Mr. Dimitri's Toy
A New, Empty Life

- Ivy Cottage in the Land of D’Arcy -

[Chloe’s POV]

My eyes suddenly opened wide, staring at the ceiling in the room which still felt unfamiliar even though I had stayed for 1 week here. Tears poured down the pillow, and my mouth was wide open screaming but no sound came out.

My heart is beating very hard. I raised my still-rigid hand to the front of my chest, clutching the titanium necklace I was wearing.

Since when do I wear this necklace?

I don't know but I raised it up and watched closely. The moonlight peeked in from the window of the room, illuminating my vision.

C. D. P.

It's an initial drawn on top of it. C is probably my initials. I put it back on my chest, didn't want to bother thinking about what D and P meant and got out of bed.

The wall clock is still showing at 02:00. I took a deep breath because I always woke up at this hour. I changed my nightgown with a horse riding outfit. The wooden floor rang as I stepped out of the room, passed through the living room and opened the front door.

The night wind blew, blowing my hair away, but strangely I did not feel cold.

Elfin, the horse stable keeper woke up when I entered and took the saddle from the hanger.

“Nona Chloe...” She rubbed her eyes and looked at the wide-open front door, indicating the sky was still dark.

“You want to go riding again at this time, miss?” Elfin rose from his sleep on the straw, about to help me to put a saddle on the horse's back.

But deftly I have installed the saddle perfectly. The only white horse in the stable snorted as my hand rubbed its nose. Alfin told me that this horse's name was Twinkle.

Elfin led Twinkle out of the cage and I rode him when we were outside.

“Be careful miss, the sky is very dark tonight.” Elfin looked up at my face which only gave him a small smile.

With a single jolt, Twinkle galloped away from Ivy Cottage, leaving Elfin still standing there.

I breathed fresh air that night, filling my lungs. Twinkle's footsteps rang on the path and I spurred it even faster, passing through several trees standing upright on the side of the road, then into the forest that I had memorized.

During my week at Ivy Cottage, I rode at night. I raised my head up, the sky was indeed darker tonight. The star's light flickered dimly, the moon was as if embarrassed and closed part of itself behind the clouds.

We drove quickly through the forest, the meadow was wide open and heard the howls of wolves. Surprisingly, there was no fear in me when riding at night.

In fact, I feel alive if I'm on top of Twinkle. I feel more alive at night than after the sun appears above the horizon.

Twinkle knew where I was going. The route I took never changed. After passing through the vast meadow, we turned into a steep road along the side of the cliff.

At the end of the cliff, there was a beautiful sight that instantly captivated my eyes when I first discovered this place by accident. We got there and I came down from Twinkle's back, tied him to a tree that was no longer leafy.

I patted her on the back as a token of appreciation for waking up her sleep to accompany me here. Twinkle only gave a snort in response.

I stepped to the edge of the cliff while looking at the sea that was so vast without limit. I thought, what's on the other end? For the first time I realized that I had never been out of Rudolmuv Kingdom.

My life here feels empty. I want to travel and start a new life.

For hours I just sat staring at the vast ocean, the sound of the waves hitting the rocks far below the cliff accompanied my daydream.

Until finally arrived when the sky began to be orange and reddish, I rode Twinkle to return to Ivy Cottage.

***

Sierra, my stepbrother is already sitting on the bench on the terrace bathed in the sun. I passed it and returned Twinkle to the stables first. Elfin already provides Twinkle's favorite food, apples.

As I exited the stables and stepped towards the cottage, Ulrysa exited the front door with a plate of cake in her hand.

“Nona Chloe, you're home!” his tone welcomed me.

I greeted with a hand gesture because Ulrysa could understand sign language. She was a 16-year-old girl and was born deaf. Ulrysa has a sweet face and beautiful blue beads. His older brother Ulrich worked at D’Arcy castle as an assistant chef.

“This is the cake you requested for breakfast, miss Sierra.” Ulrysa thrusts the plate in front of Sierra.

“Aarrggh! I don't want to eat this!” Sierra brushed off the plate so that it fell onto the short grass in the front yard of the house.

“I can go crazy if stay with you guys for a long time! One is mute and one is deaf.” Sierra got out of his seat and ran out of the short white fence that bordered the house by the street.

“M-sorry, miss Chloe. Looks like Sierra is mad at me again.” Ulrysa picked up the wasted plates and cakes.

{No, it's not your fault. Sierra is indeed a grumpy person, do not enter the heart yes Ulrysa... I am hungry, you have finished cooking?}

Sadness was gone from Ulrysa's face and she gave me a smile, “Ehm! It's Miss Chloe. Oh yes, today Ulrich will come again to deliver groceries.”

A few days ago, Ulrich came to see his sister and I was already acquainted with her. He's a polite and kind man, I feel comfortable talking to Ulrich.

Ulrysa followed me from behind, I walked into the kitchen and the smell of food filled the room. It looks so good but I don't taste so much. I just ate to please Ulrysa who was tired of cooking for us.

The sound of the carriage being pulled by the horse rang out all the way back but Ulrysa who was stirring the soup on the fire stove could not hear it. I tapped his shoulder softly and pointed towards the door.

Ulrysa's smile instantly burst open and she ran to the front of the house to greet her brother. They faintly heard their conversation from the front. I prepared another set of dishes when they entered the kitchen.

“Good morning, miss Chloe. I came to deliver the groceries you need.” Ulrich said hello, his hand carrying a bag of vegetables and fruit.

{Again, Ulrich. You want to come with us for breakfast? It just so happens that your sister is done cooking.}

Because his sister could not hear, Ulrich also learned sign language to be able to communicate with Ulrysa.

{Thank you miss Chloe. But I have to get home to Castle D’Arcy. There are still many jobs waiting for me.}

Ulrysa glanced at her brother then glanced at me with a smile. I know what she's thinking because Ulrysa used to say that she likes to see us together.

“Ah, I have to stir the soup first. Brother Ulrich, often play here if you are free. Miss Chloe please take my sister forward yes.”.

I did not miss Ulrysa's eyes to her brother and Ulrich's face flushed in embarrassment. We walked side by side to the front of the fence as he turned to look at me.

Ulrich has a tall and well-built body, he is also handsome. Then my eyes came down from his face looking down at his moving throat as he gulped.

*“*Ehmm.. Miss Chloe, Saturday there is a Thanksgiving celebration held at the village hall. Is Miss interested in leaving? I can pick you up if you don't mind.”

My eyes could not escape his neck, a sweat falling across his sturdy neck behind the shirt adding to this interest. Suddenly I feel thirsty.

The smell of blood calls to me.

I nodded my head in confusion.

The blood? I can smell the blood!

...----------------...

Guys, the author wants info that in this story the vampire who changed because of the bite will not have special powers as you usually read in other novels (the power can read minds, control elements, and so on, have shield strength to protect themselves, etc.)

As explained at the beginning of the introduction. Vampires must also hone their fighting skills to survive against other vampires. If they were weak, they would easily be brushed off by vampires who had outlived and were stronger.

The general power of vampires (all vampires can do): manipulate and erase human memories.

Except for vampires born from human wombs, they'll have gifts.

What kind of gift?

Wait for the next chapters \~