Bella cursed her luck as she made her way towards the front. Raising her head just a little, she stole a quick peek, and her eyes immediately caught the man seated right next to her family. Her heart sank. Taking a deep breath, she muttered encouragly under her breath,
"I can do this."
Dragging her feet, she forced herself forward, tray clutched tightly in her hands, making sure her head was properly lowered.
"Your Majesty," Bella whispered, her voice trembling, barely audible yet the vampire caught it as clearly as if she had shouted.
Slowly, he turned his head, his piercing gaze falling on the maid whose entire body shook as though she were standing in the middle of a storm.
"Come closer," he ordered.
Bella's body went stiff at his words. She inched forward, but only a fraction, barely covering an inch.
"By chance," Damien's voice rang out, cold and sharp enough to freeze her blood, "are your legs glued to the ground–or have you no use for them?"
His tone was cold, carrying the weight of someone who would not tolerate defiance. Bella wished in that moment the ground would simply open up and swallow her whole.
"Imprudent maid!" King William's furious voice boomed across the hall, his outrage clear. Every eye turned, every whisper silenced, all focus now pinned on Bella, who shook like a leaf caught in a violent wind.
With trembling steps, she moved forward–closer, almost too close. The vampire inhaled softly, his eyes narrowing as her scent reached him. For the first time, a flicker of interest sparked in his gaze, and a predatory smile curled his lips.
"Interesting," Damien said, his voice low, dangerous, almost amused. "Raise your head."
Bella's stomach twisted. She knew if she obeyed, her cover would be blown. That was the last thing she needed. Praying silently to any gods who might be listening, she raised her head just slightly–just enough for him to see her forehead.
"You must think me a patient man," Damien murmured, his voice carrying a hint of impatience, though his eyes burned with amusement.
Murmurs rippled through the hall, nobles whispering in shock at how a mere maid could dare test a man who could, with a whim, erase their entire kingdom.
Bella raised her head slowly, whispering her final prayers in her mind. Her fingers, slick with sweat, making the tray slipped crashing to the floor with a loud thud, echoing like a thunderclap in her ears, its contents staining the polished ground.
"Presumptuous!" King William roared, his fury unrestrained. "Guards! Arrest this maid immediately!"
But before the order could be carried out, Damien lifted a hand lazily, amusement flickering in his cold eyes.
"Oh, don't trouble yourselves," he said lightly, his lips curving into something dangerous. "It's just a spill."
His words silenced the king, leaving the hall in uneasy quiet, a rush of relief wash through bella.
She quickly dropped to her knees in submission, just as she had seen other servants do when they made mistakes or faced punishment. Pain tore through her as shards of glass dug into her skin, piercing her knees. She bit back a cry, her teeth clenching, but only if she had known–her blood seeping into the air only served to draw the attention of every vampire in the room.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," she cried out, louder this time, her voice breaking. Her only prayer was that the vampire would dismiss her quickly, that his mercy would extend once more, the way he had let her off for spilling his drink.
Marcus, sitting a few rows back, frowned deeply. That voice… it was too familiar. No. It can't be her. But as he narrowed his eyes, he noticed the color of her hair, and his heart stopped. It was the same shade he knew so well. From where he sat, he couldn't see her face clearly, but every fiber of him screamed that it was Bella.
"Raise your head," Damien commanded again, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.
This time, Bella quickly complied, knowing that another refusal might cost her more than she could afford. Her hands trembled as she lifted her chin.
Marcus's heart sank when her face came into full view. His breath caught in his throat, and for a moment he forgot where he was. The look on King William's face was one of sheer shock, though he covered it swiftly with a practiced mask. The queen, however, gritted her teeth, her eyes blazing with rage at the sight of Bella –rage that she had not yet been arrested, rage that Damien had slayed the king's order.
Damien, ever observant, caught every flicker in their expressions. His lips curled in satisfaction, his eyes glinting with amusement. As expected, this maid was even more intriguing.
"Your Highness, forgive this imprudent maid," Marcus cut in suddenly, his voice calm but tight, carrying the weight of desperation beneath it. "Be assured, she will be punished when she returns."
Damien turned his gaze lazily to Marcus, his eyes narrowing, studying him like a hawk. Then he laughed softly, though there was no warmth in it.
"Oh, you make it sound as though I am cruel," he said, his voice smooth but cutting. "It was your father who ordered her arrest. And yet…" He gestured toward Bella with a flick of his wrist. "She still kneels here, untouched, only because of my mercy."
His words sent a chill through Marcus, who knew that his treasured possession was about to be snatched.
Marcus took a deep breath and bowed his head, covering the glint in his eyes, swallowing his pride. "Forgive me for misspeaking."
"My Magesty, please do not take it to heart," Queen Prisca quicky added, her voice sharp, though laced with false sweetness. "Marcus is only worried about your mood being spoiled."
Damien scoffed lightly at her words, turning back to Bella. His gaze lingered on her, intense and unrelenting.
"I find her… rather interesting," he murmured, leaning forward just enough for his words to carry. His eyes gleamed with something dangerous, and a slow smile spread across his lips. "Quite a beauty, isn't she?"
The nobles stirred, whispers spreading, as curiosity gripped them. Who was this maid who had managed to catch the attention of the vampire king himself? The women in the room glared daggers at Bella, their envy sharp enough to cut. And if Lucy had been present, she might have crushed her teeth to dust from how hard she would grit them.