Daunting Thoughts
Paris France, 1928.
"Look here Trae," cooing to her son as he waddled his way over to her, he flopped into her embrace and giggled. "Look what mommy made for you." Holding up the pendant with the jade stone inlaid, her initials on the outside and a picture of her inside the jade itself. "This will outlast my lifetime…I always want you to remember me." Kissing his head and wondering what would come of him after she perished from this world, she couldn't retain her dark thoughts and had to pull herself together. "I wonder if you'll be like your father growing up…perhaps a little of me wouldn't be so bad either…" creating fond fantasies of what he would be in the future, the door chimed to someone coming in. "Solomon?" Being rather early for his return, she looked around the corner and saw no one.
"Pardon the intrusion," hearing Nathan from the kitchen, scaring her half to death, Trae began to cry from her jumping so suddenly. "Oh my," Nathan came and swooped Trae from her arms to calm the boy. "No need for such fuss little one, no one's scary here."
"I beg to differ."
Nathan Mahler is a figure who defies the passage of time. His blue eyes, like deep pools of mystery, seem to hold centuries of untold stories. His blond hair, often tousled in a whimsical manner, adds to his enigmatic charm. Nathan's love for the arts is evident in every graceful movement and thoughtful expression. Despite his playful and whimsical demeanor, there is an undeniable intensity about him. When he becomes serious, a chilling aura surrounds him, and his gaze can be as piercing as ice. It's in these moments that one is reminded of his immortality and the vast experiences he must have lived through. Nathan is a paradox, a blend of light-hearted joy and profound depth, making him both captivating and, at times, terrifying.
Having calmed my heart down enough to speak again, I wanted to know why the sudden visit from him. "Nathan, were we scheduled to meet today? Did I miss an appointment?"
"No, nothing of the like other than my whims to see your darling son."
Unlike Amshel and Diva who she barely met once before, Nathan was far more likeable. He was easy to speak with and adored Trae the day he was born. Solomon spoke of Nathan several occasions beforehand to prepare me for his unique bearing, but I found him to be an endearing uncle. Nathan's unique clothing style is a blend of timeless elegance and artistic flair. He often wears outfits that reflect his love for the arts and his whimsical personality. His attire is always meticulously chosen, with details that hint at historical fashion but with a modern twist. He might accessorize with a vintage pocket watch or a silk scarf, adding to his enigmatic charm. His clothing, much like his personality, strikes a balance between playful and sophisticated, making him stand out in any crowd. Though at times he would startle me or give me reason to have my guard up, those times have lessened the more he came to visit.
"Konella dear, do you feel unwell? Any discomfort as of late with the new diet since giving birth?" His voice was calm, but the question felt invasive, making her uneasy.
"The diet has been working well enough for me as of late. I only found it uncomfortable in the beginning when drinking the wine Solomon recommended," I replied, my voice wavering slightly.
"Is the taste not desirable?" His tone dropped, hinting at something unsaid, a hidden layer of meaning.
"At first, no. It was rather bitter and hard to drink," she admitted, feeling a strange tension in the air.
"And how is it now?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Hmm," she pondered, recalling the past year. "Now that you mention it, the wine seems to taste better than it did before. Did Solomon perhaps get a different year? Maybe changed the grapes used and how it's fermented?"
"You could say that," he replied cryptically. "Running the vineyard and preparing delicious wine is our little goal for the future."
"It's very good now, but I never would have thought about it since I drink it daily." I laughed nervously, sensing Nathan's satisfaction with my answer. He placed Trae in the playpen and turned to me with a serious expression.
"I know of your troubles, my dear…" he said, patting my hand gently. "The photographs, paintings, special carvings… being mortal to beings such as us is quite frightening."
"…not frightening, just sad," I corrected him, surprising him with my honesty. "I love Solomon and Trae deeply, no matter what they are. Trae will have his father always… though being a memory is lonely to think about, it won't be wasteful." I stood up and picked up a small wooden box. "I can create so many memories to last however many years we have together and to have something left behind for them both to cherish. Nathan, you have been a wonderful uncle to Trae, therefore he will have two loving people forever with him as he grows up."
He seemed perplexed how to speak before leaning against the banister tentatively.
"Do you have doubt's the tincture will fail?"
Shaking her head quickly, knowing how hard Solomon had worked on this project alone. Even with her doubts, she couldn't let it be voiced and had to consider every possibilty. "I know Solomon brought up the chance of immortality to me on my birthday, but the slightest chance it could fail is frightening." Trying to put up a brave front, Nathan understood her worries all too well.
"I do believe you will pull through and become immortal my dear. Solomon has been quite diligent in his efforts, and I do believe it to be working."
Somehow making it seem he knew something more about this, she let it go and sat back down.
