"So, as I was saying, how do you want to atone for your sin?" Damien asked, his voice dipping low as he shifted his attention back to Bella.
She sat quietly, so still she almost looked asleep, but Damien knew better. He could feel every shiver in her body, hear the racing beat of her heart. Bella quickly raised her head, sitting up straight, as she fiddled with her hands nervously, feeling the vampire's intense stare.
"What sin?" she asked in a small voice, confused.
Damien raised an eyebrow in amusement. He noticed her downcast emotion, which he was sure came from the fact King William was more than ready to gift her to him.
"Seems like you've forgotten your crimes, little fish. Seems I would have to remind you again," Damien said in a playful voice, but his tone still somehow sent a chill to Bella. Him calling her fish meant he already knew what she was.
"I apologize to Your Majesty for spilling your drink. I thank you for your benevolent mercy in pardoning me. If there is any way I can make it up to you, please let me know. I would do my best to fulfill it," she said firmly, not wanting to give him reasons to torture her further.
"Hmm… that memory recovery was a bit fast," he said like he lost an opportunity to do something. "But since you want to make it up to me, I have a lot of ways you can." He continued, and hearing the sound of Bella's heartbeat picking up, he asked,
"Oh, do you want to back out of your promise?"
"No… Your Majesty," she replied. Just the thought of him asking for her blood was enough to give her a panic attack. She cursed herself at her carelessness of wanting to make it up to him.
Damien, turning his head towards King William, every playfulness in his voice was gone as he said, "Again I would have to reject another offer this night. If I am going to get a human feeder, I expect it to be of high quality, not a maid."
King William was more than surprised by this refusal. He was very certain that the vampire seemed quite interested in Bella. After all, her beauty and her blood was mermaid. He knew how vampires cherished their blood, but getting one these days was very difficult considering the fact that they were difficult to lure out.
King William was not the only one shocked by this, so also were his wife and his son Marcus, who was more than happy by this. He took in a deep breath in relief. This didn't escape the queen's watchful eye, who gritted her teeth in anger.
Bella, who was on the vampire's body, was the most relieved of them all. She had already started planning her escape together with her mother.
But…as for tonight ..the vampire started, cutting her relief short, "She's coming with me tonight."
Without giving her time to digest his words, he picked her up in a bridal style, leaving the hall. His men stood up, following behind.
"Truly, a vampire king is difficult to please," one of the nobles said.
"Seems like our king would not likely discuss the reduction of the humans sent to the vampires' empires," another added.
Outside, the embarrassed Lucy stood, taking a deep breath. She planned to walk in with her head high; after all, no one would say anything. Damien probably admired her generosity. With that thought, a sweet smile graced her face, ready to walk in–when the doors swung open, the vampire striding out not sparing her a glance.
What shocked her most was the girl in a maid's outfit nestled in his arms, her face buried in his chest so she couldn't see her clearly.
Lucy's hands clenched tightly as she glared in the direction they went.
"When did the maids grow bold enough to take what belongs to me!" she yelled.
All the servants in the hallway quickly bowed their heads, not wanting to become victims tonight.
"You there." She pointed at a server who stood close to the wall with his head bowed. "Tell me," she said chillingly, "who was that maid with Damien?" She called his name as though they had a close relationship, a habit she had formed from constantly fantasizing about them being together.
"Relaying to Your Highness… that maid seemed not to be a maid," he said carefully.
"What do you mean she seemed not to be a maid? Did she appear from nowhere in a maid's outfit?" she yelled in a sharp voice, ready to hit something.
"Yo… Your Highness, I heard some of the maids whispering about it being Princess Bella who had sneaked in a maid's outfit," he said quickly, before the princess's temper snapped again.
"What do you mean that bitch sneaked in a maid's outfit? It can't be true!" Lucy said almost in disbelief.
She stormed straight into the hall to confirm what she had just heard. From the chattering around her, she could hear a beautiful maid being mentioned again and again, but what caught her attention most was when one of the ladies said:
"What if he decides to keep her after spending the night with her?"
"Bella!" Lucy called out through gritted teeth, making the gossiping nobles go silent. She turned, walking out of the hall, the door slamming shut behind her.
If only Bella knew what was coming for her.