Dino sat at the head of the table, the room empty, except for his son who sat at he left hand side.

Theodore munched silently on his food while his father analyzed his results.

"Well done. You're doing fine so far. The vamp school will be sending in a new tutor today. Continue to keep the name of Classico up." Dino said, in a haughty tone.

The boy nodded, his innocent gaze staring up at his father with awe.

The butler poured Dino a steaming cup of coffee, working silent and deftly.

"Albrecht, when does the new tutor arrive. I'd like to speak with him. There's a few topics on our history that the previous tutors left out." Dino said in a cool, calculated voice.

"We are expected to receive him in the next hour my Lord." The butler replied before exiting the room.

"Perfect, I am not expected at the Agency until the afternoon." He said to himself.

Dino fell silent and after a second, inhaled, preparing himself to speak.

"Theodore..." He began, gaining his son's  undivided attention.

"Yes father?" He asked, limpid gaze expectantly waiting for him to speak.

"You...Your...." He stopped, unable to word his question.

"Has the pre-cocoon hallucinations stopped completely?" Dino asked, looking at his son with softened eyes.

Theodore blinked in surprise.

"Yes... yes they have. All gone." He replied softly.

"Ah, good, good." Dino commented, nodding approvingly.

The father and son duo, woke up silently and exited the dining room. Internally, Theodore was brimming with excitement at having had his father speak with him.

Entering the study with a smile on his face he found a young lady sitting on the sofa, waiting patiently for him.

A polite smile on her pretty face. Seeing him she stood up and held her gloved hand out to him.

"You must be Master Theodore. Nice to meet you, I am Catherine Sommers, your new tutor." She said with a kind smile.

Theodore relaxed, placing the fat book he held down.

"What are you reading?" She inquired, glancing at the cover.

"History of the Vampires." He said in a small voice.

Catherine was surprised at the boys interest in such mature genres.

"Well that's impressive. How do you like it so far?" She asked, sitting down with him on the couch again.

"I am learning a lot about my predecessors and how we vampires got to be here." He replied measuredly.

Catherine smiled at him, admiring the childs apt interest.

"If there's anything you'd like to discuss about our history, I'll be more than happy to explain." She replied with warm smile that made Theodore relax. He returned the smile, eager to begin the lesson.

Albrecht entered, placing a tray of refreshments on the table.

"Pleased to meet you my lady. I am the butler for the Classico family. Should you need anything in future, you may call on me." The butler said with his head bowed low.

"Pleased to meet you and my thanks." She replied courteously.

It seemed that Cetherine had a genuine smile, with polite words for everyone. She was a bright sunflower that bloomed hope in the Classico house.

"Oh yes, our Lord wishes to see you. May I show you the way to his study?" Albrecht asked amiably.

"If you don't mind, could this wait?" She inquired with a concerned, curious frown.

"I wouldn't keep the Lord waiting. He has a strong affinity with discipline and punctuality." Albrecht replied, hoping she'd take the hint.

"I am tutor and my lessons with my student are my first priority. If I don't display an example of discipline, how will my students learn? I am afraid Lord Classico will have to wait." Catherine said firmly. Theodore stared uneasily at her but she gave him a reassuring smile.

"Now if you would be ever so kind, I am already two minutes delayed in my lesson with young Master Theodore." She sniffed, turning her attention immediately on the young boy.

The butler turned to leave, completely speechless.

✵✵✵

Dino sat waiting in his study for the new tutor to arrive. The man was beginning to take an active interest in his sons education.

Paging through a book on alchemy while he bided time, Dino heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." He replied curtly.
The Lord mentally prepared to interrogate the tutor and size him up.

'I expect the best for my son.' He told himself.

Dino was greeted with the sight of his butler who glanced at him uncertainly.

"My Lord, there's a bit of an issue." Albrecht stated nervously.

After listening to his butler recount what the tutor had to say, Dino burst out laughing. His face split into a wide grin.

His butler stood taken aback, it was the last reaction he expected and probably the first time he saw his Master laugh so open heartedly.

"I have to meet this tutor. I'll wait until they are done with their lesson. If he isn't busy, kindly ask him to meet me after." Dino said, a faint smile remaining  on his face.

"Ah my Lord-"

"I admire a tutor, the first figure of education for a child, who holds discipline and responsibility high in their eyes." Dino said.

"Lord Dino?" The butler tried again.

"I expect no less from a tutor for my son. You may leave rest assured Albrecht." Dino said, too engaged in his own musings to hear the butler out further.

Albrecht bowed and exited, figuring that it was best his master learn that the tutor was female, himself.

