Conner pulled at Karlheinz, holding him back, while Sampson pushed up the young prince's sleeves.
At the sight of it, the Vibora burst into laughter.
Sampson sighed, letting the prince go, Karlheinz sliding his sleeve back down in a fluster. "It's not what it—"
"Consumated the marriage a bit early, ey My Lord? How was she? A former prostitute must've given you quite the service—"
Conner's jaw cracked, head shooting up from the strength of Karlheinz's fist.
Sampson clicked his tongue, stopping the Young Prince's hand before it had the chance to swing again. "Now, now, My Lord. If it is violence you insist upon, allow me to be your weapon. A prince should not sully his hands with such crude acts."
Karlheinz exhaled sharply, his temper rising, "Never in my life…"
Conner stretched out his jaw, rubbing his cheek. "A nice hit indeed, My Lord." He added humbly.
"Get out, Shiroyama."
The Vibora raised an eyebrow, glancing at Sampson before spitting out some blood, and then leaving the room.
Sampson took the liberty of shutting the door behind the Vibora.
"Care to explain, My Lord?" Sampson said, once the door was closed.
"Isn't it self explanatory?"
"Most thing are not." Sampson said smartly.
Karlheinz rolled up his sleeves, showing off his own fang bites. "How much will I have to endure? She refuses—"
"Then bite. It is your right, is it not?"
"If I do…" Karlheinz ran a hand through his hair, "She was furious. I've never met a woman so—so stubborn—"
"You still intend to marry her."
Karlheinz looked at him with pitiful eyes. "It will just take some time…"
Sampson unsheathed his sword, Karlheinz flinching slightly before the weapon fell to his feet. The way it clattered against the ground was unsettling.
"Charles-"
"I relinquish my sword to you, Sakamaki."
"Charles," Karlheinz began, "Don't be unreasonable-"
"I believe that's my line-"
"Please-"
"For you to not-even for you, Karlheinz, it's too much-"
"Well how do you think I feel!?" Karlheinz yelled, surprising Sampson. The prince shoved up his sleeves, eyes set ablaze, shaking his arm, "To have to go this far! How can a man endure it? Is this what they mean when they say love drives you to madness? I love her, Charles, but I swear I-"
His rant was cut short by Sampson's chuckles, the older man running a hand through his brown hair.
Karlheinz snarled, picking up the sword and pushing it onto Sampson's chest, making sure he took hold of it. "Until you are dismissed you will remain a royal guard. You have no say in the matter."
"It's not madness," Sampson said with a knowing smile, "It's sexual deprivation."
Karlheinz ran a hand through disheveled hair again, closing his eyes, "Do not say such things so lightly."
"Well," Sampson leaned back, relaxing in the armchair, enjoying himself, "You have something to look forward to."
Karlheinz made a pained sort of face, looking at Sampson for a way to escape. "Must I—"
"The human will have to attend as well. What a rare occasion to see her in a dress, don't you think so, Karlheinz?"
"I suppose…"
"All the women in that room will be fighting for you favor. Perhaps try to act more humble, my lord."
"I am humble," he snapped, "I simply have no interest in trying to pick a wife from a field of wild flowers—"
"Isn't that exactly what you've done?"
Karlheinz shot the royal guard a sharp glare.
Sampson bit back his smile. "Come now, Karlheinz. The Humberts will be there. As will Cordelia. The Haradas, Changs, Castillos…oh," he paused, wanting Karlheinz to look at him, in order to catch young prince's expression. "And the Evans heir."
Karlheinz's eyes widened, before narrowing in suspicion. "Beatrix?"
"Do get ready, My Lord. Company is waiting."
…
Karlheinz had always found meetings like these dreadfully boring. Or rather, he supposed they were intended to be more like gatherings. But whatever the name, it was always the exact same routine. Ladies trying to win his favor, he trying to politely decline, his gentry trying to take advantage of the fact.
But, at the very least, this time…
Lisa was beautiful. Her dress was perhaps more subtle than those of the other women, but it still hugged her shape beautifully. And from what Karlheinz remembered of her shape…
The memories of the night they shared came in hot flashes that made him rather uncomfortable, the future king left to fidget in his seat.
"My Lord," Scarlett Humbert purred, leaning into him, "Are you all right?"
"Yes," he straightened, "I'm fine."
Lisa glanced at him, and he made an effort to separate himself from Lady Humbert. Scarlett did not seem to notice, however, striking up a conversation with him about her latest trip to the human realm. He couldn't exactly bring himself to find it interesting.
"…red, can you believe it? Of all the colors for this human to wear…"
He found himself tuning her out, his ears catching bits and pieces of other's conversations.
"…of class. It's nothing to do with it. I believe His Majesty has made a fine choice in choosing Sir Sampson."
"You flatter me, my dear."
Karlheinz grimaced. Beatrix was always far too serious. And Sampson far too flirtatious. None of this caught his interest in the slightest. He couldn't even speak to Lisa, seeing as she was far too shy.
What had he gotten himself into?
"…to your liking, My Lord?"
