Blood Contract with her Royal Villainess

♕CHAPTER 7♕

♕CANA ANNALIS ♕

♕♕♕

Another day wherein the empire of Lumire is covered with cloudy skies. Here in the Lumire Empire, the sun barely shows itself. This place has longer nights than a day, so even if it is currently at noon, the sky looks like it’s already at dusk.

As I have seen, many people are walking at the central plaza, buying their food and clothes, men and women who are busy with their jobs, and children playing around and chasing each other.

I am currently inside the royal carriage together with Diana as we are now on our way home from buying different kinds of dresses at the center plaza. We could not spend a lot more time outside the palace since the royal guards follow us to ensure the prince’s safety, of course.

I peeked at the small window at the back of our seats and saw Sir Grimm as he rides his black horse.

“Sir Grimm’s really handsome,” I commented as I whispered at Diana’s left ear, and she almost chokes at what I told her.

“Hey, he might hear you, Lady Kiera. He’s just behind the carriage,” Diana shyly said as she checked if Sir Grimm heard me or not, which made me laugh.

How is he supposed to hear me if he’s too serious and focused on the road as he rides on top of his horse?

“But you can’t deny the fact that he is unbelievably handsome, especially if he looks straight at you with those piercing brown eyes,” I squealed in a hushed tone as I gently pat Diana at her shoulder, as if I am just talking to my best friend, Darlene.

“Well, yes, no one can disagree that Sir Grimm is really handsome, honestly speaking, he is gorgeous,” Diana agreed as she almost murmured those words to me since she does not want anyone else to hear her. I blushed at her modest shyness.

So this is how Princess Diana expresses herself when she’s shy.

“Are you sure about that? Maybe, you’re just saying that he’s gorgeous because you have only seen him. There might be someone else who is far more handsome than him,” I replied, which confused her.

“Huh? Well, for me, I don’t think there is anyone else that is more handsome than Sir Grimm,” she whispered with a smile which made me giggle and nod my head as an agreement.

If you say so, Princess, but I will still ask you again once I already have Viggo, whom I will purchase tonight. I thought to myself as I stared outside the window.

“By the way, Lady Kiera,” I heard Diana called my name, so I looked over at her.

“I saw you bought a thick black coat with thick brown fur as a scarf. Are you leaving for a long journey? Or perhaps you’re leaving for a vacation?” Diana asked, and I can see in her eyes the fear and worry that I will leave her here and be on my own life, so I quickly shook my head as a no.

“No, I just want to hide my face every time that I leave the Romolus estate,” I answered her, and she smiled at me.

“But Lady Kiera, I thought you said you wanted to stop escaping and going to the casino?” she asked me, which made me scratch my head. I don’t want to ruin the way she sees me as a person, so I have to think carefully about my answers to her questions.

“Don’t worry, and I will not leave the estate to gamble. I just wanted to leave for some fresh air, away from my toxic family,” I replied to her, and she just sighed as she leaned at the backrest.

“You know, if only I could just let you live in the royal palace, I would have done it already, but of course, we both know that there are some laws that must be followed. However, if you truly wanted to live with me in the palace, I can ask grandfather if he could allow you,” she responded, and she sounded like she has already gained the favor of the emperor.

“Hey, isn’t it weird? I mean, the emperor has never heard of my wrongdoings before? Like, hello? Everyone in this empire knows that I am the black sheep in the Romolus family,” I said to Diana, and she just laughed at me.

“Maybe because he believes the story I told him about you, more than the others because he knew that I know you more than anyone else. Besides, even if it is true that you are a gambling addict before, you have changed already. Now, they can’t even see your shadow at the casino,” she replied, and I felt ashamed of what the real Kiera has done to herself before.

“Yes, you’re right. I was just curious why the emperor seems to take my side too, even though he just met me,” I admitted to her because I admit all of my plans went well with the emperor’s help. An example of that would be when the Duke gave me a huge sum of money, which is enough for me to buy Viggo later.

“Maybe because he and I have the same thoughts and impressions about you,” she answered and smiled at me, and that really made my heart so happy.

For the rest of our trip, the two of us just talked, joked around, and laughed together while the carriage continues to drive towards the Romolus estate, where they will just drop me off before they went back to the royal palace.

After a while, we have finally arrived at our estate, so I stepped out of the carriage first and bid my goodbye to Princess Diana, then they left. As I turned around, I saw the Duchess waiting for me at the door, just like what she always does every time Kiera leaves the mansion. I walked towards her and kissed her on the cheek.

“How was your day with the Princess, my love?” the Duchess asked me as I removed the gloves I was wearing. Then, I pointed towards the things I bought earlier, which are now being carried by the servants to my room.

“It was fun, Mother,” I answered her.

