Dino sat at the head of the long dining table in the quiet room, the only other occupant his son who sat on his left hand side.

Theodore munched silently on his food while his father analyzed the report hid previous tutor had left.

Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose with a concentrated frown, Dino scanned the writing with an impassive expression that had Theodore holding his breath.

"Well done son. You're doing excellent so far. The vampire school will be sending in a new tutor today. Continue to keep the name of Classico up." Dino said breaking the silence with his haughty tone.

The boy nodded, his innocent gaze staring up at his father with awe.

The butler poured Dino a steaming cup of coffee, working silent and deftly.

"Albrecht, when does the new tutor arrive. I'd like to speak with him. There's a few topics that the previous short sighted tutors missed altogether." Dino asked in a cool, calculated voice.

"We are expected to receive him within the next hour my Lord." The butler replied in a humble voice.

"Perfect, I am not expected at the Agency until the afternoon." He said to himself.

Dino fell silent and after a second, inhaled as if preparing himself to speak.

"Theodore..." He began, gaining his son's undivided attention.

Sensing the change in ambience, Albrecht bowed himself out of the room.

"Yes father?" The young vampire who was a replica of his stern father turned his limpid gaze expectantly waiting for him to speak.

"You...Your..." Dino stopped, struggling to find the correct wording to his question.

"Has the pre-cocoon hallucinations stopped completely?" Dino asked, looking at his son with a nervous gaze.

Theodore blinked in surprise.

"Yes... yes they have. All gone." He replied softly, his tiny fist curling around his spoon distractedly.

"Ah, good, good." Dino commented, nodding approvingly.

The father and son duo, woke up silently together and exited the dining room.

Internally, Theodore was brimming with excitement at having had his father speak with him, with a skip in his step he made his way to his study room.

Entering the study with a smile on his face he found a pretty, young lady sitting on the sofa, waiting patiently for him.

A polite smile lifted her lovely face in greeting. She stood up and held her gloved hand out to him.

"You must be Master Theodore. Delightful to make your acquaintance, I am Catherine Sommers, your new tutor." She said with a kind smile.

Theodore shook her hand unable to hide the amazement in his eyes. He relaxed his usually stiff expression and placed the fat book he carried with him, down on the little wooden side table.

"What are you reading?" She inquired, glancing at the cover.

"History of the Vampires." He said in a shy voice.

Catherine was surprised at the boys interest in such advanced lessons.

"Well that's impressive. How do you find it so far?" She asked, sitting down with him on the couch again.

"I am learning a lot about my predecessors and how we vampires got to be here." He replied measuredly.

Catherine smiled at him, admiring the childs apt interest.

"If there's anything you'd like to discuss about our history, I'll be more than happy to explain." She replied with warm smile that made Theodore relax into the lesson. He returned the smile, eager to begin the lesson.

The door of the room opened once more, revealing Albrecht who placed a tray of refreshments on the table.

"Pleased to meet you my Lady. I am Albrecht, the butler of the Classico family. Should you need anything in future, you may call on me." The butler said with his head bowed low.

"Pleased to meet you, my thanks for such a warm welcome." She replied courteously, inclining her head to him with the grace of a swan.

It seemed that Catherine had a genuine smile, with polite words for everyone. She was a bright sunflower that bloomed hope in the Classico house.

"Oh yes, I just recalled, our Lord wishes to see you. May I show you the way to his study?" Albrecht asked amiably.

"Could this perhaps wait until after the lesson?" She inquired a small frown marring the content look she had a moment ago.

"I wouldn't keep the Lord waiting. He has a strong affinity with discipline and punctuality." Albrecht responded, hoping she'd take the hint.

"I am tutor, therefore, my lessons with my student are my first priority. If I fail to display an example of discipline, how shall my students learn? I am afraid Lord Classico will have to wait." Catherine said firmly.

Theodore stared uneasily at her but she gave him a reassuring smile.

"Now if you would be ever so kind, I am already two minutes delayed in my lesson with young Master Theodore." She sniffed, turning her attention immediately on the young boy.

The butler turned to leave, completely speechless.

✵✵✵

Dino sat waiting in his study for the new tutor to arrive. The studious vampire took an active interest in his sons education.

His fussy preferences had chased out many tutors thus far but the Classico leader remained steadfast and insisted on finding a tutor that would match his requirements.

Paging through a book on alchemy while he bided time, Dino heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." He replied curtly.
The Lord mentally prepared to interrogate the tutor and size him up.

'I expect the best for my son.' He told himself.

Dino was greeted with the sight of his butler who glanced at him nervous uncertainty.

"My Lord, there's a bit of an issue." Albrecht stated nervously.

After listening to his butler recount what the tutor had to say, Dino burst out laughing. His face split into a wide grin.

His butler stood taken aback, it was the last reaction he expected and probably the first time he saw his Master laugh so open heartedly.

"I have to meet this tutor. I shall wait until they are done with their lesson. If he isn't busy, kindly ask him to meet me in this study afterwards." Dino said, a faint smile remaining on his face.

"Ah my Lord-"

"I admire a tutor, the first figure of education for a child, who holds discipline and responsibility high in their eyes." Dino said.

