Yulian awoke with an excitement he could not explain. He ordered breakfast for himself and then some to be sent to Lady Jenai with a handwritten note he penned the night before expressing that he wanted to welcome her into his home. He smirked. His father assumed he couldn’t be welcoming without playing romantic games. Sure breakfast in bed is slightly on the romantic side, but he had not taken it to her personally. So how could that count?

Jenai awoke to the smell of quite a lovely breakfast and her favorite tea pomegranate passion laced with blood. She wondered if her father had specified her tastes to the staff. ‘Oh a note’ she thought as she picked it up to read.

Lady Jenai,

I hope you enjoyed your breakfast. I took the liberty of contacting your staff at House Cordell to find out what foods were to your liking. It so happens we both enjoy the same type of tea. I regret that I was unable to welcome you to my home yesterday. I hope this can be the start of making it up to you. I am sure we will be in each other's company before the day is through and I look forward to it M’lady.

Sincerely,

Lord Yulian

“Oh wow.” Jenai whispered, surprised. She wondered if her father and Tylin had eaten breakfast yet or if she was the only one. She wanted to share the wonderful breakfast with Lord Yulian. She wanted to see him. Need to see him? It was a strange feeling. “Saiyuri, would you take this note to Lord Yulian?” Saiyuri took the note and hurried out of the room.Jenai got dressed and decided that since she had finished her meal that she might wander the property and see what entertainment they had to offer.

Yulian sat in his office and finished up some work his father assigned him. There were some refugees that Tyleya would be sending their way and he needed to prepare for their arrival. They would be staying in the west end of the property as if they had their own home outside of the Vendega house. A small knock on the door to his office grabbed his attention. Was it her? He opened the door to find Saiyuri the Maiden he assigned to Lady Jenai. “Is everything alright? Does Lady Jenai need anything?” Yulian said with some concern. Saiyuri shook her head in response. “ M’lady sends a handwritten response to Lord Yulians note.” She bowed, placing the note in his hand and left. Yulian smiled, putting the note to his nose. The note had a faint scent of vanilla. He opened the note and began to read.

Lord Yulian,

Thank you for making me feel at home here. I appreciate it greatly. I hope that we will meet before the sun sets today. I will be walking about exploring. The food was amazing as was the tea. I owe you a token of gratitude for going to such lengths to make sure everything was to my liking.

Sincerely,

Lady Jenai

Yulian grinned. A token of gratitude. He looked forward to it.

Tylin, Chayton and Robert decided to begin their business out in the gardens on this beautiful day. “Friends I thank you for arriving in such a prompt and timely manner. I call you here with unfortunate business.I feel that My end is nearing. I need to discuss responsibilities that I will be tasking you with as you are my trusted friends. My Daughter is going to lead this house in my absence and I am tasking you both to help her with managing the Vendega fortune. I have divided the funds among my daughter, son, and wife; however, those funds must also be spread out to cover the expenses of the house. I know that both of you are responsible. You each have financially gained close to my fortune and managed to not waste it in showy displays and that is what I want to occur for the rest of House Vendega’s existence. If left up to my wife and unfortunately my son the house would overspend constantly and I don’t want the spending to fall completely on my daughter's shoulders. She will have enough problems proving to the Conclave that she can handle controlling House Vendega.” Robert and Chayton look at each other then Tylin. “Friend you cannot be ill?” Chayton spoke. “No. I am not ill. I have a deeper intuitive feeling about my impending end it’s not immediate but it is coming.” Tylin sadly confirmed. Robert shook his head vigorously. “This cannot be you old dragon. You cannot die. Who will battle with me in the wars. Who will keep me grounded when some fool tries to marry my daughter. Who..” Before Robert could finish Tylin grabbed his shoulder firmly to let him know it was okay. “Robert I am not gone today or tomorrow. I will be around for some time. It is okay. Let us go inside to finish the first portion of the necessary papers.”

