Roman stool by his window, the sunlight dancing into the room as the morning sun peeked over the horizon. His hoof against the cold glass, frosted from the chilly evening. Keeping his eyes closed and ears perked, he hums softly at the warmth of it.
"M-Master, forgive my interruption," A small mare speaks up from behind him, grabbing his attention. She shrinks to the floor as his emerald eyes fell on her, cutting through her easily. "L-Lady Ivy Grass has a-arrived, s-sir."
Roman nods and smiles gently. "Thank you for informing me my dear." He pats the maids head softly, fixed his tie and walked out. Looking down from the top of a large rail of stairs, Roman spots his guest. "Ah, Lady Grass it's been far to long since our last meeting I do say!" He flies down to meet her, kissing her hoof respectfully, causing the mare to flush in a light blush.
"It has indeed Mr. Mort," Ivy says softly.
"Just Roman would do my dear," Roman purrs. "You seem quite uncomfortable, maybe some tea would calm your nerves and also warm you from this chilly December air?"
Ivy nods with a soft smile. "That would be wonderful."
Roman looks to to his guard, a tall lean stallion with piercing red eyes. "Steel, would you mind escorting or guest to the dining hall?"
Steel bows his head. "Of course, Master."
"Excellent, I shall join you both in a matter of moments," Roman assures them. Looking to Ivy and winking, knowing she was frightened by the fact that she was going off alone with Steel, everypony had been afraid of him. They had a right to be, it wasn't often the guard looked friendly.
Trotting back off to his room, fixing himself up and looking to his window, he sighs softly and turns away from it. He looks at himself in the mirror momentarily, mostly looking into his own eyes. "It's only been an hour or two since my last meal, I should be fine," He mutters softly to himself and begins walking back down the hall to the dining hall.
Entering the room, he spots Ivy sipping from a freshly poured cup of steaming tea. The color returning to her cheeks as it warmed her. Roman smiles and takes a the seat at the other side of the table, mortal mares were predictable. If they were cold, give them tea.
The chef that ran his kitchen took pride in his tea, making sure that the only place it could be found was Roman's home.
"Tis a very nice home you have, Roman," Ivy spoke up softly, starting conversation between them.
"Why thank you dear," Roman smiles, tracing a hoof around his own glass of tea, he didn't honestly plan on drinking it. Steel stood close to him, closer than usual. Roman forced himself not notice it, clearing his throat lightly.
"May I ask you a personal question?" Ivy asks carefully, setting down her cup lightly. Roman cocks an eyebrow.
"Go on," he says, granting her permission with a wave of a hoof. Roman was use to questions, questions on his riches, his growing empire and mostly, his immortal status. To all he gave the same answer. 'Nopony is born great, great is made.'
"Do you ever feel lonely?" Roman blinks, taken aback for a moment.
"Lonely...?" he repeats, letting the word sink in. Ivy nods.
"Why yes, most counts as charming and gentle as you have a bride by now," she explains. "The only mare I've seen so far is a maid or two on your staff." Roman had never thought about it, she was right no doubt, but he couldn't find the right words he needed to answer.
"It's...harder for me to find sonepony," he says carefully.
"Harder? Why so?" Ivy asks, her eyes glistening in curiosity.
"I-I...," His breathing deepens, panicking, why was he panicking? Steel steps in.
"With all do respect Lady Ivy, I regret to inform you this meeting is over," He says poliently. Ivy bites her lip, wondering why the undead count was so worked up over her simple question. Not wishing to overstay her welcome, she dips her head and rises from the table.
"Thank you for your time, Roman," she says before taking her leave. At the sound of the closing door, the maids poke their heads out to see what had happened. Roman pressed his back to his chair, panting softly. His throat had gone dry.
"S-Steel," he whispers for his guard to come closer. Stepping closer, Steel perks his ears.
"Master, you don't sound well, shall I ask a maid to fetch your meal early tonight?" Steel asks softly, looking to his master's eyes, seeing them tinting a red color he nods as though he had received his answer and trotted off.
Roman lays his head back, looking to the ceiling, gritting his teeth to contain himself. 'Control yourself. You can't do this in front of your staff,' his thoughts roared in his head. But it wasn't the only voice that spoke to him.
'Who cares if you kill a few ponies? They can be replaced easily, ' the voice of his hunger drove it's way to the top. Roman felt beads of sweat run down his forehead. 'You use to have no problem taking what you wanted, you've grown soft Mort, what would father think of us~?" The voice teased.
Roman hisses a deep, shaky, breath through his teeth. "S-Shutup," he whispers harshly.
"M-Master, is something a miss--"
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Roman roars, shooting up from his seat. Towering over the small mare, growling deeply as she skittered away quickly in fear. Roman stood there, his hooves shaking and his breath hitching in his throat. He forced himself to sit back down and swallow a deep breath.
"Control yourself Roman...you will not become a monster, not today," he whispers to himself. "Control..," he mumbles. "Control yourself." Steel speaks up, spooking him slightly.
"Master, your maid has returned. What shall I tell her to get you for tonight?" Steel asks softly.
"O...O positive...," Roman mumbles back.
"Yes Master," Steel dips his head and trots away, leaving Roman once more.
'Control...Control yourself...'
Author's Note
This story is a work in progress so bare with me. Chapters will be longer in the near future.
And yes, I am aware of grammar errors, don't @ me
