84 years ago
The man sat leisurely in his swiveled chair, eyeing the paperwork in his large, calloused hands. He mumbled a couple times, looking over Konella's transcripts and her graduation certificate. He finally looked up, his large wiry brows casting a small shadow over his brown eyes as he sat upright.
"Ms. Brooks, you have remarkable talent for one so young. Are you certain you wish to start this job that has yet to make a name for itself?" The councilor looked over her documents and resume once more, adjusting in his seating as he looked over the young graduate from university of agriculture. "There are plenty of opportunities here for you as well, no need to travel all the way to France." He set everything down, eyeing the young woman before him and didn't understand what was going through her mind. She sat across leisurely, a smile playing at the corners of her lips as she looked up. Her Brown hair loosely tied back, her green eyes soft against her ivory complexion as she gave a light sigh to the man.
"…I thank you for the suggestion, but I want to expand my horizons. The Goldsmith family have accrued quite a bit of fame these last few years and I've taken a high interest in their new company. I know with my talents and knowledge I can bring success to the company." Konella looked forward, eyes focused on what she wished for. The councilor sighed briefly, knowing there was no changing her mindset as he took hold of the stamp and marked her papers with his approval of transfer. Once he handed it back to her, she was filled with glee as she held the documents tightly to her chest.
"Then I wish you safe travels Ms. Brooks, and may your venture exceed all expectations."
In the summer of Konella's 19th birthday, having graduated from the university of agriculture and commerce and receiving her honors certificate for business, she took the next step in her life by applying for the newly found Goldsmith company Cinq Fleche Winery in France. She excelled in the field far beyond her age group and strived to be better than her peers, thus earning her special privilege to be accepted in the new line of work. Konella did not hesitate to move from the small town of Denmark to pursue her career, rather, she held her chin high and moved towards her own bright future.
~oOo~
The desk was stacked with papers and charts, making it nearly impossible to comb through anything without something dropping to the floor. Frustrated with the outcome of her fellow peers loading such tedious work onto her since her arrival, she swallowed her temper and continued searching for the graphs needed for today's analysis.
"I swear I'm going to show them what I'm really capable of if they keep this up." Gritting her teeth, Konella sifted carefully through the piles of papers, trying not to knock anything onto the floor. The irritation was impossible to keep down. "Where is it?!" Her hand swept through her unkempt hair, the mess aggravating her even more. If she didn't find the file soon, she would miss the field test and have to report insufficient work to her boss.
Knocking
"Yes?" she snapped, turning quickly. Her breath caught for a moment as she saw the man standing in the doorway. He was remarkably handsome, almost ethereal in his appearance. His white suit was impeccably tailored, contrasting sharply with his tousled blonde hair that seemed to catch the light just right. His eyes, a striking shade of green, held a depth that made her momentarily forget her frustration.
"Can I help you?" The snip in her voice made her realize her temper had risen, and she quickly collected herself. He didn't say anything at first, but his eyes traveled around the office, seeming to ridicule the mess.
"Is this what you are looking for, petite souris?" he asked, offering the file. Konella begrudgingly stepped forward and took a look. Her eye twitched when she saw it was exactly what she had been seeking. The man walked past her and to the nearest desk opposite hers, taking a seat without waiting for permission. And the distinct scent of Dior Homme Intense wafted over her and encased the office in that scent of his.
Konella's frustration flared again. "Who are you, and why do you have this file?" she demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.
The man leaned back in the chair, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "I'm Solomon Goldsmith. I've come to see if you need any assistance."
Konella froze, her heart skipping a beat. Solomon Goldsmith. The man who rose to power at such a young age and began the Cinq Fleche Winery. Known for his sharp mind and even sharper tongue. And here he was, seeing the mess of her office. She felt a wave of embarrassment and frustration wash over her, feeling judged under his scrutinizing gaze.
"I don't need help," she retorted, her tone icy. "I am perfectly capable of handling this on my own." Pride getting the best of her, Solomon raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the disarrayed office once more.
"Clearly," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But perhaps you'll find my assistance useful nonetheless."
Konella took a deep breath, trying to quell her frustration. "I appreciate the offer, Mr. Goldsmith, but I assure you, I can manage. This file was merely misplaced."
