I casted Lucien as a different person now. :P 4K reads?  I need some milk! <3
*****
After we had finished the amazing 3-course meal, I was feeling much better and satisfied.

You can't blame me, though.

Sitting beside a statue and fuckboy wasn't very easy and comfortable.  It's always good to eat something to calm your nerves for the evening.
Food is the elixir of happiness.

I was squashed in between Lucien and Alexander, and let me tell you this.

It was like being locked up in a cage with two hormonal bulls.

The two kept giving eachother death glares while I had to restrain myself from knocking their heads together.  I felt like I was invisible the whole time while the two morons kept debating about every topic that came up in the conversation.

Until, Rosanna was brought up.

That became a full on roaring argument, like politicians screaming at eachother's faces about something as useless as a blocked toilet.

"I'm so happy for you, Lucien,"  Alexander said as he ran his index finger along the rim of his crystal brandy glass.

"Aw, that's so sweet of you, Alexander,"  Anna, gushed from the other side of the table.

"It's nothing really, I'm proud of him for finally being able to move on from Rosanna.  I remember how close they were to eachother.  They were almost inseparable but I guess that death can break apart the strongest of bonds,"  Alexander continued to say.

Sheesh, that was a nasty blow.

Lucien's face hardened in a flash and his whole aura became calm and dangerous.
I could feel another storm coming and it wasn't from outside.  I saw him clench his fists underneath the table and his knuckles turned a chalky white.  His left eye twitched slightly and his breathing became heavy and slow.

Bravo, Alexander.  Now you might just get all of us killed.

"Well, at least we had something.  I'm sure it must be so confusing and difficult for you to understand since you've never had the pleasure of experiencing it with your conceited and immature behaviour,"  Lucien said in a hard and even tone.

Oohhh, damn!  Shots fired!

"Boys..."  Anna said in a warning tone and narrowed her grey eyes at them, "Save your childish quibbling for another time and place."

"Of course, mother.  Anything for you,"  Lucien said and I was surprised at his high respect for his mother.

"That's what you said to Rosanna before you let her die,"  Alexander muttered, not exactly quietly since we all heard.

Oh, fuck.  Bad idea, genius.

"THAT'S IT.  I've had enough of your fucking big mouth!"  Lucien stood up and slammed his fist on the table causing all the glasses and chinaware to wobble unsteadily on the table.  The auburn liquid of brandy spilled out of the glasses and stained the spotless, linen tablecloth.

This was the first time I've heard Lucien cuss.  

"At least I don't deny killing her!"  Alexander roared back and looked Lucien dead in the eye.

Wait.  Killed?! 

What was he talking about?  I thought Rosanna died, not murdered.

"ENOUGH, YOU TWO,"  Constantine boomed and his voice was powerful and demanding.

I jumped a little at his tone.
Constantine was clearly pissed off.  He was just like his son.

You all need Jesus...and blood pressure pills.

Lucien looked like he was about to rip off Alexander's head in a heartbeat.  His lip was curled back in an angry snarl while both his hands lay on the table and fisted the tablecloth.

Meanwhile, Alexander was looking only annoyed but slight amusement could be seen in his eyes.

"If you two are going to be fighting with eachother all night then I suggest that you go back to your rooms so you're not wasting my time!"  Constantine bellowed again.

Throwing one final scowl at Alexander, Lucien turned and marched to the door without a word.

Alexander leaned back in his chair and loosened his tie, reaching for his brandy glass.
He brought the glass to his mouth and downed all of the contents in one gulp.

Constantine slumped back into his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose while mumbling something to himself.

Anna looked at me sympathetically and got up from her chair.

She made her way around the table towards me.

"Isadora, I'm sorry for tonight.  Would you mind coming on a little walk with me?"  Anna asked softly.

"No.  That would be great actually,"  I got up from my chair.

She smiled and we started walking towards the door.

Anna knocked on it quietly and the butler on the other side immediately opened it for us.

We stepped through and she thanked the butler and he bowed his head down.

"Come, I would like to show you the Abelló family,"  Anna said to me as she led the way.

* * * * *

We came to a stop at a fancy door that was encrypted with amazing filigree work. 

Anna took a small gold-coloured key from her pocket and inserted it into the lock.

"I'm sorry that our evening didn't go as planned.  Those two never seem to get along, even more so after Rosanna died,"  She said as she pushed the door opened.

"It's okay, I'm quite used to it now,"  I replied and she chuckled in front of me.

