Hello!

You guys have no idea how busy I am this summer. I have a full time job, and a part time and not to mention I have a lot of things happening in my personal life.

So I am very sorry this took so long!

Now, I think I will be doing two more chapters or maybe even three. But I promise it wont take me that long to update.

Thank you for all the reviews! You guys are very kind! Also, thanks to all of you who are reading this! I hope you guys are enjoying!

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I am not too happy bout this chapter, but please, do enjoy!

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Disclaimer: I don't own the night World.

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"The sun's gone dim and the sky's turned black. Cause I loved her and she didn't love back"

-Johann Johannsson

He lifted his hands up making sure the suit was perfect fit, and once satisfied, he lowered his hands before taking one last look at the reflection in front of him. Dark eyes studied his hair, his lips, his body, and the suit his father had chosen for tonight.

Nowadays it seemed that he had less and less chance of choosing anything. Especially anything regarding himself. Any decision regarding his future was made by his parents. They spoke for him. Planned his life for him. They made him everything he is today. They controlled his life since the day he was born, and they would continue until their own deaths. Because their death before his was part of the plan.

His parents however weren't the only ones who had a say in his life. Any decision regarding his job was made by his attorneys. Of course, the ones assigned by his parents. They were in charge of making sure his future was set. They were to make sure he got the education needed. The training needed. The mental strength needed. He had to be the perfect weapon, and the attorneys would make sure of that.

Since the day he was born he had no say in his life, and Thierry Descouedres had learned to live with that. There was a time when he did care. When after every order he received, he would rebel. There was a time when he had wished for a free life. A life in which he made the calls for his future. A life in which there was no one to tell him what to do, not do or ignore. Thierry had wished and dreamed for a free life-

Until he met Gillian.

Ten years ago when he had only been a naïve fifteen year old; a simple boy who had yet to understand many things in life, while Gillian had been ten and yet she had the intelligence of an elder and the understanding of everything around her. His encounter with her had been unexpected and unpredicted, however it had changed his life. Because they had grown to be friends more than cousins (as their parents would insist on calling them). They had grown to trust and believe one another. And with that growing relationship, Thierry came to realize the truth of three things- three things that had crashed his dreams and completely changed his mind.

The truth of the monarchy.

Gillian had shown Thierry the true face of what he thought was pure, powerful and honourable. Thierry never remembered feeling so sick that time when he discovered how corrupted, filthy, deceitful and sickening the monarchy was. When he discovered how much innocent blood was behind the monarchy's hands. It had hurt. Hurt so much to discover everything so suddenly- and worst off all, it hurt to know he was apart of the monarchy.

The truth of his life.

Thierry had realised what his life was really worth. He realised what he was to become- what he was to be to please the eyes of his family. Gillian had showed him the true meaning of his life and he had been terrified. No boy like him should be expected to become the monster Gillian had shown him. No boy should have a future written like his. A future full of hate, misery and revenge. A future he had no control over.

But nothing had scared Thierry more than the final truth. The truth he hadn't wished to believe- and he still doesn't believe in.

The truth that nothing could be done.

Thierry couldn't change the monarchy, he couldn't change the future. He couldn't do anything to prevent himself from becoming the monster he was sentenced to be. He couldn't change the plan set for the Descouedres'. Nothing could be done to stop the plans from being accomplished. Everything was written, everything was planned; and nothing could be done.

Thierry had to learn to accept that. Gillian had and that was why she was alive. After all, a girl that was born because of the infidelity of a Descouedres shouldn't even breathe. Especially if she is part French. Gillian should have been dead- but the monarchy had other plans. Apart from their prejudice believes of all Frenchmen, Gillian was a beautiful girl, with great intelligence.

Not to mention another human they could turn into their little puppet.

They had seen a great opportunity in Gillian, and they had taken it. They had no feelings towards her, but they had a lot of plans set. And that's all that mattered. Even if it meant killing her emotionally. As long as she was of great use to them, they didn't care; because Gillian couldn't do anything about it. That was the truth, even if she didn't believe in it just like Thierry.

But even if you don't believe in it; the truth never stops from being true.

That's why Thierry had learned to live with it. He had let his mind and heart bury that foolish idea of having a free life. He had ended his rebellious attitude and had completely accepted what was planned for him.

Even if it meant putting his sanity at risk.