He blinked, looking at Beatrix, trying to fill in the parts of the question he'd missed. Luckily, Sampson answered for him.
"Such a thing goes without saying. His Majesty is always quite fond of your company's tea."
Beatrix not once took her eyes from him, and Karlheinz was forced to meet her gaze. Despite himself, there was no denying her beauty, particularly when she smiled, her usually cold expression brightening .
"Is that so," her cheeks warmed, blue eyes shining, "Then, I'm glad. In place of my father, we are both honored and humbled that they meet your standards, Karlheinz-sama." She bowed her head in respect, before turning her attention to the rest of the group, sipping on her tea.
"I feel rather out of place here." Lisa managed to whisper, and Karlheinz quickly turned to her, hoping to ease her worries, but at that moment, he heard Beatrix laugh.
"You're far too bold," she chastised, shaking her head at the royal guard.
In truth, Karlheinz had never heard the lady laugh before. But pulling unique expressions from people seemed to be Sampson's favorite pastime. Perhaps it should not have bothered him as much as it did.
All he could manage was an encouraging pat to Lisa's thigh, before he was pulled into a new conversation, forcing a smile and trying to suppress the memories of the night he'd spent in Lisa's room.
On the opposite wall, Henrietta sat, watching the festivities in a rare moment when she found herself alone. But with gatherings like these there was never anyone who would be interested in someone like her. Not when there were more than just a handful of women who promised the inheritance of their father's riches.
Though it did become rather lonely when even Beatrix was choosing to ignore her. Not that Henrietta could muster up the energy to be angry. Besides, Beatrix was only trying to secure her own future, just as was every other woman in the room. Henrietta thought she was perhaps the most likely to win Karlheinz's favor, seeing as they both had a rather human way of deciding their morals. And, from the way Karlheinz was looking at her now, Henrietta thought it wouldn't be long before the young prince finally saw reason.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Scarlett's high pitched screech of a laugh, and Henrietta decided she'd had enough of simply watching. Her sister was a complete embarrassment.
So Henrietta got up, making her way further into the room, where the endless rows of books were kept. Without looking at the title, she grabbed a book, and opened it.
Not that this much more interesting than the company she found herself with.
But, if her instincts were right…
"Do you enjoy books, Lady Humbert?"
The voice was one she recognized far too easily. Low and deep and just behind her, at a distance that could hardly be considered gentlemanly.
Henrietta barely threw him a glance, her eyes skimming down the page. "Not particularly."
"Oh?"
"Books get dreadfully boring towards the middle," she closed the book with a single hand, turning her head to look at him, "Is there something I can help you with, Sir Sampson?"
"It seems rather unlike you to separate from the group."
She scoffed, putting the book back and pulling out another. "What would you know of me?"
"Well," he stepped closer, "That is precisely what I intend to find out."
She pushed the book into his chest, effectively creating some distance between them. "Their talk is bothersome. And that human aggravates me."
"I should warn you," he said, putting the book away, following her into the next shelf, "You should not speak that way of the future Queen."
Henrietta laughed whole-heartedly at that, letting her nail graze along the spines of the books.
He followed her with curious eyes. "May I ask what you find so amusing?"
She looked at him with a sharp stare. "Will no one tell him?"
Sampson smirked, "Whatever do you mean?"
Henrietta straightened, looking Sampson up and down, thinking it through before she spoke. "No…" she decided, "It's not my business."
"Do continue, My Lady. You've piqued my interest."
She pursed her lips, picking out another book and aimlessly flipping through the pages. "You are not as loyal as you claim, if you know as much as I."
"A rather grave accusation."
"A truthful one, nonetheless."
"Incredible. Every time we meet you accuse me of lying."
She glanced at him innocently. "That's your specialty isn't it? Manipulation."
"I don't believe I'm any sort of match when compared to you, Lady Humbert."
"Your flattery would be well received were it not coated in such blatant mockery."
"You said something similar last we met. Shall I compliment you in earnest instead?"
She scrunched up her features, "Do not shift the subject so casually—"
"That necklace," he began, ignoring her entirely, "A ruby, isn't it? A gorgeous stone, of course. But it is made beautiful only because it rests upon a neck as pale as yours."
Henrietta smirked, shoving the book back in its place. "I have received many a finer compliment."
"That I have no doubts of."
"Don't you? I find it disappointing, coming from a man who is so well known for his words."
"I'm afraid I'm no romantic, my dear."
"Unlike Karlheinz, you mean to say."
It was now Sampson's turn to smirk. "Tell me. What is it you suspect?"
She looked at him, before glancing over at the party of vampires. She grabbed Sampson by the ruffles of his necktie, crouching slightly behind the bookshelf, whispering. "Do you see that?"
If Sampson were to answer honestly, he'd say his vision were currently impaired from the way the woman holding his tie was emitting a sweet smell, the corset of her dress pushing up her breasts in the latest fashion that men like him were only all too grateful for.
"Perhaps if you could specify what it is I'm looking at, Lady Humbert." He managed.
