"Your Grace, the clothes that you will be wearing for the banquet is ready." Again, Victoria interrupted their conversation without warning. Lucinia turned towards the woman and immediately noticed the different smell that lingered in the air.
"What is that smell?" she asked, eyebrow lifted at Victoria. She didn't miss the surprise in the woman's eyes.
"That— That is — I would have to check your highness." Victoria lowered her head before leaving.
"You think she's up to something?" Mo Li asked, hugging her waist. She felt him kissed her temple.
"No idea." Shrugging, she faced him. "We should go back to the room and rest. So we could prepare for the banquet."
"Vampires don't get tired."
She smiled and shook her head, helplessness flashed in her eyes. "I am not just any vampire."
"That's right. You are my vampire."
"You are making me cringe."
He laughed, a burst of melodious laughter as he pulled her towards their room.
…
After spending another passionate night, the two finally ended the night and slept until the afternoon on the day of the banquet. When the two woke up, Victoria and the other maids already prepared all of their clothing.
"The blood-red gown looks good on you." Mo Li immediately said when he saw her walked out of the room. She beamed in response, eyes glued on him. Just like her, Mo Li was wearing a dark red velvet top with an embossed dark red waistcoat. With his white hair that shone against the soft lighting, Mo Li looked just like a god walking amongst humans— or vampires.
"Thank you, Your Grace, but I believe… I always look good on everything." What she was wearing was something that she really loved when she first saw it. It was a long red and black gown with a lot of laces, a corset made her waist looked smaller, and the low neckline showed… more of her chests. She loved it.
She loved the way, the gown hugged her waist and showed her cleavage but hid her arms. It looked regal but conservative.
"Are we going to the banquet? Or— " he cocked an eyebrow and gave her a cheeky smile.
"Oh… please… stop it." She playfully slapped his arms before she held his hand, and the two finally walked down the stairs and towards the carriage.
"I think… we should just stay at home." He said while glancing at the cleavage that was on full display from her gown. "What do you think?"
"Your grace… being naughty won't take you anywhere." She beamed.
"But It will take me to you."
She shivered. "Cringe," she uttered, smiling at him as she held his hand and went inside the carriage. Then he followed and sat next to her.
The two started talking about some random stuff until they finally arrived in Prince Gavril Palace. Unlike the Duke's abode that reminded her of comfort, Prince Gavril's palace was… the epitome of luxury.
She eyed the huge fountain that seemed to sparkle in front of the palace. This wasn't her first time coming in her, but she was certain that every time she visited, there seemed to be something new on the huge lawn. Be it the huge statue of a dragon that stood on each side of the mansion or the lighting on the fountain.
Even the gardens that surrounded the fountain seemed to change every time she visits.
"When was the last time you came here?" As if reading her thoughts, Mo Li asked.
"Probably three-four years."
"And before that?" They started walking towards the archway that was made of stone.
"Well, " Now that she thought about it, she couldn't really remember. "Perhaps… ten years?"
"You have never been close to him?" he asked as he lifted her hand and kissed the back of her palm.
"No." One word should be enough for her relationship with the eldest prince. Lucinia doesn't have fond memories of his brother, either. Well— she actually doesn't remember spending time with the man before. He remembered the Prince had always been aloof and cold. He doesn't like to spend his time with a lot of people, and he doesn't show himself during the banquets on the royal household.
He was always quiet and doesn't like to see things that won't hold his interest. Typical villain with a mysterious dark gaze that seemed to know everything and a cunning smile. And just like most villain, Prince Gavril is actually very— very good looking. Maybe even as good looking like the man walking next to her.
She looked at Mo Li's side profile and shook his head. Maybe Duke Mo is more good looking because of his white hair. She smiled as they started to walked towards another lawn past the archway. This time, there were already many people talking on the lawn. Some were standing and leaning at the table, while some were talking and laughing in groups.
These were vampires who don't really have the qualifications to go inside the palace and most of them just came here to have a little bit of fun and enjoy some conversation with their friends from another kingdom.
Mo Li roamed his eyes on the crowd, and almost immediately, most people lowered or avoided his gaze.
"Why would you like to scare people?" she whispered.
"So they won't talk to you?"
She chuckled and shook her head. She had already guessed that answer.
The two continued walking past the people on the lawn until they finally reached the stairs that would lead them to the huge door of the palace.
"I think this place is too big." Mo Li said. "I don't want to live in a big house like this."
"Actually, I don't like to live in a big house too. I think it gets too quiet."
"And you are scared of ghosts?" he laughed.
"How did you know that?"
"I can see it in your eyes."
She pouted at that. She already knew he wouldn't tell her a thing yet, she still would ask him things like this. This gaze was soon distracted when she saw a woman wearing one of the servant's uniform. Dark hair, beautiful small face, scarlet lips, and pinkish cheeks that were full of life. This should be the female lead.
Lucinia looked around, and just as she expected, another servant was watching the woman. This time it was male. Maybe as tall as Mo Li. Leaned with sharp cheekbones and angular jaws. He was young… but definitely good looking enough to attract the attention of the female lead.
"Stop looking at other people," she suddenly heard Mo Li uttered next to her. Sighing, Lucinia shook her head and laughed.
"Yes, your grace." She uttered while smiling as they finally entered the huge door.
Lucinia didn't hide the sparkle in her eyes as she watched the beautiful interior of the palace. It was sparkly and… bright. Delicate chandeliers with diamonds and other crystals hung proudly in the middle of the hall as if trying to attract the gazes of the crowd away from the stairs that would lead them to the second floor.
She eyed the gold railings of the stair and wondered if people actually used it. Then her gaze landed on the red carpet that was sprawled all throughout the venue.
"Ah! Isn't this the famous Princess Lucinia? My… She certainly looked dashing! Isn't she?" Almost immediately murmurs of praises echoed when they walked inside the hall. She maintained a soft expression as her eyes found Prince Gavril that was talking to some other Princes that visited him this time.
"Let's go greet the Prince." Mo Li said. He was still holding her hand and while Lucinia wanted to hold his arm instead, the Duke actually insisted that holding hands is better than holding his arm.
"Duke Mo… Princess Lucinia." Prince Gavril's tone had always been cold. However, Lucinia didn't miss the warmth in his voice this time. She wondered if this was because of what she did with the Queen.
Right now, the Queen is actually showing his support to the Second Prince. While the Queen is not doing anything to the first prince, she wasn't really doing anything that would help the man either.
Because of this, the political division of the ministers had been quite complicated.
"Your highness," Lucinia curtsied as she turned her attention towards the other men that were talking to the Prince. "Good evening gentlemen," While Lucinia knew most of them, she wasn't really intending on having a conversation with anyone at this banquet. All she wanted was to keep the female lead safe from the clutches of these people.
However, after what happened, would these people really keep their distance from her? The Duke and Lucinia were now considered the most powerful couple in the kingdom. Being close to them is akin to having an extra lifeline.
It was all about the benefits.
So, instead of softly greeting her, some Princes really dared to approached her and kissed the back of her palm as they introduced themselves to the Princess again.
