Author's Note: I know I said there would be no more updates unless I get reviews, but I changed my mind to update this, Supernatural and Time Warp. But that's it! I'm working on designing all of my OCs! Yes! I am designing each and every one of my OCs! So updates are gonna be rare without reviews.

They are all gonna be sketchworks.

The pictures are gonna be posted here as well as a larger version on my deviantart gallery.

Links will be found on my profile in due time.

Popular demand may get me to make colored versions...^_^

IMPORTANT: I fixed the previous chapters and the names of all chapters changed.

Chapter 5: Their Mistress; At The Party

13th February. A beautiful spring night. The night of Azalea Bellatrix Draconia's birthday. Everywhere the chatter was the same; where was the hostess?

The guests now had their eyes fixated at the top of the staircase. Aunt Vivian, as well as Clarissa and Louisa, followed suit to see two figures clad in black on the first staircase landing.

Wearing a long ball gown entirely in black, Azalea Bellatrix Draconia held the arm of her butler and secretary – Claude Faustus, as she stepped down one stair at a time. The audience was captivated by the beauty of her dress. The gown was surely attracting many envious stares from the ladies. It was made of the finest ebony satin, with a corset top. The corset was tied up at the front, with its string extensions reaching downwards over the skirt. It had strong, smooth satin strings securing it in place, while the holes of the corset had silver rings trimming them off. The corset was made of hardened cotton boards, while satin covered with intricate black lace was sewn over it to give it a netted effect. There was an off-shoulder, full-sleeved, low-necked top below the corset, which came to the hips in a pencil style until it finally belled out at the upper thighs to form the skirt. The skirt itself had three full-length layers of net-fabric over it to form the outer georgette-type layer of the skirt. The belt of the skirt was heavy, with silver, circular discs joined with silver links, while she wore a matching choker in black, with silver studs, at her neck. The sleeves had lace trimmings at the end, which extended out to fit over and cover half of her hands, leaving only the fingers out for use.

Azalea's POV:

"Azalea, you are late for your own party," Aunt Vivian snarled with venom in her voice, as I came to the foot of the stairs. I simply ignored the two whores, and just turned my head to glance at my aunt, who took the gesture to be a beacon for her to open her mouth. Well, whatever. It's not like I don't have an answer.

"As you just stated yourself, it is my party, so I come and go whenever I please," I snarled back with almost as much venom.

I entwined my arm firmly with Claude's and turned to walk away, when, most unfortunately for both me and my aunt, she found another thing to pick on. Unfortunate for me, since it will just waste more of my precious time when I know Sebastian will report any minute now about what he's found out. I've got to get over with this stupid social event soon...

And, unfortunate for her, because, decent woman that she is, I'd still have to insult her further in front of her slutty daughters.

"Why are you arm-in-arm with your butler? You know full well that-" I interrupted her before she could go any further.

"-yes, I know what this goddamned society thinks and you know full well that I don't give a flying crap," I turned my head to reply in monotone, not loosening my grip on Claude's arm. 'And for your kind information, Claude here is the secretary to the head of the board of directors of Draconia & Frederickson's, so that gives him the social status to be with a lady of noble stature, like me."

Leaving two agape daughters seeing their mother be answered back like no other, and Aunt Vivian with an even worse temper than before, I walked off to meet up with some business officials.

-bittersweet vengeance-

"Happy Birthday, Miss Draconia!" and 'Hope you have a memorable new age coming forth," came from several men and women as I walked by.

"God bless you, lovely lady!" and "Hope you always walk on a rightful path," came from the elderly people.

Strangers don't need to wish me well when my own family members would value my fortune over my well-being, I thought. And besides, birthday is nothing but a signpost saying, you are getting older and closer to your death. Does aging sound like something to celebrate for? Is getting closer and closer to being old, feeble and withered so appealing that you hoist a huge ball like this? Replace my smooth burgundy tresses with white, lifeless ones, my sparkling brown orbs for lifeless gray, my smooth, youthful skin for a wrinkled and faded one? Is that what I'm celebrating for?

No. I'm not celebrating. The ones who want me dead are enjoying themselves. I clenched my fists out of rage.

"Is something wrong, your highness?" Claude asked in monotone. Well, he can't be any more concerned; I kind of figured that out. He wouldn't be any more caring than how Sebastian puts it. They are here only since they find me amusing.