Because all those years off trying to convince his mind that there was nothing wrong with the way his parents and attorneys controlled his life, had definitely caused some damage.

He had put up a mask. A mask that he only took off once he was alone in the darkness. The mask showed everyone around him his happiness and honour in being apart of such a brilliant plan. The mask showed what everyone wanted to see. What they all had worked so hard to see.

But once that mask was off, everything would change.

So many nights had Thierry spent drowning himself in his own misery. Completely alone in the darkness letting his sorrow suffocate him. He had no one to talk to, no one to trust. Because his own problem- it had to be kept quiet.

Because it was weakness.

Weakness he had never learned to control. Weakness that slowly tore his soul apart as it quietly infected his sanity. Weakness that spread through him like cancer. A weakness he learned he couldn't fight. Just like everything else.

"Thierry?" a voice called causing said man to wish he was somewhere else. He said nothing as he closed his eyes and walked towards the balcony in the room. Gillian followed him. "Thierry." She called out again but received no response. Instead she watched as Thierry slowly leaned against the balcony and gazed up at the clouds that were covering the sun. "You are not mad, are you?" Silence. "So you are. Do you want an apology?"

"It would be nice."

Gillian prevented herself from scoffing in response. Instead she decided to humour him as she leaned on the balcony right beside him. "What should I apologize for?"

"You tell me. You should know, right?" Was Thierry's response.

"Should I?" Gillian asked intrigued.

"If you feel like there is something to apologize for…"

"I don't."

Thierry raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you ask if I wanted an apology?"

"Because you are mad."

"Who, dare I ask, told you that?"

"I do not like playing games, Thierry." Gillian warned losing her patience. "If you are not mad, then why were you not responding?"

"I like silence."

"Is it because I kissed you?" Gillian suddenly asked causing Thierry's cheeks to gain a small blush. She took notice of that before leaning closer to him, causing Thierry to slightly move back.

"I would not call it a kiss. Our lips barely touched."

"Yet you are so flustered by it." Gillian mused. "Tell me. Was it your first kiss?"

Thierry's blush darkened before he decided to ignore the question. "You are my cousin."

"We both know that is a lie. I am in no way related to you."

Thierry couldn't help but to sigh at that. He remembers perfectly the day Gillian had informed him she wasn't really his cousin. She wasn't suppose to know, but Gillian knew. She knew that Alexander Descouedres wasn't her real father. She knew her father- French father, was actually dead. Murdered by who she now called family.

"Alexander is not my father, Thierry."

"Gillian, what are you saying…?"

"They don't know I know. They think I'm stupid."

"Gillian-"

"Louis, my father; a Bonnefoy. They murdered him."

"Gillian…"

Gillian knew all their lies.

"What is it that you want, Gillian?" Thierry asked now slightly annoyed. He turned to completely face Gillian as she stayed silent watching him. It was then when both noticed what they were wearing. Gillian had the same blue gown as yesterday, just that now she looked even more beautiful. Thierry was wearing a suit a little more formal then the one he had on the day before, and Gillian had to admit he looked rather handsome. It was clear that the suit was what he would be wearing for the ceremony, after all it was scheduled to start in an hour.

Gillian didn't move as she thought over what exactly she wanted. It was quite clear, and it seemed Thierry was in a bad mood, so she chose to answer- however then she remembered he had yet to answer her own question. "You never answered my question." Gillian took another step closer to him. "Was it your first kiss?"

"It was not a kiss."

Gillian smiled. "I will take that as a yes."

"No." her smile fell as she raised an eyebrow, Thierry's blush had completely disappeared now. "The answer is no."

"Who?" the question came almost as a whisper.

Thierry stayed silent for a second as he examined the look Gillian was giving him. He noticed she didn't quite believe him, but yet she was waiting anxiously for a response. Her curiosity was growing and somewhere in her eyes, Thierry swore he saw pain mixed with the countless emotions Gillian's eyes usually reflected.

"My betrothed." Thierry replied after letting out a sigh. He gave Gillian one last look as a very shocked expression formed on her face. Then without much thought to it, he turned around and made his way towards the door. He stopped once he was outside the room and before he closed the door he turned to face Gillian who was still standing in the same position with the same expression. Thierry sighed one last time before he sadly whispered three words to her, hoping she would hear.

"Happy Birthday, cousin."

