The Elven King's Consort

Chapter 30: The Mask

Evadne rushed over. At first, it took me a moment to recognize her since everyone, including myself, wore masks. It was the same plain white mask and standardized maid attire tonight: a long black dress past her ankles slightly with a white apron and her hair wrapped tightly into a bun. Her voice forced my attention away, ignoring the negative comments.

"My lady! There you are! This place is like a maze! We had finished early, and I couldn't find my way around! Luckily, a guard pointed me to where you would be this hour; I'm sorry for being so late."

"It's fine, Evadne. I assumed Keyair would have guided you back to me, but that wasn't true. I'm sorry I didn't send someone for you; I was overwhelmed with getting ready for this event, but judging by how everyone is staring at us, we aren't very welcomed."

She turned around, made a small auditory gasp, and stepped back behind me. I didn't entirely blame her for being frightened. The people of the elven race watched us with evident hate, malice, and disgust in their eyes, and the fact I was a royal and a vampire did not matter. Most would fear or shy away from vampires as our strength and speed are forces no one would want to reckon with. But these people were from a prestigious and privileged race; they held no fear and looked down on those different.

But it never used to be this way in the past when King Reon, Cestiel's father, ruled as king; although he was impatient, hot-headed, and blood-thirsty, he respected all the kingdoms and welcomed their people. That was what mother and father often told us two princesses growing up, and had it not been for King Reon's tyrant nature, we would have gone and visited the Elven Kingdom yearly.

From what I could tell now, things were VERY different compared to the past; we were on enemy territory and not welcomed. I straightened my back and pushed forward. The crowd moved back, allowing me a decent-sized path until Evadne and I came up to a door with two guards posted; their spears blocked the entrance at first but moved smoothly aside, allowing us entrance. We walked in, Evadne close to me, while I remained level-headed and appeared unfazed. I can't show fear and distance because they will walk all over me, and I'll be the laughingstock of all kingdoms. Their icy gazes and harsh words were nothing I wasn't already accustomed to.

Even in the Vampire Kingdom, up until Maylyn ascended the throne, I was treated differently because I carried human blood in my veins. I was born sickly, and often, those around me assumed my death would come early while in childhood, until Cealstis created a vile that helped sustain some of the effects, giving my mother and father hope of my survival. After reaching adulthood and becoming my sister's right hand, those all around bowed and respected me. However, the trauma was left behind as a scar. And it was hard for me to ever trust and love my race because of their open will of my early death. But that didn't mean I hated them. I came here to ensure that the Vampire Kingdom and its people would receive better material and medicine because we are lacking compared to the other unified kingdoms. As the queen's right hand, I was left with no real choice in the matter either. If I didn't go with Keyair, something deep down told me the King of the Elven Kingdom would have started a war. It was a gut feeling, and normally, it was always right.

I swallowed past the hardened ball resting in the middle of my throat; it was dry and ached, and I pressed on, ignoring my racing heart and growing anxiety. I was so close to the king now. Finally, we have arrived. And yet, I was so confident all the way here until now. The one thought that kept circling back was, what if he refused my offer for a deal? Then what? I refuse to marry him, but then would he take me hostage and attack the Vampire Kingdom? Can I live with the idea that innocent people will die because of my selfishness? No, I shook my head, he has to accept. He can't be that cruel, right? It was naive and wishful thinking but kept me going and restored my confidence.