone settled and were served tea. They drank and ate the snacks in silence, nobody talking. Jonathan wasn't a patient man so he started talking right away.
"Vaya, why are you here?"
"For a holiday. My son wanted to meet your daughter and here we are"
"You turned us away when we needed here and now you think you can waltz in here however you like?"
"You are free to turn us back. My son has already achieved his goal, right Iri?"
Irilium nodded absently, staring at his tea. Jonathan bristled and his talons were beginning to show. Olivia rested one hand on his, stopping him immediately. She was scared, yes, but she had an idea he would stop.
"Your imperial majesty, is it possible that you came here to propose a truce?" Olivia asked. Vaya's hand hung in the air, stopping just short of placing the teacup next to her mouth. Everyone else there froze too.
"Yes I am"
"Then let's discuss the terms"
"Wait, you realize the time Jonathan came to ask me for help was when you were captured?"
"It doesn't matter anymore. I'm safe now, aren't I?"
"True"
"Here. The terms I have come up with. We can discuss it and finalize it on official documents. I hope we can do this quickly. I have a feeling the humans won't let us rest till this winter is over"
Vaya collected the papers from her, read through it, and gave it to Irilium. This action also shocked everyone there, well only the werewolves. The vampires knew the essentiality of the crown prince.
"We will agree to these terms but they aren't binding enough for us" he said, hiding his smirk.
"So, how could we make it more binding?"
"You agree to marry me"
"What?"