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I know I'm a complete and utter b*tch and I probably deserve to be publicly humiliated and hung by my toes over an erupting volcano whilst being eaten alive by spiders.
I am so effing sorry! I have...abandoned fanfiction for like 3 months and didn't really tell you all. If you don't mind I'd rather keep my reasons private because I prefer to keep my personal life, well, personal. So I'd rather not have a dozen PMs demanding why I was away because they will probably be ignored.
There will be an announcement about what's happening with me at the end of this chapter so please check that out.
Chapter 20
Regrets...
I'm an idiot. I'm am a complete and utter idiot. And now that's how I'm going to die. As a complete and utter idiot.
Let's just say that I'm not in the best of moods right now. If there was a wall I could bang my head against, then I'd probably do it. I'm at an all-time low, I unsuccessfully bargained my life away to a demon and now I'm paying the price. I'm going to die, that's the reality of the situation. Do I accept it? Of course not, but that doesn't mean that I can't change my mind.
I can't even communicate with Cordelia anymore. I'm left so weak that I can only argue and bitch to myself in my thoughts.
And now, Cordelia is happily lounging on a long chair, sipping on red wine and nibbling on strawberries whilst Richter seems perfectly fine sitting on the matching stool at her feet.
Oh great, I'm going to die drunk as well. What a great way to go.
"Well, what do we have here?" A voice rings out from the lower part of the room. "I heard that our uncle was entertaining a visitor, but I never imagined that it would be you."
"It's been a long time, Reiji." Cordelia comments to him. "Too bad you're such a stick in the mud, otherwise you'd look just like Karl when I first met him."
I have to say that I agree with her about the stick in the mud part.
"Please refrain from invoking my father's name in no good reason. I find it patently offensive." Reiji asks politely, although I can sense something underneath; I don't know what.
Cordelia simply laughs. "Oh, don't be so standoffish. Come on over and talk to us." She requests with one her smirks.
"You're so transparent. Evidently, scheming comes as naturally as breathing to you." Reiji remarks as he appears before her a few feet away.
"Do I really need to explain myself?" Cordelia asks, and I notice Richter standing up from the corner of my eye. "Now that I've returned, it's crucial that I remain vibrant." She explains as she puts down her wine glass.
"Do you know what I despise most in this world?" At the sound of silence she answers her own question. "I despise boredom. Boredom can be excruciatingly painful for immortals such as ourselves so it's one of the most difficult things to endure. I'm sure that you can agree with me."
"Yes, you do have a point." She does? "I can certainly see how lack of excitement wouldn't suit you at all. I think death suits you much, much better."
Reiji and I actually agree on something. I haven't died already, have I?
Cordelia, however, just chuckles once more. "Why, thank you, Reiji. I'll take that as a compliment." She gestures to the stool Richter was previously sitting on. "Won't you come over and sit with me? I'd so love to talk to you, face to face."
Reiji simply does nothing. He shows no movement or emotion, whatsoever.
"What's the matter? Are you being defensive?" She laughs at the prospect. "Now who does that remind me of?" She questions with an air of evil teasing. "That's right, your mother, Beatrix. Just like her you supress your emotions and hide your feelings behind a stony exterior. But she ultimately met her meaningless and pathetic end, didn't she?"
Reiji gives a slight growl and hardens his jaw, which didn't go unnoticed by Cordelia.
"Oh my, don't tell me I touched a nerve? Beatrix never seemed to love you as nearly as much as she loved Shu, her eldest. So I assumed that you wouldn't mind if I slandered her just a little bit."
Oh, aren't you a bitch?
Reiji, however, seems completely composed. "I see how it is. Now I finally understand how you were able to turn my father against Uncle Richter, his only brother."
"Are you suggesting that I tore them apart?" She questions with a raised eyebrow. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you were calling me the root of all evil." That's because you are. "But you may be right. It's true that Karl and Richter were once on friendly terms. And I may be the reason that their relationship…deteriorated." She gives another laugh (cackle) at the memory.
"So you admit it? Well, their bond mustn't have been that strong if it was broken by a woman like you." I'm starting to admire you, Reiji. I think as Cordelia titters. Seriously woman, you've only had some strawberries and some red wine. Why are you laughing so damn much?
"You're remarkably observant, aren't you? Especially given that you're Beatrix's son." She remarks as she stands up and walks over to him. "I suppose I like you even more now."
