Episode 18

After returning from a dinner party, Rosanna was greeted by a humorous scene at the entrance of the living room. Tanesia was sprawled on the sofa, clearly exhausted, while Henry was bouncing around beside her.

“Brother! I want to be a brother too! I need a younger sibling!”

“Henry, don’t jump on the sofa.”

“Rosanna!”

Henry sprinted over and grabbed at Rosanna’s skirt, tugging on it.

“I want a younger sibling. I’m going to be a brother!”

“A younger sibling? Last year, you told me in secret that you wanted all your mom and dad’s love for yourself.”

“Not anymore! I’m all grown up now. I’m ready for a sibling.”

“What’s gotten into you, little lord?”

Rosanna lifted the boy in her arms and carried him through the arched doorway. Seeing them, Tanesia slowly sat up.

“Did you have a good time today?”

“The tea time conversation dragged on through dinner, so it was dull. Just more gossip. I have no interest in other people’s business.”

Rosanna took a seat across from Tanesia. As soon as she let go of Henry, he darted over to Tanesia, continuing his pleas.

“I want a sibling! A sibling!”

Tanesia’s eye twitched with fatigue.

“Why is Henry suddenly like this?”

“It’s been going on for a while. Every night, he comes to my bedroom and begs for one. I end up staying up late trying to put him back to sleep… I think it started after he met that man, Kyle. He seems to really like him and wants to be a ‘big brother’ like him.”

Kyle. The unexpected mention of his name made Rosanna pause.

With a lull in the conversation, Henry resumed his appeals.

“Mom, I want a sibling. For my birthday present.”

Tanesia pressed her fingers to her temples. Normally gentle, Henry could be quite stubborn when he fixated on something. It seemed he had no intention of giving up.

“A sibling doesn’t just appear like ‘poof!’ And I want to spend more time with just you, Henry.”

“Dad said he’d give me a sibling, as long as you’re okay with it.”

“What? How irresponsible, without even discussing it with me….”

Just then, voices could be heard from the entrance—likely the butler greeting Vlad as he arrived home.

“Tanesia, do you want me to take Henry for a while?”

Rosanna could sense an impending argument between the couple, and a smile played on her lips.

There were a few unwritten rules when it came to her brother and sister-in-law’s quarrels. First, they would wait until after the maids had left for the evening. Second, they’d argue in an open space like the living room. Third, Rosanna or the butler had to be nearby. These rules were established in case Vlad ever lost control and accidentally hurt Tanesia. Though such a disaster had never occurred, the rules seemed to provide a sense of reassurance. In Rosanna’s opinion, it was an event that would never happen.

Vlad adored his wife. If she so much as pricked her finger on a thorn, he’d make a huge fuss. His overprotectiveness and concern stemmed from his deep love for her. As much as she cared for her brother, Rosanna couldn’t understand how he could love a human so much.

Even if they had a child, Rosanna had initially expected their relationship to fall apart quickly. Their parents had disapproved of the marriage for similar reasons, believing, like Rosanna, that they were fundamentally different beings. There had never been a happy ending for cross-species unions in vampire history.

Living with them in Britna had changed Rosanna’s perspective, though. Now, she acknowledged the love that transcended their species.

That’s why, to Rosanna, their arguments were not dangerous but rather amusing spectacles.

“Rosanna, could you take Henry to his room?”

Tanesia’s voice was calmer than usual. The calmer she was, the angrier she was. It was time to make her exit. Henry, sensing the tension, fell silent as well.

“Alright.”

Rosanna left the living room but had no intention of missing out on the argument. She’d hand Henry over to the butler and then listen in from behind the wall.

Poor Vlad was approaching, likely unaware of his impending fate. Once again, he was about to be verbally pummeled by his wife in another one-sided bout.

* * *

The cold war between Vlad and Tanesia had dragged on for three days. Perhaps as a result, Vlad was late coming home today. Rosanna had heard he was even banned from entering their bedroom, so it wasn’t surprising.

Rosanna had been waiting in her room for the butler to notify her of Vlad’s return, but it had been quiet. Surely he hadn’t stayed out overnight… No, her brother wasn’t that much of an idiot—or so she hoped.

Growing impatient, Rosanna headed for the library and opened the door. There stood the butler, silent as ever. Even though he was retired, he had once been a member of the Elder Council’s Shadows—a group responsible for handling unpleasant matters, essentially assassins.

“Your brother has returned, ma’am,” the butler said.

“Thanks. But do you have to be so quiet?”