"Misplaced, indeed," Solomon said, his tone still mocking. "Very well, I shall observe for now. But do remember, I am here to ensure the company's success."
Taking a moment to think things through, she had to wonder where the file was placed. "Was this located elsewhere for me to retrieve it?" Asking with a tight smile, his gaze falling on her briefly before looking at the desk she was scrounging about, she felt embarrassed of the environment now and bit her lip holding herself back. "It is quite rude to not answer a question when one is asked, sir."
"Indeed." He leaned back in the seat comfortably while folding his hands and the air became different with his tone. "I'm surprised one as young as you dare's to speak to me in such a tone." His eyes narrowed, and the air shifted to the feeling of a predator cornering his prey. She felt her blood run cold and her posture stiffen.
"M-my apologies for the discourtesy, sir. Y-you caught me unaware on a bad day…" keeping her head low now and making sure not to make herself seem worthless being here, she struggled to compose herself now. The tense atmosphere calmed when she apologized, and with that came a subtle sigh coming from him.
"Ms. Brooks, I have heard of your exploits here and have come to see you personally for my own curiosity. For one being so young you show promise. Though this company has only begun and in its early stages of life, the task at hand and the work you'll face will not be easy or modified to suit your disposition. If you find this to be too much you can take your leave." Testing her willpower to be here, to be brought to a newfound enterprise of his, she prided herself in what she was capable of and looked back up to meet his sharp gaze. Taking the courage to speak up, she walked over to him and placed the graphs down to oppose his words bravely.
"I will show you that I am more than capable of handling this job. No matter what is thrown my way I will take it and make this company grow before your very eyes." She felt pride swell in her chest as she took back the graphs and saw his eyes widen to her remark. Taking that with glee as she stood her ground, she wanted nothing more than to prove herself to him now more than anything she's come to face with. "I'll be a storm you couldn't possibly predict coming!" Heading out to the field after seeing her boast, Konella felt determination rise within her as every step she took was now a steppingstone towards proving a point.
~oOo~
Having been out in the field for a while now and writing down several notes on the land and the way the workers tend to the soil and sprigs, she gave thought to her words towards her own boss and contemplated if what she said might be insubordination.
"I wonder what he thought though…I've been gone for hours and haven't been called back yet." Tapping her clipboard briefly, she shook her head and refocused towards her task at hand. The thought of being let go shook her, but also the probability of staying and showing what she's capable of made her confidence swell. There was just no way of knowing if or how he took her words would be beneficial or not.
"Senorita Brooks, a moment please."
Antonio was one of the few workers who didn't discriminate her age and would speak to her normally. Coming towards him, he was holding a new batch of grapes that he harvested and wanted her input. He seemed both excited and hopeful.
"Is this the new yield from the south end?"
"Yes. This batch though seems to be more sweet than the others." Scratching his head as she took a taste for herself to understand what he meant, she perked and jotted down something on her board before smiling at his discovery. "Is it something we did or—"
"This field has a history of prior seeds from the other batches of grapes that were harvested. Antonio this is a new grapevine that became a hybrid! This will make an excellent batch!" Excited to the outcome, Antonio was unsure what she meant as she continued speaking. Though he barely understood the gist of her words, her fervor in the new product was something he could understand and invested on that momentum as he returned to work as she reported the discovery back to the office.
Since then the crops have evolved in a span of a year under her thesis of the hybrid cross of other kinds of grapes. The product became more known for it's unique taste that the Goldsmith name became more widely known for such newfound flavor in wine. From there it only grew, and with it, so did Konella's achievements and credibility amongst her peers.
~oOo~
It didn't take long for Konella to prove herself. She was more than capable of the job. As she had promised Solomon, she became a storm, then a tempest, driving the business to greater heights. Working closely with Solomon to improve working conditions and expand the fields for more yield, the two became so inseparable that everyone at the company knew they were rarely apart.
After her first year, Konella became more outspoken. Even when standing face to face with the man who started the business, she showed no signs of backing down. Rumors spread that the two were enemies, clashing and arguing at every opportunity. Despite the rumors, their banter always led to improvements in the business.
