“How can you be late when I called you 8 hours ago?”
“I am a busy woman Heisenberg, and now I am here, so stop complaining.” You grumbled and herded Bela and Cassandra into the factory. The way to Heisenberg’s factory wasn’t pleasant, since something had the creatures in the forest on edge. You told Heisenberg as much, but he just shrugged and said that it happened every now and then. Still, you were glad that Alcina was going to pick you up later, since it made you feel infinitely safer.
“By the way, I have a blood sample of Alcina with me. So I would like to get working as soon as possible.” You said, barely keeping you excitement at bay. The curiosity you felt was burning, you wondered how your mingled blood would behave.
“Eager, are we? Before you get to work, I have a little surprise for you. Go to the room on the left of the elevator, I will join you soon. We have things to discuss before we get working as well.” Heisenberg said and lead Bela and Cassandra to the lab, promising presents and nourishment. You huffed, annoyed that you couldn’t get to work straight away, but also curious what the surprise was. Hurrying to said room, you almost squealed when you saw who was awaiting you.
“DUKE! Maaan, it has been so long!” you said, grinning widely and threw your arms around him.
“My, my, what a warm welcome! Although you took your time, little one.” Duke laughed and patted your head.
“So much has happened! Where do I begin?” you almost babbled, but Dukes gentle chuckle cut you short and he said, “Oh, Heisenberg told me all about your findings while we were waiting for your arrival. I knew that you would be able to help him, but even I couldn’t imagine how much.”
“Without Alcina and Heisenberg I wouldn’t be as much of a help though. Their knowledge on genetics and all that stuff is far more advanced than mine, but I do what I can.”
“Oh? Lady Dimitrescu and you are on first name base now?” Duke asked, a cheeky glint in his eye as he glanced down at your neck and you flushed bright red, scratching your neck.
“I am sure that she is my fated. Even though we can’t know for sure until I drink from her though, and that won’t happen until we know if it is safe for both of us.”
“I am glad that you finally found her. I had my suspicions when I saw you staying with her, and I am glad that I was right. The two of you will become a force to be reckoned with, as soon as your curse is lifted. Which brings me to my next question: How are you, little one? Heisenberg told me that there was a… situation when you first met.” Duke asked, genuine concern clear on his face. It made you feel all warm and fuzzy and you gave him a gentle smile. You sat down next to him, stretching your legs out, and said, “Well, it was pretty much like the last time I lost control. Although, no, that’s not entirely true.
Alcina was there too, and I had no intention to harm her, or Daniela, at all. There was just this raging feeling of I need to protect, and she actually managed to pull me out of it. But that isn’t even the weirdest thing that happened. I told you of my friend in the village, right? There was another situation, and I could feel myself slipping, but Alcina was there, and I didn’t lose control as much as the other times. She told me to hunt, and I did, almost fully in control, although my blood was boiling and all.”
“Interesting. Do you really need more confirmation that she is your fated?” Duke asked gently, and you let your head fall on his shoulder.
“Technically no, but… I don’t know. I am still scared that she won’t be, and I don’t know what I would do then. It’s not like the universe ever handed me something so willingly, and I am scared… I don’t want to lose her, or the girls.”
“I wouldn’t say that the road to meet her was easy, little one. All the hardships you had to endure, everything that happened lead you up to her. You fought tooth and nail to stay alive and find your place in this world. And now you have, after everything that had happened to you. I would say it is high time that the universe gives you what you want.” Duke said, unusually gently and emotional. You didn’t know what to say, gaping at Duke, searching for something to say. But he wasn’t finished.
“While I am unimaginably happy that you finally found your place int his world, I can’t help but to feel sad as well. It is rather lonely without you and your shenanigans, and I will miss your terribly.”
“Duke… I am not dead. You can see me whenever you want, you will always be welcome at the castle.” You said, lump in your throat and tears threatening to roll down your cheeks.
“I know, I know. After all these years it is just a bit hard to let you go.” Duke said and pulled you into his side. You couldn’t fight the sob that escaped you, even if you wanted to. Never before have you seen this side of the Duke, and you realized with a start, that he was the closest thing to a loving father that you ever knew.
“Duke, I-“
“You don’t have to say anything. Just let me have this moment for a little while longer, little one.” Duke sounded suspiciously choked and you buried yourself more into his side, hiding your tears. You stayed like this for a little while longer, your arms snaking around him once again, and to your surprise he didn’t stop it, like all the times before.