This room reminded me of the restricted section where I saw the...killing.  I shifted uncomfortably on my feet.  Should I tell her about it?
No, it's not the right time.

It was completely dark inside the room and all I could smell was the mustiness of dust that accumulated inside. 

She placed her hand on the wall and fumbled for something. 

"Aha!"  She cried and a bright light lit up the room.

"Here it is,"  She cried, stepping into the room, "the entire generation of the Abelló family."

I stepped inside, my eyes widened and I let out a gasp.

Around the room hung dozens of paintings, all portraits of different people with a gold plaque underneath each one that identified them.

"Wow, this is incredible!"  I said and looked at all the portraits.

They were of men and women, some dressed in old Elizabeth the first era attire to modern day outfits.

"Isn't it just!  Our family was the wealthiest in Italy,"  She said proudly.

I looked around at all of the life-like portraits and counted 16.

It was lined according to the dates, from the oldest to the newest.

I saw Lucien was the very last one, just before him was Constantine.

"Lucien is the last portrait,"  I stopped in front of it and gazed at Lucien's painted self.

"Yes, Lucien is the present heir to the Abelló wealth,"  Anna stood beside me.

I guess I should ask her.  I mean, nobody else would tell me and this was my only chance to find out.

"Anna.  Could you tell me about Rosanna?"  I asked, turning around to face her.

Her cheery face suddenly disappeared and turned sad. 

"I'm not really supposed to talk about her but I guess you deserve to know just a little bit,"  She sighed heavily.

I nodded.  She walked to the corner of a room where a single chair was placed.  She sat down and sighed again.

"Rosanna,"  She started slowly, "was the daughter of a close friend of my husband.  Since she was 15 years old, she was engaged to Lucien.  Rosanna was such a sweet, young girl.  Lucien didn't show it but he adored her sweet nature and kindness.  She was a light to his life."

I felt a slight bit of jealousy.  Would Lucien ever feel like that to anyone again?

"Then one night,"  Anna continued, "when Rosanna was 18, she was found dead with her throat slit open in the basement." 

I gasped loudly.

"The only person who was home at that time was Lucien.  He was found asleep in bed with his shirt and hands covered in her blood.  He was tried before the Elders' council.  He denied killing her but the council was skeptical about it.  You see, Lucien is known to not feel any remorse about his actions.  Besides, he's never shown much care or love to Rosanna externally but I know that deep inside, she was everything to him.  After days of trying to convince the council, Lucien was free to go but just barely.  Rosanna's funeral was just after the day Lucien was let go but he never attended."

A tear fell down from the corner of her eye. 

A maelstrom of emotions consumed me.  I felt sad, hurt, anger, sympathy and jealousy.

I didn't know what to say.  This wasn't the Lucien I knew.  Alright, he was a cold and unforgiving man but I would never had marked him as a murderer.  Well, not murdering people intentionally anyway.

"Lucien vowed to find out who killed her but he hasn't found he or she yet but he's still patiently searching,"  Anna whispered.

"Do you think he will give up?"  I asked her softly.

"Give up?  Definitely not.  He never gives up on anything, ever,"  She chuckled quietly without humour, "we thought he would give up on everything, including love... He did but that was until you came.  I know we've only met now, Isadora but Lucien cares about you more than you think.  Even though he might show it in the strangest ways, he still does.  At the table, he kept glancing at you out of the corner of his eye.  If he does that, it means that he's checking up on you, making sure that you are okay.  It's been a long time since he's done that to any woman.  Too long,"  She sighed and gave me an adoring smile.

"He did that?"  I whispered, not to Anna but more to myself.

"Lucien may be a vampire but we can all feel too.  Whether it's pain or happiness, it still affects us," She said and begun to get up.

"Do you think he will be able to love again?"  I asked her as we made our way to the door.

"Oh, yes.  It may seem impossible but if you have the right person beside you that returns your love then nothing is impossible." 

"I hope he finds that person,"  I muttered quietly.

We walked out of the door and Anna closed it shut, sticking the key inside the keyhole and locking it.

She stopped and turned around, looking me in the eye.
My green ones reflecting in her grey ones.

"Oh, sweetie.  I think he already has..."
*****
Hello, my awesome readers!  Whoah, what was that?  Lol. :)  The story of Rosanna is explained (sort of, hehehe). ;P
Did we just find out that Lucien may be able to love...Isadora?!  *loud gasps*
Hope you enjoyed this update and don't forget to vote and comment! :)

Peace out!
-Donna <3