✔️ Predicted 𓆩♡𓆪 | y.jw

06

"There's going to be 52 nobel families present at your welcoming party, 14 of them from the other kingdoms. Along with this, the princes of the other five kingdoms will be there to represent their respective kingdoms. That's around three hundred people." Jungwon said to me in a steady voice as we passed through the halls. 

I nodded, steadying my breath to prepare myself to be presented in front of that grand number of people. Around us, servants and maids stopped what they were doing and dropped into a low bow when we passed, Jungwon giving them a nod in acknowledgement. 

Jungwon had been drilling me with information about the party since we left my bedchamber, claiming that if Jay and Sunoo hadn't wasted so much time I wouldn't have had to memorize everything at the last minute. 

"I won't be able to be with you the entire time, so you'll have to act independently at times. Just remember, act like your status is higher than the nobels'. As the Royal Mistress, you legally are at a higher status than them." Jungwon stated. 

Hearing this information relieved me a bit. It seemed that being given the Royal Mistress title was more useful than I thought, providing me freedom and proctection. It had never occured to me before, but Jungwon was like a second chance given to me by the world. 

I turned to him, taking in his regal stance. His chin was held high, lips set into a firm line, and eyes never wavering. His eyes still had that intense, fiery determination set into them. I had never once let go of his arm during the time we had been walking, and he didn't seem to mind. On Yun Seo's night, I never noticed how good looking this prince was. 

Jungwon stopped us. "Ah," He said, turning to me. "I forgot to mention something." 

"What is it?" I asked. 

Jungwon looked at me with the same look he had on when he beheaded the other vampire. "Some of those nobels in there are pretty damn dirty and hollow headed, so if anyone tries to make a move on you with malicious intent, find me and inform me immediately."

I smiled, letting him know that I would. He led me to a set of twin golden doors, even bigger than any of the other doors I had seen. This place really had a thing for fancy doors.

Two guards clad in matching uniforms bowed deeply at the sight of us before pulling open the grand doors. The doors swept open on silent hinges, opening up the scene of the inside. Inside was a large ballroom. Suddenly, I understood why Jay and Sunoo had made such a big deal when searching for a dress for me to wear. 

Light orchestrial music was playing in the air, audible with the mumur of voices. There were already at least two hundred people inside, dressed in fabrics delicately made. They conversed among themselves in small groups, laughing and enjoying themselves. They held wine glasses in each of their gloved, perfect hands. I noticed with a drop of my heart that it was blood inside of the wine glasses, most likely human blood. 

Then, the music stopped, replaced with the blaring horns of trumpets. The mumur of voices died down as everyone stopped conversing and turned towards us. All eyes were on us. 

No, I realized with fear. They were on me. I tightened my grip on Jungwon's arm. 

Their eyes searched me, eating up any imperfection on my body. They stared at me hungrily, almost. Males smirked at me, watching me similar to the way predators would watch their prey. The ladies were not any better, glaring at my arm joined with Jungwon's. 

You're misunderstanding. I thought. You can have him. 

Sensing my uncomfort but not being able to do anything about it, Jungwon led me through the crowd of nobels. As we passed each of them, they dropped into bows and curtsies. However, their eyes never left us.