She nodded towards the group, pointing with a ringed finger. "Every woman has her feet pointed towards Karlheinz. Every single one with her chest puffed proudly in his direction. All except the human. Why do you think that is?"
Sampson shot her a glance. "Hm? Karlheinz has declared her his. Perhaps she is confident in that fact."
Henrietta let go of his collar. "Truly I did not think you so stupid."
This woman was becoming more and more interesting. Never before had he been spoken to in such candid fashion. "It is not so much my stupidity as it is your skill, Lady Humbert."
"Analyzing people is what you're known for, Sir Sampson," she looked at him with a bored expression, "Do not mock me by feigning ignorance."
"Very well," he smiled charmingly, not wanting to lose her favor, "Then do continue in your analysis, and I will listen with attention."
She glanced at him doubtfully, but leaned into him once again, and once again Sampson was granted that faint, sweet scent. "The human…she's looking at Karlheinz. But her body is facing Richter."
"Oh my. Are you perhaps suggesting—"
"You know it just as well as I."
"As expected, you say it with impeccable confidence."
"It's the only explanation," she said easily, moving away, "One that is not so difficult to determine."
"Oh? And why's that?" He asked, fully intrigued.
Henrietta pulled out another book, opening it and flipping through pages she had no intention of reading. "She's not been bitten. For Karlheinz to sustain in such regard would mean she asked him not to bite. If he did bite, after all…" She turned to him rather playfully, biting her bottom lip to keep from smiling, "Infidelity leaves a rather sour taste on the tongue, does it not?"
Clapping slowly, Sampson scoffed, shaking his head. "How positively terrifying. I don't believe I've ever met a woman so cunning."
At that, her face dropped entirely, and she put the book away rather roughly. "All women are cunning," she said, turning her back to him, "I am among the least, for my inability to keep quiet."
What he did was perhaps bold in its own right, but it had been a long time since Sampson had felt the blood rushing in his veins.
With swift calmness, he caged her between himself and the bookshelf, leaning down to meet her gaze. "Among the least? For such a thing? I much prefer talkative women."
Henrietta looked up at him, hardly fazed. "Then may I suggest, a bird?"
Sampson crinkled his features, "A bird?"
"Yes, they're rather loud, or so I hear. I'm sure it'd be more than willing to sing for you with a voice much prettier than any woman's."
"My dear," Sampson smirked, leaning in, "I'd much rather hear you sing for me."
Henrietta laughed at that, crouching down so she could escape under his arms, "To hold myself to your standards…that is the last thing I wish to do."
"Would such a thing be so terrible?"
She turned to him, lifting her hands up in such a way that he thought he'd be smacked.
It wouldn't be the first time a woman had hit him, after all.
Instead, however, she adjusted his collar, which he assumed must have been left askew, from the way she'd grabbed him before.
"If such a thing were to happen, Sir Sampson," she patted the ruffles, assuring they were in place, before looking at him with playful eyes, "I'd be ever so devastated if you lost interest in me."
She didn't allow him a chance to reply, returning to the safety of the group. Upon taking her seat, she smiled to herself, knowing that not only had she been followed by Sampson's gaze, but she'd managed to capture the attention of the young prince as well.
Not that something like that would ever amount to anything.
Karlheinz watched as Henrietta Humbert returned to the center of the room, though he hadn't quite caught when she'd managed to leave in the first place. His entire mind was in a fog, seeing as he'd lost Lisa in the crowd. Perhaps she'd run off again, frightened by what it meant to stand by his side. It seemed that all he did was fill her with worry. After this was over, he thought, he'd have to speak to her.
The clicking of heels pulled him from his thoughts, one of the maids of the palace pushing in a cart with spare refreshments.
He knew she'd fall before it happened, and yet he couldn't bring himself to stand, instead watched the disaster occur, everyone falling to silence to watch the maid covered in boiling tea.
Henrietta was the first to react, pulling out her fan to hide her laughter. "Should someone so inept be working for a King?"
Sampson added a chuckle of his own, which Karlheinz resented. Beatrix managed to hush her friend.
At this Karlheinz stood up, and called upon the maid.
"Come with me."
A/N: I know she only had like five lines but omg I love Beatrix lol. I know we haven't seen too much of Karlheinz yet and all but the next chap will be all him I promise lol. I got carried away with my boy Sampson XD Comments are appreciated ^^
Meowchi: Ahhh thank you thank you it feels really great to write again! And thank you so much! We'll see what's about to go down rather soon. Honestly I need to get a better outline because I'm getting the feeling this story is gonna be reallllyyy long XD Ahhh omg I could kiss you you like Henrietta and Sampson! I'm so excited for them because we never got to see Sampson at all and the only thing we saw of Henrietta in Masks was her beating Reina but like now we get to see -why- she is the way she is and *rambles endlessly about her own OCs* lol sorry. YES. The Vibora scandal will most definitely be mentioned. It's very central to who Sampson is as a person and vampire, which I have been dropping very subtle hints about lol but you'll find out soon. Thanks so much for you comment is seriously made my week. Big hugs!