-o-

"I really do hate to ask for your help in such short notice. I do not want to trouble you with such a request, but there is no one else I can trust." Thea softly apologized once again causing the young Redfern in front of her to shake his head in amusement. She sighs sheepishly before she reached out for the documents she had brought with her.

"It is not such a troublesome request, but it is slightly tricky. I do however believe you can handle it just fine." With a small smile she gently handed him the documents before she proceeded to explain the task. "There are two Aristocrats that will be assisting tonight's ceremony. They are French, and from what I have learned, they seem to be honoured guests." Thea pauses to watch the Redfern's reaction to the information, and once she sees him nod, she continues. "Keller Drache and Rashel Jordan; they are sisters. The eldest, Keller, is married to Galen Drache, the owner of the most successful wine industry in France. His father died at a young age leaving Galen as the heir of the Drache fortune.

"Drache is quiet respected here in England. He is young and ambitious, something many English Aristocrats respect. So it is no surprise Mrs. Drache was invited. As for her sister, Rashel Jordan, we are assuming she was invited because of her political involvement. She is a lawyer and a very good one. She has great pride in being a French woman that is known throughout Europe for her high accomplishments in many political debates."

"And you want me to keep an eye on them because?" Ash Redfern asked sincerely confused as to why Thea was even asking for his assistance. The French Aristocrats' seemed to be well respected woman, not to mention they were probably highly liked by the monarchy seeing how they had been invited to the ceremony. Ash couldn't understand what had Thea worried.

"I don't trust them." Thea stated without hesitation causing Ash to raise an eyebrow.

"You don't trust them." He repeated her statement to make sure he had heard properly and once Thea nodded in agreement, Ash couldn't help but to chuckle. "Woman intuition?" he asked mockingly, causing Thea to roll her eyes. "Or is it because they are French?"

"Neither."

"Then…?"

"Will you help me?" Thea asked ignoring his question.

Ash looked amused and annoyed at the same time, but nonetheless he nodded. "I would love to help you, Lady Harman, even though I don't precisely understand your interest for these Ladies, ill take your word that they seem highly suspicious."

"I appreciate this, Ash. And I do apologize for having you do this on the night you probably planned on… enjoying." Both Ash and Thea knew exactly what she had implied with her last statement.

"Trust me, I will enjoy the night." Ash mused. "The ladies are after all, quiet the beauty."

"Hmm. I believe so." Thea said indifferently before proceeding to stand up from the sofa she had been comfortable at. "Ash, may I ask how you are getting to the ceremony?"

"My plan was to originally go with my family. However is seems everyone has planned their own way off getting there."

"Maggie told me Delos and Quinn are currently… in an argument… regarding work?"

Ash snorted at that. "Maggie is quiet oblivious" he mumbled loud enough for Thea to hear. However before she could ask what he meant (even though Ash knew Thea knew exactly what he meant), Ash spoke again. "Delos and Quinn are always arguing. If it is not about work, then it is about butterflies. Those two are quiet the pair."

"Hm. What about Jez? I haven't heard of her for a while now. I am slightly worried."

"She is the most unbearable one at the moment." Ash practically growled causing Thea to blink completely shocked.

"How so?"

"Delos and Mother have recently been reading letters written by a few suitors."

"Oh my." Thea gasped horrified. "Delos would never do this to Jezebel… would he?" she question already imagining Jezebel suffering with the amount of pressure Mrs. Redfern and Delos are giving her. Thea could already see Jez waking up everyday to hear her mother read a letter from an old man who probably paid a servant to write it.

"Mother is the one interested in having all her kids married." Ash spoke with clear annoyance at his mothers interest. All she ever thought about was marriage. She wanted them all out of the house, in Ash's opinion. If only his father was still alive…

"She is in for a journey; a hard one that is. I am pretty sure the only one with marriage as a plan in his future is Delos. Maybe even James, but that lad is still too young."

"Marriage is unnecessary."

"Only you believe that." Thea remarked already knowing Ash's precise opinion on marriage. They have known each other for almost fifteen years. Having grown up together, they know each other quite well. They are close friends.

"Actually," Ash stretched the word out as he said it. "Jezebel feels the same way."

"I'm surprised you did not mention Quinn."

At that Ash smiles. Thea blinks recognizing that smile- the smile Ash always wears when he knows something you don't. A sly and cunning smile that triggers curiosity. A smile Thea thought wasn't meant for the occasion.

