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Hello all! Its time for the next addition to the Duke & Alex series. some of the information about where this story takes place is fiction. I made most of this as historically accurate as possible, but had to add in a few things for the story line. I hope you enjoy it! Please comment and rate ^^

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'..It has been written. Written in blood and sealed with death's kiss. To sell one's soul for the chance to be with whom you love. Darkness surrounds us. It envelopes the suns light and consumes innocent lives. To take another's life is the ultimate sin, but is it a sin if you are reborn into new life? If you kill the person that you love so brutally that you both may live again?...'

A simple passage from a book. The passage that brought about the pain and suffering of one little fox for countless years. It was one sided love, which turned into a raging lustful desire. The desire to be with the one you hold nearest to your heart, who fell for another. The feeling of rejection, heart ach and sorrow. yet, this pain, which would cripple any normal man summoned a terrifying fury that could only be quenched by revenge.

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Ravenwood, northern Europe. A small little town of blacksmiths and carpenters. A dark, old fashioned little English settlement hidden behind the Ural mountains, cut off from heavy civilization. Two wealthy families lived here, in charge of all that happened in Ravenwood. This was where it all began, long, long ago in 1759.

Young Alexander Nightingale was born into the world on November 12th, 1744, as Lord William Nightingale's only child. His mother had been beautiful and fair, but died in childbirth, leaving Alex and his father alone, except the few servants in the household. Alexander took after his mother, who blossomed into a gorgeous, petite little boi. He grew accustomed to corsets and gowns as a child, refusing to wear anything but. His sexuality was disapproved of by the single church in the town, but he was un-harassed due to his father's love for him, and his rank in society.

The Haverghast family, who's mansion resided on the opposite end of the small town was fortunate in the sense that they had 3 children. 2 boys, and one girl. Lord Randolph Haverghast was a tall, muscular kangaroo, originally from Australia who married out of species, to a grey delicate wolf named Lady Jane Spenser. He met her on a trip abroad to England and fell in love with her, never leaving Europe afterwards.

Their children, Prince, Duke, and Margret Haverghast took on the appearance of one or the other of their parents. Prince took after his father, and was a marsupial, while Duke and Margret took the appearance of wolves. Prince and Duke were fraternal twins, who were both born on august 17th, 1742. Prince was the eldest by merely a few minutes, making him the heir to the family's fortune. Young Margret was born May 2nd, 1746.

These families had little to do other than see to their work within the town, unlike the wealthy people everywhere else, Who gambled, and drank till they passed out at dawn. They fell into a sort of maddening way of life, only cured by the annual meetings, and seasonal parties. Of course birthdays helped ail this problem, being some of the biggest events of the year. It was that time again fortunately, as it became the morning of November 12th 1759.

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Alex's heart thumped heavily in his chest as he ran through the streets of Ravenwood. Fire consumed the buildings, forcing them to collapse on themselves. Everyone in the town was dead. Brutally killed by something which had left their bloody bodies strewn in the streets as Alex ran. His black cloak fluttered in the cold air as he slowed down, panting while he tried to catch his breath beneath the restraining corset. The burgundy dress which Alex wore was ripped and stained with blood, although he couldn't remember anything which would have caused it. He slowly began to walk forward, towards the front door of the Nightingale mansion. His breath grew shaky, as his paw reached out towards the gold doorknob.

Alex gasped and covered his muzzle in fear as he realized the doorknob was covered in bloody paw prints, dripping down the door frame. It was terrifying. He didn't remember a thing. How he got there, why the town was in ruin, and why everyone was dead...and he was covered in blood. He took a deep breath, mustering his courage to face whatever was inside. His paw once again reached out for the doorknob, gripping it in his hand tightly. He turned the knob slowly, pushing it open.

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Alex shot up in bed panting heavily. His eyes darted around the room, searching for anything that could explain what had just happened. He held his sheets close to him as he sighed, realizing it had only been a bad dream. The cold air in the room caused Alex to shiver as it blew in through the window. He got up slowly, and approached the lightly billowing curtains, and paused a moment before pulling them back. Light flooded into the room from the beautiful day outside, chasing away all fears in the darkness.

A knock sounded at the door which made Alex turn his head over his shoulder.

"Alexander dear, are you up yet?" William called from the other end of the door.

"Yes father, I'm awake." Alex called back as he put on his long robe over his night gown.

"May I enter? Are you decent?" William called again as not to intrude on his son.