“Oh, by the way, I bought you a gift,” I added with a smile, and I saw her eyes glimmer with happiness. This is just a small token of gratitude for taking good care of me.

We both walked towards my bedroom. And as we entered my room, I started trying out the clothes and dresses I bought earlier, while the Duchess enjoys herself as she watches her daughter try out different kinds of dresses.

Time passes by, and I did not even notice that the time for me to meet the male protagonist of the original book. I admit I am a bit nervous, which is a bit ironic. Now that I have the money that I needed, I am starting to feel some cold feet. I’m just scared of the possibility that instead of saving my life, I will end up being closer to my death once I purchase Viggo. However, if I will not have full custody of the vampire slave, there is a bigger chance for my certain death.

“Another problem is, where am I going to put him once I have purchased him already? I can’t just tell everyone that I have bought a slave, and worst, he is a vampire,” I said to myself as I walk back and forth in front of the huge wall clock. I bit my right nail as I tried to think of a solution for the problem, but then, the clock suddenly sounded, its huge bell rocking from left to right, a sign that midnight has arrived.

It’s already midnight, which means this is the time that I have been waiting to sneak out of the mansion. I grabbed my cloak and wore it, then I gently turn the doorknob and poke my head out into the corridor. I checked both sides of the hallway and saw no one. The whole place is filled with silence, which means everyone now has their rest. I carefully and slowly walk down the stairs. Then, I tip-toed towards the back of the mansion, where the guard is asleep, most of the time of his duty.

How fascinating that I know every knick and knack of the mansion as I sneak out tonight, maybe a sign that Kiera has done this a hundred times already before.

Once I was out of the mansion, I quickly run towards the porte-cochère, where most of the carriages are parked. There, I saw a man with a Tabaco in his mouth while his cap covered his face. He’s leaning against his carriage as if he’s waiting for someone, and I remember it correctly from Kiera’s memories, he is Solomon, a coachman whom Kiera has acquainted with every time she escapes.

“Pssst!” I called out to him, just like what Kiera always did before, and he immediately got up and fixed himself, then opened the door of his carriage and assisted me in getting inside. All these things that have happened before and I am experiencing now are like giving me a feeling of Déjà vu, but I admit, this is pretty fun because it was easy for me to sneak out of the mansion.

“Same place, my lady?” Solomon asked, but I shook my head and replied.

“Take me to Mirasol,” I instructed.

Based on the book, Mirasol is a bar where many people enjoy themselves with beers and their friends, but what most people do not know, that place also serves as a mask to hide the secret underground market just a few feet below the bar.

“As you wish, my lady,” Solomon replied and closed the door. Then, he climbed up to the driver’s seat of the carriage and maneuvered the carriage out of the mansion. We used the back gate of the estate, where Kiera always used to pass by when she’s escaping.

When we have arrived at the gate, I gave one Zeno to each of the guards at the gate, who are also allies of Kiera.

Wow! Keisha might have all the support of the servants inside the mansion, but Kiera has all the servants outside the manor as her allies.

I sighed and looked out at the window, and then I noticed that we have passed through the gate already and my anxiety about the possible outcome of my plan. Since, after purchasing Viggo, that will change the flow of the original story, which is a bit scary. Once I purchase Viggo, I’m sure he will not harm me anymore, but I am worried about how I am supposed to hide him or introduce him to my parents?

Another possibility is that I will affect the relationship between Viggo and Diana and how they will meet. Will I ruin their love story, especially when they no longer have much time to spend together?

“Ahh! I don’t know! I guess I’ll just be their cupid and maybe, I can have Sir Grimm’s attention and love,” I smirked as I keep thinking about the possibilities that are now running in my mind.

While my head was busy imagining the future scenarios, I did not notice that we’re already outside the Mirasol bar, not until Solomon opened the door for me and called my attention.

“We’re here, my lady,” he said, so I nodded at him, then I grabbed the hood of my cloak and put it over my head and stepped out of the carriage. I gave Solomon some money and instructed him to wait for me from across the street. After that, I quickly walked inside the bar. I was welcomed by a loud booming voice of men laughing and drinking.

I looked around and went straight to the bar counter and spoke the secret code to the bartender.

“One Laurio,” I said as if ordering a single drink.

“Right away, miss,” the bartender replied and walked towards a wooden door, so I followed behind him.

I saw him stopped in front of a big shelf for alcoholic drinks. Then I noticed him pushing a small stone at the wall, and the secret passage towards the secret market was revealed.

“This way, please,” he said, so I silently followed him downstairs, where the underground auction will occur.

When we are nearing the bottom of the stairs, two men are guarding the door. They are both wearing white suits and wearing different kinds of masks. They both looked down at me, so I showed them the bag of money I had, and then they nodded before they let me in.

