Beatrix was dead.
A vampire hunter, or so they said. Henrietta followed soon after. Suspiciously so. Also a vampire hunter, apparently.
But then again…
Well. Things were not always as they seemed.
Shu retreated even further, as could be guessed. But Reina was particularly surprised at the fact that Reiji also seemed to be retreating. She'd see less and less of him. Whether it was out of shock, or anger, she did not know. But she could do nothing to fix it. Shu turned to his sleep, Reiji turned to the confines of his lab, and Reina was left alone, for the most part.
She didn't know if what had happened simply hadn't quite processed through her mind, but the fact of the matter was that Reina was entirely numb to the incident. When the news came that her mother had died, her initial thoughts were: 'Oh. Pity.'
More than anything she felt worse about Beatrix. She was perhaps the only one that Shu still listened to with an ounce of respect. Well, Beatrix and Karlheinz of course. Only a complete and utter fool would go against Karlheinz. And yet he would have to, soon. Kill him and take his place as the next King. Where he would get the motivation to do something like that, especially with Beatrix gone, she didn't know.
Reina sighed. Cordelia seemed to be in rather chipper spirits. Richter was as glum and suspicious as ever. That man always had such a bizarre air about him. Reina did her best to avoid him, even in childhood.
"My deepest apologies for your mother." He had said one day.
She clenched her fingers around her book, recalling the incident. The way he said it didn't appeal to her. Though his expression was rather dark and full of pity, his eyes held something else.
Guilt, was what her instincts told her.
But that was a grave accusation. And besides, Richter seemed to hold a deep sense of guilt and regret no matter what the situation. A result of growing in the shadow of one such as Karlheinz, no doubt. What an awful thing that must be, Reina thought. A young sapling, unable to get it's fill of light because it lives in the shade of its superior.
Suddenly though, she was pulled from her thoughts as Reiji entered the parlor.
"Oh. Hello Reiji." she said politely.
He seemed surprised to find her there, but quickly recovered, clearing his throat. "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."
Reina's eyes widened in shock, quickly glancing up to look at Reiji's face, her heart beating fast for reasons she didn't understand.
"I-I beg your pardon?"
He motioned to her book with his hand, "Are those not Mr. Darcy's lines? I thought perhaps you had that book memorized by now."
She glanced down to her open book, coming back to her senses, "Oh, yes. Yes, of course. It's one of my favorites."
"I don't see why."
She smiled, "He loves her, despite everything."
"You realize it's a book about climbing the social ladder, don't you?"
She shook her head, "It's a love story, first and foremost."
"Honestly," he pushed up his glasses, "Willingly filling your own head with such silly fantasies."
"You don't believe in love, Reiji?"
He stole a glance at her, before straightening his posture, "I believe in having a deep regard for someone."
She smiled, "Wouldn't you say that's almost the same thing?"
"Not quite."
Reina cleared her throat awkwardly, deciding it'd be best to change the topic. "Was there something you needed?"
"Not in particular. I was merely stretching my legs. However," he said, pulling out his pocket watch to check it, "Dinner will be set in an hour. Everyone is expected."
She nodded and smiled, "Yes, of course. I'll be there."
He returned her nod, and then left, letting Reina return to her book. In her solitude, however, her mind began to wander once again. Reiji seemed back to normal, at least for now. Keeping up appearances and schedules. It was all one could do, after all. Continue as though nothing had happened at all. Smile and nod, smile and nod. It was rather amusing, really. And briefly, Reina laughed. Given the chance, it would have escalated to tears. But luckily, or rather, unluckily, she was interrupted yet again.
"What are you doing here?" that cold voice sneered.
Reina jumped in her seat.
Cordelia cackled. "A weak woman like you…how you'll manage to carry on our name is a wonder. Especially with that flat chest and boring face."
Reina had learned a long time ago to just walk away, and got up to do so, but the damn woman was persistent.
"Oi, where are you going? How dare you ignore me, the daughter of the Demon King?" Cordelia reached out and pulled on Reina's hair, practically dragging her down to the floor. Reina's hands went to her head, yelping at the burning sensation of her hair nearly being ripped off. Again, Cordelia laughed. "You act so special. If it weren't for him, you'd be nothing. Our family is doomed if all we have is this pathetic excuse for a woman."
"The only pathetic excuse of a woman is you, Cordelia." Reina replied smoothly, adjusting her hair and fixing her dress, brushing herself off. She'd be damned if Cordelia thought she'd give in so easily.
But the woman continued to giggle cheerily, "Oh, do you think so? That's amusing, coming from vermin like you. You're just like your mother, that gold digging-"
Granted, Henrietta was not a prime example of what a mother should be. Her mannerisms were not something Reina aspired to imitate. But Reina did have a certain amount of respect left for her mother, and for the dead in general. And on her honor, she wouldn't let this woman smear her name in such a way. "Your composure is appalling. I understand now why Karl married again so quickly. For even a man like him to get bored so soon…I wonder, Cordelia, is that why you keep Richter so close?"
Cordelia snapped, "Listen here you little bitch-"
"I am the wife of the next Vampire King. I outrank you in every respect, and Karlheinz fawns on the image of Shu's marriage to me. If you think for one moment that I will ever feel threatened by a whore, then you are deeply, and sorely mistaken."
"A whore? Ha! At least I know how to use my body-"
"Then I wonder why, it seems, that Karlheinz consistently chooses Christa over you?"
Reina was slapped. It didn't hurt in the slightest. She had long ago acquired a unique tolerance to pain. Again, Reina found herself laughing. "I pity you, Cordelia. I really do."
"Do you honestly think-"
"Reina."