As they were in his office, Robert was looking at the picture in the corner. Tylin was signing papers when Chayton looked concerned, "Can Tyleya handle the responsibility? She is relatively young." Tylin sighed. "I can't trust the boy with money. Maybe he will grow out of it eventually. I can't trust Yochana. She’d sacrifice every soul in this House if it would bring her some comfort. No. Tyleya is the only one." Robert chimed in, "Don't forget whose daughter she is? By the way, have you seen her since she left?" Tylin shook his head. "No. But I know she is watching over her." Robert left the painting. "How is Tyleya doing? I heard Ximen's leaving her was a blow. She didn't deserve that." Tylin's eyebrow raised, "In my opinion him leaving her is the best thing that ever happened to her. He was not good enough for her. One day she will find the one that is for her. She comes from good blood. I know she will be promoted when she returns, but the rank will be insufficient. Yochana opened us to that." Chayton looked, "Most mates would be upset that their mates are unfaithful." He was talking about the scandal with the Conclave women's mate. "Yochana had a hard life, and she isn't my true mate. I am not a jealous man. Not when I don't love her." He looked up and asked them to sign their names so that the preliminary will was finished. “I will be on my way. If you need anything my friend, you let me know.” Chayton said. He shook hands with Tylin and Robert and he left. Tylin called a servant. “Send for Jenai to meet us in the gardens for lunch.” Tylin asked.

~

Yulian walked out to the gardens to instruct the staff on lunch preparations. He found that the staff loved the gardens as did he. His father expressed that he wanted lunch to go on without a hitch. Chayton had to leave quickly over some urgent matters. He wished his friend well and made sure to take care of the business matters at hand between them. So the lunch guests would consist of Lord Robert, his father and Lady Jenai. He set up for there to be a meal with an array of fruits, vegetables, meats, and breads enough to feed everyone including the staff. He always took care of the staff, they were part of the family and the reason the house ran so smoothly.

Saiyuri saw Lord Yulian and approached him with a message that she just gave to Lady Jenai from his father. “Please be sure to make sure the staff knows I am to be made aware the moment Lady Jenai is in the gardens so that I may accompany her until our fathers are ready for lunch.” Saiyuri nodded and disappeared. Yulian finished his instructions to the staff. He felt something was off kilter so he excused himself and began to walk the grounds, when he saw her. She was exquisitely beautiful. Her eyes were such a sparkling grey. She stood curvaceously at 5’7. Her hair was long ,chocolate and wavy. Her skin was a velvety caramel tone just slightly darker than his own.The thing that stood out to him most was her naturally pink lips. They called to him. His mind could not process that this woman was “inferior” because she was significantly younger. Why did she look upset and lost? This was his moment to be her savior. He walked up behind her as the scent of her slammed into him. He was absorbed by the notes of vanilla and caramel.“Are you lost Princesa?” Yulian smiled.

Jenai turned to face the voice of the man speaking to her. He was surely handsome. He stood tall, his black hair tied in a stunning green. The family color she assumed because Tylin wore the same color when they arrived the day before. He had a look of concern in his gaze. She noted he had one blue and one brown eye. His eyes seemed familiar like the ones in her dreams. His gaze called to her.

The moment she was facing him Yulian was stunned. He had to act unphased. Her eyes were not just grey ,Not even a vibrant sparkling gray, they were almost silver. Her dress was a corseted soft blue bustled one that enhanced her overall beauty. It showed off all of her womanly curves. She snapped him out of his perusing. “No Sir, I am looking for my father Lord Robert. I was told he would be out here.” She smiled. Yulian smiled in return. “You just missed them. They went inside to take care of some business, but will return shortly. I don’t mind entertaining you until they do. You are quite beautiful.” He said, taking a bow. He watched as a blush crept upon her cheeks making her even more exquisite. “Thank you, but I don’t want to be a bother to you. I am sure you have better things to do with your time then tend to a young one like me.”

