♡Kiara's POV♡
It was as if the Valerian Prince just loved to press on my father's nerves. He knew how upsetting my agreement made my poor dad, but he still insisted that I ride his carriage to the ball. It was like adding insult to injury.
It was needless to say that my father was furious. He clearly stated that he didn't like the idea, but Satan's first son insisted that it was his job to take me there. In all honesty, it was tradition, but still,STILL!
"If you had just listened to me..." Carlotta's low voice cut sharply into my thoughts.
"Seriously? You are going to scold me now?" I protested as she did my eyeline. Her nose was a little wrinkled, as if she were disgusted to even be helping me get ready.
Aunt Lydia burst in with a wide-staged smile.
"Can't you be any faster? It's rude to keep your escort waiting so long."
She came closer and gently led my chin to meet her judgmental eyes. She scanned my face for a while before expressing satisfaction with her features.
"With Carlotta around,you don't need any other lady waiting on you--do you?"
Carlotta chucked politely to the subtle compliment.That was the most appreciation you could get from my aunt.
When we were finally done with the make-up, she led down the stairs slowly, making sure to steal time to hush an advice or two.
"Chin up when you walk."
"Be polite, in fact, submissive if you must.There are certain people who have stuck up to.Be wise."
"Remember whose company you are in and act accordingly," she added quietly as we headed down the stairs. "Your father is already at the event, and he will be looking out for you, just in case."
I eyed her with suspicion.
"It's just a ball; what could possibly happen?"
We had already reached outside,and instead of answering me, she left my hand and pushed me foward as if offering me as a living sacrifice to him.
All the excitement in me turned to chilling fear. I felt chills down my back with every step I took towards him.
Adriel leaned against his carriage and watched me with a sadistic gleam in his eye as I approached .Something about that look terrified me to the core.
He was surprisingly a gentleman, though. I watched in silent awe as he offered his hand and helped me get in his carriage.
It was far bigger than mine. The seats were mahogany red and seemed way more detailed to give an air of perfection and to offer full comfort. They would have done a good job, in my opinion, if I didn't have to share the carriage with him.
"Make yourself comfortable," he hoarsed when I couldn't stop twitching.
How could I be comfortable after all the warnings I received? It was as if I were riding with the devil himself. He took up every space as he sat opposite me—every single inch.
Any source of comfort I found in the soft seats vanished as he made himself comfortable.
I looked out the window for air. I felt like I had come too close to a blackhole. His gaze burned my cheek for a forbidden moment, and I stiffened. God,I hated this.
"Thanks for the ride."
He made a light chuckle and roamed his eyes over me.
"My pleasure," he replied,seductive amusement lingering in that deep voice of his.
A ride, really, of all the words in my diction. I told the pervert and womaniser. "Thank you for the ride.".
This is why I purse my lips and pretend I don't speak. I had a bad habit of saying all the wrong things.
He stared outside the window,his dangerous smile gone,his facade of respect and gentlemanly qualities gone with it. He asked no questions about me or made an effort to create a light atmosphere, and I was honestly grateful. It was better that way. If he did ask a question,I won't need to answer.Its a win-win situation.
He looked bored to death, but even with that expression, believe me,he looked heavenly. And that was a word I didn't think fitted him. It seemed like a sin to have such a black heart and look like the angels.
He wore a black velvet suit with intricate silver embroidery with a subtle shimmer against the dark night. His broad shoulders were accentuated by the fit of his suit,the fabric clinging to his very form,outlining the very definition of his beautiful frame.
Do you now know what I mean by heavenly???
"Do you know how inappropriate it is, Kiara? To stare that much? That's hard?"he asked, dragging my very soul from my body.
I heard and understood, but at the same time, I was blank. As I predicted, I couldn't speak.
"That way?" he added, narrowing his eyes, creating an even messier scene in my mind.
The way his tone became so unexplainably alluring as his gaze darkened in the most appealing way made me deeply concerned for my own sanity. How was I staring at something that was so inappropriate? There is no way I was that obvious with my admiration. Or was I?
"I apologize."
I breathed as I flicked my senses, broke eye contact, and stared at my dangerously stiff hands, folded neatly on my laps. I rubbed them to see if they worked and to distract myself from the hot rush I felt with those last words.
His gaze burned me again. He made a sound out of amusement. I don't know what exactly it was, but I was not thrilled that my anxiety was entertaining to him. But even with my disapproval and anger,I would not look up and protest.As Aunty said "Beware of the company you are in and ACT ACCORDINGLY."
* * *
We arrived at the palace soon enough. This year's ball was hosted by the Sirens, and they made sure that it was known. The castle walls were mostly blue and aquamarine, and the colours dripping from the curtains eased me a bit. It reminded me of how long it's been since I swam.I should get in the water more often.
"So you came." A soft voice called behind me.
I turned with excitement that quickly faded with the snickering look I received from the girls behind me.
"Uh… Hello." I said, feigning a smile.
"Kiara?"a brunette asked as she sipped her drink.
"Yes. It is me." I nodded.
"And she proudly claims it."One of them sneered with laughter.
"What's there not to be proud of?"
"Nevermind sweetie."a brunette laughed. "Its been years since you last been here...are you sure you got an invitation this time."
"Im sure I did."i nodded politely turning away.
"I just hope you are under control tonight.Ive been hearing some news about outbreaks.It would have been nice if you came with a leach just in case-"
I turned to her with a hot gaze.
"When they say I'm the hybrid,you do know that it means that I snapped your neck off without breaking a sweat right."