"It's none of your business, demon," I replied through gritted teeth.

-bittersweet vengeance-

"Happy-"

"Do you want me to walk away and ignore you like the dirt on my-no-my dog's foot?"

Joseph Frederickson chortled in a confused manner, before being silenced by my glare. Apparently no one other than him found this even remotely funny. He therefore decided to change the topic.

"My lady, did you receive my parcel?" he asked.

"Yes. In fact, I did. But I would have gotten it sooner, if it weren't for some people…" I gave Claude an accusing sideways glance. He remained like green litmus paper-neutral all the way.

"I remembered that you wanted any updates we could lay our hands on, so I decided to send you the papers with your advisor."

"Oh?" So it's not only Claude involved in this stupid charade of hiding papers. "Sebastian?"

"Yes. About a day ago, I handed them over secretly to Mr. Michaelis so that it would reach you as quickly as possible. If I had waited till today, Thomas Draconia-" he glanced somewhere off to his right, and Azalea followed his sight to notice the familiar figure of the fierce, second Draconia brother. "-or someone else would have stopped me from passing the information to you. They want to take matters into their own hands and not let you know of any of this."

"I'm aware of how the minds of those bastards work…" And apparently, these two sitting here in my mansion aren't as reliable at all times. All men I've met, except this Joseph and…Damien, all prove to be bastards when outwitted by women. Loud-mouthed, uptight, boastful, but in reality, full of hot air. That's what these sons of bitches are.

Joseph cringed.

"My lady-"

"It's Azalea," I said grudgingly. "I don't know how many times I've told you to cut the crap. You're a director, not my servant. Stop being a pussy and act like a director."

'Oh…o-of course, ma'am-I mean- Miss Azalea, I didn't mean to-" Joseph seemed stranded for words.

I raised an eyebrow and he seemed to get back to his senses.

"Who's she?" I motioned to the girl I had never seen before (and had thus completely disregarded her existence), standing beside him in rapt silence. She had her blonde hair put up in a stylish French twist. I never personally liked blonde hair. I unconsciously entwined one of my tightly set, elaborate burgundy curls hanging at my shoulders around a long, black-painted nail. I noticed her light brown eyes fall upon the various rings of diamond, emerald and sapphire glittering at my fingers.

"Oh! This is my fiancée, Gracelia Campbell. She's the daughter of the Scottish lord, Wellington Campbell, who owns a-"

"No. Never heard of him." I said curtly, smirking at the girl, who looked kind of shocked, though my eyes remained monotone.

"Oh…" Joseph trailed off, not knowing what to say, so I broke the awkward moment for him (even though it would have clearly been more fun if I let the awkward air hang).

"I suddenly notice that you are looking quite handsome in this white suit." I mischievously winked, reaching out to touch the lapel of his suit, making the man almost blush. "Your black hair goes well with it. It wouldn't be the same case, were you blonde." I shot a 'whatever' look at the girl.

Joseph looked at me like I had gone crazy. Gracelia Campbell was dumbstruck.

I outstretched my arm. "May I have this dance, Joseph?" I asked.

"What?" If the previous look meant he thinks I'm crazy, the one he gave me now meant he knew I'm insane.

"Are you denying your boss of what she is asking of you?" I cocked my head to one side and put a finger to my lips, my mahogany eyes sparkling with mystery. Joseph looked utterly shocked, mirroring the expression of his fiancée.

"Uhh…no!" Joseph stuttered, 'It-it's just that-that a woman never asks a man to-"

"To dance? Then you should be honoured, not surprised, jackass!" I chuckled with an amount of humour usually not present in my voice, while Gracelia gasped at the use of the 'improper' word.

"Claude," the butler looked at me, "All the shit about the things I do to upset the society hits the fan very quickly, no? But here we have someone, who works for me and yet doesn't know about all the rumours. But they aren't really rumours, are they now?"

"Yes…your lawless nature is quite well-known all over London." Claude said in monotone.

"So, do I have this dance, or do I have this dance?" I smirked yet again.

"Oh…of-of course," Joseph looked like a mouse cornered by a ferocious hawk. The look almost made me laugh. Before I made my way to the dance floor with my prey *cough* partner, I noticed Claude saunter off somewhere into the crowd, leaving the Gracelia girl all alone.