She suddenly wraps her (my) hand around his neck and pulls him down. "Yes, it's just as I thought. You're eyes are like Karl's." She takes off Reiji's glasses and drops them carelessly onto the floor. "I'll let you in on a little secret, out of respect of your beautiful eyes." Her gloved hand caresses his face and rests on his chin. "Would you like to know why I came back to life?" She asks as her thumb rubs over his lips, causing them to open slightly.
This chick is seducing him! In my body! When she's like centuries older than him! This is wrong on so many levels.
"I came back to take revenge on Karl." She whispers into his ear. "I'm looking forward to it. I plan on making him pay by taking his life."
"You would take revenge on him not loving you?" Reiji enquires.
"Reiji, my dear, it would seem that you don't fully understand women yet. My desire to kill him is the ultimate proof of my love for him." Again with this 'murdering equals love' bull?
"In other words, you plan on forcing your love on him, whether he wants it or not." I'm betting on the 'or not' part of things.
Cordelia draws away from him in slight aggravation. "You seem extremely fond of talking out of turn, dear boy. I think I know how to silence that mouth of yours."
I internally roll my eyes. Listen Cordelia, I already thought about the duct tape, but that didn't work out well.
What she does stuns the hell out of me. Next thing I know, Cordelia, in my body, is kissing Reiji. When she draws back at his lack of reaction, she kisses him once more and this time he responds by wrapping one arm around her (my) waist and returns the kiss.
Holy crap. Now I know that my body's drunk.
Cordelia ends the kiss with another chuckle.
"Don't toy with me, Cordelia." Reiji demands.
"But I can't help myself." I wonder why? "I find myself interested in you as a man."
You are his goddamn step-mother!
"And what of my uncle? How does he feel about this?"
"Oh, don't worry about Richter. He won't mind whatever I choose to do." Because he knows that you're a slut. "So, let's pick up where we left off. We have all the time in the world."
She draws her face closer to his. "Now, I'm waiting."
Reiji draws his lips closer to hers and I silently panic about whether he's going to kiss her. Me. You know what I mean!
Then he chuckles. "I think I have to pass. Corrupt women with loose morals do nothing for me. I'm not the least bit attracted to you."
Thank every single good thing in this world. I think in relief.
Cordelia, however, isn't all that pleased. She steps away in anger and the next thing I know, a smacking sound resounds throughout the air and Reiji has a faint red mark on his cheek. In a less formal explanation, Cordelia slapped Reiji in the face.
Yes! At least I have one happy memory to go by!
"Come on now, let's cool it with the fighting, ok? We're all family here." Laito says as he appears at the bottom part of the room.
"Laito." Cordelia exclaims.
"I'm quite surprised to see you here. I'd figured that I'd see you next time in hell, Mother."
"I'm sorry that I didn't live up to your expectations." She apologises, but let's face it, she doesn't mean one word of what she says.
"There's no need to apologise. It's better than I could've expected." He simpers in return.
Kanato slowly approaches his brother's side.
"Aww, if it isn't my little song bird. Would you please sing a song for mummy? Entertain us with your beautiful voice again, just like in the old days." She requests.
"Is that you, Mother? How can it be?" He asks in almost a scared tone.
"Oh, be quiet, Cordelia. Neither you nor Richter belong in this house." Mansion. I correct Subaru. He walks to be with his brothers as well. "Get lost, both of you."
"You perform the tough guy so well, Subaru." Richter finally speaks up. "It's such a shame that you're unable to protect your own mother."
That touched a nerve.
"SHUT UP!" Subaru shouts as he springs up to the balcony ledge and aims a right hook at Richter's face. Richter simply grabs it and twist Subaru's hand with a sickening crack. Subaru aims a kick for Richter's middle, misses, and then swings back down to the ground again, landing in a crouch.
"Feel free to challenge me for as long as you all like. None of you will ever be a match for me." Richter boasts.
A lazy laugh is heard throughout the room. "Are you sure you should be so cocky about that?" Shu asks.
"What is that?" Richter challenges, obviously bristled..
"You act like you're the tough one but you're just putting on a show."
"Shu, what are you trying to say?" Richter questions.
Then, all of a sudden, something that no-one could anticipate happens.
Shu stands up.
"Face it, you're a loser. You're not even worthy of licking Karl Heinz's boots. You'll never be head of this family." Ouch, that was a burn.
Cordelia walks up to Richter's side. "Is this really the best entertainment you can muster up?" She questions with a disappointed look. "Please, you people" vampires. "Are as dull as ever. And you know what the worst thing is?" You're still alive using my body? "You're keeping me from being the vibrant woman I deserve to be."