It was two hours since noon and Dino sat completely immersed in his book, when a gentle knock on the door broke his concentration.

Lifting his brow up with a curious gaze he sat back in his seat, changing his posture to a more confident appearance.

"Enter." He boomed out, waiting impatiently as the seconds drew on until the large door dragged open to reveal the visitor.

A lady with her head bowed low stood at the entrance. Her clothes, a simple floral dress with bishop sleeves that had buttons at the cuffs. Pale green frilly edges made the hem of the dress.

White gloves on her dainty hands concealed any further hints from him.

Her smooth hair twisted along the sides to curl into an elegant knot at the nap of the neck, wavy tendrils of hair hung loose on either side of her face.

Lifting her face up the lady smiled prettily, a knowing, playful expression amplifying her beauty.

Dino's jaw flexed, he sat rigid with surprise. There in his study, stood Catherine Sommers.

"A very good day to you, my Lord." She said taking a tentative step in.

Dino sat dumbfounded, appearing to have no words to say to her.

He watched as she walked into the centre of the room.

"Lady Catherine..." He greeted in a distracted voice.

"My Lord." She said once again, inclining her head. The richness of her voice, captured his attention, his heart picking up speed and mind taking its leave.

"Ah?" He snapped out of his spell, unsure of how much time had passed.

The tips of his pale ears reddened, Dino hastily stood up, his tall form straightening up.

His shoulder cape swayed with his movement.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of such a surprise meeting?" He asked in a cheerful, amused voice that emitted of its own accord.

His deep, hard voice was replaced with a honeyed voice that was filled with warm interest.

"You requested to see me." She stated in a clear voice.

"I did?" His brows raised up in surprise.

"Yes, I imagine it has something to do with Theodore's studies?" She prompted, a faint smile on her pale pink lips.

Dino studied her face far too intently for his liking. He became fascinated with the shape of her lips, the colour.

'Would the touch of it be as soft as it looks?' He wondered distractedly.

Her bright eyes like yellow-sapphires sparkling with something he'd never seen before in a woman's eyes.

'Such a bright face, her eyes are swimming with knowing.' Dino thought in amazement.

"Lord Dino is everything alright?" She asked, a frown wrinkling her soft features.

'Huh?' He cleared his throat behind his fist.

"My apologies. I was expecting my son's tutor. I've been expecting them since morning." He said in a daze.

A tinkling laugh broke from her throat,  the sound like music.

"I am here my Lord." She said with a small curtsey.

"Lady Catherine Sommers. Master Theodore's new tutor." She explained with a bright smile.

Dino's heart raced at such a fast pace, excitement coursing through his body.
The woman he was smitten with would now be frequenting his house.

"I tried to introduce myself to you at Lord Johanness' banquet but I am afraid I wasn't clear." She said shyly.

"Goodness. What were the odds." He whispered in a low tone to himself.

"Have a seat Lady, or would you prefer to speak in another receiving room?"

"This is adequate. What a splendid display you have. I myself take interest in the wonderful subject of science. I see you've quite the spread of knowledge in this room." She commented, glancing around with an interested smile.

Dino's heart squeezed tight and then fluttered. All the women in his life hated this study, it was the one place he could be alone and away from their nagging words.

They found it dull and stifling and here was this wonder of a vamp, floating around in awe, sharing his joy at his prizes possessions.

Dino swallowed and helped her seat herself opposite him.

"So, what was it you wanted to speak to me about?" She asked, waiting patiently for him to answer.

"Theodore's studies is of utmost importance to me. The quality must be of top draw. I found a lacking in his knowledge in some topics." Dino replied, half waiting to hear her argue back and hurl accusations that he was too tight fisted.

"I see. Well I shall do my best. If you would, I'd be happy to work closer on the topics you feel need attention. As Lord of Classico you'd know best and Theodore is ultimately preparing to take over. So I find that I rather agree." Catherine commented with a poised smile.

Dino halted, he held his breath, too scared incase he was dreaming.

'My goodness she's even more perfect than I expected.' He mused.

"I greatly appreciate your cooperation." He said, trying to hide his thrill.

"I see Master Theodore has taken the liberty of reading about our history on his own. I plan on expanding on that topic on the lessons to come." She stated, lacing her gloved fingers together.

Dino tried best to avert his eyes but found that he couldn't stop staring at her. If it wasn't her lips or fingers, it was her petite waist.

His current struggle was the curve of her neck. He fought the urge of retracting his fangs.

Fisting his hands under his desk he inhaled sharp breaths, feeling them slowly go back in.

"Well if that is all, I must take my leave Lord Classico." She said, preparing to wake up off her seat.

