Vampire's Bride

#6 The Proposal

It almost took the entire day till lunch for the vampire princes to go through each table. Vladimir felt exhausted was found yawning towards the end. According to him, they should have ended it right after the third table. He doesn't even remember what happened next. No one could leave even an imperceptible effect on his mind to last.

On the other hand, there were a few girls who had left an impression on Damien. With each passing table, he was getting more and more confused. But there were a select few who had left a strong impression on him. Most of them were skilled in something. For some, their mere presence was dominating enough on the others. It was only the girl from the third table about whom he couldn't make any simple remark. She both intrigued and baffled him. Damien had noted the table numbers and some detail that he could give to the council. They can keep them in mind while they make their choices. It was too early to pick favorites, but he was already taking it seriously.

When the final table was over, the butler announced that everyone could go out to the garden for food and wine. The queen and the council members, along with the princes, would join them. But it stirred up everyone when the butler announced that the bridal candidates could now remove their veils and approach the princes directly, giving a formal introduction.

It was huge for the girls since it rekindled the hopes of many. A lot couldn't leave any impression because their strongest point was their external beauty or their identity. Or both. In power politics, those two were crucial. No one knows of a queen who wasn't beautiful and was from an influential family.

The council and the queen, along with an uninterested Hedwig, approached the princes before leaving for lunch. They asked them about their experience and if they had any preference. Damien came out neat and first, earning a scoff from Vladimir. He doesn't even remember who was who except that one mysterious girl.

"Vladimir, you should take it seriously when you conceded to participate. It is inappropriate that you were yawning or looking elsewhere while talking to those candidates." Damien was infuriated, glaring at him.

" I think prince Damien is right. It seemed like a farce from what I saw. Such disgrace!" Manu sided with Damien. He was already showing his full support to Damien since it was too much for him to accept the unruly prince to be the next crowned prince.

"Vlad, do you have anyone who managed to impress you?" The queen wasn't harsh with her words. She was genuinely interested. She was beginning to feel her younger son was not so keen on the contest. Perhaps, he only agreed to it because of her.

"Mother, there were so many. Plus, it is too early to pick anyone. I am no seer to judge a person on my first meeting." Vladimir replied politely. His voice was full of warmth and respect, making the council member sulk. They always thought that the prince had no manners and kindness in him. But apparently, he was both of them towards his mother.

"I saw you talking with that one girl from table three. I thought you that liked her." The queen interposed. It was the only time Vladimir talked with someone with interest, and it was hard to miss.

"Who?" Vladimir pretended like he didn't remember. He was not going to make it a fascinating topic to discuss for everyone.

The queen sighed, defeated. "Then I think you both should go and mingle with girls a little more. It will help you with their veils out of the picture." The queen smiled. She only wanted the best for both of his sons. It was too early to tell Vladimir would not find his bride here, even if it was what it seemed now.

Damien bowed lightly to everyone and left promptly. He wasn't someone who liked to keep others waiting. Plus, it was his responsibility to interact with them. He was going to use every opportunity to find more about them so that when the time came, he would pick the best candidate. It was an opportunity of a lifetime.

In contrast, Vladimir walked sloppily towards the garden, hosting the lunch. The girls were already piled up around Damien, trying their best to make their way to him. Clearly, he was the popular choice. He was the smarter, better-looking, decent, popular prince. There was nothing Vladimir could do to beat Damien in those fields. And honestly, he liked it that way.

He was standing in a corner, sipping from a glass of wine, when a few girls dared to cross him. But most of them couldn't even last for more than a few seconds around his cold, obnoxious aura. He would reply to them with either a smirk, a distant gaze, or some unconventional sarcastic joke that made them scowl. No one wanted to be the bride of the second prince. Plus, the word that he had a hideous body underneath the black robe had spread like wildfire.

Vladimir enjoyed how terrified the girls were of him. He wasn't going to marry someone who was scared of him. It was good that they ran away themselves, saving him the effort. It was then his eyes fell on someone hiding in a corner to avoid unwanted attention. But her royal purple dress wasn't doing a favor to her.

The gown had a perfect square-line neck. The upper part of the dress clung to the lady's body, giving away her shapely figure. The lower part, from her waist, had several layers going one after the other, the stonework becoming heavier with each layer, giving it an opulent look.

She looked straight from a fairy tale. Her dainty nose accentuated her thin pink lips. And those big round eyes were the most beautiful pair of eyes above which sat two thick yet neatly shaped eyebrows. But what attracted Vladimir's attention the most was those intense black eyes fixated on someone while she didn't even try a little to create a connection with either of the princes.

Vladimir looked in her direction. Her eyes followed Hedwig as if this boring and smutty druid was the most fascinating person in this entire world. He couldn't even watch him for more than a few seconds when he saw him yawn. He wondered how can someone has such a big mouth!

But, nothing could make her avert her eyes from this old guy. He wondered if she was into older men who were several centuries older than her. It was then he realized that it could be the same girl from table three. She was also watching over Hedwig before they made their way to the table.

Vladimir walked sloppily towards this girl. But before he could reach her, another girl in a green dress obstructed his path. She had a pretty smile, but what good was that smile if she wouldn't be able to withstand him even for a few minutes.