“As I mentioned, I have something for you, and after what you just told me, it is high time that I give it to you.” Duke said, and his unoccupied arm shuffled around a few boxes, presenting you with a pendant that was hanging from a rather long chain. On this pendant you could see a delicately craved owl and the words ‘l'argent défend le droit’.
“This is a pendant with our family crest. My mother gave it to me, when I was very young, to gift to the one I wish to wed. And I did, oh so long ago, but she is gone now and I think it is time to give it to you, so that you can give it to your one.” Duke said and your heart exploded at the words our family crest. You gently took the pendant out of his hands, pulling it over your head for now.
“Thank you. For everything. For taking me in when no one else would, for caring for me and everything. And never forget that you are a part of my family too.” You said gently, taking Duke’s hand and gently squeezing. For all his faults, and all the suspiciousness and secrets surrounding him, you could finally see how much you meant to him.
“I realize that I wasn’t always a gentle or caring man, but know that I do care about you, very much so.” He said and you gave him your biggest smile. Funny how your life had turned out, now that you thought about it. When you killed your father and ran away, you had nothing. But now? You finally had a family. You had finally found your place and it filled you with all the more determination to see everything through.
A sudden but gentle knock interrupted your gentle moment, and both of you instantly switched back into business mode. After Duke told him to enter, Heisenberg gently peeked his head into the room, Bela and Cassandra following suit.
“Good, now that everyone is here, it’s back to business.” Duke said and opened his arms in an inviting gesture, but was met with a hissing Cassandra that was at your side instantly.
“Why is Y/n crying?” Bela hissed, just as angry as her sister. Both glued themselves to your side protectively, while Cassandra gently wiped your cheeks.
“Hey, it’s okay, you don’t need to worry, I’m fine. We just had a little… moment. Sorry Duke.” You said apologetically, gently holding the two girls to yourself. As if you needed any more proof that you were right where you were supposed to be. The love surrounding you overwhelmed you a bit, but it made you oh so happy.
“It is quite alright. It is calming to know that you are cherished and protected.” He said with a smile that was way too gentle for company. Even Heisenberg was staring weirdly at him. Duke seemed to notice and was back in his business persona immediately, looking expectantly at Heisenberg.
“Yeah, right, I better not ask. There will be a meeting of the Lords at the end of the week, and Miranda requested the presence of my elusive lab assistant.” Heisenberg said and you stiffened. You totally forgot about that.
“You have a new assistant?” Cassandra asked, confusion evident in her voice. You started fidgeting and Heisenberg just stared at you incredulously.
“You didn’t tell them?”
“I forgot, okay? Can you blame me? A lot has happened in the last few days…” you said and scratched your cheek in embarrassment. Bela just stared at you, and Cassandra said, “Mother will be so mad when she hears about this.”
“Uuuugh, don’t remind me…” you groaned and buried your face in your hands. Cassandra put a gentle hand on your shoulder and giggled, “Oh, Mother won’t be too mad at you. Heisenberg though… now, that’s another story.”
Heisenberg’s gulp could be heard through the whole room, and any other time it would have made you feel better to see him squirm. Not in this situation though, because you were pretty sure that Alcina would have a few choice words for you as well, for forgetting to tell her.
“Well, I have a plan to ensure Y/n’s safety. It is rather simple, but effective, I just need a few things, hence why the Duke is here.
The plan is to disguise Y/n, fake make-up, new clothes, perfume to hide the Dimitrescu scent on her. It is a simple plan, but not less effective. Donna is actually working on something to cloak Y/n’s scent, so we just need some special effect make-up and some fresh new clothes. Donna and I will put some fake scars on her face, and I already forged a face mask.”
“Then why the fake scars?” Bela interrupted, and you said, “In case she forces me to take the mask off. She would recognize me immediately, if we don’t change my features. I will need some contact lenses too, to change my eye color.”
“Exactly. How long will it take you to get me everything from this list?” Heisenberg asked, walking over to Duke to hand him a slip of paper.
“I will take care of it immediately. You will have the things by morning.” He said, sounding aloof, but you could see the fire in his eyes, that you now recognized as protectiveness. You were not going to lie, meeting Mother Miranda made you nervous for a buttload of reasons. But you trusted Heisenberg, Donna and Duke and were sure that no harm would come towards you. Now, you just had to tell your beloved…
***
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I am so fucking sorry that i haven’t posted for so long, but a lot of stuff has been going on. There was school, family, and other private problems that basically killed my muse and kept me from writing. But hopefully I am back now, at least my Muse is alive again and I have a lot of stuff already planned out. thank you all for your patience! I also try to take on a few requests, so if you have any, hit me up and I’ll try to get to it between writing for this story! I love you all so so much!