(Author’s POV)
"What do you an, Elder Cardamone? Neither Elder Richards nor I are scared of you. Say whatever you have to say," Brian jumped in. Catherine pressed her lips tightly. She was internally cursing out Brian, ’This moron ...tskkk.’ She knew Vinicio’s nature. That eccentric guy could spout anything without any filter.
"Ohkay~ ... then. You said it yourself. Don’t lash out at afterwards," Vinicio began, "First of all, I would like to clarify sothing, may I?" When there was no response, he asked, "I don’t think there is any sort of hierarchy amongst us Elders that exists, right?"
Catherine nodded reluctantly.
"So, everyone present here gets a fair chance to lead in his majesty’s brief absence," he added.
"Yes, but~ .... the fact that Elder Catherine Richards is the most experienced one amongst us~ ...." Brian said, but was interrupted by Vinicio, "Experience~ .... Of what exactly, can you elaborate, El~der Ta~pe? Experience of being a Vampire longer than all of us, or maybe because of her old age. But I don’t get why it should be the criterion to take charge. Because, according to that logic of yours, she can even precede over our Vampire King as she has been an Elder since he was just an ordinary prince in his clan, Blood Fangs."
"VINICIO CARDAMONE," Brain flared again. "Speak with respect. Don’t take it too far."
"I rely answered, why are you flaring, Elder Tape?" Vinicio made an innocent face, making him look like a middle schooler. "Did I say anything wrong? Tell ."
Catherine cut in, her tone stern, "Elder Cardamone, don’t take things out of route. His majesty is our rightful king, and I wouldn’t dare to snatch his place."
"Fair words, Elder Richards. And~ .... don’t these kinds of things get decided by conducting a vote of confidence? Why are you so eager to skip that?"
Brian wanted to say so more, but Catherine was quick, "Of course, you are correct, Elder Cardamone." Her smile held calculation.
Alaric interrupted their conversation, "Vampire Elder Richards, Vampire Elder Cardamone, I think~ .... you are discussing a private matter here. So, it doesn’t seem right for us to be here at this mont~ ... We will take our leave." The siblings have been sitting there watching the drama unfold, holding the sa sentint as him. They had no interest in seeing soone else’s dirty laundry out in the open.
"Ohhh~ .... It’s not a private matter anymore, Lycan heir," Vinicio spoke with a flair. "This matter requires a neutral party’s presence, which is mandatory. As it is an ergency and you are a nonpartisan, it won’t be a problem. Plus~ .... This is all happening because of the deal with your pack. So~ ..." He stated calmly. Then added, "By the way, did you get bored or sothing by our back and forth?"
Alaric was speechless. Vinicio really was an oddball. One minute he would say sothing serious, another he would totally change his deanour and blabber so utter gibberish.
But whatever it was, now the Everests had to be part of the Vote of Confidence as a witness.
Chris quietly went inside and brought with him a clear glass bowl and a few paper slips. She handed them over to all the Elders; the last one to get that was Silvia. She thanked him with a radiant smile, "Thank you, Secretary Shadow." Chris only gave her a curt smile.
Vinicio glanced at their exchange, his eyes turned cold. But it was for a split second only. In a flash, he was back to being his usual self.
From the sidelines, Dion, who has been utterly quiet in all this, was observing the room with discernnt. Unlike his other two brothers, he wasn’t well versed in the Vampire Clan’s politics, but this guy, Vinicio, he has been bothering him since the mont he entered. Maybe it was because of his anomalous nature, but there was sothing off about him.
Anyways, the voting began.
The four Elders wrote the nas they wanted to recomnd for the temporary position. As Catherine was about to drop her slip in the bowl, Vinicio stopped, "Hang on~ .... Why do we need the bowl? It seems pretty useless to . Or does soone want to vote anonymously?"
No one had any issue, so Chris removed the bowl.
The first one to show his vote was Brian Tape. He turned the paper around and, with a gaze full of admiration, looked at Catherine and stated, "I recomnd Elder Richards, as in my eyes, she is the most deserving." He then gave a smug look to Vinicio, who responded with a chuckle.
The next person was Catherine herself. And without any doubt, she had written her na, stating casually, "I recomnd myself." No reason, no explanation.
This much was expected by everyone present in the room. Even the Everests knew who they were going to vote for. Now with only two people left, the tension in the room heated up.
Vinicio queried, "Ti out~ .... I have a question. What if there is a tie? I an, for example, what if Ancilla Silver had voted for and I voted for myself? What will happen then? His majesty, due to his condition, can’t be the deciding vote.
"There is no way I am voting for you, Cardamone," Silvia uttered. "So, it’s pointless right now."
She then mumbled while turning her paper to showcase her na, "I think out of all the Elders, I have worked the most with his majesty, so I am a better candidate to fill in his shoes until he wakes up."
Catherine eyed her carefully. She knew Silvia was ambitious, but she still thought that she wouldn’t want to compete with the likes of her. Anyways~ ... in her mind, she had already won as Vinicio had already shown his intention. A highflier like him would surely have voted for himself.
All eyes in the room were on the eccentric guy now. He puffed his cheeks and pursed his lips while shaking his head. Blowing a heavy sigh, he said, "It can’t be helped."
As he turned the paper around, a collective gasp escaped everyone’s mouth.
To Be Continued . . . . . . . .
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