But before Vladimir's mouth opened to pass some rhetorical comment, the young girl bowed and introduced herself. "Your highness, I am Alexia Baxter, the middle daughter of Count Baxter of Harlington."

"Why is Countess Baxter obstructing my path?" Vladimir chuckled, amused by her confidence. He could see through her clenched fists. But she still dared to face him with all her might. It was interesting.

"I am here to offer an alliance." Alexia imparted, her breathing becoming slightly heavy. Her insides were shaking. She was here to make a deal with the devil.

"Alliance? And here I thought they made all of these arrangements for me to find a bride. It is not one of those meetings where you discuss business, Countess Baxter." Vladimir scoffed. He thought it was over and was about to leave when Alexia pleaded with him to spare her a moment. Vladimir, though irritated, adhered to her request. At least, someone was not running away from him. He respected that.

"My lord, please hear my proposal. I am confident it will benefit both you and my family. In return, the entire witch section would consider this something beneficial." Alexia's voice was shaky by now. But it didn't affect the confidence in her eyes.

"I am listening!" Vladimir implied. He looked around. A lot of eyes were on them. It was supposed to happen. She was the first female to be around him for more than several minutes. But he ignored those prying eyes, giving his full attention back to Alexia.

"Thank you, your highness. I will put my efforts into getting selected by either of the princes. And I won't lie when I tell you that I hope it is the older prince. But I also know it is hard to impress prince Damien. Most probably, he would choose a princess or a duchess. The rest don't even stand a chance. So, I am more interested in investing my energy from where I can at least gain something in the end." Alexia confessed. With each passing word, she looked more determined and confident. She managed to impress Vladimir for her honesty.

"I can't agree more. It seems you aren't as clueless as you look." Vladimir chuckled. He wasn't going to praise her more than that. It would make it too obvious that he was interested in hearing what she had to propose.

"I would take it as a kind compliment, your highness," Alexia smiled. The candidates, along with Damien, were beginning to wonder if the ruthless prince had finally found a match in Alexia. The queen had a profound smile. Finally, her younger son showed some involvement in the competition.

"I would try to prove that I would make a perfect princess for you. But no one can assert in the matters of the heart. We really don't have a choice for whom we fall in love with, I believe. So, even if you chose another candidate, I would want us to be trustworthy friends for a long time." Alexia offered.

"And how would I benefit from this friendship? What if my older brother picks you?" Vladimir felt amused by her request. No one in their right mind would want to ally with him. They were afraid that he was the other name of trouble.

"The Baxtor Group has invested a lot in the mines lately. It is a substance that could help us prevent the cold when we ignite them. They call it black rock. But it is in the southern borders, and you know what waits for us beyond the river. A few workers have claimed to have spotted wendigos on the other side and are scared. We are afraid that if the word gets out, we will have to close the mine. We have invested a fortune in it." Alexia sighed, telling more about her complicated situation.

"If what you say is true, it indeed is a lucrative offer. But do you think I am going to benefit because Wendigos are involved? It is madness, countess Baxter. I am sorry I won't be helpful." Vladimir scoffed. Here he thought there was some scope. But the cunning girl wanted to send him on a death mission. He might be a war god to them, but he was not powerful enough to take the wendigos alone. No one with a sane mind would follow him in the death mission.

"No! You know the wendigos can't cross the river. The magic of the druid, the witch queen, and the Elf King is too strong for that to happen. Until the perennial river dries, it is impossible. But we can't explain it to the weak-hearted. If we can tell them that the war god guarantees our safety, they will trust us. Even if you are infamous for many things, no one will dare question your fighting skills, my lord. In return, we will offer you a share of the mine. You said it yourself that it is a lucrative offer." Alexia proposed the deal.

Vladimir sighed. The girl in the green dress was truly something. She was a businesswoman, much advance than many men he knew. He couldn't help but admire her. But it was too big a thing to decide so recklessly. It wasn't a bad offer. Plus, he was excited to know more about this substance they call black rock. But before he arrives at any decision he had to do some research and also he must be sure about it. He can't make a hasty decision.

"Thank you, Countess Baxter. I will think more about it, and let you know my final decision. But one thing I can clear for you now. I believe you have a better chance with my brother than me. I admire how courageous, bold, and ambitious you are. But I am not looking for a girl who is calculative about her every step. I want someone with whom I won't mind being vulnerable. I would value something more honest, and an alliance or a deal is not on the list." Vladimir clarified.

Maybe he was going to ally with the Baxters or perhaps not. Maybe they will become friends or foes, but Alexia Baxter was not someone he could love.

Alexia excused herself, happy that at least half of her plan succeeded. The prince did not rebuff her idea like everyone had warned her in the family. It was a good beginning. More would fall in the place, eventually.

Vladimir turned to look for the girl in the purple dress. But he was seconds late. It pissed him to the core when he saw Damien approaching her with a wide smile. And she had stopped looking at Hedwig now. Her radiating gaze was fixed on Damien as she bowed a little in courtesy.

"Who are you, Miss?" Damien asked, giving her a very generous smile.

"Feya. Feya Elven." The girl spoke with such confidence that it seemed like she was fire herself.