"Lord Dino?" The butler tried again.

"I expect no less from a tutor for my son. You may leave rest assured Albrecht." Dino said, too engaged in his own musings to hear the butler out further.

Albrecht bowed and exited, figuring that it was best his master learn that the tutor was female, himself.

It was two hours since noon and Dino sat completely immersed in his book, when a gentle knock on the door broke his concentration.

Lifting his brow up with a curious gaze he sat back in his seat, straightening his posture to a more confident appearance.

"Enter." He boomed out, waiting impatiently as the seconds drew on until the large door dragged open to reveal the visitor.

A lady with her head bowed loitered at the entrance. A simple floral dress with bishop sleeves that had buttons at the cuffs hugged her petite form. Pale green frilly edges made the hem of the dress, while white gloves on her dainty hands concealed any further hints from him.

Dino frowned wondering what this lady could possible want of him.

Her smooth hair twisted along the sides to curl into an elegant knot at the nap of the neck, wavy tendrils of hair hung loose on either side of her face.

Lifting her face up the lady smiled prettily, a knowing, playful expression amplifying her beauty.

Dino's jaw flexed, his body rigid with surprise. There in his study, stood Catherine Sommers, the most memorable female to ever grace his eyes.

"A very good day to you, my Lord." She said with a jovial grin, while taking a tentative step in.

Dino sat dumbfounded, with apparently no words to say to her.

He watched as she glided into the centre of the room, her posture and demeanor that of a proper Lady.

"Lady Catherine..." He greeted in a distracted voice.

"My Lord." She said once again, inclining her head. The richness of her voice, captured his attention, his heart picking up speed and mind taking its leave.

Dino lost his usual composure, his mouth parted as he gulped dryly, mesmerized by her presence.

Her large sparkly eyes, stared pointedly at him, a touch if humor sparkling in them.

"Ah?" He snapped out of his spell, unsure of how much time had passed.

The tips of his pale ears reddened, Dino hastily stood up, his tall form straightening up.

His shoulder cape swayed with his movement.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of such am impromptu meeting?" He asked in a cheerful, amused voice that emitted of its own accord.

His deep, hard voice was replaced with a honeyed voice that was filled with warm interest.

"You requested to see me." She stated in a clear voice.

"I did?" His brows raised up in surprise.

"Yes, I imagine it has something to do with Theodore's studies?" She prompted, a faint smile on her pale pink lips.

Dino studied her face intently with far too much fascination for his liking. He became enraptured by the shape of her lips, the colour it was painted and the plumpness.

'Would the touch of it be as soft as it looks?' He wondered distractedly.

Her bright eyes flitted over his face in return, studying his features with just as much interest.

'Such a bright face, her eyes are swimming with knowledge I so wish to plunder.' Dino thought in amazement.

"Lord Dino is everything alright?" She asked, a frown wrinkling her soft features.

"Huh?" He cleared his throat behind his fist.

"My apologies. I've been expecting my son's tutor since morning." He said in a daze.

A tinkling laugh broke from her throat, the sound like music.

"I am here my Lord." She said with a small curtsey.

"Lady Catherine Sommers at your service, Master Theodore's new tutor." She explained with a bright smile.

Dino's heart raced at a fast pace, excitement coursing through his body.
The woman he was smitten with would now be frequenting his house.

"I tried to introduce myself to you at Lord Johannes's banquet but I am afraid I wasn't clear." She said shyly.

"Goodness. What were the odds." He mumbled in a low tone to himself.

"Have a seat Lady, or would you prefer to speak in another receiving room?"

"This is adequate, this a splendid display you have in this room. I myself take interest in the unfathomable world of science and physiology. It's quite the spread of knowledge in this room, my hands are tempted to reach out to a fair few volumes you have." She commented, glancing around with an interested smile.

Dino's heart squeezed tight and then fluttered. All the women in his life hated this study, it was the one place he could be alone and away from their nagging words.

"You're more than welcome to stay and read anything that catches your fancy after your lessons are complete." He offered, already planning on spending more time with the lovely Lady.

He recalled his previous wives and how dull and stifling they found this room. Here was this wonder of a vampire, floating around in awe, sharing his joy of his prizes possessions.

Dino swallowed his excitement and helped her into a seat opposite his own.

"So, what was it you wanted to speak to me about?" She asked, waiting patiently for him to answer.

"Theodore's studies is of utmost importance to me. The quality must be of top draw. I found a lacking in his knowledge in some topics." Dino replied, half waiting to hear her argue back and hurl accusations that he was too tight fisted.

"I see. Well I shall do my best. If you would, I'd be happy to work closer on the topics you feel need attention. As Lord of Classico you'd know best and Theodore is ultimately preparing to take over. So I find that I rather agree." Catherine commented with a poised smile.

Dino halted, he held his breath, too scared incase he was dreaming.

'My goodness she's even more perfect than I expected.' He mused.

"I greatly appreciate your cooperation." He said, trying to hide his thrill.

"I see Master Theodore has taken the liberty of reading about our history on his own. I plan on expanding on that topic in the lessons to come." She stated, lacing her gloved fingers together.