As I stepped inside the auction room, I gulped as the nervousness rises inside me. I noticed that all of the people here are rich, and some are fans of purchasing illegal items. Base on their clothing, I can say that they are all from a rich and influential family. Some of them are wearing masks to hide their faces and identities, and just like them, my face is well hidden with the cloak and scarf that I am wearing now.

I breathe in first before looking for a vacant seat and just waiting for the auction to start, which was not long enough after I was seated.

“Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to our grand auction, where you can buy the best unique items, or maybe, you can bring home a new species that will only be available for tonight’s auction!” the hosts announced, and just like the buyers, they are also wearing a clown mask. One of them is a fat guy, and the other is a small woman; both of them are wearing a white suit.

The audience clapped their hands, and we all watched as they placed their unique items and animals that they will be selling.

Every item that they sell on the stage is unique. Honestly, I have not seen some of these things, just, for example, that bird with a golden feather. And there are also common to my real-time, just like the one they call shark’s liver or shark's oil in modern times. The host said that it could immediately cure a fever, it also improves the immune system, which is true, but it’s just funny how they tell it with exaggeration. Since it is still new for the audience, except me, they immediately bought it.

An hour has passed since they started showing their items on stage, and now, we are on the last item. I saw four men in white suits, carrying a vertically rectangular box covered by a white cloth. This last item took the audience’s attention as they can’t wait to see what this item looks like.

“And for our last item, I am pretty sure that those of you who like to collect different kinds of species, you will surely like this last item. I present to you all a monster they called a vampire!” the host announced, then removed the white cloth covering the item.

All of us were astonished by this item. Some even stood up from their seats to see the item clearly. Once the cloth was removed, I saw the place where Viggo is currently being held at. It’s a black vertically rectangular casket made of wood, and on the front is made of glass, which made it easy for all of us to see the gorgeous man sleeping inside.

His hair is jet black yet shiny, with long and perfect eyelashes, a pointy nose, and skin as pale as white, as if he has no blood within him. He’s wearing formal clothing, and he’s surrounded by red roses that seem to not die, just like him.

“Isn’t that just a dead man?” Someone from the audience asked, and the host quickly disagreed, then pointed at the talismans stuck on Viggo’s casket. It’s a yellow paper with some foreign writings written on it, which I could not understand.

“Whoever buys and waken this man from his long slumber will become his master. Just one drop of blood from a living person, and he will forever be your slave,” the hosts said with a jolly tone in their voice as if they are just selling an ordinary object.

“One hundred Zeno!” A gentleman from the front started the bidding, followed by a woman with a plain white mask.

“Five hundred Zeno!” the woman shouted, which surprises everyone since she just raised the starting bid five times.

“One thousand Zeno!” Another maiden shouted, which truly shocked everyone.

“One thousand and five hundred Zeno!” the woman with the white mask shouted again, then followed by other women who keeps raising the bid for Viggo’s ownership, and I noticed that most of the bidders now are women, well, I can’t blame them because Viggo is truly a handsome creature.

“Three thousand Zeno!” A woman in red shouted, and we can all see the happiness in her eyes that no one wanted to top up her bid anymore.

The whole room was silent and just waiting for the other bidders to raise the price, while I am just waiting if there will be a higher bid than that, since, maybe, his price is just three thousand Zeno, which means I will be able to save up a thousand Zeno if no one wants to raise the bid anymore. It’s better to be practical, you know.

“Going once! Twice! Anyone else who wants to fight for this unique creature!?” the hosts asked, and I can see from the woman’s face the boastfulness that no one will surpass her bid anymore, so I raised my hand and placed my bid.

“Three thousand and five hundred Zeno!” I shouted, then I heard whispers and murmurs around the room. I also saw the pissed expression of the woman in red, and it looks like she does not want to lose, but sorry for her, I don’t want to lose Viggo. My life is much more important, so I need to have custody of Viggo.

“Four thousand Zeno!” the woman rebutted and smirked at me. I clenched my fists.

The hell b*tch! I was trying to save that thousand Zeno, but you still bid higher! I thought to myself.

“Five thousand Zeno!” I shouted, and once again, the room was filled with murmurs and surprised reactions from these nobles.

I sat down on my chair and waited if someone else wants to bid higher than what I said. Well, I am ready to add more thousands of Zenos to my bid in case someone tries to fight back.

“Anyone else!?” the hosts asked and looked around the room. And they were answered by silence. The woman in red sat down on her chair with a frown on her face.

“Our last item is sold for five thousand Zeno!” The hosts announced, and the audiences clapped their hands as I stared at Viggo.

This is it. This is the time that Viggo will officially become my Vampire slave.

TO BE CONTINUED