"I don't think I'd like to be a prince though. But I do appreciate the fact that you think of me as one."
Damon said as he walked toward his closet. Caelia smiled nervously.
At least he knew that, she thought.
He came back wearing a shirt.
"What do you say about going out tonight?! We could go to the town square and see the fireworks."
Caelia shook her head.
"Ms Margaret won't allow."
Damon shrugged.
"She would, since it's coming from me. So do you want to go?"
She looked hesitant. Damon tried to convince her.
"We won't stay out long. We'll only be outside for an hour or less, we'll watch the fireworks and countdown and come back inside. That's all. It's okay if you don't want to go though..."
Her head was strongly telling her no, to not throw caution to the wind and do as she pleased and to be weary of the man in front of her but her heart was telling her something else.
"Okay. I'll go get dressed."
She said as she stood up.
"I'll be waiting for you downstairs. And don't worry about Margaret. I'll handle her."
............
In the quiet town of Staunton, nestled among rolling hills and surrounded by a picturesque landscape, the whole town was gathered at the townsquare to watch the fireworks, a tradition that has been upheld for years and years. Caelia had never observed it, she had heard about it but she had never really gone to watch it so it was a new experience for her watching the fireworks.
All through the car ride with Damon she had been quietly rethinking her decision. She had followed her heart but at what cost?
Damon was still a vampire and even though a large part of her told her that he would never hurt her she just couldn't help wondering if he would. After all, there was nothing stopping him, she was just his maid. Nobody would bat an eyelid if she ended up dead, her mother would cry for her and then she would slowly live her life without her.
The townsfolk buzzed with excitement, preparing for the grand New Year's Eve celebrations. When they arrived, there were already people at the square.
The main square had been transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors and joyous sounds, with several small stalls selling warm treats and souvenirs, musicians filling the air with melodies, and laughter echoing through the cobblestone streets.
"Wow."
Caelia murmured as she looked around, still mesmerized. She had never attended, so she was still in awe of how magical it truly looked.
Damon was staring at her with a smirk on his face. This was the second time he was seeing her out of her work outfit, he liked seeing her out of her work outfit, the dull and drab uniform did nothing for her figure.
She was wearing a pair of jeans and a blue long sleeved blouse, she had taken with her a cardigan for the chilly night air.
This was also the second time he had seen her hair without the braids. Now that he looked at it, her long black locks were beautiful and they reminded him of Ella.
"It's like a scene from a book. It's beautiful."
She murmured as she looked around again.
Damon looked proud of himself.
"I knew you would like it. It's just the kind of thing you'd be interested in."
She started walking and Damon followed closely behind.
"Don't wander too far off!"
He called after her and she nodded.
He watched her go to the first stall, the young man there sold hot buttery popcorn, she looked at his stall for a bit before moving to another, then another, and then Damon realized she wasn't buying anything.
At first he had thought she was just looking around, but then he watched her stare longingly at a charm bracelet then he wondered why he had not considered the possibility that she didn't have the money to buy it. He had been stupid.
He decided to walk up to her. He was stopped midway by a presence.
"Damon."
Damon frowned as he looked at Chris.
"What brings you here?"
He asked and Chris smiled.
"What else?! There's food."
Damon rolled his eyes.
"Stick to the tourists. No murders tonight, do a clean job."
Chris looked offended.
"Oh I'm not some animal. Of course I'll do a clean job."
Damon shrugged. He could care less to be honest, but vampires like Chris could be excessive and it was his job to keep them in check, more than anything they had to protect themselves and prevent themselves from being seen or discovered.
"Listen.. I heard about what happened at the ball... have you found your bride?"
Damon looked impatient, but he forced a smile and turned to nosy ass Chris.
"My cadre is our looking for her."
Chris gave him a look.
"No offence but do you trust them to find her before the time lapses?"
Damon gave him a pointed look.
"I already trust them with my life."
"About this whole bride business, isn't there a way to speed up finding her and completing the ritual or something?"