Cordelia's lips pursed as Subaru entered the parlor, but they quickly slipped into an elaborately fake smile. "Oh, look who it is. Subaru-kun~ how's mommy dearest?"
Subaru clenched his jaw, his hands forming into fists at his sides. "Reina," he repeated, "Shu wants you."
"I'll be right there."
Cordelia cackled as the pair turned their backs to her. She followed them out of the room, insisting on having the last word. "Be careful, Reina darling. It seems vampire hunters are on a rampage~"
The threat unsettled her more than it should have. It was not the first time Cordelia threatened to kill her, or drown her, or set her on fire. But with both Beatrix and Henrietta dead, Reina couldn't help but be a little uneasy.
"You'll be fine." Subaru grunted, once they were far enough away.
She glanced up at him, practically forgetting he was there. "Oh. Yes. Did Shu actually need me?"
"No."
She nodded understandingly. "S-Subaru…you don't think-"
"Probably."
Reina nodded absent-mindedly. So it wasn't just her. Everyone was thinking the same thing. Henrietta's death had been no accident.
"Maybe you should leave." He suggested.
"I can't leave." She retorted almost immediately.
"Because of him?" he looked at her curiously.
She hesitated, "Because of…all of you…"
"Tch."
Reina bit her lip. "Well…I should probably be finding Shu anyhow. He's been even more secluded than usual."
Subaru gave an annoyed nod, and the pair went their separate ways.
Reina knew the moment she stepped into Shu's room, they'd have sex. It had become the easiest way to escape for him. Their intimacy had merely replaced what Shu would do as a child—run into the forest to avoid everything. It was who he'd always been. And right now, Reina didn't mind escaping either. She needed to indulge in forgetting, if only for a few moments.
Laito was panting above his mother, his face twisted in a smile.
"Laito~" she purred, "You're such a good boy…"
"And you're a devil of a woman." He said, licking the nape of her neck.
She giggled. "Shall I tell you a secret?"
He glanced at her curiously, falling at her side, his chest still rising and falling to fill his lungs, though he didn't pull away from her skin. "Hm?"
"I killed her."
"Nfu. We all knew that." He continued to suckle her neck.
"But I'm not done yet. I want to get rid of that scraggly daughter of hers."
His head perked up, "Reina?"
She growled, "The name alone sets me on edge. Laito? My darling. You'll kill her for me won't you?"
He chuckled, "Why can't Richter do it?"
She cupped his cheek, her eyes wide and pleading, "You're closer to her. I know you can do it. Nee? Laito-kun?"
He smiled, kissing her deeply, "Killing a worthless woman…where's the benefit in it?"
"She bothers me." Cordelia hummed thoughtfully.
"Fufu. Is that jealousy I smell?"
She looked away demurely, "You'll do this for me, won't you?"
"As you wish."
"Good boy."
Laito redid his pants shortly after, and quietly left the room. Cordelia never let him linger after they had one of their rounds. It was why he usually tried to leave as much of his clothing on as possible, so that it would catch her scent, and he could indulge in it a little longer. But he was hardly able to enjoy it, what with the task she'd set before him.
Kill Reina…it'd be easy enough. The poor thing wasn't suspicious of anyone. He was also stronger than her, so even if she struggled there wouldn't be much effort required. He could do it. Quickly and swiftly.
But it was not something he had a particular interest in. It felt like such a waste. All that trouble to kill a girl like her…there'd be no fun in it. Maybe if he played with her a bit before…
Laito laughed to himself. Now that was appealing. Just thinking of what sorts of sounds she would make was getting him hard all over again. He bit his lip, trying to contain the sensual images flashing through his mind.
But suddenly, he stopped. Reina's death wouldn't come without a vengeance. He'd have Ayato and Shu to deal with. Not to mention the virgin megane. He groaned inwardly. That seemed like more trouble than it was worth. But…if it made Cordelia happy…
Of course, he could just kill Cordelia. He giggled once again. Then she'd finally be his, and no one else's.
He blinked a few times, hardly breathing, his eyes widening with realization and his pupils darkening with intention. That wasn't a bad idea at all...
But she was strong, the bitch. He wouldn't be able to do that on his own. Unless...
Laito smirked to himself. There was a certain brother who was all too easy to rile up.
Immediately he set off to look for Ayato. As he searched through the castle, he brought the sleeves of his shirt up to his nose, Cordelia's scent acting as a source of motivation. After each inhale, he sighed romantically, drowning in his own perverted fantasies. It didn't last long, though. As might be imagined, Laito found his brother rather easily. The redhead was lounging in the kitchen, shoving who knows what into his mouth. Typical.
"Oy. Ayato."
"The hell do you want?" he sneered.
"If you're going to do it, do it now." A smile creeped onto Laito's lips, as he took a piece of takoyaki from Ayato's plate, and popped it into his own mouth.
"The fuck is that supposed to mean?"
He shot him a deadly glare. "You know what I'm talking about."
Ayato scoffed, "Since when do you care?"
Laito giggled, "Ti-ming, ti-ming." He turned to leave, but Ayato grabbed his arm, "What do you know?"
Laito's expression dropped, but inside he was bubbling with joy. Ayato was a bit too easily to manipulate. "Do you think she'd be satisfied with Henrietta alone?" he asked.
Ayato released the hold on Laito's arm, stepping back in shock, "Onee-san…"
The smirk that now claimed Laito's lips was undeniable. It really had been all too easy. Laito tried to contain his excitement, the flittering rush consuming his mind like a poison. If Ayato was willing to do the dirty work then that was fine with him. All he had to do was be the one to finish her off. The thought alone made his heart palpitate with pleasure. He cocked his head, smiling at his brother. "Nfu. Don't say I didn't warn you~"