For Eternity II: Clandestine Preceding (Vampire! 2p! Italy x Reader)

Chapter Nine - A Ball for a Bride: Part Two

        Luciano and you, as well as the rest of the room, stared at the  young girl who had disrupted the events of the ball. She pulled you way out of the huddle of girls her age so she was at the front. She was a pale, red headed girl with freckles. She had ample cleavage showing, most likely done in hopes of having the young prince fall in love with her curves and body in general. Speaking of curves, she looked very curvaceous, but that was probably due to a corset, which you and many other women at the ball were guilty of wearing. Her hair was in a. Fancy updo and had little jewels woven into it to five her look a little extra flair. You mentally cringed, but attempted to not show your disgust from her rudeness. Luciano seemed to be doing the same. The rest of the royal family, especially the almighty Romulus, did not look satisfied from having the festivities interrupted.

        "Come again?" Luciano asked as he tilted his head off to the side slightly.

        "Why does she get more time with you than I do?! I'm obviously younger than her and have more curves! My hips would be better for giving you an heir should you come to power!" she complained loudly, not caring at all that she was making a huge scene.

        "Does it look like I care about looks?" Luciano asked, a slight underlying hiss in his voice.

        "But why settle for some whore when you can have me?!"

        You gritted your teeth so hard that you felt like your fangs wound break. Your hands were clenched into fists at your sides. Whore? That ticked you off. How could she call you a whore when you were dressed more conservatively than her? Yes, your cleavage was showing, but it wasn't like your breasts would spill out from your gown if you made a wrong move like hers looked like they would. Tears pricked at your eyes. If you went to hit her, she no doubt would fight you back, and you didn't want to ruin the ball any further for the royal family. You were about to go and seek out your parents to leave, but the sound of a chair's legs scraping against the floor made you stop. You turned your head to look at where the sound came from.

        It was Romulus oddly enough. You knew that he knew who you were. You could see the acknowledgement in his eyes. You swallowed what saliva that had accumulated in your mouth and watched as he approached you. At least you thought he was approaching you, but he walked right past your position next to Luciano and over to the group of girls. His hands were clasped behind his back, but he wore a scowl on his face. He stopped in front of the girl who had caused a commotion. Everyone who he passed bowed to him except for you, Luciano, and the other royals. The girls he stopped before bowed as well, even the one who had an outburst. He craned his neck down to look at her since she was rather short compared to him.

        "Name," he demanded.

        She looked mildly terrified from being in such close proximity to the king. "Helena Simmons, Your Majesty," she answered, managing to not stutter at all.

        "You think that girl next to my grandson is a whore, correct? I heard you right?"

        "Yes, Your Majesty."

        "Why? I want a valid reason. No half-assed excuses. No 'Oh, well she put him under some mental influence.' None of that shit."

        "I... Well, I..." She was having an extremely difficult time figuring out a legitimate excuse as to why she thought you where a whore.

        "Speak up and spit it out... I don't have all night..."

        "She... She's not even a vampire! She's a human!"

        Romulus turned his torso enough to look at you. "Open your mouth."

        You did as instructed and opened your mouth, revealing the pearly white fangs stemming from your upper row of teeth. Romulus frowned and looked back to Helena.

        "Lies... Do you know that lying to the king is punishable by death?"

        "N-no..."

        "Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic... Do you at least know the purpose of this ball, you incompetent girl?"

        "Of course I know that!" Her cheeks were red with anger. "It's for the prince to find a bride!"

        "Mhm... And are you aware that you have just ruined said ball by disrupting the occasion with your trivial outburst?"

        Helena's cheek grew more red, but this time out of embarrassment. "I..."

        "It seems as though you know what your own selfishness and stupidity has cause. Now get out of here, slut. Take your family with you and never return to the royal court. I wouldn't blame your parents if they kept you locked in your pitiful home for the rest of your miserable, destitute life," he growled, showing no remorse for his harsh words.

        The red head ran off crying. Two adults, one male and one female, ran out after her, though not in tears. Romulus leered at the group of girls who had been cowering behind Helena in his presence.

        "If you wish to not have the same done to you, clear out of the area..." he hissed.

        The girls were quick to move away from the table area and scattered to find their parents. You remained by Luciano's side as Romulus passed. His shoulder was in line with yours when you spoke.

        "Your Majesty?" you inquired.

        Romulus stopped a few paces behind you. "Che cosa è, donna?" He didn't look at you, and you didn't look at him.

        "Thank you."

        "Tch... Qualunque cosa..."

        Romulus continued on his way back to his seat at the table beside his wife and son. Rema placed a hand on one of his once he sat down. Florentina was whispering with Giovanni about what just transpired. The musicians hired to play for the event resumed playing awkwardly, and the occupants of the room, most of them anyway, soon went back to what they had been doing. Luciano looked to you and took your hand in his. You blushed at the sudden contact and looked back at him. He kissed the back of your hand like he had done earlier.

        "Mi dispiace. I didn't realize how much of a ruckus me spending a little extra time with you would cause."

        You shook your head. "It's fine."

        "No it's not. She called you a whore, which you are far from being." He carressed your cheek gently and wiped under your one eye with his thumb to rid you of a tear that was close to falling. "You are a wonderful, young woman who I know to be very intelligent."

        "Thank you. I appreciate your kind words."

        "Prego."

        The head butler who had been announcing new arrivals quickly approached the two of you with a bow. "Your Highness, all the guests have arrived. Your grandfather has given me instructions to tell you that you are free to mingle with the unmarried maidens that you have enjoyed thus far."

        "Grazie Roberto."

        The head butler, now known as Roberto, nodded before heading off to take care of the ball guests. Luciano looked back at you.

        "You're the only maiden who has interested me tonight. So, how about I introduce you to some of the people you don't know?"

        You nodded with a small smile. "I'd love that."

~Author's Note~

DreamsForDays here! Part two has arrived and drama ensued. Now, please do not get with how Romulus speaks to Helena. Luciano will explain it in the next chapter, and if not in the next chapter, then in the chapter after that. Let's move on to translations.

Translations:

Che cosa è, donna? - What is it, woman?

Qualunque cosa... - Whatever...

Mi dispiace. - I'm sorry.

Prego. - You're welcome.

Grazie - Thank you

That's all of them! I really hope you guys are enjoying the story so far! Thanks for reading! Feedback in the comments is always appreciated! Until next time!