It was evening, and nobles had already begun filling the royal palace. Their fine clothes glittered under the lights, while carriages lined up neatly outside, coachmen busy at their posts. Excitement showed clearly on the faces of the unmarried ladies as they whispered to one another, their shy blushes betraying the subject of their talk-the vampire king.
He had come to visit their small human kingdom, and their king was hosting a welcome ball in his honor. Everyone knew vampires were not to be trifled with, yet the young women couldn't hide the ambition burning in their hearts. If one of them managed to catch the king's eye, it could mean immortality and with it, beauty, power, and wealth for a lifetime.
Meanwhile, inside one of the most luxurious rooms in the palace, the first and legitimate daughter of the king was determined to look the most beautiful of them all. Princess Lucy gave herself a final look in the tall mirror that stood in her chamber. Her eyes lingered on her reflection, admiring the outcome of her long preparation. The red gown she wore was made of the finest material, its corset so tight it nearly stole her breath, cinching her waist making it smaller than usual. Her cleavage was revealed just enough to draw a man's gaze, while her lips, painted a soft pink, only added to her allure. Her light blonde hair, already a crown of beauty on its own, had been styled with perfection and adorned with a dazzling tiara that matched the jewels at her neck and ears.
Around her, the maids watched nervously, waiting for their ill-tempered mistress's approval.
"It's perfect," Lucy declared at last, twirling in front of the mirror. Her brown eyes gleamed with excitement. The maids smiled in relief.
"You look beautiful, Your Highness. No one will be able to rival your beauty,"one of them flattered.
Lucy's satisfied, smug smile spread wide, and the others quickly followed with their own praises, each trying to outdo the other with compliments.
"Let me go and show Mother my look," Lucy said with pride. "I'm certain the king will not be able to take his eyes off me."
Of course, the king she spoke of was none other than the vampire king himself—the very one who had stolen her heart the moment he arrived. Living in the palace had given her the advantage of seeing him up close, unlike the other girls who relied on whispered rumors. She had been utterly taken by his godlike beauty. With her looks, status, and confidence, Lucy was certain of her success. Let the others try their best —it would only make her triumph more glorious. By the end of the night, he would be hers, and the rest would envy her as they should.
"Your Highness… other ladies also seem to be interested in the vampire king," one maid said timidly, shattering the joyful atmosphere in the room.
"You dare compare their beauty to Her Highness?" another maid snapped instantly, leaping to her defense.
"N-no… I'm only saying there will be many beautiful women present. But of course, none can rival her beauty," the nervous maid stammered, silently cursing her own foolish tongue. She had only spoken out of worry that her mistress might be overshadowed, but now she feared her words might cost her dearly.
"That's enough," Lucy cut in sharply, her voice cold as ice. The room fell silent.
"They will all be there, yes," she said, her tone softening into smug confidence, "but only to make me stand out even more. "She knew she wasn't the most beautiful or the most charming of women, yet she possessed qualities that could set her apart. That was, of course, if as long as her stepsister remained out of sight.
Bella, the daughter of her father's concubine, was someone Lucy could not afford to compete with. She had already warned her to stay hidden in her own quarters of the palace until the vampire king departed. After all, Bella was no ordinary girl. Her mother had been a mermaid captured by the king, and her inhuman blood granted her a beauty so extraordinary it seemed almost illegal.
Lucy smiled in satisfaction at the thought of how everything would go exactly as she planned. If only she knew the evening had plans of its own.