Vampire King's Second Chance

/CHAPTER THREE/

The next couple of days passed in a haze. The same schedule was followed that was in effect for last ten years. I rarely saw father at home but whenever he was present I wouldn't want to stay.

He usually talked about the man who was to be my husband, and he did so happily I wanted to lash out in protest that I didn't want to get married just because he was bathing in gold.

"Money can give you everything you want, love can't."

He would always say that, and now I could see the extent of his words. Mother had a different perspective on love and believed in cherishing it for life. At times like these I wished mother was still here.

The day of the spring ball came like a celebration. A festive atmosphere was lit around our town and the neighbouring towns as well. All the 26 towns that made the Tarnan kingdom was rejoicing the start of the spring ball.

Hazel visited later that morning so we could get ready together. By carriage the travelling time from our town to the capital was barely three hours so we had limited time to get ourselves presentable and reach there before the ball starts.

"Maybe we can do something nice with your hair, what about I clip it all up in a clean twist?" Hazel spoke animatedly to herself while I just sat on my chair in front of the mirror watching her worry about my hair and lip colour.

"Hazel, it doesn't matter if I wear my hair up or not. I'm not going there to grab anyone's attention."

"It's a rare opportunity for you to find a future husband! Imagine the beautiful faces that would be appearing." Hazel sighed dreamily with a far away look in her crystal eyes. "Imagine a beautiful man walking towards you, wearing a charming smile and then he asks for your hand in dance and you say yes. You both dance around, lost in each other's eyes. And before you know it, your life changed!"

I shake my head at her outworldly imagination. Hazel has always been like this.

She was already in her gown and her dark brown hair was done in a elegant bun at the side of her neck adorned with a golden clip. And cheeks dusted with pearl powder and lips painted in a sheer pink tint. My friend looked gorgeous.

I sighed, "I don't need to find anyone for myself, father already did. Or must I say, Aunt Harrington did."

"What?!" Hazel exclaimed loudly in shock and dropped the comb. She was one of those who believed in love before marriage, there was no marriage without love according to her, so it must have sounded like a scandal to her ears.

"Father met him a few days ago and couldn't stop complimenting him. Tomorrow we will leave for the Source town to stay there a few days and fix the date for the wedding."

"Do you have a say in it? Have you seen him yet? And why are you only telling this to me now?!" Hazel picked up the comb and started brushing my hair again. Her eyes were fixed on me through the glass.

"Father was considerate enough to tell me before going. He did not ask if I want to get married or wheather I have the choice to reject him in any circumstance." I focused on keeping my voice even.

"What?" Her tone got much softer and disbelieving.

"That's why I have decided something." I said looking at my reflection in the old mirror, "I won't let my life be controlled like this."

"What have you thought?"

I gestured for her to come closer and whispered into her ear in a hushed tone so no one could hear.

"Are you out of your mind?! That's impossible!"

"Not if you help me." I asked.

Hazel looked down at me for a long time and then sighed and nodded. I smiled in relief.

"Only because I don't want to see you unhappy for the rest of your life." She warned, "I do not usually part take in these kind of plans. I will make an exception because it is you."

"I truly appreciate your moralistic sacrifice for my sake, Hazel." I answered.

An hour later Hazel and I were good to leave and the carriage was already waiting in the front the house with Thomson.

"You both look very pretty." He complimented and helped us climb up into the carriage.

"Thank you Thomson, and tell father not to worry too much if we were to be late." I said and watch him nod. The carriage rolled ahead and I sat back on the leather seat comfortably.

We didn't have any companion with us which was a relief for my plan to work, it was necessary that we were alone.

"You are going to steal hearts today, my dear." Hazel said from the opposite seat to mine. I shook my head at her speculation and continued to gaze out of the window.

I did look beautiful, my dress was magnificent as ever and my lips were painted a hint of red, the front of my hair was swept back with a clip with a few escaped natural curls. I did not have many ornaments on, only a pair of loose ear pieces and a single bracelet that Hazel had gifted me last year on my birthday.

So yes, I looked beautiful today.

The passing trees and houses told me how far we have come and how long we have yet to go ahead. The small green cloth bag hung on my wrist felt heavier with the weight of my guilt as we rolled away from the town.

"Forgive me father." I whispered into the air, hoping it would take my apology to my father who I didn't have the chance to see before leaving.

Sun started to set down fairly quick and in an additional hour we reached th capital. The capital was a lot different than the towns surrounding it.

It was in the centre of the kingdom and was recognised with the grand palace that the King resided in. The capital was a place for the lord's and important ministers of the king and a place for businesses.

Commoners were welcomed to visit for business but living in the capital was only a dream.

Seeing the place I only heard about was overwhelming. The wide streets were lit with magical lights and the people looked important. Ladies clad in expensive and glittery gowns while the gentlemen walked around in leather boots and stylish tunics and breeches.

The capital was everything I had imagined and more.

The carriage came to a stop before the big black metal gates and we exited the carriage. The gates were opened wide for everyone to come inside and like many other men and women we entered the king's premises.

The gate was followed by a mass of land, a path going stright towards the front of the palace and both sides covered in fresh cut grass and unknown plants.

The walk to the palace was short and exciting, the bubbling sensation in my stomach rose to my chest and I barely held onto Hazel to keep myself from bursting.

The doors of the palace was opened wide just like the gates. Blinding golden lights welcomed us firsthand when we reached the entrace. It was enticing to look at.

This is how the King lives? I thought in awe and swept my eyes over the place.

A set of stairs guided us to the grand hall where the ball was held and on the opposite was another set of stairs that I assume lead to the chambers. A massive crystal chandelier hung over us in the hall.

Soft music flowed easily around in the air and like everyone else Hazel and I tried to mingle. I couldn't help but feel put of space with my gown in comparison to the other ladies attending.

They were adorned in beautiful gowns and jewellery, accompanied by their chaperone, all of those things gave them superiority over my mind into thinking I was ordinary.

"Davina, let's go to the refreshments table." Hazel took my hand and guided me in that direction. I followed her quietly and felt much at peace in the corner with a fruity drink in my hand.

I didn't expect anyone to ask me for a dance and neither did I want to in the first place. I wasn't any good and it would be better if I didn't embarrass myself in front of so many people.

I could sense many of there were vampires, it was quiet difficult to tell them apart from human because they looked so human.

Their skin was only so pale that they were fair skinned, they fed only on animal blood or if a human was willing to be fed on, which erased the fear from the heart of residing humans. In the ball they were mingling just fine with everyone.

And unlike myths that followed, they walked in soft sunlight with ease like humans, they were not burnt to ashes just by the touch of sun on their skin. However, too much sun was fatally harmful to them and they preferred to stay indoors in noon.

As I stood in the corner with my own conpany, with every sip of the fruity drink I became restless for a strange reason.

The King wasn't here yet, he had to show up soon and that's what everyone was waiting for. The actual ball would only started after the King was present and gave a signal to start.

Just as that though came to mind the music stopped and a hush silence fell over the grand hall, making it known that he was going to grace everyone with his presence.

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Skylar,

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