"yes, of course." Alex replied. With that, William and the dressing maids entered the room, and closed the door behind them. William approached Alex, and pulled a box out from behind his back, handing it to his son with a smile.

"I had this shipped from England for you. Go on, open it." William grinned.

Alex wasted no time in pulling the ribbon off the box, and pulling the lid off. Inside was a beautiful, brand new yellow brocade day dress.

"oh goodness, it's absolutely gorgeous father! Thank you." Alex smiled as he took the dress behind the dressing screen with the maid so he could put it on.

"I'm so very glad you like it Alexander. Happy birthday." William spoke to his son as he waited for him to dress. The maids removed Alex's robe and nightgown, replacing it with a chemise, to protect from the straps in the corset. Then of course came the corset, which was laced up good and tight to hold Alex's figure in the appropriate way in the late 18th century. Soon after came the white stockings held up by ribbons, and then panniers, to give the dress it's shape. So then came the layers and layers of petticoats and slips, to hide the wiring in the panniers, and provide cushion for the under skirt, which was a beautiful light cream color with pleated folds towards the bottom of the dress to provide decoration in the opening of the overskirt down the center front. With this on, they added the last of the clothing layers, being the bodice, which had the over skirt sewn onto the waist line. The maids put it on him like a jacket would go on, then pinned up the front, and straightened the overskirt. The maids put the matching heels which at been in the box at Alex's feet, who stepped into them before the maids buckled them closed.

After finally having finished dressing, Alex stepped out from behind the screen. The square cut neckline suited him beautifully, and helped show off his figure. The sleeves went down to just above elbow length, and the fanned out into a lovely flounce with lace in the underside. The center of the bodice was the same cream color as the underskirt to match the style of rococo, and had lace lining the neckline.

"So how does it look?" Alex asked as he stepped from behind the screen.

"Beautiful, just like your mother would have looked in one." William said happily. "Meet me downstairs after you have finished the rest of your dressing, and we will be on our way into town." he spoke to Alex as he exited the room. The rest of his dressing consisted of gloves, jewelry, hats and hair. The accessories.

The finale was stunning. A yellow lace ribbon chocker, tied into a bow on the side, with his hair batted into a soft poof on top of his head, then pulled back, and curled into ringlets. He wore a flowered wide rimmed hat on his head, tied beneath his hair. Alex carried an antique lace fan in his gloved paws, which complemented the style elegantly. Now ready after a few hours, he walked downstairs, and to the foyer where his father waited.

"The Haverghast family has so generously planned a birthday party for you this evening my dear. Our family from the neighboring city on the other side of the mountains will be joining us, being such a happy occasion." William informed.

"Really? Aunt Eliza will be there?" Alex peeped excitedly.

"Yes, of course. Along with your cousins and nieces." William added.

"Oh splendid! I haven't had a chance to speak with them in quite some time. But, I must wonder; if the party isn't till this evening, where is it we are going now?" Alex questioned, as he looked past his father, out the open door and to the horse drawn coach.

"Well, seeing as how there is a town meeting today, and your father is the governor of Ravenwood, it would be most inappropriate for me not to attend." William smiled. Alex smiled back at his father, who then proceeded to the coach. Alex followed suit, and was assisted into it, before it rode off, down the street.

Ravenwood wasn't all that big. It had been established in the 17th century as an outpost in the Ural mountains, until they discovered that the land was full with platinum. Since then, it has been one of the countries larger supplier of the precious metal, growing over the years in size as a mining town. It was built next to one of the larger rivers that flowed through the mountainous terrain, for crops and fresh water.

The Coach soon reached the court house where the meeting would take place, stopping on the cobbled street just outside. William stepped out first, followed by Alexander who received help from the coachman. Alex gave a warm smile and thanked him, before following his father inside. William of course walked off to the back of the large room, to put on his court wig and take his seat on the large chair before the towns people already in their seats.

Alex walked to the front, and found his usual seat saved by the Haverghast family, whom had already arrived.

"What a pleasure it is to see you again." Prince cooed with a smile as he stood upon noticing Alex's presences. Alex and prince both gave a small bow/curtsey of greeting, and took their seats.

"Thank you Mr. Haverghast." Alex smiled as he spoke to Prince.