"Thank you very much Lady Catherine. I look forward to meeting with you again." Dino replied with a faint smile, his tired eyes crinkling at the edges.

She walked out elegantly, exiting his study leaving a dazed Lord inhaling her scent.

Dino watched through his window as  Albrecht held his palm out to her, helping her into a carriage.

Dino growled, annoyed at his wayward butler. And then he watched as she turned her beautiful smile to the butler who beamed under her attention.

He felt a spur, sickly feeling form in the pit of his stomach. Dino's brows drew tight and he clenched his fists to keep the fiery hostile feeling from bubbling out.

The noble watched as the carriage took off, until it became an invisible dot.

Sighing to himself he spun around to see his son standing at the door way, a curious look in his eyes.

Dino jumped internally.

"I am sorry father. I did knock and announced myself but you seemed busy." The boy said nervously.

"Ah no that's okay. Come in son. What is it you wanted to talk about?" Dino said, righting himself.

"It's about my new tutor." Theodore began. Dino's ears perked up with interest, eating up all the details his son shared inadvertently on the woman.

He went over the topics his son covered that day and had for the first time in his life, held a proper conversation with Theodore.

✵✵✵

The following days to come consisted of relatively the same schedule.

Dino would have breakfast with his son, and would thereafter walk his son to his study room and wait for Catherine.

He'd greet her with a smile and leave. After Theodore's lessons were done in the afternoon, Dino would invite Catherine over to join him for tea.

They'd spend hours discussing and debating their different views on science and astronomy.

Catherine's views intrigued him, making him reanalyse his own thoughts. It was the most exciting moments of his life and Dino quickly grew used to her company.

He never spoke as much to even his wives as he did with Lady Sommers.

Dino sat a small cozy room enjoying her company and a cup of tea.

"I've been meaning to ask, how is it that someone from the Vlad Agency has become a tutor?" He asked curiously.

"My, my did they not tell you?" She teased, which coaxed a small smile from him.

"Lord Johannes felt it better if we took over tutelage after the children covered the basics. He says that, it would be best if the Agency took over, aiding in a better quality of studying for the nobles." She stated conversationally.

"Hmm I see. An expert decision." Dino nodded, brushing a long lock of hair off his shoulders. Turning back to face her, he was met with her blushing face.

Dino pretended to not notice her sweet face gone all pink.

"How is Theodore faring thus far?" He asked suddenly. A paternal tone in his voice.

"He's doing wonderful. Extremely intelligent, there's almost no need for me." She responded with a light hearted chuckle.

'I need you.' He thought before registering what his mind yearned for.

"I assume you'd be sending him to the Clan in the next few years. Which one did you decide on?" She asked, tucking her legs to the side, neatly.

"The one and only. The same I went to and my predecessors. Theodore is my only son the pride of this household." He said in a mechanical voice.

Catherine nodded but remained silent.

She noticed the sad, emotionless tone to his voice whenever he mentioned his son that hinted at his marital life.

'Would being with him be so bad? Why did they all leave this man?' She wondered to herself.

A knock on the door silenced her thoughts. Lifting her head up she found the butler waiting for them. Lost in conversation, the afternoon rolled by and with it, her departure.

"Sorry to interrupt my Lord and Lady, but your carriage is waiting." Albrecht said with a bow.

"Oh my. The time has flown by. My apologies for over staying." She said with a shy blush.

"None needed. You're welcome to stay for as long as you like." Dino said possessively.

Dino insisted on walking her to her carriage and lifted her into the box which was much higher than usual.

He smirked to himself, happy to have helped instead of Albrecht.

"Safe travels and a very good night, my Lady." He whispered in an intimate tone before closing her door.

Catherine smiled at him just as the carriage began to move.

Dino stood watching her go with a wistful look. After minutes of staring longingly, he sighed turning to head back into his mansion.

The next day he entered his drawing room with a smile only to find Dali Delico, Gerhard Fra and Henrique Lorca waiting for him and not Catherine.

His smile faded as quickly as it formed, he grunted in displeasure, stalking in the rest of the way.

"How welcoming." Henrique teased.

"What's got our Lord smiling? A rare sight. It has me wondering..." Dali prodded.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Dino snapped.

"Lord Johannes requested an audience with us. We're to leave at once." Gerhard explained, turning his face to Dino.

Dino narrowed his eyes at Gerhard who spotted an looking red blotch on the side of his neck. Gerhard hastily covered it with his golden hair, avoiding Dino's eyes.

"Very well. What are we waiting for?" Dino commented, guiding the others out and into a carriage.

A/N: ♥