"Hmm…" Ash muses. "That is because I fear dear old Quinn has himself a lass."

"Is that so? I thought he was still in love with-"

"He is."

"But Delos-"

"He knows."

"So surely he cant be thinking of marriage-"

"Oh." Ash interrupted one last time causing Thea to roll her eyes. But even so, she listens. "Delos is barely an obstacle for Quinn. You know how conflicted their relationship is, it's worse than my own relationship with James, and we are the ones considered to be the cat and dog of the family. Quinn doesn't care."

"So you are saying…" Thea trails off as she notices Ash standing up. She gives him a confused look before she realises what he is about to do. "Ash-"

"I'll see you tonight, Thea." It took Ash three seconds to leave the room.

-o-

"Why didn't you tell me."

"It is my private life."

"Don't bring that shite of an excuse" Quinn growled as he tighten the tie around his neck. He gazed at the reflection in front of him before turning once again to face his older brother. "You knew what she meant to me." Quinn accused as he found his brothers eyes.

Delos blinked. Twice. Then he scowled. "No" he glared with confusion at his brother "I did not know anything. Ash and James might have mentioned something but you never did tell me anything."

Quinn turned around to meet his reflection once again. "Don't give me that shite-"

"What do you want Quinn!" Delos exclaimed as he slammed his fist against the mirror Quinn was focused on. Quinn looked slightly shocked at his brothers aggressiveness just as he saw the cold glare Delos was sending him. Delos was never the type to allow his anger to control his actions. So this was definitely a sign that the topic was sensitive.

"You had no right-"

"Lower your tone."

"You are not my father-"

"Stop being childish."

"Stop ordering me around!" Quinn yelled making a 180 turn so he could face his brother accordingly. "That is all you ever do and I'm bloody sick of it!"

"Quinn-"

"And don't interrupt!" Quinn exclaimed as he finally snapped. In one quick movement he pushed Delos back catching both of them off guard. Delos blinked twice one he found his balance, while Quinn recovered from the shock and proceeded to rub his temples in annoyance. "Fuck Delos!" he said almost apologetic. "Why her?"

"Why not?"

"You fucking git-"

"You have no feelings for her, Quinn." Delos interrupted once again completely ignoring what his brother had said just a few seconds ago. "You and I both know this."

"You do not know how I feel," Quinn warned, "I know how I feel."

"And do you love her?"

It was a simple question, one that Quinn should have been able to answer immediately. However he found himself pausing and searching for an answer. An answer he couldn't quite word. An answer Delos wasn't expecting, and oh god help him, Quinn knew this too.

Frustrated and mad at himself Quinn's gaze fell before he decided to leave. He grabbed his coat as Delos watched him. Quinn could feel Delos' eyes on him but he refused to care. He heard his older brother say something about their ride to the ceremony being here before he left the room.

It was after he walked down three halls that Quinn found himself standing in front of the last person he wished to see at the moment.

"Quinn."

"Milady"

Maggie blinked taken aback before a small frown formed on her lips. "Why so formal?" She asked as she straightened out her gown.

"I did not know you and my brother-"

"That is no reason for being formal." Maggie insisted. "You call Poppy by her name…"

"Maggie." Quinn mumbled. "I am sorry."

Maggie blinked. "What?"

"I never knew… and I fear that even if I had known, it would have made no difference..."

"Quinn, what are you-"

"I should have stayed in Scotland."

"Don't say- Quinn!" Maggie called out but it was already too late. Quinn had turned and left. Maggie watched the back of him with confusion and some sort of guilt because she knew that somehow this was her fault. What ever 'this' was.

She figured something was going on yesterday when Quinn and Delos had both nearly started a fight at her house. At the end Quinn had left furiously saying he would walk home- something Maggie was sure didn't happen- and Delos had left equally mad forgetting to kiss her goodbye.

"Don't blame yourself" Maggie heard Delos say behind her. However his advice came too late.

She already was.

-o-

That is it!

Sorry if it was slightly short... and I think I mentioned this chapter was suppose to be about the 'party' itself, sorry it wasnt.. but we are almost there!

Sorry if any mistake! And yeah...

ALSO. Just to let you know, I do plan to have the original couples... maybe not as actually couples... but yeahhh.. i dont know how to put this... just... wait for the next chapters.. kk?

"D

Review?

Please?

=D?

-Maria

GOD BLESS!

Ps; I am finally learning German!