"No,"I smiled smiled."But it seems you are.Someone has to put your mouth in place."
The air became stiff around us and I patiently waited for her to slip up so I can teach her a lesson.
"Let's go, girls." She smiled sweetly, backing away as she gave me a condescending look. "I prefer talking to actual royalty than exchanging words with this vile creature."
"Perhaps the reason people don't like you isn't your genetics at all.Its your nasty and uncultured tone."one of the girls added as they backed away.
"Go on, run off." I said, waving away my last chance of acceptance.
This part of the event was mostly for socialising, but I was alone in the middle of the room fighting off taunters and gossips.
I sipped a bit of cognac.Everywhere I went, the crowd dispersed. Everyone made an effort to avoid me,the werewolves will mingle with the vampires;their long time enemy.but won't speak to me. I was mixed.
Yet,they watched me. It was funny in a sad way.
As I predicted, Adriel didn't stay by my side for long, and since he vanished, everyone concentrated on cursing me instead. And instead of trying to suck up to them as Aunt Lydia said, I was there being proud. I would never fit in at this rate.
I shook off the ill feeling and decided to get things done. I came here for a reason, and I was definitely going to do it. I looked around the room, only to frown upon how many men I recognized. There were seventeen in total. All from the Whitman Armed Forces. Assigned to watch me, of course. My father liked to overdo such things; if I hadn't begged him not to be dramatic,they would probably fill the room.
I rolled my eyes and searched for Adriel. Don't ask,I don't know why.
Anyway,I couldn't find him,and I surprisingly couldn't find my father either. I prayed that they were not somewhere punching each other at the moment. I sighed and made my way to find General Xhao,he's Lilith's father.
Xhao was a private man; I had only seen him laugh heartily with his daughter.Their relationship was like me and my fathers.He was a mere introvert with everyone else.
Now, where would a man like that be during the time of socialising? The winning answer is...NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. I looked like a cat sniffing for a mouse. My wolf sense heightened on particular nights, but not this one.All I could smell was perfume and alcohol.
The music heightened,the crowd parted, and for a second,everything was still. I stared at the entrance a bit confused, and the song erupted again with more fire than before; it sent chills through me. And the siren royal family gracefully entered the room,all adorned in beautiful royalty that screamed their rich origin.
The King and Queen walked in first,followed by their children. The first child was a tall, striking male demi-god whose height reminded me too much of Adriel. Our eyes caught each other briefly before he averted his gaze to another guest. The princesses looked equally beautiful; they all had clear sapphire blue eyes and a hint of amusement within them.
"Good evening to all." The Siren King started extending his hands as if to distribute the greetings with them.
"It is truly an honour to host one of the most important balls of the season."
His voice trailed off quickly in my mind as my eye caught General Xhao heading outside the ballroom. I stood immobile for a second before deciding to chase him. The eagles here to watch were distracted by the speech anyway.I found my way through the crowd in a hurry and stepped outside. The cold wind blew the pesky strands of my hair in a scatter as I rushed towards him. I was immediately halted by a group of guards who drew their swords as if ready to attack.
The panic froze me, and my hands rose out of instinct. I managed to take cautious breaths and remain calm.
"I just want to speak with the General," I breathed.
At this point, the General had turned around and scowled a bit. He didn't order his men to put their weapons down; instead, he stared at me with disdain,the type of look thar was equivalent to "off with her head".
Again,I breathed.
"You shouldn't be out here alone,should you?" The General Xhao said
"I have nothing to worry about, though." My hands dropped to my sides. "A man of your status knows the rules; the slightest harm that befalls me may cost your very title."
He chuckled dryly as he rubbed his chin. The weapons lowered, and he came forward. I stood firm, refusing to lower my eyes. This was certainly not a time to fold.
"What exactly do you want, Princess?"
"The Castle and all surrounding areas back. Your daughter helped build that place; it is her legacy. You can't take it from the-"
"Do not speak of her, young lady!" he fumed.
I counted to three in my head. "I will buy it."
"It's already sold," he said, turning to leave.
"Then I will pay double," I said, following him, but the guards stopped me again. "I will give you the mountain!"
He climbed into his carriage weakly,ignoring my negotiations.
"Please!" I begged,my voice becoming cracked. The general stopped in his tracks and stared at me,seeming a bit frightened. I wondered if my plea had such a stinging effect, but then it dawned on me.
Literally.
I felt his shadow suck me in before he even spoke.For some disturbing reason, I knew exactly who it was.
"Is there something going on that I should know about?" His voice was smooth as whiskey but, at the same time, with a hint of cold, cold ice.Making a mix of commanding and seductive. Again,this had a bad effect on me. My senses picked up a mixture of mint,forest honey, and something else I couldn't quite name, like a type of rich wine. It was the ride all over again.
A few more steps behind me were inappropriate enough to make me take a step forward to avoid brushing my skin, yet I didn't move. I would rather stay near Adriel than go forward to red-eyed Xhao, who seemed mad at me for who knows what.
No option were exactly safe, but even thinking it through suggested I stay rooted in where I was. I blamed it on the blackhole energy. There was a puff of smoke over my head, and the cloud slowly descended upon me,polluting the air. I suppressed my cough. I despise smoke. I never understood why one would willingly allow their body to go through self-destruction. But there Adriel was, making self-destruction the most alluring thing I have seen.
"Come down here,Xhao. Let's all have a talk." The command outweighed the coaxing. Brutal and rude.
The general reluctantly came down from his carriage while maintaining a glare at me.
This was certainly not how I planned the night.