A.N- Lucius used to be really mean, that's why Nicola is afraid of his reaction in this chapter.
This time it really was Nicola. She glanced between Jessica, her face flushed and her lips slightly swollen. To Lucius, his lips in similar state to Jessica but calm and collected.
Her eyes darted back and forth once more.
"Oh." She managed to say in a small voice.
"Nicola!" Jessica cried. Nicola just stood there, the colour slowly draining from her face. "I can explain-"
But Nicola cut her off. "You're Anastasia, Princess Anastasia."
"Well, yes. But-"
"I'm so sorry. I had no idea, please forgive me." Nicola's knees seemed to give way at that point.
"Nicola." Jessica cried, rushing forward to her new friend's side. But Nicola wasn't looking at Jessica, she was staring straight at Lucius, her eyes never moving from him.
"Nicola….. Nicola!" Jessica put her hands on either side of Nicola's face, forcing her to look at Jessica. "It's not your fault. I tricked you. My actions are mine alone. Do you understand that?"
Timidly Nicola nodded, gaining some colour back in her cheeks. Jessica glanced over her shoulder at Lucius, begging him to understand what she was trying to say.
He appeared to get it. "Well… Um. I'll just.. Um. Go" he awkwardly managed to say. He glanced once more at Jessica, as if asking her whether this was what she really wanted. Jessica subtly nodded her head and Lucius, needing no more encouragement, turned on his heel and walked out of the room.
Once he was gone Jessica turned back to Nicola, who seemed to be much more confident now that Lucius was gone.
"What was all that about?"
"Not too long ago Mister Lucius was a very different man. He dished out punishments like he had no consciousness. After he came back from America, back from you I spose, he had changed. He cared about the staff, gave us better wages, and has started improving our living quarters. But when I came in here and he looked at me it was like I could see part of the old Lucius in his eyes."
Jessica looked at her smiling. "I think that was partially because of the direction we were going before you came back."
Nicola seemed a bit relieved at this. But then frowned.
"Why didn't you tell me who you really were?"
"If I had, would you let me work like this?"
Nicola seemed lost in thought for a moment. "Well, no."
"Exactly, I want to earn my keep, I want to help. I knew only Uncle Dorin and Lucius knew that I went by the name 'Jessica', so I decided to use it." Jessica searched Nicola's eyes for any sign that she understood what Jessica was trying to say. "Please promise me you won't tell anyone."
"I promise, but you know it's going to get out sooner rather than later."
"Yes, but I'd rather get to know everyone as 'Jessica' rather than Princess Anastasia."
Nicola seemed to consider her argument. Finally she nodded. "Let's get back to work."
Later that day, after they had finished dusting the reading room, and after many questions from Nicola about what America was like and even more questions about Lucius, they sat down at the huge kitchen table for dinner. Jessica had been able to get away with this because Lucius was running errands in town.
They had just received their dinner of roast chicken with roast potatoes and veggies, when a tall, graceful girl with jet black long hair and black eyes made her way over to them.
"Looks like you've finally made a friend. Isn't that sweet." The girls tone was patronizing and sarcastic. The hairs on the back of Jessica's neck bristled, she felt her fangs grow ever so slightly, grazing softly against her gums.
"Who the hell are you." The girl addressed Jessica, taking in her dust covered jeans and her tangled hair.
"I'm Jessica." Jessica held out her hand, trying her best to be polite to this bitchy girl.
"Mmm-hmm." The girl's eyes swept once more over Jessica before turning back to Nicola. "I hear you were in charge of the reading room today."
"Yes. And?"
"I also heard that Lucius was there, what did he want?"
Nicola's eyes jumped nervously to Jessica. Jessica sat very still, her eyes pleading with Nicola to keep her secret. Nicola squared her shoulders and stuck out her chin. "I have no idea."
"Sure….." the girl drawled. "I spose I'll just have to ask Alexandru, he and Lucius tell each other everything. Goodbye."
With that the girl swept off. Her hair flowing ever so slightly behind her. Jessica let out a breath and turned to Nicola.
"Who the Hell was that?!"
"That was Mika. She thinks she owns the place. No one likes her, when she first came here she stole Belle's boyfriend, but then dumped him as soon as she found out about Alexandru. She wants power and who better than Alexandru, the only man who Lucius really trusts, to give it to her." Nicola spat bitterly.
"Well I can see that myself. I'm going to have a word to Lucius about her. She needs to be pulled into line, especially seeing as far as I'm concerned Alexandru is yours."
Nicola gasped. "How can you possibly know that."
Jessica stared at Nicola, trying to figure out how to tell her this. Sje decided on the truth. "When I was in America, before I came over but after Lucius had made me belive that he was dead, I did some reading. I found out some interesting stuff too. Did you know that every vampire born has a partner, a balance to their soul. Some don't know this. Lucius and I do, now at least. My parents knew, so did his. And judging by the fact that you blushed when you talked about him this morning and you sounded bitter when you told me that Mika was with him, you know exactly who Alexandru is to you. But now the real question is, does he know who you are to him?."