"I heard the proposal he did was also quite elaborate." Changing the subject and looking at her ring shimmering on her finger, she smiled brightly and showed it to him. The ring is a stunning piece of Victorian-era craftsmanship, exuding timeless elegance and intricate detailing. The band is made of rich, warm rose gold, which has developed a beautiful patina over the years, adding to its antique charm.
At the center of the ring sits a large, captivating amethyst, cut in a unique amythagorean style, which showcases its deep purple hues and exceptional clarity. The amethyst is securely held in place by delicate prongs, each adorned with milgrain detailing that adds a touch of sophistication.
Surrounding the central amethyst are small, sparkling diamonds, each meticulously set in a halo formation. These diamonds are old mine cut, known for their distinctive, slightly irregular shapes and charming sparkle. The diamonds catch the light beautifully, creating a dazzling contrast with the rich purple of the amethyst.
The shoulders of the ring feature intricate filigree work, with delicate scrolls and floral motifs that extend halfway down the band. This detailed metalwork is a hallmark of the Victorian era, showcasing the craftsmanship and artistry of the time.
"How beautiful… truly a work of art." He admired.
"He told me it was his mother's wedding ring. Every time I look at it, I feel so warm and cared for," I said, my fingers gently tracing the intricate design.
"As you should," Nathan agreed, his eyes softening for a moment. Then his attention turned to the kitchen, a wry smirk playing on his lips. "Let us celebrate! I know he has bottles here." He flourished his way into the kitchen, rummaging through cabinets.
"The wine is in the cupboard on the top. Solomon placed it too high for me to reach," I called out, watching him with amusement.
"Silly boy," he chortled. "No shelf is too high for me!"
The tinkling of glass and the pop of a cork echoed through the house as Nathan poured us both a drink. We shared stories and reminisced about our youth, the time seeming limitless between us. As the bottle neared empty, Nathan smirked and leaned back in his chair, his glass hanging lopsidedly from his hand.
"My darling, what if I were to tell you that your transformation to becoming immortal has been established?" His smile was unsettling, his words hanging heavily in the air. My heart raced; I didn't want to believe him, especially if he was inebriated. Then again, could chevaliers get drunk?
"Nathan, as much as that would please me to hear, Solomon has yet to administer the blood to me."
"But he has."
"Pardon?"
Nathan leaned forward, his eyes piercing. "The wine. The blood has been mixed into the drink to help acclimate your body to Diva's blood. Because Trae was conceived between you and Solomon, part of a chevalier's DNA was already inside you." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "This was the only way to ensure your body would accept the transformation without rejecting it." His words felt like it was miles away. I couldn't think straight.
"Have you not noticed that your time has slowed? No changes to your body aging the slightest bit, seemingly untouched after Trae's birth?"
"…the diet that was proposed to me then—"
"Specially created with DELTA-67. Consuming it naturally into your body without breaking you. Of course, Solomon was against my idea, but here we are, a year in and you are still alive." He finished his glass with triumph as I fumed.
"I could have died! You took that risk?" I stood, my anger palpable. Nathan leaned forward with a sinister look that made me flinch and put up my guard.
"But you didn't die, Konella. You are stronger now, more resilient. This was necessary for your survival and for Trae's future." He laughed through his nose, amused by my outburst. "You are an anomaly to me, my dear. A human who loves a monster and lived to bring a newfound life without being a Queen. It's never been done, never recorded in all of our history." Seemingly dark as he spoke, he stood up and placed the wine glass down. "I'm eager to see how you will turn out and if my little princess will come to accept you into our little circle." A dark glimmer shrouded his eyes. For a split second, I thought his eyes turned red.
"Nathan…" I said, scared for the first time of him. There was something dangerous about Nathan that exceeded the others. I didn't think much of it before, but something really was different about him. "Solomon spoke of you showing up during his time he became a chevalier. You act quite differently compared to Amshel and Karl… how you refer to Diva also differs."
His eyes shimmered for a moment, sending shivers down my spine and locking my feet in place. I knew I had said something I shouldn't have, but it was too late to take back my words.
"…you're quite smart, Konella. Diva is my little princess as well as Saya. I cherish them both equally."
"Would that make you their sire then?"
"…" He didn't speak when I said it, but the silence was enough of an answer for me to realize Nathan was not Diva's chevalier, but perhaps her own father with the previous Queen. Though I wished to delve more into the past with him, he was finished with his visit and vanished over to Trae, who had fallen asleep in his pen.
"I wonder if you can become one of us. Will your will be stronger than death itself, or will your mortality get the best of you?" Taking his leave quietly, I sat in silence, contemplating what had already been done to me. I felt neither anger nor fear, just confusion and loneliness that Solomon had never mentioned to me. Taking the risk was worth everything…