Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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The pain of the bracelet merging with my skin caught me by surprise.

The scorching sensation was something I never experienced. It was not about the flesh, it was like the bracelet burned my soul and I know it lasted only for a few seconds, but it felt like hours.

Based on Aldus's and Killian's reactions, this was NOT supposed to happen.

I touched my wrist and confirmed that the skin is smooth. Other than the faint grooves on my inner wrist shaped as the pendant I admired a minute ago, there were no lumps or bumps to confirm that there is metal under my skin.

Did I absorb it?

Crap! I hope it's not some weird ability where I started absorbing metals. This would be more than just inconvenient.

As I followed Aldus down into the basement, I touched a doorknob, a metallic figurine, and two sabers that were hanging on the wall. So far so good.

To my delight, with detailed guidance from Aldus, I was able to activate the portal. It seems that my body didn't dissolve the bracelet, but rather assimilated it. Strange.

"What does this mean?", I asked Aldus.

He shrugged and shook his head. "It appears that it's part of you…", his voice trailed. "As soon as Ian is out, I will do an x-ray to confirm what is the current state and when we go back, I will try talking to Glatellia."

I wanted to ask what Glatellia has to do with this, but then I remembered that the mysterious markings on my skin were glowing, just as when I met her in the underground garden.

The concern on Aldus's face was obvious and it moved me, making my anxiousness dissipate. He also snapped at Killian without a second thought, only to protect me... Or maybe to avenge me in case I died.

The warm and fuzzy feeling in my chest told me that, little by little, Aldus was filling up the holes created by the absence of a loving family.

"Don't worry, father. I am OK.", I assured him. "Besides, this is much better. I don't need to worry about losing it or if it matches my outfit."

He smiled a little. "Don't forget to tell me if you feel any change. Later, I will show you how to operate security barriers and the alchemy cauldron."

My eyes lit up. Operating security barriers means I can access any of Aldus's properties without him opening the door for me. It's not that I want to go anywhere without him but knowing that I can, means a lot. Also, operating the alchemy cauldron signifies the beginning of my real hands-on practice that goes beyond collecting herbs from the garden.

Aldus took my left hand in his and rubbed the inside of my wrist with his thumb for a second before he raised his gaze and met mine.

"Now that my family's crest and my blood are part of you, you are officially a Mezzanotte. My daughter."

His words sounded like an official announcement.

"Thank you, father."

I blinked rapidly while trying to suppress my tears that swelled because getting soppy would ruin the moment.

Lunch with Killian was enjoyable. He spoke about the Mezzanotte family. I understood that they are influential in the vampire society, but I was curious because they are the family of my adopted father. My family.

Aldus mentioned that he has a mother, a father, and a sister on a distant Lemuria which can't be accessed by regular means but hearing about them from another source made them feel more real.

I was nervous when Killian said that Aldus's sister wants to visit. Will she like me? What if she doesn't? What if his father and mother don't approve of me? Will Aldus abandon me?

I tried to push negativity away. I finally found a place where I belong, and I don't want to spoil this by worrying about how it will end.

Aldus told me that nothing is permanent, and I should enjoy the good things while they last. I will try to apply that to my current situation.

When Killian's eye color changed to red, I was caught off guard. I knew that pureblood vampires don't age like humans and they have red eyes, but hearing about it and seeing it are totally different things.

An ancient creature sat across the table from me, and he didn't look older than twenty. Fascinating.

I wondered, how does Aldus really look like? He told me that he can alter his appearance, and considering that this youngster is serving him, I assumed that Aldus should look more like my brother than a father. Well, he must have his reasons for making himself appear older.

Killian didn't stay long, and I had a feeling that Aldus wanted him to leave as soon as possible.

The portal in the basement of the villa took us to another lab, and that afternoon, Aldus performed a full physical exam. Everything seemed normal. The x-ray didn't find any signs of a bracelet. Mysteriously, it merged with my system and we were left with the hope that Glatellia can clarify what happened.

I was reluctant to go out with Aldus. Shouldn't my reappearance in London be a secret? After all, I can't show up with sunglasses and a hat in the conference room.

Aldus assured me that it will be fine. "Only the highest level executives will be there, and I am a private person, so photos and press are not allowed. You will see that security detail will keep curious onlookers away from us, and there is one more thing..."

I asked what that thing is, and he smiled mysteriously and told me to be patient.

Then, a group of stylists arrived at the villa. They started working on my hair and makeup and a ton of different outfits appeared in my wardrobe. It was a crash course on what to wear.

After several grueling hours, I learned the necessary skills to make myself presentable in different settings.

From my memories, I was always plain-Jane. I didn't use makeup, clothes were dominantly a combination of jeans and t-shirts with an occasional inconspicuous dress, and my hairstyle was either a ponytail or a braid.

This was different. Very different.

Even if my mother spotted me on the street, I could tell her that she got the wrong person, and she would believe me. After all, just one outfit is worth everything I owned previously, and it's amazing how different I look with a touch of lipstick and mascara. But most of all, it's the attitude. Standing straight, confidently, added to my height (together with my high-heeled shoes) and my aura changed.

With this, I was ready to face the world as Seraphina Mezzanotte without fear that Sanya Bogdan will resurface.

I wondered, what will Duke say when he sees me? Will he like this makeover? Will he recognize me?

Our schedule covered activities for three days. Two days were filled with meetings and business lunches that are only for employees of Notte Pharmaceuticals.

On the third day, we are to attend a social event that will start in the afternoon and last until late in the evening. It's a party to wrap up three days of meetings; it will include cocktails, dinner, and dancing. There was also a small program where directors will talk about the latest achievements of their departments. That is the only event in our calendar that was not limited to only employees of Notte Pharmaceuticals. It was still a company event, but every employee with an invitation could bring a date or closest family members.

I was excited about that third day, not because of the party, but because before the party, I can roam through London and try to find some information about Duke.

Aldus and I didn't discuss staying in London for more than those three days, and he didn't mention returning home either. I guess our schedule is flexible after that.

The next two days were full of meetings.

The executives were mostly middle-aged men. There were sixteen of them. They greeted me politely and showed interest in me, some even looked at me lecherously when they thought that Aldus and I were not paying attention. I guess men are men, regardless of the species.

When the business talk started, I was ignored. It was obvious that they considered me as a young, pretty, and clueless lady who came to accompany her father. They would take me out for a drink, dinner, bed, but they didn't see me as someone who should attend serious business meetings.

I was ready for this, armed with knowledge, Aldus's guidance, and a lot of online research.

In order not to insult their ego, my approach was to ask questions instead of correcting them. Something like, 'Did you consider promoting that product to Eastern Asia?', instead, 'You should promote that product to Eastern Asia'.

It worked like a charm as I could see that with my every next question more and more people looked at me with surprise, curiosity, and then there was a hint of approval.

By the end of the second meeting, the way they addressed me changed, and Aldus's approving gaze told me I was doing well.

"I see that you trained her well, Mr. Mezzanotte…", Director Bridges said to Aldus during lunch on the second day. "Do you plan for Miss to take over your position?"

Aldus looked at me dotingly and nodded. "Serina will definitely assist me. We will discuss her taking over at some later time. As much as I approve of her performance, I am not ready to retire yet."

The bootlicking directors laughed, which was all of them.

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