Slap Her
“Did everyone suddenly go deaf?” Lilith yelled when not even one servant of hers stepped forward to do her bidding. “Best believe me, I’ll make sure every one of you is deaf if someone doesn't step forward and give this lowlife a trash.”
Anger coursed through her. Her fists clenched and her fangs bit at her lips. The first princess was doing everything in her power to stop herself from getting a hold of the human and ending her.
For Lilith, it was the first time a person dared to disrespect her. She wasn’t just the first princess, she was the kingdom’s favorite princess, and nobody, no one dared challenge her authority. Getting insulted by a human was much worse. A mere weak human.
Her servant took a step and whispered. “First princess, she’s the prince’s…”
“I do not care. Just like the others, she’s going to die soon. Brother Rafael wouldn’t bother whether she’s slapped or not. If no one would, I’ll dirty my palm.”
She was right before Elora in an instant and the servants held their breaths as her palm lifted in the air. They could sense an incoming war. But just before it could descend on her, her wrist was caught halfway.
“Oh heavens, sister.” All eyes instantly turned to the girl who'd suddenly appeared to step between Elora and Lilith. She was dressed in a similar way to the first princess. “It’s unethical to hit Brother’s wife. She’s only a few hours in Elyria. Except you want to start a war with the humans, of course.”
“Let go of my hand this instant.”
The newcomer only held Lilth’s wrist tighter.
“Didn’t you hear me? How dare you.”
“You should be grateful I saved you from having your hands cut off for starting a war.” Finally, the girl let go of the first princess’s wrist and wiped her palm with her dress. “I forgot how dirty those hands of yours are.”
Lilith grunted. “You…” Her cheeks reddened like a ripened tomato and her chest heaved up and down in anger. “I’ll make sure that you pay for this.” With that, she swiveled around, stomped her foot, harrumphed, and angrily stormed away with her maids running behind her.
“Good riddance.”
Once Lilith was out of sight, Elora’s servants dropped their heads and echoed in unison, “Third princess.”
“Good good, raise your heads,” the third princess spoke with a smile before her eyes finally returned to Elora. She gasped. “Oh goodness, I didn’t expect you to be this breathtaking. Brother Rafael is so lucky.”
Elora only stood in awe, her eyes on the princess who’d saved her from being sent to the early grave with a slap. Unlike the first princess, she stood alone with no servants flocking behind her. She was equally beautiful and looked almost the same as the first princess, except that her eyes were a lighter shade of red and her hair was blonde, adorned with less dramatic ornaments. She had softer features compared to the first princess.
“Anyways, I’m Arielle, the third princess of this cursed country. You can call me Elle.” Arielle stretched her palm forward for a handshake. “Pleasure meeting you.”
“Elora.” Slowly, her hand extended to meet with Arielle’s.
“Oh, no need. The entire city is aware of
your name,” Arielle gently pulled her closer until they stood side by side with each other. “Come on, I’ll lead you to the Royal ballroom.”
In no time, they arrived at the magnificent ballroom. The royal ballroom was astonishingly glamorous. Red and golden curtains hung from the high ceiling that was adorned with bright chandeliers and the air smelled of thick perfumes, scandalwood, wealth, and perhaps blood.
“Don’t be surprised the ball started before you arrived, princess Elora,” Arielle began, her voice loud enough for her to hear. “We didn’t think you'd show up. Brother Rafael never comes to the castle. He’d always end up fighting with first brother and father every time. Surprisingly, he lets you come.”
At Arielle’s words, Elora returned her attention to her. “His highness seems to…to have a temper,” she whispered.
They walked through the dance floor where some of the nobles stopped their moves to bow. The women were clad in extremely tight corsets beneath their flowing gowns, she wondered if they could breathe properly.
“You’re right. Brother Rafael does have a temper. But sometimes, it’s justified,” she said, lowering her voice. “The Crown Prince and father can be overbearing and the death of his fiancées…. Oh, we’re here.”
Elora lifted her gaze. She’d been too engrossed in the topic about her husband to notice they’d reached the end of the hall. Before them stood a Dias and upon it were two thrones. Her gaze trailed upward from the foot of the golden thrones before settling on the figures on them.
“My lady,” Hula called from behind her. “Please pay respect to His Majesty and Her Majesty.”
With a nod, she put her palm together, lowered her knees, and bowed her head. “Greetings, your majesties.”
Gasps and murmurs reverberated in the hall. When she received no reply, she slowly lifted her head only to find the piercing gaze of the king and queen on her.
“My lady, you…you have to…to kneel to greet the rulers,” Hula informed. The servants too could feel the shift in the atmosphere and the anger emanating from the rulers. It was a rule to kneel while greeting the higher royals else it would be considered a disrespect.
Kneel? Elora thought. The vampires sure had too many rules. It was only the beginning of the day but she wished that she’d return home already. Home. The second prince’s mansion.
“My lady…”
She broke away from her thoughts. “I…”
“Your actions will be overlooked this time, Lady Elora. Welcome to Elyria,” the queen cut in. Her voice was as soft as her looks.
“Thank you, your majesty.”
After a few exchanges of pleasantries with the higher royals, Arielle led her away from them. She introduced them to a few of her friends who’d only let out a stiff ‘welcome, Lady Elora.’ She noticed that the vampires kept their distance from her. While some passed her hateful glances, others acted like she didn’t exist. Fortunately, there was Arielle by her side. Although the two girls had only met, their bond was beginning to grow.
For Elora, it was relieving. Arielle was really friendly.
“A minute, Lady Elora. I’ll be right back.” It was Arielle’s last words before she disappeared into the crowd, leaving her standing by herself in the middle of the ballroom.
She drew her cloak closer to herself as her stomach let out a low rumble. When was the last time she had anything to eat? She wondered. Her eyes darted across the ballroom, sweeping over every table. Perhaps she could find something for her stomach before Arielle returned.
But after a while of futile search, she grew impatient. Do vampires only drink and never eat? Maybe the servants could be of help?
Just before she could begin another search for a servant, a deep, loud voice echoed behind her.
“Perhaps this is what you’re searching for, Lady Elora?”