A year and a half in, Konella realized her feelings for Solomon. She kept her expressions neutral, maintaining the admiration she held for him. As they grew closer, she feared that pursuing her feelings would ruin their relationship. She kept her distance, focusing on governing the mills, labor costs, and soil reduction to keep busy. Yet, her feelings often overcame her rationality. She avoided being alone with Solomon for too long, knowing it was unwise to tempt fate. Each conversation left her in turmoil, but she maintained an ordinary demeanor.
In the summer of 1922, an unexpected drought struck the countryside, damaging many crops. The heat sent workers to hospitals with heat exhaustion. Farmers struggled to keep their crops alive and harvest early to minimize losses.
"Senorita Brooks, you should not be out here in this weather." Antonio worried as Konella continued helping with the harvest after hearing several other workers being sent to the medic bay. "What would happen if you were to be affected by the heat?"
"…thank you, Antonio, but we can't afford to lose more than we already have here." Sweat pouring down her brow as she understood all too well the hardship they went through; she couldn't fathom doing nothing.
"Senorita Brooks, I understand you wish to help, but I also know that today you were given time off for your birthday." He chided.
"I know…" sheepishly admitting it, he sighed and took his hat off and placed it firm on her head. "Antonio?"
"If the boss were to learn of you being here, he will be upset."
"It's not the first time I've come in on my day off though. Why would he be upset over this day than any other day?" She sat down to regain her strength as the heat was sapping everything she had. Seeing this, Antonio handed her his canteen and got worried she was going to pass out. "This drought is brutal…if only we knew it was coming to prepare a little better."
"That is the way it is when farming Senorita," standing up, he looked around and scowled for a moment before seeing something and looking back to Konella. "You are not looking well, I am calling for help to get you back inside Senorita Brooks!"
"Antonio? Wait I'm fine, really!" He already stormed off in another direction that the vineyard obscured him from her sight. "Hah…really now." Sighing as she looked at the poor crops and wondering if they would recover from this, she felt light-headed for a moment and put her head between her knees. "Am I this weak from a little sun?"
"I'm not even surprised at this." Hearing Solomon and looking back up to see him standing at the end of the row with Antonio behind him, she was internally screaming. "I gave you the day off so you may enjoy it freely." Walking towards her wearing the same white suit as though the heat had no effect on him, he knelt down to her eye level and cornered her. "Why did you disobey me this time?" Eyes furrowed, waiting for her excuse, she bit her lower lip that caught his attention rather quickly and he raised her chin to look at him properly. She forgot to breathe staring into his green eyes, and his blonde hair gently fell in front of his brows that gave an intimidating impression for a moment.
"U-um, Mr. Goldsmith wait—" frazzled by his touch, it took three seconds of him scooping her into his arms and carrying her with ease. "P-put me down!" She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the beat throbbing in her ears.
"Antonio, was it," he paused as Antonio nodded, unfazed by the scene. "Tell everyone here to finish what they can and call it a day. I will not have anyone else pass from this heat." His order was collected. There was no room for any other emotion than that.
"Yes, Senior Goldsmith." Taking his leave and Solomon heading back to the office with haste, Konella hid her face from every onlooker that they passed before finally entering the building of their office.
"Um…" still being carried as he walked over to the couch to set her down, he said nothing as he grabbed a pitcher of water and poured her a drink. "Th-thank you…" avoiding eye contact as she heard him sigh rather loudly, she peeked over to see him staring at her with hundreds of questions in his expression.
"Why did you come in today?"
"…I heard we needed help after several of the workers passed out from heat stroke."
"And you thought by coming here yourself you could pull off 20 workers worth of labor?" Making a valid observation, she remained quiet. "You sure know how to cause trouble to me without having to try, Ms. Brooks." He swept his hair back with subtle ease that the action made her heart thump loudly in her chest. "I gave you this day to enjoy your 21st birthday Ms. Brooks. Why would you endanger yourself today of all days?"
Startling to be getting an interrogation, she bit her lip and held her tongue for a moment to think what more to say. But words and actions always fought in her head that she misspoke.
"I never asked for today off. There really was no reason for you to give me such a privilege." He seemed annoyed yet rather perplexed on what to say. Thinking she may have gone too far and should be thanking him rather than rebuking, gathering the courage to speak again came through. "But the thought was appreciated…" quickly adding the fact, he still seemed bewildered.
