The first thing that I sensed, was the delicious smell of home made food. It triggered memories of Anita, Dad and Turkey. It was hard to believe that only a few hours ago I was saying goodbye to them, and now I was standing here, half across the world from the, about to say hello to the magnificent Dragomirs. Completely deep in thought, I missed Andre, Lissa's brother, sneaking up on me. The next thing I felt were his strong hands pulling me into a hug. Immediately my mind was on high alert and I almost attacked him. Fortunately, the familiarity of his scent stopped me and instead made me realise how much I have missed my surrogate big brother.
- Hey Rosie! Miss me?
- Always Andre. Have you finally become the man you promised me to be?
- You know it and I can totally kick your ass now!
- Now, now dear. You forget who you are talking it. Have I not proven to you on numerous occasions how deadly and gorgeous I am?
- Indeed you are Rosie Posie!
- Hey, you know I hate it when you call me that, but perhaps I will make you the only exception!
- I am honoured, my lady! Come on, mum and dad have been dying to see you! They are waiting for us in the kitchen.
With his hand on my shoulder, we made our way to the expansive kitchen. Before us, the table was brimming with food, drinks and aperitifs. Andre's parents, Rhea and Eric along with the chef Maria were indeed waiting for us. With their backs to us, they were obliviously applying the last few details to the spread of food before us. To draw their attention, Andre decided that an announcement was in order, so in his best pompous voice he exclaimed:
- Guess who the cat dragged in?
- Rose! It is so good to finally see you after all this time!
- You too Rhea, it's been too long! You are as beautiful and kind as always.
- What happened to my hug?
- I've left the best to last Eric!
- Come here kid, you have been missed around here. Too quiet without you around!
- Haha, oh don't you worry, with me around, it will be hard to sleep! Maria! Darling, I have no idea how, but every time I see you, not only does the food look better and better, but you are glowing!
- Oh Rose, compliments will get you far!
- You have me all figured out!
Sometimes I truly think my calling was stand-up comedy, the room was filled with laughter. In this moment, confused Lissa and Christian decided to make an appearance.
- What are you guys laughing about? - curiosity was evident in Christian's voice
- Rose, and her sneaking tactics to get on Maria's good side! - came Andre's quick response
- She makes the best food! - "I loved food and it was well known, I have no idea why it seemed surprising to anyone."
- That is true! Maria you are once again spoiling us! We are so lucky to have you!
- Thank you, Lissa! I am very happy to hear that. Now, I will leave you all to enjoy your meal, I need to go and pick up my son.
- Of course, Maria, see you soon! - Eric said with understanding in his voice.
- See you later guys!
Rhea knowing me full well spoke up:
- Rose, knowing your appetite, you must be starving! Let's sit down and enjoy the food.
- You don't have to tell me twice!
- Please help yourselves to food, once everyone settled down I want to hear what you have been up to for the past year Rose.
- Of course, Rhea.
The food truly looked delicious, after a little while everyone's plates were full and the table was filled with light banter. Eventually, Eric's curiosity won over./p
- So Rose, tell me, how have you been?
- Pretty great actually! I decided to go back to Turkey after the last time I saw you, there was just so much to see! I couldn't resist. I think it's my favourite place in the world. The beauty of the place is just incredible and the food is to die for!
- That's wonderful Rose. It sounds like a place we should visit.
In my response, I simply smiled at Eric, the more generic the info the better. They knew that I travelled a lot, and always looked forward to my stories.
- I bet you left behind a string of broken hearts.
- You know it! I can't help it, after all, this level of beauty should be admired. But enough about me, tell me what I have missed over the year.
The silence was telling. It was as if I asked "So who died while I have been away and how gruesome was the death?". Eric was once again the first to break the silence.
- I am sure that you have heard that the legal education age has been lowered for both moroi and dhampir.
- Yes, Lissa mentioned that on the way here. I can't believe it! It's preposterous!