"please, there is no need for such formality. Just call me by my first name. After all, we are all friend here." Prince encouraged. Alex gave a small nod, and then looked passed Prince to Duke, who was sitting on the other side. Duke was paying attention to Governor Nightingale, and did not Notice Alex gazing at him. Soon Alex turned his head forward, gave a small sigh and listened to his father's rambling.

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"I think your speech went rather well Lord nightingale." Duke spoke, complimenting William.

"Thank you my boy. Its wonderful to hear that my political mind hasn't dulled over the years. I am getting rather old." William chuckled. Duke returned the laugh, and continued to speak.

"you, old? I think not. And the mind fading with age is not something I particularly believe in. how I see it, is the fact that the elderly are far more wise, with more experience. You may loose your sanity, or become forgetful, but the knowledge is always there."

"How insightful lad. I will be sure to take heed to your words in the future." William smiled kindly. Duke's attention was suddenly captured when the sound of Alex giggling with friends reached his ears. He turned and looked toward Alex, who stood just outside the doorway of the courtyard with his own younger sister Margret.

The light shown down on his fur, causing it to shine elegantly, almost sparkle. His soft ringlets draped beautifully over his left shoulder as he leaned down and conversed with the 13 year old wolf, who found the conversation quite amusing.

William laughed quietly to himself as he watched Duke stare at his son with his mouth slightly agape, and his eyes fixated on the beautiful young fox.

"You do realize you may speak with him, and not only stare correct?" William laughed.

"Oh, I beg your pardon. I did not realize I had been staring.." Duke replied, coming out of his trance and turning back toward Lord Nightingale.

"No need. Now go on, speak to him." William smiled softly. Duke wasted no time, and walked casually toward Alex. He walked through the small crowd of townsfolk who stayed behind to talk with one another and discuss the meeting, as he neared Alex.

"Good day, monsieur Nightingale." He spoke as he reached Alex

"Oh, Mr. Haverghast." Alex spoke as he turned to face Duke. "I didn't notice you there." they gave there greeting nod of the head and small dip, as sign of respect for the other, and continued to speak.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything, but might I request for you to join me on a stroll?" Duke smiled sweetly.

"Oh not at all. That is, if Margret doesn't mind." Alex smiled as he looked down at the young wolf who nodded and skipped off to find her Father.

"She is so cute. So shy as well. I think you and your brother have taught her well as siblings." Alex smiled as he watched her skip away.

"Thank you, we try our best." Duke gestured for them to walk with a small smile. "After you."

The two walked down the side path of the road silently, waiting for the other to speak.

"are you looking forward to the party this evening?" Duke asked after several moments.

"yes, of course. I am thrilled that you and prince went through so much trouble just for me." Alex said as he turned his head to look at Duke.

"Oh not at all. It wasn't any trouble in the slightest. It was a pleasure actually." Duke grinned.

"Oh? How so?"

Duke turned to face Alex completely, both stopping on the side street.

"Alexander, I..I would like to ask you-"

"Ah! Here you two are. I was looking for you. Brother, I hope you wont mind if I steal Alexander here away for just a few moments." Prince interrupted as he took Alex by the paw, and began to walk away.

"But.." Alex began, being pulled away unwillingly.

Duke sighed and watched as the two walked off, going over in his mind what he was going to say.

"He probably wouldn't have accepted anyway.."

"Alexander," Prince began. "I had hopes that you would allow me to be your escort at your birthday party this evening. It would be my greatest honor, and pleasure." He cooed as he held onto Alex's paw with both of his. "And I had a present crafted for you that I've been dying to give you." Prince released Alex's paw momentarily, reaching into his overcoat pocket to pull out a thin rectangular box.

"Go on, see what's in it." He smiled, handing the box to Alex.

"Oh, my...I...I don't know. You didn't have to get me a gift." Alex protested.

"Nonsense. Now open it." Prince grinned. Alex sighed, and opened the box. He gasped softly, his eyes bugling, and his cheeks burned lightly with delight as he saw what was inside. It was a platinum chain necklace with shimmering jewels hanging in the front.

"It...it's beautiful." Alex breathed.

"I hoped that you would wear it this evening, to your birthday celebration." Prince smiled.

"Will you allow me to be your escort, dear Alexander?"

Alex looked at prince for a moment, then back to where he and Duke had been standing. Sadness filled him, as he saw that Duke was no longer there.

"Is...something the matter?" Prince asked, worried.

"No....not at all...I'm fine... And yes, I would love for you to be my escort." Alex said with a weak smile.