"Then perhaps I have not given you reason to take leave?"
Her heart thumped loudly again. Her face flushed to the thought of herself never parting from him and she tried erasing the senseless feelings she held. The cool water could not put out the flame she had lit inside herself towards him. If he knew the truth as to why she never took days off he would fire her for sure for misconduct.
"Ms. Brooks," he called, his voice a soft murmur that made her heart skip a beat. She felt his hand slide coolly onto her cheek, gently turning her face to meet his gaze.
[When did he come so close?]
Startled by his silent approach, she found herself lost in his green eyes. They were intense, searching, as if trying to uncover every secret she held. He softened his expression, his voice dropping to an eager whisper.
"Is there a reason why you refuse to take time off? Are you here for reasons I should know about? Perhaps here because of someone…" His tone lowered, each word a quiet interrogation. She struggled to find her voice.
[Why does he care so much? Is it just concern for a colleague, or is there something more?] she wondered, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and hope.
"Th-there's no reason as such—" she stammered, her breath catching as he gently rubbed his thumb on her cheek. His hopeful, rueful look made everything else fade away. She was mesmerized by his gaze, his thumb brushing over her skin with a tenderness that left her breathless.
[Why can't I just tell him how I feel? But what if it ruins everything?] Her mind raced with conflicting emotions, the fear of rejection battling with the desire to be honest.
"The sun revealed freckles on your skin," he observed, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Ah, yeah? I had no idea." Flustered by his proximity, she felt her resolve crumble. She had tried to keep her distance, but now, with him so close, it was all in vain. His hair fell in front of his face, and without thinking, she brushed it back, feeling her embarrassment burn on her cheeks.
[Why does she always seem so distant? Is it because of me?] Solomon's thoughts were a mix of frustration and longing. He wanted to understand her, to bridge the gap that seemed to grow with each passing day.
Every whisper of his breath, every subtle movement, sent a flush of heat through her body. She tried to find words, but her mind blanked as his fingers slipped down her nape, brushing her slender collarbone. She stared at him, waiting for his next move, her heart pounding in her chest.
[Should I stop? Am I crossing a line?] His hesitation was palpable, his fingers lingering on her skin. He wanted to pull her closer, but the fear of pushing her away held him back. His eyes traveled slowly up and down her body, his fingers gently brushing her skin. He peeled back her blouse so smoothly that she hardly noticed when he began. Pressing forward on the couch on one knee, he hovered above her, hesitant but with a wistful gaze that spoke of his desire to continue.
[This is dangerous. But I can't help myself.] Konella's thoughts were a tumult of desire and caution. She wanted to give in, but the consequences loomed large in her mind.
The distance was palpable. So intoxicatingly close she couldn't fathom this was reality. His divine scent from Dior Homme Intense engulfing her, she felt lost in it. Lost in him, and craving more.
"Mr. Goldsmith…" barely able to speak, wondering what was to come of this action, her hand unknowingly finding his pressed into the couch, there was something between them both—there was no doubt. He sighed quietly, seemingly in turmoil as he looked at her before his lips parted to speak.
"I find you rather endearing Konella…you are the first woman that has ever stood so bravely before me. You give me excitement like no other has before." Kissing the back of her hand and waiting for a reply, she swallowed dryly and wet her lips. All that distance she placed between them was now completely shattered. Daring to think this could be something more, she inched just a little closer and dared to reply.
"…I am?" Rather surprised to hear of this, she took a chance and nervously touched his cheek and wanted to feel the truth of his words. His skin was so soft and his hair even softer as she felt his locks curl around her fingertips when he took hold of her hand once more and kissed her palm tenderly. "Solomon…?" Whispering his name as he continued to lavish her hand in soft—fluttering kisses, he was close enough to kiss her lips when he whispered if it was ok.
"It's more than ok…" tasting his lips on hers like the sweet forbidden fruit, the temptation taking them both. They ravaged each other hungrily as two beings thirsting for the oasis in a desert. The distance they kept was no more as their strong ebullition took hold of them.