Woman, please, get over yourself! You're as vibrant as a lump of charcoal.
"Richter, dispose of them immediately." She orders as she holds out a familiar knife. "Do it right now."
"Let me see that." Richter requests as he takes the knife. "This is Subaru's silver knife, isn't it? It's highly lethal. One stab through the heart and it will be lights out for any one of them."
"Yes," Cordelia agrees. "They will disintegrate immediately without any pain. That only goes to show how much I love them." I'm not going to comment on that anymore. "Now, dispose of them quickly and I'll be more than happy to make you the next head of the family."
"So, if I kill them for you, you swear to make me the next head of the family?" Richter questions.
"Yes."
"Well, that's strange."
"Huh?" I'm with her there.
"I was under the impression we'd already agreed upon that. Was it not one of the terms we discussed about when you lay dying? You solemnly swore that if I saved your life, you would grant overall authority of this family to me."
This is a plot twist.
Cordelia hugs his arm fawningly. "Richter, you must know that I would do anything you desire, my darling. Now hurry up and dispose of those pesky boys. Do it for me, won't you?"
"You are a fool. You're useless to me like this, nothing more than damaged goods. Do you really think I want you in this condition? The only thing I really need is your heart. Once I awaken the girl who possesses your heart and make her mine, I will become the next head of the family. I can do it all without your assistance."
Oohh. How's that for entertainment, Cordelia?
Cordelia backs away from him. "So you've been planning this from the moment I intrusted my heart to you? Tell me that's not true."
"Oh dear, did you only just realise?" He turns to her. "You're not the one who has been using me this whole time, I am the one who has been using you."
If only I was able to eat some popcorn, here.
He grabs her by the arm and bares his fangs.
Wait, what?
No! I'm not going to die by his fangs! But I can't do anything. Oh, I'm so bloody screwed.
"Hey, I've had it with the both of you. Would you just shut the hell up, already?" If there ever was a time I'm glad to see Ayato's face, this is it. "Get your paws off her, she's mine. You can't touch her without my say so."
Wait, so he can touch me with your say so?
I'm jolted out of my thoughts when Richter draws a sword from a nearby sword rack and points it towards Ayato. "Don't you dare interfere!" he warns. With a slash of his sword, he forces Ayato back.
"Why you…" Ayato growls.
"Hey, Ayato!" Laito momentarily catches Ayato's attention and throws a sword towards him. Ayato catches it with ease and readies himself for a fight.
"Your free ride is now officially over, Richter. I'll make you regret the first moment you entered this house." Yes! You do that!
"What are you going to do about it, you gutless worm?" Richter questions and then the two swords clash. With vibrant fury, Richter forces Ayato back and before I know it, Ayato is pinned to the wall with a sword in his left shoulder.
I gasp at the sight, and with a terrified scream I watch as Richter pulls out the sword, causing blood to rapidly escape from the wound. Ayato, with no strength left, drops his sword and falls to his knees.
No…
Ayato's hurt because of me. He fought Richter for me. And as I look at Richter raise his sword above his head I think to myself. Now, he's going to die because of me.
With an evil grin, Richter orders, "Stay right where you are."
"Ayato." Someone calls out his name, and when his eyes meet mine, I know that it was me. I regained control over my body. With a little fire in my heart, I know what I need to do. With tears welling in my eyes, I whisper. "Thank you."
I whip out the knife from Richter's pocket, wrestle out of his grip and run just far enough for no-one to stop me from what I'm about to do.
I look at the knife in my hands. There's so much I want to say but I know that I don't have the time. So I quickly made a choice of what to say, and in the end, I laugh scornfully. "I'm too damn stubborn to let anyone get hurt because of me."
That's it...no more regrets now...
And with that, I plunge the knife into my chest, and fall backwards as everything fades to black.
There you are! Once again I'm every sorry for my unofficial hiatus and I hope that you can all forgive me.
So yeah this announcement.
I have written the rest of this story already on Word. I have a week off school this coming week and...*quickly checks* I only have two chapters left. I should either upload it this weekend or during my holidays but I promise that this story WILL be finished by the end of the month and if I don't then...you all decide my fate.
After this book finishes, I want to focus on the Ayato x Yui (hopefully short) story and finish that off before I start writing the Eliza x Sakamaki Brothers depending on which brother you vote to have first.
KK, I think that's everything. Once again, sorry for being AWOL. It's...not cool and hopefully it won't happen again.
I'll see you all soon!