“Princessa let me assure you I have nothing pressing to rush to and I would love to give you a tour of our estate and conservatory. We have lovely views and beautiful botanicals.I am sure none as beautiful as you, but I think you will love what you see.” Yulian placed his arm out to Lady Jenai to escort her into the gardens. “Sir it’s sweet of you to say such compliments to me, but I know you don't mean it. I am far from your age and thus further from your interest.” He stopped them in the rose garden so he could properly respond. He turned to face her. “Sir? Mami I am much too young for you to be calling me sir. Please call me by my name. I am Yulian. I don’t believe you said your name either M’lady.” He smiled bringing a new blush upon her face.

“Jenai, My name is Jenai.”Yulian brought his lips to her hand, placing a kiss upon it.

“Beautiful. So how do you like what you have seen so far?” Yulian asked. “Everything is amazing here. Our house is one of smaller caliber. Being here is like a vacation.”she beamed.“I don’t mean to pry. You looked troubled earlier Jenai. What was wrong? I doubt it was your search for your father causing you such stress.” Yulian felt truly concerned. Alarming.“Nothing serious. My father has been on a quest to find me a suitable suitor. I have refused most of his choices and he has said that soon I won’t have one. That he will have to pick for me.” Yulian watched with surprise as she spoke so nonchalantly about such a serious matter. “That's not serious?” He laughed. “No I just add it to the many duties I have in being his daughter. I am his only child so a lot is resting on my decision or his in a suitor.” Jenai stopped in her tracks as the scent of orchids assaulted her senses. Yulian watched as a look of serene pleasure spread across her face. She really was beautiful. Yulian could see it wasn’t something she believed though. “I believe if my sister were here she would certainly like you. She is all about doing her duties.” He paused to see if she was listening. She was still entranced by the orchids. He smiled. “I believe every woman is drawn to a particular flower. My sisters are lilacs and I think we just found yours.” Jenai was startled out of what felt like a daydream. “Oh yes orchids are my favorite. Yours are quite the unique purple and exquisitely scented.” Yulian felt himself drawn in by her sweet innocence and he wanted to make a lingering impression. He wanted her. He sensed their fathers were near. In fact he could now see them just ahead. “Jenai this flower is quite beautiful, but you have to promise to believe you are more beautiful.” Yulian gently tucked the flower into her hair behind her ear and kissed her lightly on the lips.

Yulian was amused by the look on her face as Jenais eyes widened in surprise. “It will be my pleasure to make sure your stay here is enjoyable.” She blushed. “Thank you Lord Yulian.” Yulian was disappointed that their time alone was over. He would have to make changes in his schedule so he would be able to spend more time with her. This was not him. He did not go out of his way for women. His father was right. He hadn’t encountered a woman like Jenai ever and that was what scared him.

“There you are. Tylin and I have finished our business for the morning and have been looking for you. One of his servants said they sent you here to look for us. I am sorry to cause you worry.” Robert said to his daughter. Yulian stood confidently by Jenai while Robert gave him a once over and critiqued whether he was worthy of her. Both suspicion and concern filled his expression. He remembered the boy from his younger years. He enjoyed the pleasures of women like he had before Jaelle. He was not sure he was what he wanted for his daughter. “Yes I was sent here, but Yulian was a gentleman and offered to give me a tour of the gardens while you and Lord Tylin spoke. I was worry free I promise.” Yulian decided to make a final statement before lunch. “Your daughter is quite lovely sir.” Tylin shook his head. The boy just did not listen. To divert suspicion he followed with additional complement. “She is indeed.” Thank you, but I can take very little credit. She gets a great deal of her beauty from her mother.” Jenai flushed with embarrassment. Yulian changed the subject. He wanted very much to make her comfortable again. “ The cook has prepared a delicious menu for lunch. Are we ready to eat?” There was a unanimous “ Yes.” as Yulian escorted everyone back to the rose garden for the smorgasbord the cook created for them.