~oOo~
Konella and Solomon reveled in their newfound love for one another and continued to be indefatigable in the coming years. By 1925, Solomon decided it was time to reveal his true self to her. The moment of truth was fraught with tension and vulnerability. As he stood before her, his heart pounded with a mix of fear and hope. He took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he prepared to show her the side of him he had kept hidden for so long.
When Konella saw his true form, she was momentarily stunned. Her eyes widened, and she took a step back, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing. The man she loved was now before her in the form of a beast, a chevalier. But as the initial shock wore off, she looked deeper, past the exterior. She saw the same eyes that had always held warmth and kindness, the same hands that had worked tirelessly beside her.
Her heart swelled with a mixture of emotions—confusion, fear, but most of all, love. She stepped forward, her hand reaching out to touch his cheek. "Solomon," she whispered, her voice trembling, "I love you. No matter what form you take, you are still the man I fell in love with."
Solomon's eyes filled with tears of relief and gratitude. He had feared rejection, but instead, he found acceptance and unwavering love. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as if afraid to let go. "Thank you, Konella," he murmured, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you for loving me as I am."
Remaining resolute, Konella was surprised to discover she was bearing a child. The miracle of their union between a chevalier and a human led them into uncharted territory in their relationship. To understand the unknown aspects of the baby's birth, Solomon dedicated himself to medical research. He took small samples of DELTA-67 blood and Konella's, starting with small, often destructive, failures.
As Konella's pregnancy progressed, they moved to a small house on the outskirts of Paris. The scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers surrounded their new home, providing a sense of tranquility. It was a place where they could reside in peace, away from prying eyes, in case the child was born different than expected. Solomon's experience as a medic during the war proved useful for check-ups. Though they lacked certain amenities, Diva's other chevalier, Nathan, assisted with great enthusiasm. Over time, Nathan became a pillar in Solomon's research.
~oOo~
"Solomon, darling, are you certain the baby is yours?" Nathan asked within the closed walls of Solomon's study. Solomon's hands stopped moving, his grip tightening on the papers before him. He looked up at Nathan with an irritable sigh, his patience wearing thin.
Nathan shrugged, undeterred by Solomon's reaction, and continued with his words of doubt. "It's never been done before, a human and a chevalier. No records of this being possible even exist, so how can you be so sure the child she bears is even yours to begin with?"
Solomon clicked his tongue, a habit he had when trying to suppress his frustration. He listened intently for any sounds from Konella beyond the closed doors, not wanting her to overhear their conversation. The weight of Nathan's skepticism bore down on him, adding to the already immense pressure he felt. He rummaged through some papers of the DNA testing he had procured and handed them to Nathan.
"Nathan, as much as I humbly respect you and brother Amshel, this joke of yours is taking it rather far," Solomon said, his voice strained but controlled. The findings were clear—100% certainty that the child she bore was indeed his and his alone. Yet, Nathan still couldn't fathom the possibility.
Nathan scanned the papers, his brow furrowing in disbelief. "Solomon, I'm not trying to undermine you. But think about it—this is unprecedented. What if the tests are wrong? What if there's something we're missing?"
Solomon's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and desperation. "I've thought about nothing else since we found out, Nathan. Every waking moment, I've been consumed by this. The tests are accurate. The child is mine. And I will do everything in my power to ensure both Konella and our child are safe."
Nathan softened, seeing the turmoil in Solomon's eyes. "I know you will, Solomon. But we need to be prepared for anything. This is uncharted territory for all of us."
Solomon nodded, the weight of Nathan's words settling heavily on his shoulders. "I understand. But right now, I need you to trust me. We'll face whatever comes together, as we always have."
Nathan placed a reassuring hand on Solomon's shoulder. "I trust you, Solomon. And I'll be here every step of the way."
"Then take a look at this. I've been running hundreds of tests with the blood samples taken from Konella. My DNA runs in her womb acting as a catalyst for the baby. Each month I've taken new samples, and she has been developing certain antibodies that regulate her to carry our child. It's fascinating!"
"…Solomon," Nathan's expression darkened, he seemed almost fearful seeing the results. Something he saw made him more serious on the matter that startled Solomon to focus what it could bring such a character forth. "Burn these findings."
