The Keepers of Chaos: A Vault of Hell

Ammalia Cassalanter: VIII

A Fiery Dinner: VIII

"Darling!" Ammalia called out, trying to keep still while Mai finished her hair. "Oh goodness, what could he be up to?" She wondered, excited about a giggle from her handmaiden. She raised a playful eyebrow.

"Oh, sorry, my lady." Mai faked a sense of apology; Ammalia rolled her eyes.

"Yes, dear?" Victoro's face appeared in her mirror; his tall half-elven figure stood in the doorway, and his closely shaved triangle beard looked freshly combed, as did his long mustache.

"Are the kids in their room?" She asked politely; she remembered placing them away; however, it was anyone's guess if they had stayed put. Victoro smiled.

"Of course they are."

"Mommy!" Terenzio sprinted past Victoros' suit pants making the man smile shyly.

"Whoops." Victoro stepped into the room, striding on his black cane; she slowly felt an ounce of unease; he wasn't supposed to walk with that around the children. She gave herself a final look in the mirror. Her long brown hair was made into two braided loops, and her gorgeous face and ply lips were made elegantly. She shifted her hands up her dress, forcing the corset to push her bust up a bit more. Ammalia sighed, calming herself that she didn't care about the guests. Right now, her kids were around. She gave Mai another smile and waved to excuse her. "Where's my little Lily?" Victoro spun around, clearly trying to find Elzerina. "And.. ah." He smiled.

"Terenzio.." She leaned over to see her little boy running laps around the powder room. Terenzio was eight years old, nearing. Nine.. she swallowed difficulty. He looked so much like his father, with a bit of elven heritage, bright green eyes, and soft golden brown hair. His face was a little round like a tomato, but for heaven's sake, was he simply beautiful. "I thought I put you to bed.." she chastised.

"I tolldddd you I'm not tired." Terenzio chirped. Ammalia tried to not fidget in front of her son. She glanced up at the clock, noticing it was eight, nearly nine, and the Cardin would be there soon enough.

"Sweetheart. We have guests coming over; you need to go and sleep like your sister." she tried.

"Pfttttt," Terenzio spat a little with a smile. "Come on! You said I was a big boy; I can meet daddy's friends."

"You are a big boy, son." Victoro knelt down next to her; his long black hair was pulled behind him in a bun the collar of his suit enveloped his whole neck. "But Mommy and Daddy need to have a grown-up talk with some friends.." Terenzio leaped away, scooping a hairbrush on the counter and swinging it around.

"But- I am grown up! Swwwsshh" Terenzio swung the brush around like a sword. She eyed Victoro carefully. Perhaps he was reading the boy far too many knights' tales.

"Ok, how about you go to bed, son. And I take you out for horseback lessons soon, hm?" Victoro offered. Ammalia smiled, seeing her boy's face light up in excitement.

"Mmmmm." He danced on his feet. "Fine!" Ammalia waved Mai over to bring Terenzio back to his room. She took a sigh of relief.

"Let us greet our guests, darling." Ammalia placed herself back into a spot of calm. She took her lover's hand and strolled out of the room and down the stairs to the front entrance.

"Henry." Victoro snapped. "Mind the door, will you? My good man." Henry nodded his head and walked past them. Ammalia admired the tall golden walls of the villa; being nobility had its perks. Her five-inch heels clicked satisfyingly against the marble floor while she descended the stairs. Ammalia waited on Victoro's arm pre, smiling at the large dark oak doors emboldened by the new Casslanater crest. The clock clicked past nine. And then nine fifteen, Ammalia waited there, standing like a fool. Henry stood next to the door with a tad bit of cringe on his face.