Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, Stephanie Meyer does.
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Last updated/edited 03/12/2024.
Third Person POV: Lower Guards
"I wonder what she's going to be like." a guard with a deep baritone voice mused.
A group of the lower guards congregated in their quarters, they had just come from a castle wide announcement that Master Aro's mate, and their new queen had been found. They had been warned that she held equal status to the royal family and that disrespect towards her would result in severe discipline up to and including final death. Since vampires were already technically dead, final death referred to dismemberment and burning. They were also told to prioritize the new queen's safety in case of an attack since she remained human. Attackers always went for the weakest link first, and Astrid would be an optimal target.
The upper and lower guards were dismissed first, leaving behind the elite guard for a private meeting.
"Does it matter? Aro's been waiting for a mate for over three millennia." said a guard with a high, feminine voice.
"Of course, it matters! Do you know how much power that little human wields as Aro's mate? He would probably go to war with the Romanians is she wanted him to." said a smoky tenor.
"Don't be dramatic, Aro would never do something so rash for anyone." the high voice scoffed.
"Says the unmated vampire… You have no idea how strong the pull to please your mate is." The deep voice countered.
"Wait, aren't the Spanish scheduled to a visit the castle next week?" the tenor asked.
"Oh God, that's right!" said the deep voice.
"What, is that a bad thing?" asked the high voice.
"Our alliance with the Spanish has always been mutually beneficial but that's about it. I can't imagine Aro will want them near his new mate." replied the deep voice.
Just as the high voice piped up to reply, the group was sharply cut off by Jane appearing in the doorway.
"Silence! You would do well to remember your place." Jane rebuked them.
First Person POV: Astrid
Holy shit! I thought. This suite was amazing! It featured neutral colors and elegant looking furniture. In the center of the suite was a large sitting area with cream couches and chaise lounge chair around a light wooden coffee table with carved legs. There was a grand white marble fireplace against the wall. There were large windows against the left wall, but they were obscured by thick curtains. Against the back wall was another set of carved doors that led to the bedroom and to the right there was another set of doors leading to an office.
I entered the office first and found a polished oak desk with a leather executive desk chair at the back center of the room. There were leather chairs facing the desk and oak bookshelves lining the right wall. Despite the opulence, there was a fluffy rug under the center of the desk as well as a cream-colored day bed to the left that softened the environment.
I wandered back into the main room and through the door to the bedroom. The first thing I saw was a massive king-sized bed with beige silk sheets and a pile of neutral-colored pillows. On the right wall was another set of wooden doors. Peering behind the first door, I found a modern bathroom with light marble counters, walls, and floors. There was a jacuzzi tub in the back left corner that looked like it could fit a half a dozen people easily and, in the back right, was a shower with a rain shower head and body sprays.
Behind the door across from the bathroom was a mostly empty walk-in closet. There were rails with hangers on the upper left and right side had drawers with storage cubbies for shoes below. I noticed someone had hung up a few night gowns and dresses as well as put some folded pants and shirts in the drawers for me, or I assumed they were for me anyway. There was a large ottoman in the center of the room and full-length mirrors lining the back wall. A glint caught my eye and I walked to the back of the room. There was jewelry storage in the right corner with some pieces already sitting inside. I couldn't help but gawk when I spotted a heavy gold necklace engraved with flowers that featured rubies the size of my eyes. They must have really trusted me to leave that kind of wealth around. Either that or they forgot. But then again, stealing from vampires was probably a terrible idea.
I was taken out of my admiration when I heard a knock on the main door to the suite. I walked over to the front door and cautiously pulled open one of the large doors. In front of me was an older woman in a modest servant's uniform. I noticed that there were guards posted outside my door just as I was told there would be. I wondered if they really needed to guard me while I was in my room though. It made me feel like a burden, but I could ask about it tomorrow.
"Hello, my lady, my name is Abigail. I'm here to take your dinner order." the woman said with her head bowed respectfully. How odd… why was she calling me "my lady"?
"Okay, what are the options?" I asked.
"The chef will be able to make anything you would like, my lady." she told me.
"Alright, could I have some mac and cheese then?" I was a sucker for some good baked mac and cheese, but I was famished enough that I'd gladly eat the boxed stuff too.
"Yes, my lady, I'll be back with your meal shortly." Abigail curtseyed and hurried back down the hall.
I looked at the two guards stationed outside my room. They both wore the charcoal grey cloaks and I cringed internally, recalling how the cloaked figures engulfed my tour group in the throne room. However, with their hoods down, I recognized the man on the left as the doctor I had met, Santiago. I was surprised to see him guarding my room, it was quite impressive that he had the skills to be both a doctor and a guard. To the left was a small blond girl, she didn't look any older than 16 years. I was surprised to have someone so young guarding me, but who was I to judge? If she was a vampire, then she was probably a capable guard. She had a soft, innocent face but held a jaded look in her eyes.
They both greeted me with a polite bow of their heads.
"Hello, I'm Astrid, what's your name?" I introduced myself to the blond girl. She looked surprised that I was addressing her but composed herself quickly.
"Hello, my lady, my name is Jane." she replied.
"It's nice to see you again Santiago." I greeted him.
"Or course, my lady." He responded.
Okay, this was getting ridiculous.
"You really don't have to call me "my lady". I arrived here as a meal so I think we can skip past the formalities."
Jane smirked and looked like she was holding in a laugh, but Santiago looked dejected.
"The masters are very regretful about how you were brought to the castle…" Santiago began but I jumped in to clarify. Maybe my joke had been too harsh, at least Jane appreciated my humor.
"Oh, I don't hold it against you. We all need sustenance, right?" I joked, trying to lighten the mood and he nodded and after a moment of awkward silence.
I said goodbye and reentered my suite.
While I waited for my food, I decided to try out the jacuzzi tub. I opened some of the drawers and cabinets and found an assortment of soaps and oils. There were also cosmetics and lotions stocked as well as super fluffy towels and bathrobes. Man, I could get used to this, I thought. My parents were upper middle class but these people, or vampires rather, were clearly loaded.
I filled the tub with warm water and turned on the jets. Then I poured some floral oil and an excessive amount of strawberry bubble bath mix into the tub. If I was going to be stuck in this vampire castle, then I was going to take my joy where I could. I soaped myself down in the tub and relaxed in front of the jets for a while before getting out and drying myself off with one of the big towels.
I returned to the closet and picked out a baby blue cotton night gown that reached to my mid-thigh. The clothing was surprisingly all in the correct sizes, even the 32B bras. I wondered who had guessed my bra size so accurately… and my face flushed as I remembered that Aro had arranged for clothes to be delivered.
A knock sounded on the door, and I rushed over hoping it was my food. I peeked out from behind the door to hide my nightgown from view and was pleasantly surprised to find I was correct. Abigail handed me a tray with a cloche on it. I took the food, thanking Abigail, and headed back into the main area of the suite. I plopped down on the chaise lounge chair with my meal. I removed the cloche to reveal a ceramic dish with a hefty portion of baked mac and cheese. My mouth watered and I dug in.
Soon after my meal, I felt my eyes grow heavy and figured it was time for bed. Despite the turmoil of the day and the promise of life-changing answers tomorrow, I was out like a light the moment my head hit the pillow.