Dino tried best to avert his eyes but found that he couldn't stop staring at her. If it wasn't her lips or fingers, it was her petite waist.

His current struggle was the curve of her neck. He fought the urge of retracting his fangs.

Fisting his hands under his desk he inhaled sharp breaths, feeling them slowly go back in.

"Well if that is all, I must take my leave Lord Classico." She said, preparing to wake up off her seat.

"Thank you very much Lady Catherine. I look forward to meeting with you again. I feel somewhat relieved that my Theodore's education is placed in good hands" Dino replied with a smile, his eyes straying to her hands once again.

With a small bow, Catherine walked out of the room with an elegant grace, leaving a dazed Lord inhaling her scent.

Dino watched through his window as Albrecht held his palm out to her, helping her into a carriage.

Dino growled, annoyed at his wayward butler. And then he watched as she turned her beautiful smile to the butler who beamed under her attention.

He felt a spur, sickly feeling form in the pit of his stomach. Dino's brows drew tight and he clenched his fists to keep the fiery hostile feeling from bubbling out.

The noble watched as the carriage took off, until it became an invisible dot.

Sighing to himself he spun around to see his son standing at the door way, a curious look in his eyes.

Dino jumped internally.

"I am sorry father. I did knock and announced myself but you seemed busy." The boy said nervously.

"Ah no that's okay. Come in son. What is it you wanted to talk about?" Dino said, righting himself.

"It's about my new tutor." Theodore began. Dino's ears perked up with interest, eating up all the details his son shared inadvertently on the woman.

He went over the topics his son covered that day and had for the first time in his life, held a proper conversation with Theodore.

✵✵✵

The following days to come consisted of relatively the same schedule.

Dino would have breakfast with his son, and would thereafter walk his son to his study room and wait for Catherine.

He'd greet her with a smile and leave. After Theodore's lessons were done in the afternoon, Dino would invite Catherine over to join him for tea.

They'd spend hours discussing and debating their different views on science and astronomy.

Catherine's views intrigued him, making him reanalyse his own thoughts. It was the most exciting moments of his life and Dino quickly grew used to her company.

He never spoke as much to his ex-wives as he did with Lady Sommers.

Dino sat in a small cozy room enjoying her company over a cup of tea. They were speaking about a favorite book in literature that they both read until they knew the words by heart.

"I've been meaning to ask, how is it that someone from the Vlad Agency has become a tutor?" He wondered curiously as he set his cup down.

"My, my did they not tell you?" She teased, which coaxed a small smile from him.

"Lord Johannes felt it better if we took over tutelage after the children covered the basics. He says that, it would be best if the Agency took over, aiding in a better quality of studying for the nobles." She stated conversationally.

"Hmm I see. An expert decision." Dino nodded, brushing a long lock of hair off his shoulders. Turning back to face her, he was met with her blushing face.

Dino pretended to not notice her sweet face gone all pink.

"How is Theodore faring thus far?" He asked suddenly. A paternal tone in his voice.

"He's doing wonderful. Extremely intelligent, there's almost no need for me." She responded with a light hearted chuckle.

'I need you.' He thought before registering what his mind yearned for.

"I assume you'd be sending him to the Clan in the next few years. Which one did you decide on?" She asked, tucking her legs to the side, neatly.

"The one and only. The same I went to and my predecessors. Theodore is my only son the pride of this household." He said in a proud voice.

Catherine nodded but remained silent.

She noticed the sad, emotionless tone to his voice whenever he mentioned his son that hinted at his marital life.

'Would being with him be so bad? Why did they all leave this man?' She wondered to herself.

A knock on the door silenced her thoughts. Lifting her head up she found the butler waiting for them. Lost in conversation, the afternoon rolled by and with it, her departure.

"Sorry to interrupt my Lord and Lady, but your carriage is waiting." Albrecht said with a bow.

"Oh my. The time has flown by. My apologies for over staying." She said with a shy blush.

"None needed. You're welcome to stay for as long as you like." Dino said possessively.

Dino insisted on walking her to her carriage and lifted her into the box which was much higher than usual.

He smirked to himself, happy to have helped instead of Albrecht.

"Safe travels and a very good night, my Lady." He whispered in an intimate tone before closing her door.

Catherine smiled at him just as the carriage began to move.

Dino stood watching her go with a wistful look. After minutes of staring longingly, he sighed turning to head back into his mansion.

The next day he entered his drawing room with a smile only to find Dali Delico, Gerhard Fra and Henrique Lorca waiting for him and not Catherine.

His smile faded as quickly as it formed, he grunted in displeasure, stalking in the rest of the way.

"How welcoming." Henrique teased.

"What's got our Lord smiling? A rare sight. It has me wondering..." Dali prodded.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Dino snapped.

"Lord Johannes requested an audience with us. We're to leave at once." Gerhard explained, meeting Dino's gaze.

Dino narrowed his eyes on Gerhard who spotted an looking red blotch on the side of his neck. Gerhard hastily covered it with his golden hair, avoiding Dino's eyes.

"Very well. What are we waiting for?" Dino commented, guiding the others out and into a carriage.

A/N: ♥ Thanks for reading.