“My apologies. It’s a habit I can’t shake. When I’m not paying attention, I tend to walk silently. I’ll work on it.”

“No, it’s fine. Just do what’s comfortable. You can go.”

Rosanna felt a slight pang to her pride. How had a dhampir’s stealth escaped her notice, when she, a pure vampire, should be more attuned? Then again, the butler had survived countless trials, while she had grown up sheltered. She hadn’t even had a real fight, only participating in one-sided hunts.

Rosanna made her way to the second-floor library. Inside, Vlad was seated at his desk, buried in work.

“What do you want? I’m busy,” he said without looking up.

“Make time. Sit down for a minute.”

Rosanna gestured from the armchair she had claimed. Vlad sighed and rounded the desk to sit on the sofa.

“This is my study. Why are you sitting in the best chair?”

“Because I’m the mistress of this house.”

Vlad had no retort and could only click his tongue.

“So, what’s this about?”

Rosanna pulled out a luxurious gold card and set it on the table. Engraved in elegant cursive was the name *Willen Hill.*

Vlad’s eyes widened.

“What’s this?”

“Your reaction is so… common. Has living modestly dulled your senses?”

“I asked because I didn’t know. And I’m doing fine as a lawyer, thank you very much.”

Vlad’s gaze fell to the table.

Willen Hill Hotel was a prestigious establishment located just outside Ingdberry, favored by royalty and foreign elites alike. Perched on a hill overlooking a lake, the hotel was renowned for its morning mist, creating an enchanting atmosphere. It was a popular destination for couples and spouses looking to set the perfect mood.

However, the hotel operated on a strict membership system, and acquiring a membership was no easy task. Without a noble title, you couldn’t even apply.

The Enache family had a membership, of course, but Vlad had been barred from using it. He learned this the hard way when he’d tried to book Willen Hill for his honeymoon, only to be rejected. It wasn’t just that his plans were ruined—it was the humiliation of being denied in front of his wife. Though it wasn’t the staff’s fault (their parents had pulled strings behind the scenes), he still remembered snapping at them in his frustration.

“What’s your point in showing me this?”

Vlad tapped the membership card with his finger.

“Point? That sounds so sinister. I’m just trying to help you reconcile with Tanesia.”

A Willen Hill membership card. Anyone would be tempted. But something about it didn’t sit right with Vlad.

“Why does it feel like you’re trying to get rid of us?”

Ignoring him, Rosanna continued.

“Go for the weekend. You’ll see the stunning views, enjoy a nice meal at the restaurant, and hopefully make up with her. Maybe you’ll even stay in the suite to celebrate.”

Vlad narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“This is shady.”

“I’ll take care of Henry, so you two can just go,” Rosanna said with a mischievous grin.

“This is starting to sound suspicious… Why are you doing this?” Vlad asked, unease creeping into his voice.

Rosanna straightened up from the soft backrest of the chair, leaning in slightly toward Vlad.

“I’m thinking of inviting someone over. You and Tanesia go on your little getaway, and I’ll entertain my guest. It’s a win-win.”

“Then I’ll take Henry with me. He’ll be upset if we leave him behind.”

“No, he’ll be fine. Henry likes this guest too.”

Vlad exhaled sharply, as if resigning himself to what was coming.

“Kyle? That man? So you’re determined to get your claws into him… I can’t let Henry see his aunt pounce on some poor guy. It’s not good for his development.”

“I’m not ‘pouncing.’ It’s just an invitation. We’re going to have a serious, *holy* discussion.”

“Right. You’re probably going to lure him in with talk of converting to the Britna State Church. Poor guy, he doesn’t stand a chance against the Rosanna Enache trap. I’ll have to pray for his soul.”

Rosanna placed her palm over the membership card.

“Do you want this or not?”

Vlad hesitated but then sighed. “He may be doomed, but that’s his problem, not mine.”

With that, Vlad’s fingers slipped under her hand, taking the card from beneath her grasp. The gold card, held between his index and middle fingers, caught the light from the chandelier and shimmered.

“I’ll make sure we stay the night.”

“Please do.”

Rosanna left the study, walking down the hallway with a spring in her step. As soon as she reached her room, she planned to start writing a letter. Tomorrow morning, she would have the butler summon a messenger to deliver it. The letter would inform Kyle of the time and place for their next meeting.

The thought of meeting Kyle in this townhouse thrilled her. If he became her “attachment toy,” she mused, this place could become a dollhouse—’his’ dollhouse. In fact, renaming the townhouse ‘The Dollhouse’ wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

“I hope he likes it here,” she whispered to herself, a smile playing on her lips.