"What?" Snatching the papers back and aghast to be asked such a thing, Nathan withheld nothing.
"Diva will seek to destroy them." He paused, watching his reaction and continued. "Konella isn't a Queen, Solomon, therefore not only will that make our little princess quiver with anger, it will also activate the instinct to kill the competition."
"What possible competition could that possibly be against Diva? Konella is not a Queen, there shouldn't be any instinct to eliminate?"
"Diva doesn't like to share what's hers." Speaking quite frank, Solomon couldn't refute that fact from how Diva reacted to her possessions over the years.
"…what could I possibly do then to protect her?" Realizing Nathan's words and the possibility Diva would not accept Konella, it was devastating to him. "I don't know what to do…I love this woman with everything I am Nathan…she completes me."
Nathan seemed taken aback by his words momentarily. Solomon leaned against the wall with his head in his hands mulling over the harsh truth of the matter.
"There is a way you could make this work Solomon." Shutting his eyes to what he would speak of, he heard Solomon's movement and felt his hands on his arms.
"Please, tell me, I'll do anything!" Desperate as he clung onto Nathan's sleeve, he faced Solomon directly and sat him down. "I want to spend as much time with Konella as life would allow." Nathan seemed to be testing Solomon. His words hung in the air as Nathan brushed his hands off and crossed his arms wearing a bitter expression.
"Slowly inject DELTA-67 into Konella and turn her."
"That will kill her!" He shoved Nathan and flared his power against him for such a suggestion.
"Not if you're careful about the dose. You have been researching Diva's blood since you've become a chevalier. You have a bright mind, Solomon, you could possibly achieve this." Nathan declared. Solomon processed the possibility in his head quickly. There was a 10% chance this could be successful with the infant in the womb giving Konella partial of his own DNA to keep her thriving. The 90% remaining being death to which he had to think it carefully over to how he could possibly increase the odds of survival.
"…I'll need more than just these blood samples that have been diluted, I'll need to extract blood from Diva herself." Running his hands through his hair and wondering just how to go about this without bringing suspicion onto them, he was trapped in a dire loop.
"If you truly wish for this happiness you've come across, do what you will and achieve it through your own hands."
Nathan was particularly serious when speaking to Solomon for the remaining day before returning to Diva's side. Solomon appreciated the information given and placed his studies as priority. Konella never knew all that he was doing other than his work at the winery, but as he gazed at her to know that time was not on his side for long, his decisions would have to be now before it was too late.
With little to go on, mulling over everything in his head how to achieve this impossible endeavor, Solomon spoke to Konella of the possibility of immortality. She was hesitant at first listening to him, but the more he pressed the matter and how little time they would have together, Konella agreed to go through with the experiment and to believe in him that it could be done. With this much said, Solomon burned his findings of Konella and what he'd discovered. The truth could not be replicated to other scientists. This matter would take everything Solomon had at his disposal and to know he could either kill his lover and child or have them forever.
The year was 1926 when Trae Goldsmith was born. Having raised their newborn son in Paris for a year, Konella often found herself gazing at him with such tenderness and care, wishing these moments could last for eternity. The soft cooing of her baby and the gentle scent of lavender from the fields outside their home filled her with a bittersweet longing. She longed to always be there for her son as he grew, fearing the day he would leave her behind.
Time was a constant reminder of Konella's mortality. Solomon, driven by his love for her, would be gone for months at a time, tirelessly working to find a way to grant Konella longevity using his Queen's blood, which had given him eternal life. Each time he left, Konella felt a pang of loneliness, but also a flicker of hope.
Konella poured her heart into creating lasting memories for her son. She collected trinkets that would outlast her, took photographs and stored them in albums, wrote letters, and created art together. The feel of Trae's tiny hands in hers, the sound of his laughter, and the sight of his innocent smile were treasures she held dear. Each action was a deliberate effort to leave a piece of herself with Trae, no matter what the future held. Despite her efforts, she always held onto the hope that Solomon's research would succeed.
That wish was finally granted. On her 28th birthday, Solomon returned with a special tincture of blood from his queen, a potion that would halt Konella's aging. The moment was filled with a mix of relief and joy. Solomon's tireless efforts had not been in vain, and they could now begin their timeless lives together.