-bittersweet vengeance-

"Wellington Campbell, 75, father to five daughters – Cecil, Marianna, Vanessa, Clarisse and Gracelia. Four married; apparently the last and youngest is engaged to you…" I said as if to myself, while Joseph's mouth hung open. The soft tune being played on the flute at the moment sounded a lot like Sleeping Beauty, but I never really cared about music or dance or art. The creative, dreamy, impractical world wasn't for me. I was simply too much into business, and I spent all my time with my father, learning about how he runs his business and his undercover job together. I was the only daughter and only child, so I was most definitely the rightful heir. My father never gave a damn about the society not wanting women to lead a business or anything, come to think of it. He thought I was perfectly capable of taking over after him, so here I am.

I think I inherited the lawless nature from him, besides his brown hair and green eyes.

I gripped Joseph's hand tighter to maneuver him as I wished, with the man turning slightly red. I was also almost a head taller than him, so it was hard for him to dance and look dominant.

The business owned by Wellington Campbell was the second largest pharmaceutical business in Britain. Their recently discovered drug for night blindness is our greatest competition in the market. That business is the only one which stands in my way of creating a monopoly in the country in the line of medicine. As soon as I own that business, I shall have a greater grip over the market, fifteen more manufacturing plants all over Britain and no competition. Talk about the wealth and reputation.

"So…how is she?" I asked. Joseph looked very surprised. I twirled on the ballroom floor all of a sudden, and Joseph was taken aback, almost tripping over my swishing dress.

"Oh…um," He was lost for words as he looked into my sparkling, concern-glazed, emerald eyes. I smiled a fake-but-seemingly-very-true smile. I had him absolutely speechless for a whole minute as he looked into my eyes. He then looked away, blushing ever so slightly.

"She's a really wonderful girl. She cares about me a lot, and I don't think she'd ever betray me…" I chuckled at his reply.

"I don't think anyone," I turned on my seductive voice. "-would ever betray you. You're a really fine man yourself."

I don't think a woman can grow that red.

"Uh…" Joseph stuttered. So I decided to carry on.

"Don't ever let her go. I want you to get married, have a happy and prosperous life." I chuckled. "And be sure to have a lot of children, otherwise you'll be stuck like me, without an heir to your fortune."

Joseph looked flabbergasted.

"Yet, I would like to give you a word of advice." I said, twirling around yet again, with Joseph trying to keep up. "I cannot guarantee you happiness with this advice, but it will certainly make you prosperous."

Joseph looked at my face, as if searching me for a reason as to why I was doing all this.

"As far as I know, the other daughters are married to lords and nobles who all have their own successful businesses. Lord Campbell has to be a fool to pass his huge business to one of those daughters." I was still steering Joseph to my convenience; not paying heed to whether it was an inconvenience to him or not. "The youngest daughter is his dearest, so he is sure to pass the business to her husband. Since you are the only one who doesn't have a business of his own-"

Joseph winced at my wary insult while I continued. "-it will only be rational for him to pass the business to you. Be a bit clever and don't refuse him if he wants to give you the business. You mentioned Gracelia being nice? So wouldn't you want to keep her happy?" I raised a questioning eyebrow, but it was not a question but rather a statement, coming from my mouth. Joseph's look of alarm did not convey anything otherwise either.

We danced in silence for a while, before Joseph spoke up. I wonder how much courage it took him.

"It happens to strike my curiosity as to why you would be interested in this matter, which is solely about my well-being…" Joseph asked, suddenly serious.

I chuckled loudly. "I wish well for you, despite my demeanor you all find to be cold and uncaring. Do you also find me to be heartless?" I batted my eyelashes slyly.

"No! uh..I don't-it's just…" Joseph stuttered. I knew the battle was on my side when I asked him about how he and Gracelia first met, and the innocent, truthful-sounding answer I got.

I felt him relax considerably into the conversation. Score.

I kept giving him my sincerest (fake) smile throughout the dance as I asked him more about his future plans about himself and Gracelia.

After about ten more minutes of this unusual…well, unusually boring conversation about his life, we bowed to each other and I walked away. The final look on his face was that of utter conviction and faith in my words.

A/N: That woman seriously has some sort of beast inside her, doesn't she?

Let me know if you guys wanna see a juicy Claude scene, somewhat like Sebastian's scene with her!