Chapter 43 Vampire guests 1

Chapter 43 Vampire guests 1
\-Amelia’s point of view-

It was evening again. The sun had slipped away, and with it came the reminder that my father would be arriving soon.

Night belonged to vampires. Daylight kept them hidden, which was unfortunate for them, honestly. 

However, this worked in everyone’s favor cause when it came to destruction, we were more than a match for any pack of werewolves.

I stood before the mirror for a moment, studying my reflection. I looked pretty in a way that felt almost unreal. 

If I had to face my father today, I would do it standing tall.

Afterall, Luc had promised he would never let my father drag me back to that miserable dungeon and I held on to that promise because I trust him. 

And right now, all I could do now was hope my father would accept whatever answer he was given and leave without turning this into a battlefield.

I exhaled slowly, pulling myself out of my thoughts, and taking one steady breath, then another. 

I really needed a clear head for this.

My dad, I had always wondered what he truly looked like and that curiosity had followed me for years like an itch I could never quite scratch.

When I stepped out of my room and started down the staircase, Brennan was already coming toward me. I was not particularly happy to see him.

“The Alpha is waiting for you in the grand room. I’m here to escort you,” he said in a way that grated on my nerves.

I acknowledged his words with a nod, and a forced smile, falling into step behind him as he led the way. 

I nodded and forced a polite smile, falling into step behind him.

The grand room lived up to its name. 

The space was wide and lavish, lined with chairs along the edges. At the center stood a large, commanding seat that clearly belonged to Lucien. 

He was already there, issuing orders, and servants moved quickly around the room, adjusting every detail and making sure everything was flawless for this meeting.

I was in awe because it was very clear that Lucien had taken this meeting seriously. Very seriously.

I let out a soft sigh, forcing a strained smile as I walked toward him.

His eyes immediately found mine, clearly acknowledging my presence.

For a long moment, we just looked at each other before he finally spoke. “You’re here. As you can see, everything has been prepared for your father’s arrival. But are you really ready?”

I let out a shaky breath and shot him an irritated look, my annoyance clear in the pout on my face. 

With a discontented humph, I walked away from him and sat in one of the nearby chairs, deliberately avoiding his eyes.

I stayed like that for a while, my annoyance simmering inside me. I had hoped for a certain reaction when he first looked at me, a response he had completely failed to give. 

Instead, he asked a question. A question. Is he kidding me? 

It was frustrating. Seriously?

With a scoff, I turned my head further, keeping my gaze firmly elsewhere. If he couldn’t understand what I expected him to say, then I had no intention of talking to him today.

Eventually, he came closer and crouched to meet my eye level. I refused to look at him because meeting his eyes would have definitely weakened my anger, and I wasn’t ready to let go of this unfamiliar feeling.

“Olivia, are you alright? Is something wrong? Does it have to do with your father?” he asked, his concern obvious. “If your father’s visit worries you, I can keep him from seeing you, if that’s what you want.”

I let out a deep sigh and finally looked at him. 

He looked really worried, and I couldn’t help but pout, realizing my distress had genuinely affected him. 

“I’m sorry. No, it’s not about my father’s arrival,” I said, lowering my gaze and absentmindedly fiddling with my hands.

“Sorry? For a moment, I thought I had done something wrong. It’s funny hearing you apologize to me,” he said, a spark of amusement in his eyes.

I met his gaze again and said plainly, “You didn’t say what I wanted to hear.” 

My words hung between us, my longing for that simple acknowledgment clear.

He blinked, looking genuinely confused. “I didn’t… I didn’t say something you wanted to hear? What did I miss?”

Without thinking, I blurted out, “Am I beautiful or not?” A sigh escaped me, like releasing a frustration I had been holding in. “I read in a book that a boyfriend should always tell his girlfriend she’s beautiful, especially when she’s dressed nicely.”

I knew it was a strange request, and I was fully aware of my own beauty, yet somehow hearing it from him made it feel more real.

His jaw dropped slightly before he blinked, and then he chuckled softly. “Oh, that’s what was bothering you,” he said, a low laugh punctuating his understanding. “You are beautiful, dressed nicely or not, believe me,” he added, his tone full of certainty.

A shy smile tugged at my lips as his words sank in. “Really?” I asked, needing him to confirm.

He nodded earnestly. “Absolutely.”

“Then you should have said it,” I teased, pouting slightly, and he smiled, clearly amused by my honesty.

“I should have. I guess I won’t make that mistake again,” he admitted, and I couldn’t help but smile in response.

I bit my lower lip, a warmth spreading through me at his words. Even the nearby servants and warriors seemed to turn their attention toward us. 

I met his gaze and nodded. “I’m glad to hear that.”

Suddenly, a wave of unease coursed through me, a visceral awareness of the presence of vampires. 

My heart quickened its pace, prompting me to rise abruptly from my seat. 

"They're here," I announced with a tremor in my voice.

Lucien, too, stood up, his expression unwavering. "Yes, I know. But as I've told you, don't show him your fear. Be resolute when you confront him."

I swallowed hard, attempting to quell the frantic rhythm of my heart. "Alright, I won't."