Filed to story: Pregnant By The Heartless Lycan King
“Marco, thank you. You didn’t have to….”
“You don’t even know what it is yet,” he interjects, the corner of his l*p curling almost imperceptibly in an amused smirk. “The key opens a small attic on the top floor of the townhouse. Your gift is there.”
I glance down the corridor, wondering what it could be.
“But before you go look, I need to tell you something,” Marco says, “The autumn equinox is coming, and the royal family will be holding a celebratory banquet at the palace. You’ll be expected to attend with me.”
It’s not exactly a casual invitation, and I can’t help the anxious butterflies in my stomach at the thought of going to the palace with him. I remember Cathy stopped with a list of perfumes for an upcoming banquet the other day. She must have been referring to the celebration of the autumn equinox.
“Well? Don’t just stand there,” he says, and I can’t figure out if his tone is impatient or playful. “I told you what I needed to say. Go enjoy your Valentine’s Day gift, little flower.”
I blush at the nickname before nodding and heading towards the attic. I hesitate in the doorway, looking at the beautiful little key before sliding it into the lock. The door swings open with a soft ‘click.’
Tanya’s POV
The moment the door swings open, I’m struck by a variety of delectable scents. My eyes widen as I step inside and take in the sight of the quaint space in the attic. The room has been refurbished with a large desk and several shelves full of equipment and ingredients.
There are several copper and glass distillation stills, as well as various tubes, beakers, and droppers. The shelves are lined with jars of dried herbs, barks, and resins. There are also vials with a variety of solvents and oils.
The equipment and materials here are brand new and sophisticated, only of the highest quality. The smells that fill the air are so delectable that my heart skips a beat. Marco has even provided a few blank journals for me to record different formulas and take notes.
It’s not just a hobby room; this is a fully stocked laboratory for me to create perfumes and potions. The little apothecary shop he’s made for me right in his townhouse is a dream come true. This space is perfect for me, cozy and well equipped, so I can comfortably spend hours in here doing what I love. The thoughtfulness behind Marco’s gift fills me with warmth and joy.
He promised me a Valentine’s Day gift, but I never expected this. I had no idea he knew how much my work meant to me, and the possibilities of what I could do with these supplies seem endless. There’s so much I can experiment with, not just commercial perfumes but tinctures, lotions, balms, and all kinds of fragrances.
I try to remind myself that this is just a formal gesture. Marco has made it clear that what he feels for me is not love but rather a sense of marital duty and responsibility. I know I should be reasonable and logical in response to his gift. But I believe that to create this room for me, at least in some way, Marco must truly care for me, and I can’t help the joy and gratitude that fills my heart.
Third POV
Madame Carlotta is not only the owner of the capital’s successful dress store, but she is also the most prolific and respected fashion designer in the kingdom. She does not often make house calls, but on this occasion, she will make an exception for an old friend.
In preparation for the Autumn Equinox banquet, she visits Lily’s mother, Vivian Montenero, in her home. Vivian welcomes Madame Carlotta with friendliness and enthusiasm, and the designer quickly gets to work taking her measurements for the gown Vivian will wear to the banquet.
While Madame Carlotta gets to work, the two women chatter away happily.
“Honestly, Vivian, you should have seen it!” Madame Carlotta says with an excited smile. “I thought I would never find someone who could wear the Treasure of the Store gown. But that girl prince Marco brought back wore my masterpiece so perfectly, I gave her the dress!”
Vivian Montenero arches a brow with interest at the news. She knows that even her daughter Lily and the other noble ladies of the court were never able to pull off the famous gown.
“She must be very special indeed if you let her keep your Treasure. Is she really so beautiful?”
Madame Carlotta nods eagerly.
“Yes! Her figure is slim but elegantly curved, with fair skin that looks like porcelain and the most stunning turquoise eyes that seem to match and compliment her husband’s. It’s like Marco’s eyes are the fair blue of a clear sky, and his wife’s are the exotic blue-green of the sea. Honestly, they look like a perfect couple.”
“She sounds lovely! If I ever get the chance, I would quite like to meet her,” Vivian exclaims.
“You should! She truly is lovely,” Madam Carlotta agrees. “And she’s not arrogant and spoiled like some of the noble ladies. When I saw her in my store, she was actually very sweet and polite. But enough about that. Tell me about you! How have you been? How are your sons?”
Vivian smiles as the seamstress finishes her measure, telling her about her two sons. Lily’s elder brothers are very different from each other but equally wonderful in their mother’s eyes. The eldest is calm and steady, while the younger son is lively and outgoing. The two women continue talking for a while, passing the time with pleasant conversation and catching up on the latest gossip.
Tanya’s POV
Ever since I discovered the collection of extraordinary fragrant potions created by the Monteneros, I’ve fantasized about recreating them. There is one in particular that is said to fight allergies, quickly relieving the symptoms of a reaction.
Using the equipment in the laboratory that Marco got me, I try to recreate the special perfume from memory. Unfortunately, I think the formula calls for an extract of butterbur flower, which is rare in these parts of the kingdom. I don’t have any of it in stock in the little perfumery in the attic, so instead, I use a combination of ginger root and apple blossom to replicate the scent.
Hours begin to pass as I extract and distill the oils of various plants, and I add licorice root and stinging nettle to try and match the aroma in my memory. Much to my dismay, I can’t get the final step right. I try to mix the solution, adding the ethanol to the oils and extracts, but the liquids don’t blend right. Each attempt ends in a pungent, oily black mess as the substance boils and burns in all the wrong ways. Every failure is more discouraging than the last.
At one point, the bubbling beaker overheats as I try to distill the mixture yet again, causing it to break. A startled yelp escapes me as the glass bursts, sending small shards flying. I struggle to clean up, feeling utterly defeated.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?