RAVENNA PIERCE

Chapter 11

Human world cont'd,

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The next day, Dimitri woke up feeling restless and anxious.He got dressed and headed downstairs.

On entering the dining room, he saw his mother already seated at the table, sipping a cup of coffee. She looked up and gave him a cool smile.

"Good morning, Dimitri," she said. "I trust you're feeling more cooperative today?"

Dimitri's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. He took a seat at the table and began to eat his breakfast.

Well, "your opinion still doesn't count Dimitri." Do you know when your father will be back from his trip? she asked, still trying to make a conversation with her son.

"I do not know mother...why don't you ask your husband yourself." Dimitri replied.

well...,

"That's no polite way to talk to your mother, Dimitri." Natalia replied.

Dimitri still, being unapologetic. He pushed his chair back and stood up, his half-eaten breakfast abandoned on the plate. "I've lost my appetite," he said, his voice cool and detached.

Dimitri turned and walked away, leaving his mother sitting alone at the table. He could feel her eyes on him, boring into his back, but he didn't care.

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Later that afternoon:,

The sound of the doorbell echoed through the hallway, followed by the murmur of voices as the servant greeted the arriving guests. Natalia's eyes lit up as she rose from her seat, a warm smile spreading across her face.

"Right on time," she said to herself, smoothing out her dress as she made her way to the entrance hall.

As she entered the hall, she was greeted by the sight of Lucas and his wife, Victoria, standing in the foyer.

"Natalia," Lucas said, striding forward. "You look stunning, as always."

Victoria followed suit, her kiss on Natalia's cheek.

"Natalia," she said, her voice cool. "Your home is looking lovely."

Natalia's smiled, "Thank you, darling," she said. "Please, come in. I have something to discuss with you both."

Natalia gestured graciously, leading Lucas and Victoria into the opulent living room. "Please, make yourselves at home," she said, waving a hand toward the plush couches. "Can I offer you a drink? Coffee, tea, or perhaps something a bit stronger?"

Lucas smiled, settling into one of the couches. "A whiskey would be lovely, thank you," he said.

Victoria hesitated for a moment before responding. "I'll have a glass of white wine, please," she said.

Natalia nodded, a smile still plastered on her face. "Excellent choices," she said, ringing a small bell on the coffee table. "I'll have our servant bring them right in."

"While we wait for our drinks, I wanted to take a moment to discuss about, Ravenna." she said.

Lucas's nodded. "Of course, Natalia.

"How is she?" Natalia asked.

"There's been no change, I'm afraid," she said. "She's still in a coma, and the doctors say...well, they say it's unlikely she'll ever wake up."... "Victoria chipped in."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Natalia said, acting sympathetically. this is just...tragic."

The sound of footsteps echoed through the room, and the servant entered with a tray of drinks. "Your whiskey, Mr. Lucas," the servant said, setting the glass down in front of him. "And your white wine, Mrs. Victoria."

Natalia smiled, gesturing to the drinks. "Ah, perfect timing," she said. "Please, help yourselves."

The conversation paused, The only sounds heard were the clinking of ice and the soft murmur of the servant footsteps as he retreated from the room.

"Back to our conversation," she began,

Lucas's?, her expression serious. I'm sure you're aware that Dimitri's... situation with Ravenna has been uncertain for almost a week now," she said.

Lucas nodded, his expression somber. "Yes, of course. We're all still holding out, hoping that Ravenna will wake up soon, and we can go on with the deal of her getting married to Dimitri."

Natalia's expression turned sympathetic, but her eyes remained calculating. "I understand that, and I respect it," she said. "However, the deal we made must go on with or without Ravenna recovering."

Lucas's eyes narrowed slightly, trying to sense where Natalia was going.

"I believe Dimitri has found interest in Miranda," Natalia continued. "And I think they would make a wonderful couple. I'd like to arrange for them to get married as soon as possible."

The room fell silent, with Lucas and Victoria staring at Natalia in shock.

Lucas's spoke up, "Natalia, you've suddenly gone mad, haven't you.

Victoria's face was pale, not sure of how to react or what to say."Natalia, have you lost all sense of decency?" she whispered.

"Natalia, we will not agree to this."

Natalia's eyes flashed with anger as she stood up, her voice firm. "Lucas, you will agree to this," she said. "The deal was made between us, and you must honor your word.

Miranda is the only suitable match for Dimitri now that Ravenna may never recover." and to top it all up ... Dimitri finds interest in Miranda more than your other two stupid daughters.

Lucas stood up abruptly, his face turning red with anger. "I can't sit here and watch you insult my daughters."

You can't force us into this arrangement! Ravenna is still alive, and there is hope for her recovery. We won't sacrifice our own daughter's happiness for some old family agreement!"

The tension in the room was palpable as Victoria spoke up, her voice trembling with anger and disbelief. "Natalia, how can you be so heartless? Our daughter's well-being should come before any arrangement."

"How dare you," Natalia spat,

"You're calling me heartless when you're the ones being selfish."

"What are you talking about, Natalia?" Lucas growled.

Natalia's smile was cold, calculated. "I'm talking about how you were so willing to marry off Ravenna to Dimitri, without even considering her feelings or well-being," she said,

"You were so eager to secure a contract marriage when i told you about the wealth you would gain from it, to further your own family's interests.

Victoria's face went white, her eyes wide with shock. "That's not fair, Natalia," she whispered.

Natalia's laughter was harsh, mocking. "Oh, it's not fair?" she repeated. "You think it's not fair? You were willing to sacrifice Ravenna's happiness for a contract marriage and your happiness, but when it comes to your own daughter, Miranda, suddenly you're concerned about her feelings?"

Lucas's face was thunderous, his eyes blazing with anger. "That's enough, Natalia," he growled.

But Natalia wasn't finished. "No, it's not enough," she said, her voice rising. "You need to understand that Ravenna was just a pawn to you, a means to an end. Because she isn't your daughter.

The tension in the room was suffocating as Natalia's words hung heavy in the air. Lucas and Victoria stood there, shocked and speechless, unable to comprehend the extent of Natalia's words.

"After everything I've done for you and your family, lucas, you dare to reject my offer?" Natalia replied.

"Natalia, please," Victoria said as she wept. "Don't say things like that, Dont make things harder for us than they already are."

Litsen to me, you both. "You owe me for everything I've done for you, for every favor I've granted you, for every string I've pulled to help you and your family."

"We don't owe you anything, Natalia," lucas defended.

Natalia's smile was cold. "Oh, but you do," she said. "And if you don't do as I say, I'll make sure you regret it. I'll make sure you and your family suffer for your ingratitude."

Suddenly, a voice broke through the silence.

"Enough, mother!," Dimitri said, his voice calm but filled with a burning determination. "I've heard enough."

All eyes turned to him as he walked into the room, His gaze met his mother's steely stare without fear or hesitation.............