Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, Stephanie Meyer does.
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Last updated/edited 09/25/2024.
Third Person POV: Guards' Quarters
"I wonder what she's going to be like." a guard with a deep baritone voice mused.
A group of the lower guards had congregated in their quarters; they had just come from a castle wide announcement that Master Aro's mate, their new queen, had been found. They had been warned that, although she was human, she held equal rank as the rest of the royal family members 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 their new queen's safety in case of an attack since she was vulnerable while she remained human. Attackers always went for the weakest link first, and their new queen would be the ideal target as a human and mate to Aro.
The upper and lower guards were dismissed first, leaving behind only 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 feminine soprano voice.
"Of course, it matters! Do you know how much power that human wields as Aro's mate? He would probably go to war with the Romanians if she wanted him to." said a smoky tenor.
"Don't be dramatic, Aro would never do something so rash." the soprano scoffed.
"Says the unmated vampire… You have no idea how strong the pull to please your mate is." The baritone countered.
"Wait, aren't the Spanish scheduled to a visit the castle next week?" the tenor asked.
"Oh God, that's right!" exclaimed the baritone.
"Is that a bad thing?" asked the soprano.
"The Spanish are longstanding allies, but the kings' personal relationship with their coven members is a bit rough from what I've heard. Plus, I can't imagine Aro would want any unfamiliar vampires around his mate right now regardless of his relationship with them." replied the baritone.
Just as the soprano began to speak up, the group was sharply cut off by Jane appearing in the doorway.
"Silence! You would do well to remember your places." Jane rebuked them.
First Person POV: Astrid
Holy shit! 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-colored suede couches and a chaise lounge chair with a white-birch coffee table in the center. There was a grand white marble fireplace against the back 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 birch 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. There was a fluffy rug under the center of the desk as well as a cream-colored day bed in the left corner that softened the environment.
I wandered back into the main room and through the door to the bedroom. The first thing I noticed was the massive king-sized bed with cream-colored silk sheets and a pile of fluffy white pillows. On the right wall was another set of wooden doors. Stepping through them, I found a modern bathroom with white 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 sprayers on the sides.
I returned to the bedroom and looked behind the set of doors opposite the bathroom to find a nearly empty walk-in closet. There were rails with hangers on the upper left and the 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 a full-length mirror in the middle of the back wall. A glint caught my eye, and I walked further into the room. There were smaller drawers for jewelry storage in the back right corner and I saw there were a few pieces already sitting inside. I couldn't help but gawk when I spotted a heavy gold necklace featuring clusters of delicate gold flowers incrusted with colorful gems. The Volturi family must have really trusted me to leave that kind of wealth around, either that or they forgot. Then again, stealing from vampires was probably a terrible idea anyway.
I was brought out of my musing when I heard a knock coming from the main doors to the suite. I hurried over and pulled open one of the large doors. In front of me was an older woman in a modest servant's uniform. I also noticed that, true to their word, there were guards posted outside my door now. I wondered what the point of guarding me while I was inside the suite though, couldn't I just call a guard to escort when I needed to leave? I resolved to ask about it during the meeting tomorrow.
"Hello, my lady, my name is Abigail. I'm here to take your meal order." the woman said politely with her head bowed. How odd… why was she calling me "my lady"?
"Okay, thank you, what are the options?" I asked.
"The chef will be able to make anything you would like, my lady." she told me.
"Alright… mac and cheese then?" I was a sucker for some good baked mac and cheese, but I was so famished that I'd gladly eat the boxed stuff too.
"Yes, my lady, I'll be back with your meal shortly." Abigail told me with a curtsey and then walked back down the hall.
I looked at the two guards stationed outside my room. They both wore charcoal grey cloaks, and I couldn't help but cringe while the scene in the throne room flashed through my mind. However, with the hoods down, I recognized the man on the left as the doctor that I met earlier, Santiago. I was surprised to see him guarding my room, it was quite impressive that he was qualified as both a doctor and a guard. And to my left was a petite blond girl who I estimated to be around 15 or 16 years old. I was surprised to have someone so young guarding me, but who was I to judge? From what I knew, vampires were immortal, so although she was only 16 years old in physical appearance, that didn't tell me her true age. She had a soft, innocent face but the expression she held was jaded.
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 seemed slightly surprised that I was speaking to her but composed herself to respond.
"Hello, my lady, my name is Jane." she told me.
"It's nice to see you again Santiago." I greeted my other guard.
"Or course, my lady." He responded.
Okay, the honorific was getting ridiculous.
"You don't have to call me "my lady" by the way. I arrived here as a meal so I think we can skip the formalities."
Jane smirked and looked like she was stifling a laugh, but Santiago's expression turned solemn.
"The masters are very regretful about how you were introduced to the castle…" Santiago began to explain and I jumped in. 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 said lightheartedly and he nodded after a moment.
After saying goodbye to my guards, I reentered the 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 bath oils. There were also cosmetics and lotions stocked as well as fluffy towels and bathrobes. Man, I could get used to this. 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 a castle full of vampires, then I was going to take moments of joy where I could. I scrubbed myself down in the tub and then relaxed in front of the jets for a while before getting out and drying myself off with a towel.
I returned to the walk-in closet and picked out a baby blue cotton night gown that fell to my mid-thigh. The clothing was surprisingly all in my correct sizes, even the 32B bras. I wondered who had guessed my bra size so accurately… and then my face flushed, remembering that Aro had arranged for the clothes to be delivered.
A knock sounded on the door, and I rushed over hoping it was my food. I peeked 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 and removed the cloche to reveal a hefty portion of baked mac and cheese. My mouth watered and I dug in.
Once I couldn't eat another bite, I felt my eyes grow heavy and decided it was time for bed. Despite the turmoil of the day and my anticipation for the meeting tomorrow, I was out like a light the moment my head hit the pillow.