All characters mentioned belong to Stephenie Meyer's imagination, as well as The Twilight Saga. However, the storyline is mine. I am claiming ownership over this story, as it was produced from my mind. All characters belong to SM, however, this is how I would view Aro in my mind. I hope you enjoy.
~oOo~
I sat in my cathedra positioned in the main hall, the taciturnity of the castle enveloping my mind with open arms, granting me the convenience of having the serenity and solitude I required as a part of my essence. Caius had gone off nearly an hour ago, following after Marcus. I supposed I should have mimicked their actions, abandoning my post for the evening and sojourning in Sulpicia's chambers for the remainder of the nightfall, but I could not seem to will myself to move from my environment, to succumb into the visitation with Sulpicia that I so desperately desired. Throughout the day, I had auscultated so many narratives, beared witness to a considerable amount of deaths, but that was not astray from the usual. In a sense, I felt as if I was avoiding her, for a reason in which I could not identify. I was experiencing an emotion somewhere along the lines of smitten. I chuckled beneath my breath, the suppressed tenor reiterating against the barriers encompassing me. It was like I had returned to being a juvenile teenager, chasing behind the woman after my own heart. I tapped the pads of my fingers against the lustrous enamel of the throne, composing a melodic rhythm of its own. I often wondered what it would feel like to be in Sulpicia's topography, being under lock and key every minute of the day. For my own selfish reasons, I hadn't considered her feelings. I overlooked her opinion on the matter, brushing it to the side, as if her words meant nothing to me.
Upon acquiescing to take my hand in matrimony, I had made certain Sulpicia knew just what she was getting herself into, what she was allowing me to do. Over the centuries, I had accumulated numerous enemies. Placing Sulpicia in the line of peril was something I was not willing to do, especially not with the name I had made for myself. So, I reassured myself that all of the potential threats surrounding our life together were eliminated, sealing the arrangement by placing guards in every possible nook and crevice of the city. During the duration of my time as a human, I had always been a big collector, fascinated by the littlest things, or, more accurately, anything that I could get my hands on. That trait followed me into my transformation as a vampire, as I collected as many immortals as I could, provided they came equipped with a unique gift, such as my own. All I needed was one touch, one touch of flesh to access a film of one's entire journey. That was what had first attracted me to Sulpicia. It was not only her looks that I came to admire, but her personality. I had always heard that that was how it happened, that one day, you would stumble upon an individual promising great things, cogent benefits. I discovered that in Sulpicia, as she did with me. Besides my brothers and my personal guard, Renata, she was the only other being I found I could truly care for. My feelings were genuine, my adulation for Sulpicia true. I was utterly infatuated with that woman, unable to prevent her from crossing my mind.
Ordinarily, admitting to a weakness was something that I frowned upon, but I wasn't bothered by setting aside my power for a few minutes at a time, sacrificing the most valuable advantage I had, other than Sulpicia. My main concern was the Romanians. I had heard chatter recently that they were reconstructing their empire, a rebellion set in stone. I was certain it was just a rumor, and it occurred to me that I should have wrenched the head off of the fool who initiated it, but I convinced myself it was a waste of a slaying, something I could not thoroughly enjoy. Ascending from my domicile, I stepped in through the colossal aperture, traveling down the barren and desolate corridors, unaccompanied by Renata. Generally, I would have been feeling uneasy and agitated, similar to the sensations Sulpicia experienced while out of Corin's presence. I still detested that I could not arrange for Corin to become her personal guard, keeping in mind that she was also expected to fulfill her obligations with Athenodora. Apportioning my authority was not something I felt highly of but together, Caius, Marcus and myself had established this sovereignty from the ashes of the long-forgotten Romanians.
The thought upturned my lips into a sneer. It was a fond memory of mine, watching as their kingdom toppled down, shattering at their feet. Of course, we had already been prepared to overthrow, adorned with what we now considered to be our lower-ranking guards, but nonetheless, guards. It was more than Stefan and Vladimir had ever accomplished, and even now, after centuries of our ascendancy prevailing over their heads, they still hoped to have a chance at regaining their title, an appellation that was never destined to be theirs to begin with. I escalated on the stairway, approaching the door to Sulpicia's shelter, my arm and tapping my knuckles on the door. Never once had I just spoored in without permission, in fear of infringing on her privacy. I arched an eyebrow, and after a moment of silence, I stepped in, shutting the door behind me and retiring for the evening.
~ To be continued. ~