Damon tilted his head.
"Is there a reason you're asking me about this at all?! This isn't even any of your business."
"I've known you years and you've never been interested in coven business. Why the sudden interest?!"
Chris looked around to make sure nobody was looking or listening and leaned in.
"I'm sure you've heard of the sire line revolt. Word's spreading fast..."
Damon smiled tightly.
"I'll deal with it."
Chris protested.
"I know but..."
"I said I'll deal with it!"
Damon said a little more strongly this time. Chris shifted uncomfortably.
Damon gave him a pointed look.
"After all, I am Lord."
............
"Who were you talking to?"
Caelia asked timidly, she had been watching him from afar and the conversation looked heated.
"Just some bum."
Damon answered as he pointed to a charm bracelet. The same one she had been eyeing since. He had gotten rid of nosy Chris and went to the stall where she was standing immediately after he got rid of Chris.
"Do you want this?"
He asked and she quickly shook her head.
"I was just looking at it because it's so pretty. That's all."
Damon smiled.
"You didn't answer my question."
"I don't want to impose..."
She murmured and he shrugged.
"You aren't. I just want to know if you want the bracelet."
She sighed.
"I do."
"Good."
He turned to the stall owner.
"She wants that bracelet."
He said and the man nodded his head.
"Thank you."
Caelia murmured slowly.
"Is there anything else you want? I noticed you were staring at the popcorn too."
Caelia quickly shook her head
"No. No. I'm fine. I was just looking around, that's all."
The stall owner packed up the bracelet in a tiny gift back and handed it to Caelia.
"Do you want me to help you put it on?"
She nodded as she gave him the gift bag.
Damon opened the gift bag and as soon as he touched the bracelet, he flinched a little.
He turned to the stall owner, the man's expression was stoic, but he could see the defiance in his eyes.
Silver?
Really? He was adding silver to the charm bracelets!
No wonder they cost a small fortune.
It was normally a norm that humans who knew about vampires use all sort of things to protect themselves from the influence of vampires. The cheaper alternatives were the herbs like verbena, hyssop or vervain but the vampire community had made it a task to eradicate such herbs, but many humans still planted them in secrecy, for their family use.
The common means of protection after the herbs was silver, a little of it was added to simple bracelets, necklaces, rings or any piece of jewelry.
The more expensive ones were amulets, charm bracelets or solid diamond pieces, which were only owned by the rich.
He put the bracelet on her wrist, clasping the hook as quickly as he could, the silver made it seem like he was touching a naked wire.
"Thank you. Thank you. It's so pretty."
Caelia murmured and Damon nodded. They walked away from the stall, Damon made a mental note to find out who the stall owner was.
........
With bated breath, they waited amongst the crowd of people for the fireworks. The anticipation grew, matching the crescendo of excitement of the people in the square. Then, five minutes to midnight the first firework soared into the heavens, illuminating the night with a burst of gold. Caelia's eyes widened in awe, her lips curving into a radiant smile. Beside her, Damon watched her, his gaze never wavering from her face.
As the vibrant display continued, each explosion painted the sky with a different hue. Crimson roses blossomed, emerald comets streaked across the horizon, and sapphire raindrops sparkled like tiny miracles.
Damon's cold hand found Caelia's warm small hand and he held her hand, she was startled at first, but she quickly relaxed. She held herself from looking at his face.
Lost in their own world, they revelled in the beauty surrounding them. Time seemed to stand still as the fireworks weaved their ethereal dance across the sky. And in those fleeting moments, Damon and Caelia felt the weight of the past year dissipate, replaced by a renewed hope and the promise of a fresh start.
Few seconds before the stroke of midnight, the grand finale drew near, the sky exploded into a mesmerizing spectacle of light and sound, filling the air with a symphony of awe.
Amidst the fading echoes of the final firework and the cries of excitement from the people around them, Damon turned to Caelia, his eyes glistening with unspoken words.
With a tenderness only they could understand, he pulled her close, their lips meeting in a gentle kiss.