Notes: I must apologise if the plot seems fragmented – I do know where they're heading and gearing towards to. Chapters 12-13-14 might be more coherent than the others since it has been 2 years. I'll try! But bear with me, alrights?

Chapter 13: Present

I stood staring at the dress in the meticulously wrapped gift box. It was pretty, it was white and the fabric dazzled faintly against my room's spotlight. I stood staring at it for a long while.

It wasn't until Chanel came in that I snapped out of my reverie. She had her posse once more. They cooed and fawned over me, out of duties, of course. I was most definitely far from being a princess. At best, I was a prisoner dressed like a clown – a jester to keep my masters happy.

"You look like a lost puppy, Poppy." Chanel said once her posse had died down and were leaving the room. The buzz was gone and it was just us two.

She looked at me from the mirror's reflection. I glanced down at my hands, "I'm no longer sure what everything means, it's as though my normal life no longer applies, normal rules no longer apply to their context. Killing, murdering, taking a human life is so ridiculously simple to them. Do they not know that each person's life holds many memories? Do they no longer understand what it feels to mourn after a loss? Do they no longer feel…." I shuddered and covered my bare arms, "Human?"

Chanel turned me around to face her and she narrowed her eyes decisively, "You must never confuse their kind, Poppy. They're Not humans. They don't feel, or rather, they no longer feel the way we do. They're the undead, a part of them have died and they're functioning based on animal instincts." There was a harsh callous look on Chanel's pretty face. Her eyes tinged with something that I couldn't quite place a finger too.

It was raw, unbridled. Very quickly, she composed herself and said, "I'm sorry, ignore what I've said. You'll have to do what Godric says, of course. He seems to think very highly of you."

Do I even have a choice?

"Besides, you look incredibly pretty today. I'm sure it'll be an easy feat."

The mirror showed a young girl looking hesitantly at her reflection. A head full of perfectly pulled and styled hair framed her pale face, she had minimal natural makeup and it easily accentuated her beauty. Her eyes gazed in a distant, distracted manner. What the mirror didn't show was that she had decided on something,

Chanel patted my back twice and strode out in her usual poised manner.

Someone knocked on the door, it was the chauffeur who was sent to pick me up. Godric had long left the premises. I took the chauffeur's lead and headed into the Bentley that was waiting in the front. I took one last look at the massive mansion behind me. It was like a metal castle/fortress– one that looked impressively modern yet it was deceivingly guarded with heavy security.

I shook my head slightly and uttered below my breath, "Good bye."

…To your owner too.

It was an elaborate get up – impressive and dazzlingly pretty. It almost felt like a modern day fairy tale. The entire castle (how apt) was decked in white, there were white banners and elaborate white pillars set up. Everyone was dressed in various designer threads and they formed little groups as they mingled with each other.

I noticed a few eyes glancing at my dress in envy.

Was this dress very special?

I was eyeing the buffet table and within seconds, my plate was piled and I had a glass of whites. I was good to go, when someone stopped me.

"You're likely going to ruin your dress with all that crumbs you're getting," a soft voice murmured. I glanced up, it was a boy, not much older than I was I supposed.

He had a bemused look on his face as he eyed the precariously balanced tower on my plate with an uncertain air. I was quite proud of my handiwork and was about to walk away.

"So you're the lucky one huh."

Me? Lucky? I highly doubted that. Hasn't he gotten the memo? The last I've checked – I attempted to kill a 1000 year old undead who of course, remained undead. And was bent on using me as a tool for his 'grandiose' plans. In return, he'll spare my life while I lose my freedom of any sorts and am relegated to nothing more than being his pet.

Fun memo. I looked at him and he narrowed his eyes, "Wait – you don't know?"

"Don't know what?"

"I designed your dress."

Him? But he looked barely older than me! Besides, what's up wih this dress.

"I only gave Godric this dress because he personally called requesting for this dress. He said that he's hoping to present it to his beloved."

I looked uncertainly at him, "Beloved, well if that's what Godric calls me these days." I smiled haplessly and continued eating. I was starving and the buffet was incredibly good. Fit for the royals – of course.

The guy looked at me in a frown and he pulled my arm, "I'm quite surprised honestly. Why would Godric choose someone…."

"Someone like me, you're saying?" I raised my brow. I wasn't going to comment on how blunt he was, "Beats me.' I said simply and was trying to focus on the stage. I was supposed to be in close proximity to the stage as there will be a speech given by the young Lovensen.

"I'm just being honest, I hope you don't take offense." He said, trying to continue the one way conversation, "None taken, don't worry," I said absently, I was trying to locate the young Lovensen. His name was Elliot something and he was due for a speech, "I'll find you again. Stay here. You probably don't even know half the beauty of this dress. I'll show you what it's supposed to do – but later. I'm heading up to make the speech."

"Wait, what?"

The young guy smiled patiently as though he was explaining to someone with lesser intellect, "They're calling for the speech. I'm heading to give the speech."

"Oh! You're Elliot Lovensen."

"Yes, I'm Elliot, pleased to meet you. Now, stay here! Be right back – "he said before suavely disappearing into the crowd that had parted for him in awe and respect.

There were bodyguards clearing the way for him and within seconds. He was up on the stage while I squinted painfully against the light. My heart was thumping slightly faster than usual. So, that's Elliot!

My fists were clenched rather tightly and I could feel a sense of dull dread. So he's the Elliot who's marked for annihilation. And Godric knew him too. And of all things, of course, Godric was also going to be the one killing him callously, without an ounce or a shred of remorse.