- Beyond that, a certain percentage of non-royal moroi are being forced to serve as the protectors of the queen and other royals for a duration of at least a year.
- The queen is building an army! Her paranoia has gone beyond all rational thought!
- Andre, that enough. You don't know 's quivering voice gave away her true concerns. She was frightened and worried. Her children were out of danger being royal moroi, me too, not that they knew that, but she was a kind soul. She was anxious about all the children and young adults, irrelevant of their race or status. It's one of the reasons their family was so full of love, it is why they are admired by their friends and people who work for them. They are not just their guardians or staff but extended family members. Everyone would happily give up their lives for them, and not because they were paid to do so./p
Rhea's quivering voice gave away her true concerns. She was frightened and worried. Her children were out of danger being royal moroi, me too, not that they knew that, but she was a kind soul. She was anxious about all the children and young adults, irrelevant of their race or status. It's one of the reasons their family was so full of love, it is why they are admired by their friends and people who work for them. They are not just their guardians or staff but extended family members. Everyone would happily give up their lives for them, and not because they were paid to do so.
- It is true mum!
- Why is the queen so paranoid?
- There is a rumour going around, that she once had a dhampirs lover who turned strigoi.
- My, my, Christian. Thats quite a rumour.
- Not only that, but she had a child with him, which she gave up, because of the shame it would have caused her family.
- What happened to the child?
- No one knows, its a mystery. Some say that she gave it up for adoption, others that it was sent to an academy, and the rest, that her strigoi lover stole the child from her.
- Please children, can we end this nasty gossip. No one knows the truth, and all it does, is fuel distress and disable our society.
- I am sorry Rhea
- That's alright Christian.
His sincere apology was full of remorse, he truly cared for Lissa and her family. Good, he will be there to protect her when the time comes. For now, to diffuse the heavily charged atmosphere, I decided to ask about the travelling plans for the school.
- When are we travelling to St. Vlads?
- The day after tomorrow, so you have a day to relax and acclimatise to the new time zone.
- Thank you, Rhea, are we driving!
- Yes my darling, but let's focus on the now. How about we finish up this delicious food, continue catching up and finally head to bed. I am sure you are craving some much needed sleep.
- You hit the nail right on the head Rhea, once again proving to be the mastermind of this household!
- Oh Rose, you know how to make a mother happy!
- Only you Rhea, only you!
The rest of the meal was filled with laughter and stories, the typical sibling rivalry complete with the compliments for the chef, when Maria rejoined us. I have missed this atmosphere, the feeling of belonging and being cared for in the most basic ways. Sure, my dad did a splendid job at being a parent, but this was different. After and hour or so of more talking, we started clearing the table.
- My darling Maria, you have truly outdone yourself. This was magnificent! A true royal welcome.
- Oh Rose, I know the consequences of not feeding you! I am very happy you liked it.
- Liked it? Oh no Maria, I loved this!
She blushed! Mission of getting into Maria's good graces accomplished! I know that, it is always best to stay on the good side of the person who is preparing your food! Sure I can cook, but it is not something I enjoyed. Within half an hour, everything was cleared away and it was time to head to bed.
- Man, I can wait to crawl into my bed and sleep! Am I staying in the same room? - I asked no one in particular
- Of course Rose, it is your room after all! It hasn't changed since you last visit. - I could feel Eric's eye roll
- I knew you loved me Dragomirs! - that got a few laughs
- Of course silly, you are my sister. - Lissa reached me for a hug
- We think of you as one of ours, another child of mine. - Rhea kindly responded
- Oh thank you guys! I call for a group hug!
We all huddled in a bear hug like no other. "I am going to miss you guys, sometimes life was truly unfair, even to the best of people". After a few minutes together, we broke apart and headed upstairs. At the top, we stopped before Rhea and Eric to say goodnight.
- Lets head to bed everyone, goodnight!
"A choir of "Night!" was heard all around and we headed to our separate rooms, feeling completely smitten with family love.